By Gabriel Schatz, Vermont Country Magazine.
Brattleboro knows how to throw a beer festival. Now in its 16th year, the Brattleboro Brewers Festival is back on Saturday, May 31, 2025, promising a full afternoon of top-shelf craft beer, food, live music, and games. Taking place at the Guilford Fairgrounds, just minutes from downtown Brattleboro, the one-day event has become a can’t-miss tradition for locals and beer lovers across the region.
Founded in 2010, the Brattleboro Brewers Festival has grown into a regional staple, attracting attendees from Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and beyond. The festival’s laid-back, local vibe has remained central to its charm, even as it’s expanded to include over 30 breweries, cideries, and local vendors.
The main draw, of course, is the beer. While the full 2025 lineup is still being finalized, previous festivals have featured favorite brewers like Lawson’s Finest Liquids, 14th Star Brewing, Whetstone Station, and Branch & Blade, alongside emerging and small-batch brewers from across the Northeast. Past years have offered over 100 taps of craft beer and cider, with styles ranging from classic IPAs and lagers to sours, saisons, and ciders made with Vermont-grown apples. Attendees receive a souvenir tasting glass and 8 pour tokens with admission, giving them plenty of opportunities to sample the offerings. Festival-goers can vote for their favorite brew in the annual People’s Choice award, a competition that adds a little extra excitement to the sipping.
Beyond the beer tents, the festival offers a full afternoon of entertainment and activities. This year’s music will be headlined by Groove Prophet, a Brattleboro-based band known for their danceable blend of rock and R&B. Live music has always been a highlight of the event, adding a relaxed but energetic atmosphere as guests move from booth to booth. Food vendors from around the region will also be on hand, dishing up hearty eats like barbecue, sausages, wood-fired pizza, sweet treats, and more. Local restaurants and food trucks regularly participate, giving guests a taste of Brattleboro’s culinary scene between tastings.
Festival-goers can also try their hand at oversized lawn games like giant Jenga, cornhole, and Connect Four, or cheer on contestants in the annual keg toss competition, a crowd-favorite that blends strength, silliness, and pure Vermont enthusiasm. Organizers have teased the addition of new games and contests for 2025 as well—follow the festival on social media and be sure to check their website for more updates!
The setting this year—the Guilford Fairgrounds—offers plenty of open space, fresh air, and scenic views. On-site parking is free, and the festival runs from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM, rain or shine. General admission tickets are $40 in advance and include the tasting package. A limited number of designated driver tickets will be available for $15 at the gate, which include complimentary soft drinks but no alcohol sampling. The event is 21+ only, and organizers strongly encourage attendees to buy tickets in advance, as the festival often sells out.
What makes the Brattleboro Brewers Festival stand out is its strong community feel. It’s organized by locals, staffed by volunteers, and attended by both longtime residents and first-time visitors. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast eager to try the latest small-batch release or just looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, the festival offers a little something for everyone. The beer is excellent and so is the company!
To learn more, purchase tickets, or see the updated brewery lineup, visit www.brattleborobrewersfestival.com. If you’re traveling from out of town, don’t forget to check out the festival’s lodging suggestions—rooms tend to fill quickly once the taps start flowing.
Gabriel Schatz is a Bennington local who enjoys getting lost in the woods with his two black labs. When Gabriel isn’t exploring the wilder parts of the Green Mountains, he can usually be found in the kitchen where he enjoys cooking Mexican and South Asian cuisine, or on the couch starting an epic fantasy novel that he will inevitably give up halfway through in favor of yet another Terry Pratchett book.
