Switchback was a little far from where we stayed in Burlington but we got an Uber and it was so worth it! Pro tip, it's also right by the World's Tallest Filing Cabinet, so you can snap a photo before grabbing some beer at this fun brewery. Switchback is employee-owned and operated and that really comes through in their service. I saw photos of their flight paddles (they're Vermont-shaped) and I knew I wanted to check this place out. We tried a bunch of beer, including a few smoked varieties which were really unique. We had the Switchback Ale, Connector IPA, Märzen, Smoked Märzen, Thai Lime Gose, and the Blackstrap Ale. All were very good and incredibly balanced. My favorite was the Connector IPA - not super hoppy and really good. The Blackstrap Ale was another favorite - smoky and dark. They also have a Smoked Oyster Stout made with oysters! We didn't try it but it's just one example of the unique things they're doing at Switchback. The employees helping out behind the bar were great and really friendly. They don't have a full menu but they offer complimentary pretzels and you can order a hot dog or beer brat steamed in Switchback Ale (and add chili if you want). We got a hot dog and it was SO good! They're all natural and perfectly steamed. It was just the right amount of snack to accompany a couple flights of beer. They do tours of the facility on Saturdays which I think would be a lot of fun. There's a nice outdoor area but note that if you're sitting outside and order a flight, it won't come on the cool Vermont paddle. There is a large area of merchandise and we ended up buying a bunch of Vermont flannel koozies as gifts, which was perfect! Definitely don't miss this brewery if you're in the area. It's also walking distance to Zero Gravity! read more

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Great brewery! Avoid BBC and just come here, Switchback Ale was awesome, staff are friendly and prices are right. We came here for a bachelor party spot on brewery pub crawl, highly recommend read more

The best part about coming here was the tour with one of the brewers. I was really impressed with both the brewery itself and the delivery of the tour. Switchback has been around for 15 years and contributed to the growth of the craft brewery industry in Vermont and beyond. I really enjoyed seeing the evolution of the brewery throughout the years, as evident by the equipment and space that was added. The brewer was humorous and seems to enjoy his job. He was actually able to explain everything so that the crowd could understand it and didn't just talk over us. I loved how each of the pieces of equipment were named after Wagner opera characters! The best part was the cool equipment that they brought in from a defunct brewery in Germany. But when I sat down to enjoy the beers afterwards, I did enjoy them. Most of the beers are blonde ones or sours, too. They have a nice bar area, as well as outside seating for the three months of the year when it's warm in Vermont. lol Maybe it was busy when I went, but the service could have been slightly more attentive. What I didn't realize is that they are located just a few hundred yards from Lake Champlain. If the weather is nice, I would recommend walking down and checking it out. read more

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Tasty tasty, I'm a huge sour/gose fan. They offer a limited Thai Lime, wicked tasty as well as a Berliner Weisse that's super tart, very enjoyable. They sell McKenzies Country Classic hot dogs that are similar to an at home classic, a saugy...so good! Really laid back atmosphere. read more

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Really interesting beers here. I've had some before but not what they had in their tap room. I did two flights and tried everything and overall my rating is about the beer. I'd rate the culmination of both flights a 4/5. Service was great, I forgot my credit card there and went the entire rest of the day without it which was wild. Check out the world's tallest file cabinet if you go. It's right there next to it. read more

We visited close to 10 breweries and cideries in the great Burlington area during our visit and this was probably my least favorite. It was difficult for me to find a beer I liked. They were doing a smoky beer series which I did not enjoy and outside of that everything else tasted the same (pale ales/IPAs. If you prefer to have a nice variety to taste when you visit breweries, I would pick another spot. read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

I have to admit that my review is colored by the fact that once I sat down with my flight, the brewery had postcards on the tables (and offered to send one postcard for free). I'm a postcard nerd, so if there were ever a way to unlock my loyalty - this would be it. I tried the Dampf Punk, Smoked Marzen, Citra-Pils, and Switchback Ale. Beer was all good, parking was easy, bartender was very nice, and it was a nice place to sit for a little while enjoying the beer. read more

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Might be my favorite brewery spot in Burlington. Came here right when they opened so it was pretty empty. Great service, great beers, really good specials ($3 Switchback Ale pints on mondays). The adorable pups hanging out were a plus! Also have postcards available for you to fill out for free and they'll send them out for you - super cute! read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

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Tasting room was poppin' on a Sunday afternoon! Got a flight and almost loved each tasting. The jalapeño stout was...interesting. Enjoyed that they allowed dogs inside the tasting room and from where I could see, the hot dogs and chili looked tasty! read more

Switchback Brewing - Beer flight - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Love, love, love the smoky beers!! Very tasty and cold. We sat outside with our dog. Very dog friendly! Just about everyone there had a dog. Nice, casual atmosphere. We met several people and had nice conversations with people from all over the N.East. read more

