The 12 Best Breweries in New England You Need to Visit

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Visiting a craft brewery is one of the most essential things to do in New England. The region is well-known for many things, like beautiful fall foliage, incredible seafood, and rich history. But it’s also renowned as a beer-lover’s destination. Whether you’re into IPAs, stouts, lagers, or sours, there’s a little bit of something for everyone to be found in New England breweries.

So, which ones do you hit up first? For starters, check out these 12 best breweries in New England you need to put on your bucket list.

Treehouse Brewing Company (Massachusetts)
Trillium Brewing Company (Massachusetts)
Kettlehead Brewing Company (New Hampshire)
Earth Eagle Brewings (New Hampshire)
Hill Farmstead Brewery (Vermont)
Foam Brewers (Vermont)
Allagash Brewing Company (Maine)
Bissell Brothers Brewing Company (Maine)
Fox Farm Brewery (Connecticut)
Alvarium Beer Co. (Connecticut)
Tilted Barn Brewery (Rhode Island)
Buttonwoods Brewery (Rhode Island)

Best Breweries in Massachusetts

Treehouse Brewing Company

Address: 129 Sturbridge Road, Charlton

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Rating: 4.8/5 stars (based on 2,496 Google reviews)

You’ll find one of the best New England breweries a little more than an hour southwest of Boston. Treehouse Brewing Company, located in Charlton, has consistently been voted one of the best breweries in the area and is known for its great beer and lovely atmosphere. If you want its renowned beer, you’ll have to visit the brewery on-site, as it’s not sold in stores.

Beers to try: Julius (IPA), Doppelganger (Double IPA)

Trillium Brewing Company

Address: 100 Royall Street, Canton

Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. (To Go, Draft, Snacks Only); Thursday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.(To Go, Draft, Full Restaurant Service)

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 914 Google reviews)

Trillium Brewing Company has several locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut, but its Canton location is one of the best spots to check out. It’s only 30 minutes southwest of Boston and has plenty of space to enjoy yourself, whether you like an indoor or outdoor experience. If you head to the taproom Thursday through Sunday, you can also eat at its restaurant and enjoy delicious food and drafts. Head to Trillium to enjoy signature IPAs, porters, and other styles.

Beers to try: Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake Doughnut (Stout), Double Dry Hopped Sleeper Street (IPA)

Best Breweries in New Hampshire

Kettlehead Brewing Company

Address: 407 West Main Street, Tilton

Hours: Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday

Rating: 4.6/5 stars (based on 441 Google reviews)

If you find yourself in the Lakes Region of the Granite State, swing by Kettlehead Brewing Company in Tilton for a draft. Grab a bite and enjoy a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and lagers. You can sit inside or outside, but try to make a reservation ahead of time if you’re planning on dining—it’s a popular place! Plus, it’s located only 20 minutes north of Concord and 35 minutes north of Manchester. It’ll get you out of town for a bit, but not too far out.

Beers to try: Flow Switch (Lotus, Citra, Sabro) (IPA), RSTYMTL (Altbier)

Earth Eagle Brewings

Address: 175 High Street, Portsmouth

Hours: Closed Monday & Tuesday; Wednesday & Thursday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 641 Google reviews)

Craft beers, grub, outdoor seating, and live music—what more could you want in a brewery? Earth Eagle Brewings, located in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire in the thriving city of Portsmouth, is one of the best breweries in the area. Here, you’ll find a beer garden, great food, live music on the weekends, and (of course) awesome beer. Plus, you can bring your pup along as long as you sit outside.

Beers to try: New England Gangsta (IPA), Armadillo Danger (Pale Ale)

Best Breweries in Vermont

Hill Farmstead Brewery

Address: 403 Hill Road, Greensboro Bend

Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 432 Google reviews)

Head to this beautiful brewery in Vermont for an experience (and beer) you won’t soon forget. Located an hour and a half east of Burlington, Hill Farmstead Brewery is a wonderful place to unwind and sip ales at. Plus, it has core values rooted in personal integrity and the common good. Make sure you make a reservation to sit in the taproom and sip on some of Vermont’s best ales.

Beers to try: Ann (Farmhouse Ale), Poetica #2 (Pilsner)

Foam Brewers

Address: 112 Lake Street, Burlington

Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 12 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 777 Google reviews)

If you’re in the Burlington area, make sure you make a pit stop at Foam Brewers. This brewery is located on the shores of Lake Champlain and offers a variety of brews to try, from IPAs to sours. Plus, if you’re feeling hungry, you can make a reservation at Deep City Restaurant, the brewery’s sister restaurant and bar. Great food, beers, and atmosphere make this place one of the top breweries in Vermont to visit. Don’t wait!

