Long Trail Brewing Company

What Long Trail Brewing Company does

Long Trail Brewing Company is a craft beer producer founded in 1989 in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, originally operating as Mountain Brewers from the Old Woolen Mill before moving to its current riverside brewery. The company operates a portfolio of year-round beers anchored by flagship Long Trail Ale (an amber ale), VT IPA (a Vermont-style hazy IPA), Riverside Lager (a Helles-style lager brewed with Vermont-grown ingredients), and Double Bag (a double amber ale at 7.2% ABV), supplemented by seasonal and limited releases including Ski The East IPA, Harvest, Pumpkin Ale, Hibernator, and themed Survival Mix Packs. Production emphasizes Vermont-sourced ingredients, proprietary yeast strains for flagship beers, and specialty programs such as The Funkifier barrel-aging process used for wild-fermented offerings.

The company generates revenue through multiple channels: on-premise sales at the Long Trail Riverside Pub & Restaurant in Bridgewater Corners, wholesale distribution to grocery, convenience, and on-premise accounts across 13 states plus Washington D.C., e-commerce merchandise and gift card sales through a Shopify storefront and Toast platform, private events booked through Tripleseat, and an Airbnb-managed three-bedroom vacation rental (Long Trail Lodge) on the brewery property. Customer segments are predominantly individual craft beer enthusiasts and the Vermont outdoor and trail community, served through retail and hospitality SMBs with no single anchor customer concentration. Long Trail merged with Harpoon Brewery under Mass. Bay Brewing Company in 2022 and operates as a subsidiary of an employee-owned parent while maintaining independent Vermont operations and brand identity.

Beyond brewing, the company runs the Ales for Trails program, channeling a portion of sales into partnerships with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Vermont Trails and Greenways Council, and Vermont Huts & Trails to fund trail preservation, conservation, and accessibility across the state. The brand is closely associated with the 273-mile Long Trail hiking path that inspired its name, and marketing emphasizes outdoor lifestyle, Vermont heritage, and community stewardship. Technology use is limited to standard commercial SaaS integrations for commerce, reservations, and mapping; no AI, ML, or proprietary digital products are offered.

Name

Long Trail Brewing Company

Legal name

Long Trail Brewing Company

Website

https://longtrail.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Long Trail Brewing Company is a Vermont craft beer producer founded in 1989, operating a year-round flagship lineup plus seasonal releases, a riverside brewpub, and an on-site vacation rental. It distributes across 13 states plus DC and is a subsidiary of Mass. Bay Brewing Company (Harpoon Brewery) since 2022.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Vermont craft beer
• Brewery operations
• Beer distribution
• Brewpub restaurant

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgewater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Brewpub Restaurant Sales: On-premise sales of craft beer, food, and beverages at the Long Trail Riverside Pub & Restaurant in Bridgewater Corners, VT. Open seven days a week with seasonal rotating menu featuring locally-sourced Vermont ingredients.
2. Retail Beer Distribution: Off-premise sales through distribution in 13 states and Washington D.C. Products sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, and restaurants via wholesale distribution.
3. Merchandise and Gift Cards: Sale of branded merchandise and gift cards through their online shop (longtrail.myshopify.com) and at the brewpub location.
4. Private Events: Revenue from hosting private events at the brewery including full buyouts and table reservations for special occasions.
5. Long Trail Lodge Accommodation: Rental of the 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath farmhouse on the brewery property via Airbnb, accommodating couples, families, groups, and dogs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Long Trail Brewing Company manufactures and sells craft beer across year-round, seasonal, and limited varieties, with a core lineup of Long Trail Ale, VT IPA, Riverside Lager, Double Bag, and IPA Mix Pack. The company operates a riverside brewpub restaurant in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont with seasonal menus featuring locally-sourced ingredients, wholesale distribution across 13 states plus DC, and direct-to-consumer sales through an online shop and beer tent.