Sorry in advance but wow I'm not a fan. I've had a few types in bottles. So being in the area we stopped in and thought perhaps the beer will taste better from the tap. Mistaken. Just not a favorite of mine. There's just so many incredible craft breweries in the surrounding area that I would just skip this had I known. Too, the interior didn't have any personality was rather bland and generic. Although the group of six of us raved about their hotdogs and house made mustard (I don't eat hotdogs but the mustard was awesome). On a very cold out though, they are now employee owned. read more

Ok. I had never heard of Switchback before this trip, but it was one of the breweries in Burlington, so we went to check it out. It's also listed on the Burlington Brew Tours package. Founded in 2002, they're a small-ish brewery located within a warehouse in an industrial section of Burlington, which reminded my companion of our visit to Mayflower Brewery in Plymouth, MA. They don't seem to have an actual website, but do have a Facebook page. Their tours are by appointment only, but it seemed like you could get away with just showing up, as several people did during the course of our tour. Several arrived at the end of the tour during the tasting; whether this was intentional or not, I don't know. We arrived about 10 minutes before our 2pm tour. Parking was a bit of an issue, as parking is along the street, but only between the signs. Someone helpfully wrote on one of the "No Parking" signs "$50 fine," and we saw at least one vehicle with a bright orange ticket. Just up the street is a park by the water, so on a nice day getting a spot might be an issue. Once we got to the building, we couldn't figure out how to get in. Around the left of the building, there is an glass door office entrance, which was locked. Don't bother to call, since they won't pick up the phone on weekends. Turns out, the brewery entrance is on the right side, just as you enter the lot. It happened to be sandwiched between two large delivery trucks, otherwise it'd be plain as day. Once inside, we listened to our tour guide (I didn't catch her name) give the usual ale auditory (lager lecture?) about the creation of beer, which if you've ever been to a brewery tour, you've heard. A few interesting things about Switchback: - Their fermenters are custom made to height, and clear one of the ceiling beams by about an inch. They had to punch holes in the roof to install the caps on top because they built them as big as they possibly could. - Their beautiful copper brew kettles came from a defunct brewery in Germany. - As a bonus, they got copies of the plans for the kettles from their original home in Germany, and are framed on the wall. - The also scored a cool copper control panel with fun German beer words like Läutergefäß, Vorwärmer, and Wassermischer. Switchback is somewhat small, and produces an unfiltered amber ale, simply called Switchback Ale, as their primary product. Their second brew varies depending on season, and when we visited, they had the Roasted Red Ale. After sampling both, I found them to be very unassuming and drinkable. Not quite bland, but just didn't stand out as anything particularly memorable. They have a small merchandise selection, and I snagged a pint glass for a reasonable $4. Free bumper stickers were offered, but no tasting glasses. Switchback is available on draught only; they do not bottle, they only keg their product. We saw it on tap at a couple other bars throughout Burlington, and they claim to distribute into NY and NH, but I've never seen it (not that I had been looking for it). It was a good beer, but nothing I'd seek out specifically. I'd be more willing to order it if I happened to see it on tap, to support a small craft brewery with a decent product. read more

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Switchback has a nicely designed tasting room with high top tables and seats along the bar. The staff was very friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and very laid back. They provided excellent selections on the beer and even provided insights into the area and other breweries. They had 4 beers available when we visited (the pale ale was great!), and while we enjoyed each of the beers, the environment was the best part. There was light music playing in the background, the owner stopped by and visited, we were able to take our dog in (who played with the owner's dog), and did I mention that the staff was just a lot of fun! Definitely check out their calendar of events too! While we were only in town for a short period of time and were unable to attend any of their events, it look like they had a very active calendar complete with yoga, live music, and other events. As an added bonus, it is about a quarter mile walk/drive from Zero Gravity and Queen City Brewery should you want to do a tour and not want to drive. read more

Pretty solid brewery with a long list of beers to choose from. Although Switchback is in Burlington, they are more on the outskirts so if driving and parking in the city isn't your thing, you might already like Switchback since you don't have to deal with that. Their flights are quite reasonably priced at $4 and you get to sample 5 different beers. Might I add that their samples are a nice size and since they serve hotdogs, they are also able to serve pints! The bartender working was super chill and was originally from NJ so we got along quite well. It seems like these guys are doing well for themselves and rightfully so as they serve some great beer especially their Pale Ale. Cheers! read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Switchback Brewing has a huge tasting room with plenty of seating along the bar or high top tables. The staff greeted us right away when we came into the tasting room and explained what they had on draft. We were excited to try the beers and thus did a flight to try them all ($5 for the flight). However, my husband and I were disappointed by the selection (4 beers available) and quality of the beers. We had : - IPA - Brown Ale - Export Stout - Smoked Marzen The beers were very light and did not have the complexity that we anticipated. There is wifi at the tasting room. read more

