Raise a Glass with Vermont Beer & Cider

Vermont is a major craft beer and cider destination! On DigInVT.com alone, we have over 70 breweries and cideries! It makes sense - our talented farmers who grow hops, malt, apples, and other ingredients collaborate so well with our creative brewmasters and cidermakers who make these very 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, and more, you can get creative and gift them something they'll really love this holiday season!

Beer & Cider

Does your loved one have a favorite brewery or cidery or like trying new ones? Pick 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 the taprooms 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.

Sip, Taste, and Explore Vermont Raffle Tickets

Vermont Beer + Vermont Food = An Unforgettable Experience. Kickoff 2023 with an adventure and surprise someone special this holiday season with a curated food and beverage experience in Vermont! Win a $5,000 cash prize to use towards travel and lodging, restaurants and breweries, and swag. Local industry experts will help design your personalized itinerary including VIP tours and tastings. You can also win a YETI Tundra 35 cooler to keep all your specialty craft products in prime travel condition, 2 VBA YETI water bottles to keep you hydrated, 2 tickets to the Vermont Fresh Network Forum Dinner (aka the Best Dinner of the Summer), and a Vermont Fresh Network blanket to use during picnic season. Buy tickets HERE!

Cider Tasting Party Kit

Eden Speciality Ciders has an awesome cider tasting party kit this year! Each kit is sufficient for 4 - 6 participants, and includes 4 different styles of cider, along with cider descriptions, tasting guide and 4 cider tasting booklets for participants to record their notes. For extra fun you can add on a guided tasting from Eden with their founder Eleanor Leger.

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:

And a couple for the beer lovers:

von Trapp Helles Lager & Orb Weaver Farmhouse
Drop-In Brewing Heart of Lothian & Spring Brook Farm Tarentaise

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 and Mad River Taste Place!

Plan a 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

A weekend getaway with your partner or a friend is a very 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 the Swift House Inn. Have a meal at Jessica's at the Swift House Inn. (Winner of the Best Bite at Vermont Fresh Network's 2022 Annual Forum Dinner) and stop by Otter Creek Brewing Co., Drop In Brewing, and Woodchuck Cider! For a fun farm stay experience, head to Greensboro, camp out at Thornhill Farm and visit the highly acclaimed Hill Farmstead Brewery. We always recommend exploring Vermont, because you'll always discover delicious food and beverages along the way.

Merch & Swag

Vermont breweries and cideries take pride in their merch! Get everyone on your list a bit of swag so they can share their love for their favorite beer or cider with the world, or just Vermont beer and cider 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: