Summer Is The Season For Creemees & Brews!

Things are finally warming up weather-wise here in Vermont. And I can think of no better way to keep cool and hydrated than through consuming two of the state's quintessential treats: creemees (ice cream) and craft beer, both of which Vermont has more of than any other state in the country (per capita).

For those not in the know, a creemee is a Vermont version of soft-serve ice cream, and come summer, they are available all around the state -- in general stores, at creemee stands, at ice cream shops, and at certain dairy & maple farms. Maple is the flavor most associated with creemees, but they are certainly made with other flavors as well. [Click here for a more thorough discussion of them I wrote early on in this blog journey.] What's new and exciting this year, though, is the Creemee Passport! For $10, you can get an official creemee passport and get custom stamps for it as you try creemees from the official creemee stands around the state. That said, you should know there are many other places in the state to get creemees, but how fun to try to fill up your passport! Here is the website where you can learn more about the passport and order one.

A more adult way to stay cool and hydrated this summer entails tasting Vermont's craft brews. But don't worry, there's a way to sample many of them all in one place. Each July, in Burlington, right on the shores of Lake Champlain, is the Vermont Brewers Festival. This year the festival takes place July 17-18th, and if you like beer and can be in Burlington, get your tickets now because this is something you don't want to miss! Aside from over 40 brewers offering pours, there's music, food, merch and learning sessions. That said, if you are thinking to yourself that you wish there were a passport for beer the way there is a passport for creemees, then you are in luck! There is a beer passport app which can help you explore the state through beer tastings if that is more your thing.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER (A few tidbits of information):

Did you know that Vermont has the most ice cream shops in the US per capita (at 18.51)? According to Herd News (7/1/25), "Vermont tops the list with the highest number of ice cream shops per capita, and it’s not just thanks to Ben & Jerry’s. The state has a strong dairy foundation and a deep appreciation for small-batch, locally made ice cream. Whether in rural towns or tourist-friendly spots, ice cream shops are a visible part of Vermont’s food culture."

Additionally, did you know that Vermont has the most craft breweries per capita (at 15.4)? (That is according to the Brewers Association, the primary trade group for the American craft brewing industry -- read more here). American Craft Beer says, "At the very top sits Vermont, where the craft beer scene remains untouchable. With 15.4 breweries per 100,000 drinking-age adults, the Green Mountain State has more breweries than some cities have coffee shops. If you’ve ever sipped a Heady Topper by The Alchemist or visited Lawson’s Finest Liquids, you know exactly why Vermont wears the crown."

Vermont is a tiny state with so much going on and so much to offer both visitors and residents alike. So let's get going, folks -- those beers aren't going to drink themselves and those ice creams need to be consumed before they melt!

Wishing you all a cool summer. xoxo