Brewskies and Breakfasts – BnBs Along the Vermont Brewers Trail

Here’s the making for a perfect New Engalnd getaway – pause for brewskies and breakfasts at great bed and breakfasts along the Vermont Brewers Trail

Looking to beat the heat? A frosty mug of your favorite ale might just do the trick. Whether you’re savoring a pint on the patio, at a BBQ, in a beer garden or at the local pub or brewery, it’s an oh-so refreshing way to cool down during the hot summer.

Trips along brewery trails are popular during the warmer months and one state with renowned beer-making stops is Vermont. Known for its world-class skiing in the winter, maple madness in the spring and leaf peeping in the fall, The Green Mountain State is also considered a craft brewing hot spot for beer lovers. In fact, you can grab an Official Passport and head out on the Vermont Brewery Challenge, a tour of all the beer-making locales in the state. Savor handcrafted beers along the way and take a behind-the-scenes look at the process from “hops” to finish.

If you decide to take the Vermont Brewery Challenge, make a weekend of it staying at a B&B in one of the towns on the tour. After cracking open a few frosty ones, you’ll be happy to have a fluffy bed to fall into.

The Gables Inn—Stowe
Formerly a farm house dating back 150 years, this 8-room inn is located between Stowe and the popular Stowe Mountain Resort and close to The Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge. Their accommodations range from cozy inn rooms to romantic suites with wood burning fireplaces and Jacuzzis. Breakfasts, such as the croissant French toast stuffed with caramelized peaches and sweetened whipped mascarpone topped with raspberry infused maple syrup (it’s a mouthful), can be enjoyed on the porch or at a table under their trademark yellow umbrellas.

Old Stagecoach Inn—Waterbury
Before being transformed into a B&B, this inn, built in 1826, had a few iterations including a tavern, stagecoach stop and private residence. Each of the eleven cozy guest rooms is uniquely designed and decorated with classic touches. It’s located in the same town as The Alchemist brewery and walking distance from many local restaurants and shops.

Heart of the Village Inn—Shelburne
This casually elegant Victorian bed and breakfast inn was built in 1886 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each of the five inn rooms and four Carriage Barn rooms are dressed out in period furnishings and named after a historic figure from Shelburne including “Van Vliet,” “Bostwick,” “Fletcher” and “Barstow.” After stopping by the Fiddlehead Brewing Company, relax on the inn’s beautiful wraparound porch.

West Hill House Bed & Breakfast—Warren
Located on nine acres on the slopes of the Green Mountains, the West Hill House was built in the 1850s and is located only a mile from Sugarbush and adjacent to the Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship golf course. Take an afternoon stroll by the inn’s ornamental ponds or catch a cool breeze under the gazebo before heading out to Lawson’s Finest Liquids for a sampling of their finest beer.

Four Chimneys Inn and Restaurant—Bennington
A Georgian Revival mansion originally built in 1783 as a private residence, this historic inn sits on eleven sprawling acres of wooded green. Take a short day trip to Saratoga Springs or Stratton before popping into Madison Brewing for a cold one. When you return to the inn, savor a gourmet offering courtesy of Executive Chef Nathan Yorke.

Forty Putney Road Bed & Breakfast—Brattleboro
Leave your Official Passport at the door. The self-described “beer geeks” at Forty Putney Road offer over 30 local craft beers in their quaint pub at the inn. Enjoy a beer tasting every Saturday night and a full 2-course breakfast such as asparagus wrapped in fresh bacon followed by baked blueberry French toast in the morning.

Swift House Inn—Middlebury
Whether you stay in the Federal-style Main House, the 1880 Carriage House or the Victorian Gate House, this former governor’s mansion will make for a quintessential New England escape. It offers modern amenities mixed with period décor in each of the inn’s twenty rooms. Visit the Sheldon Museum or the nearby Robert Frost Homestead and then head to the Otter Creek Brewing, Wolaver’s Organic Ales, and The Shed for a tour and a sip, of course.

Willard Street Inn—Burlington
Built in 1881, this 14-room Georgian and Queen Anne Revival was formerly the private residence for Charles W. Woodhouse. You can soak in the scenic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains from your elegant yet cozy room. Kick off the morning in the marble-floored solarium with a sumptuous breakfast comprised of seasonal ingredients from the inn’s garden before heading out for the day. Make stops at the Switchback Brewing Co. or The Vermont Pub & Brewery for a pint of their hand-crafted beer.

Summers can get steamy with little relief in sight. This year, don’t get overheated or left empty handed. Grab a mug and cool down with your favorite crafted beer along the Vermont brewery trail before heading back to a B&B for some well-earned R&R.

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About The Author:  Rich Rodriguez is the PR & Marketing Coordinator for BnBFinder.com, one of the world’s most comprehensive B&B directories. You can read more about B&Bs and travel at the BnBFinder blog. Follow along on Twitter at @BnBFinder, Facebook and Google+.
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