Product overview

Long Trail Brewing Company is a craft brewery founded in 1989 in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, operating under Mass. Bay Brewing Company (Harpoon Brewery) since 2022. The company's product portfolio centers on a core lineup of year-round beers including Long Trail Ale (flagship amber ale), VT IPA (hazy New England-style), Riverside Lager (Helles-style lager), Double Bag (double amber ale), and IPA Mix Pack. This foundation is supplemented by seasonal and limited releases such as Ski The East IPA, Harvest, Pumpkin Ale, Hibernator, and various Survival Mix Packs (Summer, Fall, Winter). The company also operates a riverside brew pub and restaurant with over a dozen beers on tap, plus a vacation rental property (Long Trail Lodge). Distribution spans 13 states plus DC. Beyond brewing, the company runs an Ales For Trails environmental program supporting Vermont trail organizations. No AI or API products are offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Long Trail Ale: Flagship amber ale brewed with top fermenting house yeast, yielding a clean, complex flavor. The beer that started the company in 1989.
• VT IPA
• Riverside Lager
• Double Bag
• Ales For Trails

Products and services

• Long Trail Ale Flagship amber ale brewed with top-fermenting house yeast, yielding a clean, complex flavor. Full-bodied with malt-forward character. The foundational beer of the company since 1989.
• VT IPA Vermont-style hazy IPA featuring Citra and Amarillo hops for tropical fruit and citrus notes, with flaked oats and Munich malt for a smooth mouthfeel.
• Riverside Lager Northeast take on a Helles-style lager crafted with Vermont-grown ingredients. Bright, refreshing, and approachable at 4.8% ABV.
• Double Bag Legendary double amber ale smooth and complex with roasted malt flavors and sweet caramel and chocolate notes. 7.2% ABV.
• IPA Mix Pack All-season mix pack of IPA varieties featuring VT IPA, Limbo IPA, and Green Blaze IPA.
• Ski The East IPA Limited hazy IPA collaboration with Ski The East, featuring citrus, pine, and tropical fruit hops at 6.8% ABV.
• Blackbeary Wheat American wheat ale brewed with blackberries, offering pie-like sweetness at 4.2% ABV.
• Après IPA Seasonal American IPA with piney and resinous character at 7.0% ABV and 75 IBU.
• Harvest Fall seasonal maple brown ale brewed with Vermont maple syrup, featuring toffee and caramel notes at 4.4% ABV.
• Pumpkin Ale Seasonal favorite brewed with real pumpkin and spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. 6.7% ABV.
• Hibernator Winter classic Scotch ale with rich malt base and warming caramel and toffee notes.
• Limbo IPA IPA combining New England smoothness with West Coast-style bold bitterness. 7.6% ABV, 80 IBU.
• Green Blaze IPA American IPA featuring big pine, tropical fruit, and resin hop notes with a light, biscuity malt backbone. 6.5% ABV, 60 IBU.
• Summer Survival Mix Pack Seasonal mix pack featuring warm-weather beers including Riverside Lager and Blackbeary Wheat.
• Fall Survival Mix Pack Fall variety pack including Long Trail Ale, Riverside Lager, Harvest Ale, and Pumpkin Ale.
• Winter Survival Mix Pack Winter mix pack featuring Hibernator and Riverside Lager for fireside and ski lodge occasions.
• IPA Mix (Ski The East Edition) Ski season mix featuring VT IPA, Green Blaze IPA, Ski The East IPA, and Après IPA.
• Little Anomaly Low-calorie IPA at 110 calories with hazy, juicy character from Mandarina Bavaria, Simcoe, Columbus, and Centennial hops. 3.8% ABV.
• Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout Barrel-aged stout collaboration with WhistlePig, aged in Maple Whiskey Barrels with notes of maple, oak, vanilla, marshmallow, and bourbon. 10% ABV.
• Long Trail Riverside Pub & Restaurant Riverside brewpub with indoor and outdoor seating, featuring a seasonally rotating menu with locally-sourced Vermont ingredients and over a dozen beers on tap. Open seven days a week.
• Long Trail Lodge Three-bedroom, 1.5-bath farmhouse rental on the Long Trail property, accessible to Bridgewater, VT attractions including the brewery and Killington Ski Resort. Available via Airbnb.

