Sip Southern Vermont: Your Guide to Craft Breweries & Distilleries Near Ludlow

From Long Trail's riverside pub to Harpoon's Windsor beer garden and SILO Distillery's farm-to-bottle spirits, here's your guide to the best craft breweries and distilleries within an hour of Ludlow, VT -- with The Governor's Inn as your home base.

When you think of Vermont, two things probably come to mind: breathtaking mountain scenery and world-class craft beverages. Good news -- when you stay at The Governor's Inn in downtown Ludlow, you're perfectly positioned to enjoy both.

Southern Vermont has quietly become one of New England's most rewarding craft beverage destinations, with breweries, distilleries, and taprooms scattered across the Green Mountains -- all within an hour's drive of your room at 86 Main Street. Whether you're planning a dedicated brewery-hopping weekend or just want to duck into a riverside pub after a morning hike, here's your guide to the best spots near Ludlow.

Off the Rails: Right in Your Backyard

You don't even need to start the car. Off the Rails sits at 64 Pond Street, right at the entrance to Okemo Mountain, and pours a rotating selection of Vermont craft beers alongside wood-fired pizza and signature cocktails. With live music throughout the summer and a laid-back patio vibe, it's the perfect first stop -- or last stop -- on your beverage tour. Open daily from 3 PM (noon on Sundays).

Long Trail Brewing Co.: A Vermont Icon

Thirty minutes north on Route 4, Long Trail Brewing Co. in Bridgewater Corners is a pilgrimage worth making. Inspired by Munich's Hofbräuhaus, this legendary brewery has been a caretaker of Vermont craft since 1989, when the first batch of Long Trail Ale rolled off the line in the basement of the Old Woolen Mill. Today, the riverside pub and dog-friendly outdoor beer garden make it a perfect afternoon hangout. Open seven days a week from noon to 8 PM, with live music every Thursday from 5 to 7 PM and Sundays from 3 to 5 PM.

Try: The Long Trail Ale -- their original, year-round brew that started it all.

Harpoon Brewery & SILO Distillery: The Windsor One-Two Punch

About 45 minutes east of Ludlow in Windsor, you'll find one of Southern Vermont's best-kept secrets: Artisans Park, where two craft beverage heavyweights share the same address.

Harpoon Brewery's Windsor Taproom pours its beloved IPA, UFO line, and seasonal releases in a sprawling outdoor pavilion and beer garden. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is pure summer-in-Vermont, and they host live music every Sunday afternoon -- catch Brooks Hubbard on July 26 at 4 PM. Thirsty Thursday Trivia rounds out the weekly lineup.

Right next door, SILO Distillery operates out of a stunning custom-built barn, crafting farm-to-bottle spirits using grains from local Vermont farmers. They're known for their Cucumber Vodka, Lavender Vodka, and Maple Whiskey -- spirits that taste like the Green Mountains in a glass. Stop in for a tasting flight, grab a craft cocktail, and check out the rotating food trucks parked outside.

Pro tip: Park once, visit both. It's the most efficient craft beverage afternoon in Southern Vermont.

Vermont Spirits Distilling Co.: Spirits at the Gorge

Fifty minutes northeast in Quechee, Vermont Spirits Distilling Co. has been crafting award-winning spirits since the early days of Vermont's distilling renaissance. Their Vermont Gold Vodka is distilled from maple sap -- a true taste of the Green Mountain State -- and their No. 14 Bourbon and Coppers Gin have earned national recognition. Their on-site cocktail lounge, Harry's, pours creative cocktails and hosts live music throughout the summer. Pair your visit with a stop at nearby Quechee Gorge, Vermont's "Little Grand Canyon," for a day trip that pairs stunning scenery with a great drink.

Plan Your Craft Beverage Getaway

The beauty of basing your craft beverage tour at The Governor's Inn is that you're walking distance from Off the Rails and a short, scenic drive from everything else. No need to navigate back to a distant hotel after a long day of tasting -- you're already home in the heart of Ludlow Village.

A few tips for making the most of it:

Pace yourself. Most tastings are generous; plan two or three stops per day, not five.
Bring a designated driver. The routes between Ludlow, Windsor, and Quechee are beautiful but winding.
Check hours before you go. Summer schedules can shift, especially for smaller operations.
Make a weekend of it. A two-night stay gives you time to hit the Windsor Artisans Park combo on Saturday and Long Trail on Sunday, with a hike or chairlift ride in between.

Ready to raise a glass to a Southern Vermont getaway? Book your stay at The Governor's Inn and let us be your home base for the best craft beverage trail in the Green Mountains.

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