Discover Ebikes and Breweries on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail
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It’s the perfect blend of outdoor recreation, small-town charm, and exceptional craft beer.
Yes, I’m talking about the Ebike & Brew Tour with Lamoille Valley Bike Tours in Johnson, Vermont.
This relaxing, self-guided experience combines the freedom of riding the scenic Lamoille Valley Rail Trail with stops at some of the best breweries in northern Vermont.
We recently spent a sunny afternoon riding and sipping our way through Morrisville and Hyde Park, stopping at four world-class breweries from the comfort of our rented electric bikes, and we didn’t even break a sweat.
Here’s everything you need to know about the ride, the route, and the brews.
But, First, What is the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail?
It’s the longest rail trail in New England, and one of the best bike routes to experience gorgeous mountain views, wide-open farmland, the winding Lamoille River, and 18 Vermont towns and villages.
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) is a 93-mile multi-use trail that stretches from Swanton to St. Johnsbury, following the path of a former railroad. The crushed gravel trail is ideal for biking, walking, jogging, and even horseback riding.
Best of all? It’s a peaceful, car-free adventure that is open to everyone.
The section you’ll be riding on for this Vermont brewery tour:
Introducing the Ebike & Brew Tour with Lamoille Valley Bike Tours
Lamoille Valley Bike Tours operates out of a trailside bike center in Johnson, Vermont. For $85, you get a full-day ebike rental, helmet, and lock, along with a turn-by-turn itinerary that guides you to up to four breweries on or near the trail.
Most of the 18-mile round-trip ride is on the LVRT, and the breweries are located in Morrisville and Hyde Park. You can ride at your own pace, explore the breweries in any order, and even stop for a swim or bite to eat along the way.
Our Bike & Brew Experience
Eric and I picked the perfect day for a bike tour (or maybe the perfect day picked us), a sunny Saturday in July with low humidity and mild temps.
The ride from Johnson to Morrisville was smooth, easy to navigate, and filled with stunning scenery: fields of wildflowers, distant mountain views, and stretches of the Lamoille River that begged us to stop and linger.
We stopped at all four breweries on the tour. Here’s what we loved about each one:
Rock Art Brewery: Dog-Friendly and Filled with Art
Our first stop was Rock Art Brewery in Morrisville.
This family-run brewery is powered by solar energy and features lots of local art. If we weren’t on bikes, we would’ve come home with a few beautiful prints, but now we have an excuse to return.
We opted for something light and refreshing to start the day: the Blood Orange Radler. At 4.5% ABV, it was just the right balance of tart and bubbly to kick things off, and yes, we bought a few singles to take home.
Rock Art Highlights:
- Dog-friendly atmosphere
- Local art gallery & gift shop
- Solar-powered brewing
- A wonderful diversity of beers
Soulmate Brewing: Bold Beers and a Waffle Menu
Next up was Soulmate Brewing Company, located in a historic building in downtown Morrisville. This veteran-owned brewery offers a diverse and creative selection of beers, and some of the best label art we’ve ever seen.
We chatted with the owner, Jonathan Mogor, while sampling a flight of beers. Our favorites included:
- Dubbel Style Ale (7.8%) – Dry, spicy, and fruit-forward
- Hops on a Motorcycle (6.56%) – A black IPA with notes of chocolate and roasted malt
- Shaved Beaver Brown (5.5%) – A perfectly balanced English brown ale
Soulmate Highlights:
- Friendly staff and cozy tasting room
- Unique brews from award-winning brewer Hideki Arao
- Outdoor patio perfect for summer sipping
- Unique food menu featuring waffle sandwiches
Also Read: Plan an Incredible Backcountry Adventure with Vermont Huts & Trails
Lost Nation Brewing: Food That Stole the Show
Just when we thought the ride couldn’t get better, we reached Lost Nation Brewing, located right on the rail trail in a repurposed creamery. By this point, we’d worked up an appetite, and the food here exceeded all expectations.
Eric raved about his pulled pork sandwich (even on a gluten-free bun), while I devoured a flavorful soba noodle salad topped with chili threads and homemade scallion-chili oil. We shared a small pour of Hill Farmstead’s Galaxy Single Hop Pale Ale, but it was the meal that made this stop so memorable.
Lost Nation Highlights:
- Inventive pub fare made with local ingredients
- Outdoor Biergarten and rotating guest beers
- Known for session beers like Gose and Vermont Pilsner
- Occasional live music and relaxed vibe
Ten Bends Beer: Small Batches, Big Flavor
Our final stop was Ten Bends Beer in Hyde Park. We didn’t get to spend as much time here as we wanted, but the beer was top-notch. We tried four samples and browsed their small vinyl collection. Yes, they sell records!
Favorites included:
- Sterling Pilsner (5%) – Crisp and crushable
- Northern Heights (8%) – A Vermont-style Double IPA with Citra & Mosaic hops
Ten Bends Highlights:
- Small-batch ales brewed on-site
- Modern Vermont IPAs with bold flavor
- Cozy tasting room and community vibe
- Inspired by the “ten bends” of the Lamoille River
Also Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Road Trips in Vermont
FAQs: Lamoille Valley Ebike & Brew Tour
How long is the tour?
Plan for 4–6 hours, depending on the number of stops you make. The tour is about 18 miles round-trip. If you’d rather linger over your brews, consider dropping by a brewery to save time (sorry, I can’t tell you which one to skip; we loved them all).
Is the tour self-guided?
We took the self-guided tour and received detailed directions and a digital ride guide, but you can also opt for a guided tour if that’s more your style.
Do I need to be super fit to do this?
Not at all. The ebikes make the ride accessible for nearly all fitness levels, and the trail is flat and smooth.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, water, a backpack or pannier for beer purchases, and an appetite for craft beer and fresh air.
Where should I stay?
We love Sterling Ridge Resort, a collection of log cabins in nearby Jeffersonville. There’s an onsite pool, pond, and nature trails, and some of the cabins are dog-friendly.
The Lamoille Valley Bike & Brew Tour is the perfect way to spend a summer (or fall) day in Vermont. You get the best of both worlds: a peaceful ride along one of the state’s most scenic trails, and the chance to support local breweries crafting some of the finest beers around.
Whether you’re here for the beer, the bikes, or the breathtaking views, this self-guided brewery tour is a must-do for any Vermont adventurer.
Ready to ride?
Visit Lamoille Valley Bike Tours to book your self-guided Ebike & Brew experience.
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