Beer Naked Brewery sits at 2,410 feet on Hogback Mountain in Marlboro, in the old Skyline Restaurant building right at the famous 100-mile overlook. The view from the deck stretches across three states on a clear day, and the beer lineup is wider and weirder than anything else in the region.
From Valley View Villa, it is roughly 18-25 minutes east on Route 9 (depending on how the bends treat you), and it is the obvious combined trip with the Hogback Overlook right next door. If you are driving between Wilmington and Brattleboro, this is the stop that makes the drive worth it.
The View From the Patio
The Hogback ridge runs east-west, and Beer Naked sits on the south-facing slope. The patio looks out across what locals call the 100-Mile View. On a clear day, you are seeing into Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts at the same time. The Connecticut River Valley unrolls in the foreground; Mount Greylock and the Berkshires sit on the southern horizon; the White Mountains stack up to the east-northeast. Mount Monadnock is the easy landmark to spot first.
What makes the patio work is the elevation. At 2,410 feet, you are 1,400 feet above the valley floor, which means the view drops away from you instead of running flat out from the table. Sit on the south side of the deck for the long stare; sit on the east side if the late-afternoon sun is in your eyes. We tell guests to time the drive for an hour before sunset on a clear evening with a few clouds on the horizon. That is when Hogback earns its reputation. Bring a light layer; the wind picks up by 6 PM most months.
Pair It With the Overlook
The Hogback Mountain Overlook is right across Route 9. Walk over before or after your pints. The Hogback Mountain Country Store is also right there, year-round, and worth a stop for fudge and Vermont souvenirs. With the brewery, the overlook, and the country store all within 200 yards of each other, it is the easiest combined-trip half-day out of West Dover.
The Beer
The lineup is broad and rotating – 197 distinct beers and counting, according to Untappd. Expect IPAs (American, New England, Imperial), pilsners, lagers, stouts, sours, saisons, and house-made ciders and meads on any given visit.
Some standouts:
🍺 Booty Call XX IPA (7.5% ABV) – their highest-rated beer
🍺 Pourage – New England IPA with oats and Galaxy hops
🍺 Maple Brown Ale – a proper Vermont tribute
🍺 Wit-Ness – witbier with coriander and orange peel
Wine and cocktails are also available. To-go beer is sold at the taproom.
The Pizza
The in-house pizza program – ‘Pizzapalooza’ – runs a wood-fired oven at 700°F. Thin crust, local Vermont cheese and produce, 11 rotating specialty pies. Favorites include the Skydiver (chicken, pesto, goat cheese) and the Carnivore (meat-loaded). Gluten-free crust is available for a small upcharge. Pies run $19-$25+.
Pizza reviews are mixed – some nights it is great, some nights the crust is underdone. Ask the bartender what has been coming out well that day.
The Details
📍 7678 VT-9, Marlboro, VT (at the Hogback Mountain overlook)
📞 (802) 464-7702
🌐 beernakedvt.com
💵 Cash only. There is an ATM on-site with fees
🕐 Seasonal operation. Hours typically run Wed-Sun with shorter weekday windows. Confirm on beernakedvt.com before driving over.
🐕 Dog-friendly (inside and outside)
🚗 ~18-25 minutes east of Valley View Villa on Route 9
A critical note: Beer Naked closes for mud season and shoulder periods, and the spring reopening date shifts year to year (mid-May to Memorial Day weekend in recent years). Always check beernakedvt.com or call (802) 464-7702 before driving up – the hours and seasons shift.
What Makes It Different
The Mount Snow area has three standout breweries, each with its own identity.
Snow Republic in West Dover is the casual, slope-side taproom – 5 minutes from the mountain, open daily, good for après-ski. Valley Craft Ales in downtown Wilmington is the polished option – a restored 1828 mill with coal-fired pizza and a river deck.
Beer Naked is the adventure option. The drive up Route 9, the altitude, the view, the cash-only quirk, the rotating menu of experimental beers – it feels more like a mountain outpost than a conventional brewery. If you are the type who reads brewery menus hoping for a coffee milk stout or a blood orange gose, you will love it. If you want consistency, go to Valley Craft.
Pair It With a Drive
Hogback Mountain is one of the best scenic stops in southern Vermont. Before or after the brewery, walk across Route 9 to the Hogback overlook and the Hogback Mountain Country Store. Both are open year-round. On a summer Saturday, you can easily turn this into a half-day outing.
Live music hits the taproom most Saturdays from 4-7 PM. On-site camping is available through Hipcamp if you want to extend the evening.
We send guests to Beer Naked mostly for the view, and we’re upfront about that — the beer and pizza are genuinely good, but the reason you make the drive is that 100-mile overlook right off the deck. On a clear day you can see across three states, and there’s no better spot in the area to watch the light go long over the hills in the late afternoon. We tell people to time it for an hour or so before sunset if the sky’s cooperating, grab a table on the patio, and just let the evening happen.
The drive out Route 9 to Hogback is part of the appeal, winding up through Marlboro with the elevation climbing the whole way. It’s an easy add-on to a Wilmington afternoon, since you’re headed in that direction anyway. One thing to keep in mind: this is a mountaintop spot, so it can be noticeably cooler and breezier up top than it is back down in the valley, even in summer. Throw a layer in the car. We’ve had guests get caught out in shorts on a windy evening and spend the whole time wishing they’d grabbed a sweatshirt off the hook by our door.
🗺️ More to Explore Near Mount Snow
- Hogback Mountain Overlook — The famous 100-mile view right next door
- Valley Craft Ales — Coal-fired pizza and craft beer in Wilmington
- Must-Try Craft Breweries — The full brewery roundup
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots Near Mount Snow — More underrated places worth a stop
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beer Naked Brewery cash only?
Yes, Beer Naked Brewery is cash only. There is an ATM on-site, but it charges fees. Bring cash if you can to avoid surprises.
When is Beer Naked Brewery open?
Beer Naked operates seasonally with limited weekly hours – typically Wednesday through Sunday, with shorter hours on weekdays. They close during mud season and shoulder periods. Check their website or call (802) 464-7702 before heading up.
Where is Beer Naked Brewery located?
Beer Naked is at 7678 VT-9 in Marlboro, VT, at the Hogback Mountain overlook on Route 9 between Wilmington and Brattleboro. It is about an 18-25 minute drive east of Valley View Villa.
Is Beer Naked Brewery dog-friendly?
Yes – dogs are welcome both inside the taproom and on the outdoor deck and picnic area. The brewery markets itself as ‘fur-friends welcome.’