Beers to try: Galaxie 500 (IPA), Alien Observer (Sour)

Best Breweries in Maine

Allagash Brewing Company

Address: 50 Industrial Way, Portland

Hours: Thursday & Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Rating: 4.8/5 stars (based on 921 Google reviews)

Head to The Pine Tree State to find Allagash Brewing Company, a Belgian-style beer maker with lots to offer. It’s an independent craft brewery that serves a variety of ales, including stouts and blonde ales. It’s currently open for outdoor-only tasting and does allow well-behaved leashed dogs on the premises. If you’re hungry, look for Bite Into Maine’s food truck to get a delicious lobster roll or whoopie pie—two Maine essentials. Visiting this brewery is sure to be one of your favorite parts of your visit to Maine!

Beers to try: Barrel & Bean (tripel), Sixteen Counties (Belgian pale)

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company

Address: 38 Resurgam Place, Portland

Hours: Monday—Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 721 Google reviews)

Another Portland brewery to add to your must-visit list is Bissell Brothers Brewing Company. It was founded in 2013 and is dedicated to making the best beer experience possible. There’s a little bit of something for everyone here, from saisons to lagers. Don’t forget to order from the kitchen as you’re sipping on a made-in-Maine brew. Stop in and see the incredible place the Bissell brothers have built for themselves and their community.

Beers to try: A Study In Courage (IPA), Enchanted Forest (saison)

Best Breweries in Connecticut

Fox Farm Brewery

Address: 62 Music Vale Road, Salem

Hours: Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Rating: 4.8/5 stars (based on 366 Google reviews)

Next time you find yourself near Salem, Connecticut, make a reservation and stop at Fox Farm Brewery for an unbelievable brew. Not only is the beer good, but the brewery itself is lovely. It has that New England architectural charm that’ll make you want to hang out for hours. If you’re already a fan of Fox Farm ales and brews, you can pick bottles and cans up curbside. The beer, atmosphere, and staff are sure to impress.

Beers to try: Sway (lager), Ashlaw Coffee Stout

Alvarium Beer Co.

Address: 365 John Downey Drive Suite B, New Britain

Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 418 Google reviews)

Head to New Britain, Connecticut to see why Alvarium Beer Co. made this list. Head to the cozy and spacious taproom that also connects right to where the beer is made. The taproom’s design integrates New Britain’s history, and you can tell just how much the brewery cares for its community. Combine that great atmosphere with even better beer and you have a winning brewery!

Beers to try: Crunchy Roll (Japanese rice lager), Tangerine Haze (New England pale ale)

Best Breweries in Rhode Island

Tilted Barn Brewery

Address: One Hemsley Place, Exeter

Hours: Closed Monday through Wednesday; Thursday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rating: 4.8/5 stars (based on 263 Google reviews)

Fun fact: Tilted Barn Brewery is Rhode Island’s first farm brewery. Stop on by, grab a seat, and relax at this wonderful spot. It’s the perfect place to unwind and sip on a pale ale or porter. Grab a brew on tap and then grab some cans to go. Don’t forget to grab grub from a food truck—there’s a different one there each day they’re open. Check out this great Rhode Island farm-to-beer experience today!

Beers to try: Cactus (IPA), Raffi (stout)

Buttonwoods Brewery

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Address: 530 Wellington Avenue #22, Cranston

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Mondays

Rating: 4.7/5 stars (based on 165 Google reviews)

Head to the tasting room (called The Annex) at Buttonwoods Brewery to taste some truly unforgettable Rhode Island ales. Choose from a mix of lagers, pale ales, and stouts to sip on and relax with. Plus, you can shop in their store to get beer, merchandise, and more. This is a must-visit stop for all brew lovers making their way through Rhode Island.

Beers to try: Peer Pressure (lager), Lost Vision (IPA)

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Amy Hartle

Amy is the founder of New England with love. A proud Vermonter, she hopes to share her love of New England and help you find the best adventures in the region. Amy is also blogger/founder at Two Drifters, where she writes alongside her husband about romantic and couples travel, relationships, honeymoons, and more. When not working on websites, Amy is probably reading, cuddling with her husband, son, and cats, & drinking a maple latte.