Three Penny Taproom, Montpelier

Three Penny Taproom is a cornerstone of Montpelier’s dining and craft beer scene, known for pairing a carefully curated draft list with a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere. Opened in 2009, it arrived at a moment when craft beer culture in Vermont was still taking shape, positioning itself as one of the state’s earliest bars dedicated not just to local brews, but to a wider spectrum of styles from across the country and beyond.

The concept began as something else entirely—a planned brewery or brewpub that never materialized. Reimagined instead as a “craft beer bar,” the founders aimed to treat beer with the same attention usually reserved for wine: thoughtful selection, proper glassware, and an informed approach to style and nuance. At the time, this was a relatively new idea in Vermont, where most venues focused on a limited range of familiar local beers.

In 2012, the space expanded into a full-service restaurant, adding a menu of elevated pub fare built around local and sustainable ingredients. This shift transformed the taproom into a broader gathering place—part bar, part restaurant, and part “third place,” where people come not just to eat and drink, but to linger.