Long Trail Brewing Preparing VT Mud Season Hoppy Brown Ale & Grapefruit Blaze IPA for Spring 2026

If you’ve ever tried to hike in Vermont in April, you already know exactly where this beer gets its name. Long Trail Brewing is leaning into the state’s most notorious season with VT Mud Season, a bold and playful hoppy brown ale inspired by the slop, sludge, and spring thaw that every Vermonter knows all too well.

VT Mud Season will “slop in” at a hearty 8.4% ABV, offering enough warmth and malt‑driven depth to make you forget the mud on your boots, your tires, your pants, your car, and maybe even your floors. This release blends the earthy richness of a brown ale with a modern hop profile, giving drinkers a mix of toasty malt character and bright hop expression.

The beer will be packaged in 16‑oz cans, aligning with Long Trail’s recent seasonal and specialty releases. With its name, style, and timing, VT Mud Season feels tailor‑made for early spring sipping in the Green Mountains.
I’m expecting a Spring 2026 release, but stay tuned for full details as Long Trail Brewing gets closer to rolling out this hoppy brown ale.

I’ve also added in 2026 Grapefruit Blaze IPA (6.5%-AbV, 16-oz cans).

About Long Trail Brewing:

The first batch of Long Trail Ale® rolled off the line in 1989.
At the time, the craft brewing industry in America was on the rise and Vermont was better known for maple syrup than beer. When Long Trail Ale® hit the taps at local watering holes; it blazed the trail for Vermont’s craft brewing industry.

With the Mountain Brewers leading the pack, Long Trail Ale® slowly weaved its way into the Green Mountain landscape—becoming as much a Vermont tradition as the hiking trail itself. Commonly referred to as “the Long Trail guys,” we eventually changed our name.

When we first started out in the Old Mill brewery, the greenest part of our operation was the glass we used. Besides being green in color, the original Long Trail Ale® bottles were recycled and reused Beck’s and St. Pauli Girl bottles. The bottles have changed since and, along with the shift to more environmentally friendly vessels like cans.

Besides making great beer, our other passion is serving the community, in Vermont and beyond. Long Trail’s commitment to charitable organizations is a part of our footprint that we take great pride in.

Located on the banks of the Ottauquechee River, our  brew pub offers a seasonally rotating menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients. On tap we have more than a dozen beers including our year-round staples, seasonal selections and limited releases. When the weather warms up, grab a seat on our deck or dip your toes in the water and go with the flow.

This long hike through craft beer has been a journey through ups and downs, peaks and valleys. In 2022, we made the decision to merge the brand, and keep our roots with a fellow brand equally steeped in Vermont (as well as an employee owned company), Harpoon Brewery. We look forward to this next chapter in our adventure and are excited to continue hosting you at our Riverside Pub at Long Trail!

Established in 1989 in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, Long Trail Brewing Co. is a pioneering craft brewery inspired by the 273-mile273-mile hiking trail through the Green Mountains. Known for its flagship Long Trail Ale®, the brewery operates a popular pub on the Ottauquechee River and was acquired by Mass Bay Brewing (Harpoon) in 2022. 

Key Facts About Long Trail Brewing:
Flagship Beer: Long Trail Ale®, a popular amber ale, is the brewery’s staple.

Location & Vibe: Situated in a former woolen mill, the brewery is a scenic destination in Vermont with a pub offering locally-sourced food, indoor/outdoor seating, and heated “sugar sheds”.

The lineup includes VT IPA, Double Bag (a strong ale), Belgian White, and various seasonal/collaborative releases.
History & Mergers: Founded by Andy Pherson in 1989 as “Mountain Brewers,” it was sold in 2006 to a private equity firm before merging with Harpoon in 2022.

Sustainability: The company emphasizes environmental stewardship in its brewing process. 
Visitors can experience the brewery at 5520 US Rte. 4, Bridgewater Corners, Vermont. 

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