Great beer. After the disappointment of one of the last craft houses we come here to this fine brewery. Love their classic German machinery and no frills ways. Unfiltered and available in stubbies. How cute. Go on the tour, 5$ for a tasting flight. Duampf Punk was my favourite. No food service but you can have a hot dog cooked in Switchback Ale read more

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I can't stop raving about this brewery to everyone I know. The flight was amazing. My favorite was the slow-fermented brown ale was my favorite and so popular I could only bring one tiny bottle home to my cousin, the beer connoisseur, which of course he loved. The atmosphere is so fun. The bartenders are super friendly and helpful. My friend and I got a flight and we sat there drinking great beer, ate a $2.50 hot dog and played mancala. They have many free games you can sit there and play, which is a great touch! My favorite part of the brewery, however, was the brewery dog named Otter. I wish I remembered which breed he was because he was the cutest thing ever, and I want to describe him to people! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the brewery. Hoping to return and take one of the tours too! read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Be sure to call ahead and make a reservation if you can! Excellent brewery and nice ambience both indoor and outdoor. Really great beer selection and perfect for those of you where your man loves an IPA and you want negative IBUs. The bratwurst and sauerkraut was also great. read more

Such a great atmosphere. The staff is always helpful in recommending beer and they allow dogs! read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

My visit was on 10/09/2020 Good social distancing, you "check in" with your ID and a phone number, order your drink, pay and go to your table. A bit chilly after the sun goes down but it was ok the live music made it better :) paid $11 for two beers, which is a really good price!! GOTTEM read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

We had so much fun at Switchback and the beer was so good. I like the touch of having post cards on the bar to send to people and they send them for you. I thought that was awesome. The bartender Sarah was great and very knowledgeable about the beers Switchback produced and about the brewery's story and she shared with us and we didn't want to leave. I would recommend going to this brewery if your in the area! read more

Seriously didn't even finish my flight. Definitely not my taste here and nothing dark either. The smoked one was interesting but wouldn't call it good either. Thank goodness the tasting was free from card given at hotel. read more

Stopped here to buy a nice beer. Sampled one that I liked. Bought 3 24oz. bottles at $10/bottle. Got home to enjoy. They gave me the wrong bottles. Ok. No big deal. Called brewery to see if I could exchange or otherwise stop in to get right beer. Answer was ' No, and we hope you enjoy the beer you got'. What a terrible answer. Schwag beer anyway. Buyer beware. Oh, and I want my $5 tip back! F Switchback Brewery! read more

Music was great, beer was great, service was friendly. We tried the smoked beer flight, which I enjoyed, and got hotdogs which were a nice treat, and definitely necessary as we kept drinking throughout the day. The playlist while we were there was spot on, at least a dozen songs in a row were great. read more

First time checking out this brewery,very nice and friendly staff and you get free samples of there beer and get to see the factory. The only run the machines on Wednesday according to a girl that works there. They also sell shirts and hats as souvenirs and I sample one of there light beers. Over all not s huge factory but it is nice and there beer is pretty good,always up to check out local brewers from this area. Close to Many other brewers around and it offers free tours and samples. Four stars because they don't brew later to let people see the machine running and but over all cool place. read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Cool brewery with great beer, some not sold in stores. Nicely redone outside area to sit at. Dog friendly. Some food available but very limited. read more

8 taps, good beer, new tasting room off the manufacturing area. Dogs and brats for food read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

This was my last stop on breweries in VT to visit. Tucked back in an industrial complex full of hot dog trucks lies Switchback. First thing to know is that you enter the building for the tour through one of the loading docks in the back not the door marked entrance. The other thing to consider is this tour is pretty rough. No fancy marketing or movies or cute tasting room. Just some taps sticking out of the side of their cold storage container and some shelves holding the merch. The tour is not super detailed, but it was interesting. They explained stuff in decent detail and gave the story about the how the company has grown. The most interesting part was that I didn't realize they had more beer than just the Switchback Ale. They also have a seasonal one available at all times. It was also interesting to hear that they hadn't expanded their market because they couldn't produce enough beer to keep up with demand. Overall they have good beer, cool people and a decent tour. Certainly worth a stop if you're in the Burlington area. read more