Quantifiable outcome

• OpenTable Diners' Choice 2024 recognition

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Harpoon Brewery (Mass. Bay Brewing Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022In 2022, Long Trail Brewing merged with Harpoon Brewery, another employee-owned company steeped in Vermont tradition. This merger combined two established craft beer brands while keeping Long Trail's Vermont roots and leadership.
• Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Ales for Trails program, Long Trail supports VMBA's mission to ensure sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship. VMBA has 28 chapters statewide.
• Vermont Trails and Greenways CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong Trail supports the Council which supports people and organizations caring for Vermont's 8,000 miles of public trails through advocacy, collaboration, and resource-sharing.
• Vermont Huts & TrailscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Vermont Huts & Trails' network of huts and trail systems, including the Velomont project - the country's largest hut-supported trail connecting communities throughout Vermont.
• Vermont Adaptive Ski & SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong Trail supports this nonprofit organization that provides adaptive ski and sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities, aligning with Long Trail's active, healthy lifestyle values.
• Green Mountain ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong Trail's partnership supports the organization that maintains and protects Vermont's Long Trail hiking trail system, the 273-mile path that inspired the brewery's name.
• Flyin Ryan Hawks FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong Trail has brewed special beers in celebration of Ryan Hawks, a Vermont freeskier who passed away in 2011, supporting the foundation's scholarship programs.
• Ski The EastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative brand for the Ski The East IPA, created with Ski The East - an apparel, media, and events company founded in 2005 to inspire the East Coast winter sports community.
• WhistlePigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont-based WhistlePig partnered with Long Trail to age their Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout in WhistlePig's Maple Whiskey Barrels.
• Heaven Hill Kentucky BourbonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeaven Hill Kentucky Bourbon barrels were used to age the Barrel Aged Unearthed stout for six months, developing complex caramel, oak, vanilla, and bourbon flavors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Switchback Brewing Co. Burlington, Vermont craft brewery with a focused lineup of ales and IPAs distributed regionally; comparable craft positioning and reliance on Vermont/New England on-premise and retail accounts.
• Harpoon Brewery: Now Long Trail's parent under Mass. Bay Brewing Company, Harpoon is a Boston-based craft brewer with overlapping New England distribution and a similar full-service brewery/brewpub model, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Magic Hat Brewing Company: Vermont-founded craft brewery with broad regional distribution and a brewpub heritage; comparable product mix of year-round and seasonal beers sold through the same New England grocery and on-premise accounts as Long Trail.
• Zero Gravity Craft Brewery: Vermont craft brewery with a brewpub and regional wholesale distribution; comparable size, geography, and product mix of year-round ales, lagers, and IPAs targeting New England craft consumers.
• Otter Creek Brewing: Vermont craft brewer (part of Vermont Hard Cider/IBCC) producing ales, lagers, and IPAs in a similar regional craft model; overlaps directly on distribution channels and brand positioning in New England.
• Allagash Brewing Company: Maine-based craft brewery known for Belgian-style ales and broader craft portfolio; comparable regional New England craft positioning and multi-state distribution with similar premium draft and packaged mix.
• Lawson's Finest Liquids: Vermont craft brewery renowned for hazy IPAs; direct competitor for tap handles and shelf space in Vermont and broader New England, with overlapping customer base among craft beer enthusiasts.
• The Alchemist: Vermont-based hazy IPA pioneer with a flagship-focused lineup and regional distribution; directly comparable in style leadership and Vermont brand equity within New England craft.
• Hill Farmstead Brewery: Highly regarded Vermont craft brewery with strong Northeast distribution; competes for the same premium craft consumer in Vermont and New England on-premise and retail channels.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Large national craft brewer with broad distribution and an established flagship lineup; comparable product categories (ales, lagers, IPAs, seasonals) but operates at much greater scale with national rather than regional focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/long-trail-brewing-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Long Trail Brewing Company