What Switchback Brewing Company does

Switchback Brewing Company is a craft brewery founded in 2002 in Burlington, Vermont by Bill Cherry and Jeff Neiblum, operating from a single 160 Flynn Avenue campus that combines production, a Tap Room, and the Beer Garden & Smokehouse (a 3,700 sq ft full-service BBQ restaurant opened in 2024 and expanded in 2025). The company brews unfiltered, naturally carbonated beer using a 4-Vessel 66 BBL Huppmann System and a proprietary yeast culture — the 'Brave Little Strain' — that has been continuously repitched for over 2,000 generations since founding, defining the consistent flavor of its flagship Switchback Ale. Switchback is 100% employee-owned via an ESOP established in February 2017, the first such structure in Vermont and the Northeast.

The company sells approximately 90% of its volume through its flagship Switchback Ale (~5.0% ABV amber ale), with supplementary offerings including seasonal beers (Mansfield IPA, E-Z Ale, Citra Vista, Karsten Lager), the award-winning Flynn on Fire smoked beer series, and the employee-driven Askew Beer side project. In 2020, Switchback partnered with Split Spirits to distill surplus beer into Essential Vermont Malt Whiskey and Hopped Gin, subsequently winning Double Gold and Gold medals at the 2025 North American Bourbon & Whiskey and San Francisco World Spirits competitions. In February 2025, Switchback launched Switchback N.A. — a non-alcoholic version of the flagship ale — using licensed BrewVo dealcoholization technology, and brought BrewVo production fully in-house in 2026 alongside new spirits products (Vodka, Gin, Watermelon Mint RTD cocktail).

Revenue is generated through packaged beer wholesale to liquor stores across Vermont, New England, and parts of New York and Virginia; draught sales via on-premise accounts; direct-to-consumer at the on-site Beer Garden & Smokehouse and Tap Room; DTC shipping for non-alcoholic products; spirits sales through 802 Spirits locations; and B2B contract brewing services for East Coast non-alcoholic beverage brands. Pricing follows unit economics: draught pints $4-$9, cocktails $12-$21, whiskey bottles $79.99 retail, with weekly $5 pint specials driving traffic. The company employs a workforce that includes packaging roles at $22-$27/hr with ESOP shares, matching 401K, and full benefits. The broader craft beer industry is contracting — over 800 craft breweries closed nationwide in the past two years — making Switchback's diversification into N.A. beer, spirits, and venue-based revenue a defensive countermeasure.

Name

Switchback Brewing Company

Legal name

Switchback Brewing Company

Website

https://switchbackvt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Switchback Brewing Company is a 100% employee-owned craft brewery in Burlington, Vermont, founded in 2002, producing unfiltered naturally carbonated beer (flagship Switchback Ale), non-alcoholic beer, spirits, and operating an on-site BBQ restaurant and contract brewing services for East Coast brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Distilleries (312140)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Alcohol-Free & Low-Alcohol Beer/Wine/Spirits Production (AFAFAAAJ), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverages & Brands (Canned Cocktails, Hard Seltzer) (CRADAIAD), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Unfiltered ale
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Contract brewing services
• Malt whiskey distilling

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Beer Sales: Sale of packaged beer (cans, bottles) and draught beer through distribution network and on-site. Products include Switchback Ale, seasonal releases, and specialty smoked beers. Approximately 90% of sales come from flagship Switchback Ale.
2. Food & Beverage Service: On-site restaurant operations at Beer Garden & Tap House and Beer Garden & Smokehouse, offering BBQ and Southern-inspired cuisine paired with Switchback beers and cocktails.
3. Direct-to-Consumer Shipping: Online store sales with direct shipping of non-alcoholic beer to customers in select states. Switchback N.A. available for shipping through store.switchbackvt.com.
4. Contract Brewing Services: Non-alcoholic beverage contract brewing using BrewVo system. Provides brewing, cellaring, packaging, pasteurization, quality testing, and logistics services to other brands.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Switchback Brewing Company is a craft brewery that produces unfiltered, naturally carbonated beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages at its Burlington, Vermont facility. Its flagship is Switchback Ale, a 5.0% ABV reddish-amber ale brewed with five malts and a proprietary yeast strain. The company also operates the Beer Garden & Smokehouse, a full-service BBQ restaurant and taproom, and offers contract brewing services for non-alcoholic beverages using BrewVo technology.

