Discover the essence of New England brewing: 5 great brewpubs for beer enthusiasts

Big Day Brewing is one of the newest additions to New Hampshire’s beer scene. (Johanna Sorrell Photography)

Beer connoisseurs who live here know that New England is home to some of the best breweries in North America.

No matter how those in Colorado, Michigan and Oregon might disagree.

Whether you’re an avid beer lover searching for the perfect saison or a casual enthusiast looking for a cool place to hang out and sip on a crisp New England-style IPA, we’ve identified brewpubs that will have what you’re looking for.

Here are five great ones around New England.

Long Trail Pub, Bridgewater Corners, Vt. 

Home to some of the best hazy New England-style IPAs in the world, Vermont is a must-visit destination for anyone remotely interested in beer. Of the nearly 70 breweries in the state (that’s 15 per 100,000 residents), Long Trail is one of the most-widely recognized. Located in Bridgewater Corners along the banks of the Ottauquechee River, Long Trail’s brewpub features a rotating food menu focused on locally sourced ingredients and more than a dozen beers on tap. There are regularly scheduled events and bands at the taproom, making it the perfect place to hang out after a day’s hike. longtrail.com

Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, Vt.

Although slightly lesser-known than Long Trail, Lawson’s Finest Liquids is no secret. Although it already had been gaining recognition, the brewery was really put on the map when it released its Sip of Sunshine New England IPA in 2014. Now, Lawson’s has a number of recognizable beers, like its Little Sip IPA and Double Sunshine. The taproom, which opened in Waitsfield in 2018, is housed in a spectacular barn-style structure and offers a range of comfort food like grilled cheese and pretzels. lawsonsfinest.com

Maine Beer Company, Freeport, Maine

Located just north of Portland in Freeport, Maine Beer Company has made a name for itself throughout the Northeast since its founding in 2009. Its beers (again, you won’t find a shortage of IPAs here) have names — Wolfe’s Neck, Woods and Waters — that pay tribute to the state of Maine. The spacious taproom features a variety of pizzas as well as smaller salads and snacks. mainebeercompany.com

Big Day Brewing, Gorham, N.H.

Big Day Brewing, located just north of the Mount Washington Valley in Gorham, is one of the newest additions to New Hampshire’s beer scene. Opened in 2021, the brewery was created to bring a new hangout spot to the up-and-coming town of Gorham, complete with great food and delicious beer. Now, they brew a large variety of styles, from lagers and pilsners to porters and milk stouts. bigdaybrewing.com 

Trillium Brewing, Boston and Canton, Mass. 

Since its inception in 2013, Trillium has grown to be known for having some of the best beer in New England. While they brew quite a few IPAs, Trillium also offers darker beers, like stouts and porters, as well as lagers, sours and saisons. Today, Trillium has four locations in Massachusetts that offer food menus — Canton, Fort Point, Fenway, Boston Common — and one on the city’s Greenway with rotating food trucks. trilliumbrewing.com