I'm a big switchback fan...my favorite Vermont brew. Like most I wish it was available down here in MA, but it makes me appreciate it whenever I can get it (in NH or VT). I have toured a number of breweries and can say this was quite a different experience for me. It's a very personal tour of a small brewery south of Burlington. It's not at all a retail oriented location or any sort of organized tour you've been on. Actually when we walked in I felt like I shouldn't of been there, like wandering around a mechanic's garage. The tour was one of the brewers walking you around the floor of the brewery, getting you up close and personal with their equipment and explaining their processes and how they make the beer. They are really nice and very laid back. It wasn't like a peppy tour guide hired to be loud and sociable, but it was someone who was obviously passionate about what they do. It is a very small crew from what I understand working over there. You get a taste or two of their freshes brews at the end of the tour...mmm, and they do have some basic paraphernalia for sale hanging up on a cork-board. I got a ski strap for $5. They give you a bumper sticker as well which I am sporting on my car. I've had a lot of comments on it down here in MA and even down in RI...people really love your beer! read more

Bartenders were super nice and funny. The patrons were equally as awesome. A flight for $4.00?!?!?! I will take it! Everything was great but I really fell in love with the saison. The only thing I would suggest is to start offering growlers (they do have 22s) and more than two brewery tours a day! read more

The beer was good, but don't come hungry unless you like hot dogs. Or pretzels. Or hot dogs. They were doing a specialty beer and cheese tasting in the afternoon but for such a large place, the food options were lacking. They also wouldn't serve every beer on tap (stout) as they were saving them for the cheese tasting. Seemed strange to have them on tap on a busy holiday weekend but on reserve. Bummer for our resident stout lover. The tasting boards are old snowboards which is super cool. read more

If you're doing the Vermont Brewery Challenge, this is one of the real gems you'll come across. Most of the big breweries you'll visit on your journey aren't big into the tour thing and it gets very impersonal at places like Magic Hat or Otter Creek. But not at Switchback! I've done the tour twice, once with founder and owner Bill Cherry himself. That was the best tour of any brewery I've ever gotten. Bill walked us through the brewery step by step telling us the entire story of Switchback from when it was just a crazy idea until now with the brand new state of the art brewhouse they're building. Oh, and of course the beer is delicious :) Definitely need to check this place out. One caveat: There are only 2 tours a week, Saturday at 1pm and 2pm, and you need to call ahead. But don't worry, I don't think the tours usually fill up. read more

Awesome beer and they let dogs in?? The perfect bar. My fiancé hates beer but loves their Switchback Ale. I loved everything on the menu. This place is a must - especially if you love dogs! read more

Good place. Tiny food menu. But the beer is good and the people are cool. Plus, Vermont. Recommend.

We arrived here at the same time as a very large bachelor party. Eek! Tours are given at certain times, but we passed. They were giving free tastings of two beers when we were there, the Switchback Ale and the Brown. Glassware, shirts and other swag for sale, but oddly enough they do not sell their beer and suggest you try the variety store a few blocks away. read more

Really wanted to love switchback, but didn't. Perhaps we were visiting on an off day. We came in looking to tour and taste, to begin we weren't greeted at all. There was a massive group in the tap room and it was hard to tell what exactly was going on. Next, we were offered a tasting by a sweet girl who seemed to be doing everything. Pouring, washing the glasses, doing all of the talking. It was hard to tell if anyone else was even there. There was no signage explaining the tour schedule or anything about the company at all, being from out of town this was not helpful. The beer we had was okay, but not very memorable. I wish we could have learned more about it but our experience was sub-par. After hanging around for about 10 minutes and lurking near the windows to view the brewery, we left. And like with our entrance nobody noticed. read more

3.5 Rating Good: Free pretzels and stickers Tasting bar was very quiet and did not feel like bartenders were excited about the product. The atmosphere lacked an original style and character. Seemed like we were sitting in a "chain restaurant" with no food. The beer is great. Why are there no growler sales? The Extra Pale Ale is my favorite. Worth a visit. read more

The switchback ale, which is their most popular one, tastes like a cheap beer from grocery store. giving it a 3 star since i haven't tried the other beers yet. the world's tallest filling cabinet is right next to it if you wanna take a picture. read more

Switchback Brewing - switchback ale - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

Small tasting room, but really nice ambiance. The bartender was polite and friendly. I did the beer flight, and the IPA was my favorite. Wasn't blown away by the other beers I tried. read more

Switchback Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Burlington, Vermont

It's not easy to come by Switchback when you live outside their zone (which is growing!), so I was very excited to visit and stock up. I definitely wasn't disappointed! The tour-giver was their engineer of sorts who had been with the company for 9 or so years. She was phenomenal! The tour was more than the ingredients of beer and vague overview of most breweries. She even went into the history of some of the machines, which was so much fun! I brought a beer snob to visit with me, and even his excruciatingly detailed questions were handled with ease. The tasting afterwards was delicious, with the Ale being my favorite samples. I think them claiming to be "uncategorizable" is a bit of a stretch, but it didn't sour my experience. read more