Product overview

Switchback Brewing Company is a craft brewery offering a portfolio of beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and spirits. The core product is Switchback Ale (5.0% ABV unfiltered amber ale, Vermont's iconic ale since 2002), supplemented by non-alcoholic offerings (Switchback N.A. and Krush N.A. IPA using BrewVo technology), seasonal beers (Mansfield IPA, E-Z Ale, Citra Vista, Karsten Lager), specialty smoked beers (Flynn on Fire series), and employee-driven experimental line (Askew Beer). The company expanded into spirits during COVID-19, creating Essential Spirits (Vermont Malt Whiskey, Hopped Gin, Vodka, Gin) via partnership with Split Spirits. On-site venues include the Beer Garden & Smokehouse (full-service BBQ restaurant) and Tap Room, both available for private events. B2B services include contract brewing for non-alcoholic beverages using their BrewVo system. Community program Switchback Gives Back contributes 5% of weekly sales to local non-profits. The brewery is 100% employee-owned via ESOP since 2017.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Switchback Spirits: The company's spirits brand encompassing vodka, gin, and other distilled products. Switchback Spirits Vodka is seven times distilled and charcoal filtered. Switchback Spirits Gin is built around Earl Grey tea botanicals with bergamot, coriander, lemon and orange peel, clove, and orris root.
• Essential Spirits
• Switchback N.A.
• Askew Beer Co.
• Krush N.A. IPA
• Beer Garden & Smokehouse
• Watermelon Mint Vodka Craft Cocktail

Products and services

• Switchback Ale Vermont's iconic flagship unfiltered reddish-amber ale, 5.0% ABV, made with five malts, select hops, and the proprietary 'Brave Little Strain' yeast. Unfiltered and 100% naturally carbonated during fermentation. Available on draft, in bottles, cans, and 22oz formats.
• Switchback N.A. Non-alcoholic version of Switchback Ale (under 0.5% ABV) made with the same recipe and yeast as the flagship, processed through BrewVo NA dealcoholization technology. Available in 6-packs, bottles, and for direct-to-consumer shipping in select states.
• E-Z Ale Light and refreshing blonde ale at 4.8% ABV, part of the Switchback core lineup.
• Mansfield IPA Mountain-style IPA at 5.9% ABV, featured as a weekly special on Thursdays for $5 pints.
• Citra Vista Dry-hopped Keller Bier at 5.1% ABV, featured on Sundays for $5 pints.
• Karsten Premium Lager Premium lager featured in food menu items and as part of seasonal offerings.
• Flynn on Fire Smoked Beer Series Series of smoked beers including Blackstrap (smoky dark ale), Helles Bent (smoked Helles Lager), and Unkel Dunkel (smoked Dunkel Hefeweizen). Includes the award-winning Katie's Love Poem grodziskie.
• Essential Vermont Malt Whiskey Award-winning whiskey at 46% ABV (92 Proof) made by distilling Switchback Ale at Split Spirits and aging 3+ years in new American oak barrels. Winner of Double Gold at the 2025 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition and Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Essential Vermont Hopped Gin Unique gin at 44% ABV (88 Proof) that evokes notes of fresh flowers, herbs, citrus, and evergreen, made by distilling Switchback Ale and infusing with botanicals.
• Switchback Spirits Vodka Seven times distilled, charcoal filtered vodka designed for smoothness. Available for use in cocktails at the Beer Garden.
• Switchback Spirits Gin Gin built around Earl Grey tea botanicals with bergamot, coriander, lemon and orange peel, clove, and orris root. 44% ABV.
• Watermelon Mint Vodka Craft Cocktail First ready-to-drink canned cocktail from Switchback Spirits, a 7% ABV vodka cocktail featuring watermelon and mint in a bright, balanced profile.
• Beer Garden & Smokehouse Full-service restaurant and bar at 160 Flynn Avenue in Burlington's South End featuring 20 taps, Southern-style BBQ menu, house-smoked meats, brisket, pulled pork, indoor/outdoor seating. Operates as a working restaurant with private event capabilities.
• Tap Room Private Events Private indoor event space overlooking the bottling line, approximately 1,250 sq ft, holds up to 90 guests. Features a large copper bar and flexible table setups with patio access.
• Contract Brewing Services B2B non-alcoholic beverage contract brewing using BrewVo patented multi-stage dealcoholization system. Includes brewing, cellaring, packaging, pasteurization, quality testing, materials, and logistics. Equipment includes 4-Vessel 66 BBL Huppmann System, KHS 21/3 Can Filler, and JENREY Tunnel Pasteurizer.
• Krush N.A. IPA Non-alcoholic IPA produced using the BrewVo system, part of the expanding Switchback N.A. portfolio showcased at the Craft Brewers Conference.
• Askew Beer Co. Employee-led experimental beer side project under Switchback's ESOP. Includes Lil' Pine IPA, Fruited Blonde, Spring Bock, Askew IPA, Rime and Reason cold IPA, and Secret Handshake grapefruit Kölsch.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vermont's top-selling draft beer at restaurants and bars
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Prohibition Pig (Waterbury, VT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2024Collaboration brewing with local Waterbury brewery. Secret Handshake grapefruit Kölsch was brewed in collaboration with Prohibition Pig and initially available exclusively at Switchback's new tap house.
• ReArch CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 May 2024Construction and build partner for new Tap House & Beer Garden project (3,700 sq ft in 120-year-old historic brick building). Fifth project partnered with Switchback.
• Wiemann Lamphere ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 May 2024Architecture firm for design of new Tap House & Beer Garden project.
• Engineering VenturesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 May 2024Engineering firm for new Tap House & Beer Garden project.
• Sustainable Beverage Technologies (BrewVo)coreTechnology or Integration · 28 February 2024Licensed use of proprietary BrewVo NA (nested fermentation) technology for non-alcoholic beer production. The technology uses reverse osmosis with a proprietary 'magic part' to reintroduce beer character. Switchback is expanding BrewVo capabilities to the East Coast and offers contract brewing services using this system.
• Askew Beer Co.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Employee-led side project supported by the company's ESOP structure. Allows brewers to experiment with wild and experimental beer styles outside the constraints of the Switchback brand. Spearheaded by Morgan Capron, Tony Morse, and Sean Pagano. Two beers (Askew IPA and Rime and Reason cold IPA) available at select locations.
• Split Spirits (formerly Appalachian Gap Distillery)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Partnership formed during COVID-19 pandemic to repurpose surplus beer by distilling it into whiskey and gin. Approximately 1,500 kegs (250,000 cans) of Switchback Ale were distilled at Appalachian Gap's Middlebury facility. The whiskey is aged 3+ years in oak barrels. This collaboration created the Essential Spirits product line including Essential Vermont Malt Whiskey (92 proof) and Essential Vermont Hopped Gin (88 proof).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Magic Hat Brewing Company: Burlington, Vermont-based craft brewery directly competing with Switchback for local tap handles, retail shelf space, and consumer loyalty in the same hometown market. Comparable scale, Vermont craft positioning, and distribution footprint.
• Zero Gravity Craft Brewery: Burlington, Vermont craft brewery operating a similar brewpub and distribution model in the same South End neighborhood as Switchback. Directly comparable on product mix, on-premise experience, and local market positioning.
• Allagash Brewing Company: Portland, Maine craft brewery with similar regional New England distribution, comparable production scale, and a flagship-driven portfolio. Frequently co-located on tap lists and retail shelves with Switchback across New England.
• Athletic Brewing Company: Stratford, Connecticut-based craft brewer that is the leading U.S. non-alcoholic craft beer brand. Directly comparable to Switchback's Switchback N.A. and Krush N.A. IPA efforts in the fastest-growing beer category.
• Long Trail Brewing Company: Vermont-based craft brewery with comparable scale, regional New England distribution, and a flagship-plus-seasonals portfolio similar to Switchback's structure. Operates competing on-premise venues in the same geographic market.
• Caledonia Spirits / Barr Hill: Hardwick, Vermont distillery producing gin, vodka, and whiskey from local agricultural inputs. Directly comparable to Switchback's Essential Spirits and Switchback Spirits lines for Vermont craft spirits retail and on-premise placement.
• Harpoon Brewery: Boston, Massachusetts / Windsor, Vermont craft brewery with a flagship-anchored lineup and New England-wide distribution that directly overlaps with Switchback's footprint. Operates a comparable brewery-taproom experience model.
• WhistlePig Farmstead Whiskey: Vermont-based distillery producing premium whiskey, directly comparable to Switchback's Essential Vermont Malt Whiskey and Switchback Spirits line. Competes for the same Vermont craft spirits consumer and retail on-premise placement.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Established national craft brewer with a flagship-anchored portfolio (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) and broad distribution. Provides a benchmark for what a scaled craft brand with geographic reach and product diversification can look like, and is a competitor in overlapping accounts where Switchback is distributed.
• Boston Beer Company: Largest U.S. craft brewer (Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard, Truly). Operates broadly in craft beer and adjacent categories where Switchback competes; not a niche specialist but a benchmark for craft-scale economics and national distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Switchback Brewing Company