Raise a Glass with Vermont Beer & Cider

Vermont is known as a craft beer and cider destination! On DigInVT.com alone, we have over 65 breweries and cideries! It makes sense - our talented farmers who grow hops, malt, apples, and other ingredients collaborate so well with our creative brewmasters who make these special beverages. Naturally, local beer and cider are great gifts. Share these delicious Vermont drinks with everyone on your list (21+ of course). With so many different styles represented on the DigInVT Holiday Gift Guide, as well as swag, virtual tastings, and more, you can get creative and gift them something they'll really love this holiday season!

Beer & Cider

This one is pretty self explanatory! Does your loved one have a favorite brewery or cidery or like trying new ones? Pick them up a bottle or a four pack, and pair it with one of the other great gift options listed below. Or better yet, get them a few choices so they can do their own tasting and find more to love! Order directly from a brewery, and for cider, use the handy "Find Cider" tool on the Vermont Cider Association's webpage. If you're in Vermont, feel free to visit - many tasting rooms are still open for retail sales. Or hit up your local food market - most of them stock a great selection of made in Vermont beverages, but be sure to call ahead if you're looking for something specific. You might even cross some other gifts off your list while you're there.

Tickets for the 2022 Vermont Brewer's Association Festival Killington!

After a two-year hiatus, this unique outdoor festival on March 19th features 35 Vermont brewers and special collaboration beers made exclusively for this event! There are two tasting sessions to choose from with a Festival Pass or buy the Ski Pass combo for a full day of fun. Order soon on the Vermont Brewer's Association website and while you're there check out the excellent merch page to add to your gift!

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates make a great present. Order gift certificates or cards directly from a brewery, and for cider, use the handy "Find Cider" tool on the Vermont Cider Association's webpage for links to their online shops. The recipient can then decide how to use it - take a tour, have a tasting, snag some swag, and/or get some drinks to take home!

Pairings

You know what pairs really well with beer and cider? Vermont cheese! Gift these together for a proven winning combination.

Here are some cider pairing suggestions from the DigInVT.com archives:

Citizen Cider Unified Press & Cobb Hill Cheese Oh My Gouda
Citizen Cider Wit's Up & Jasper Hill Farm Bayley Hazen
Champlain Orchard and Cidery Mac & Maple & Grafton Village Clothbound Cheddar
For more suggestions, check out our blog post, Cider and Cheese Pairings for the Season.

And a couple for the beer lovers:

And don't forget the beer cheeses from Farmstead Cheese Company: Cheddy Topper (The Alchemist) and Sip of Sunshine Alehouse Cheddar (Lawson's Finest Liquids)!

Beer & Cider Condiments

We love all the creative combinations featuring beer and cider from our local makers! Butterfly Bakery of Vermont has the goods, including Heady Topper Mustard, Vienna Lager Mustard Hot Sauce (featuring von Trapp Brewery), and Citizen Cider Smoked Onion Mustard that are unique and delicious. Get them online by ordering directly from Butterfly Bakery the Mad River Taste Place! Brewery & Cidery Day Trip

Plan a special day trip as a gift for your significant other or a group of 21+ pals featuring breweries and cideries in the new year. If your group is more into beer, Take the Vermont Brewery Challenge with the corresponding DigInVT Trail or try one of the several great Beer Trails on the Vermont Brewers Association website! For a cider exploration, make a day out of our Vermont Cider Trail or make your own using the DigInVT Trail feature. Be sure to stop by a farmstand, pick-your-own of whatever's in season in the warmer months, and grab a delicious lunch or dinner while you're out and about. Another great day experience is a self-guided bike tour with Vermont Bike & Brew! Their routes visit craft breweries, farm stands, cafes, and sugarhouses. Explore Vermont's backroads and immerse yourself in the sights, scents, and sounds of our beautiful state (hint - they offer gift certificates!).

Weekend Getaway

Plan a fun getaway with your partner or a friend as a special holiday gift. Book a couple nights at the Trapp Family Lodge and visit the on-site von Trapp Brewery Bierhall to enjoy "a little of Austria, a lot of Vermont" - sample their delicious lagers and grab a bite. Follow the Explore Stowe Trail and visit Stowe Cider and The Alchemist, too. Or head to Middlebury and reserve a room at the Middlebury Inn. Have a meal at Morgan's Tavern and stop by Otter Creek Brewing Co., Drop In Brewing, and Woodchuck Cider! For a fun farm stay experience, camp out at Thornhill Farm and stop by the highly acclaimed Hill Farmstead Brewery. You really can't go wrong, exploring Vermont and discovering some delicious beverages along the way.

Merch & Swag

Vermont breweries and cideries have awesome swag! Get everyone on your list a branded item so they can share their love for their favorite beer or cider with the world, or just Vermont beer in general. From t-shirts and hats to home decor and glassware, they've got you covered. Visit each brewery or cidery's webpage to see what their retail offerings are. Here are a just a few of the many, many options to check out: