When the temperatures start to warm up but the nights are still cool, maple sap starts to drip as pressure in the trees builds up and the trees are tapped. Growing up, I used to see so many aluminum cans nailed into the trees on dirt roads to capture that sap (so Norman Rockwell!), and while many maple farms today now use tubing to get the sap from the trees, a wood fire is still the method to boil down the sap (which is 98% water) until it becomes syrup. The plumes of smoke coming out of the sugar shack chimneys during boiling season offer an aromatic sensation not to be missed.
Each spring, the Vermont Maple Association hosts a maple open house weekend, where many (most? all?) maple farms offer tastes, tours, and information for visitors. That happened to be this past weekend, and I went to Bragg Farm Sugar House in East Montpelier since I had not previously been to that particular sugar house. Plus, they claim to have "the best" maple creemees, so I really had no choice -- that claim needed testing! (It was excellent, but not quite as good for me as Three Ponds in Danville, which is not a creemee stand or farm -- just a little spot to get coffee, a sandwich, and, in my humble opinion, the best creemee in the state). Since a typical sugaring season lasts 4 to 6 weeks, you still have time to visit an operation and watch (and smell) the delectable maple syrup being made. I have not been to a maple sugar shack/ sugar house which didn't invite me in to watch the process during boiling season (and many offered tastes, too).
Not sure where the sugar houses are?  Here's an interactive map of sugar houses which participated in this year's open house, which have farms you can visit. Even outside of boiling season, it's always fun to chat with the proprietors and pick up a little something (local). But, as is a good rule of thumb when visiting anyplace in Vermont, check to make sure they are open.
Should you be looking for something more organized there are two maple festivals in April:
Kingdom Maple Festival:Â in St. Johnsbury, on April 19, 2025Â
Vermont Maple Festival:Â in St. Albans, April 25-27, 2025
For those not-in-the-know, maple syrup is classified into four distinct color classes: Golden, Amber, Dark, and Very Dark, based on the water content. Golden has a subtle maple flavor, while Very Dark is thick and the most maple-y. I, personally, will not purchase anything that isn't at least Dark, with Very Dark being my favorite (but not always easy to find). The darker the color, the more maple flavor the syrup has. For cooking and baking purposes, I implore you to get the darkest variety you can find (and afford).
Making a Day of It
While I love all things maple, bopping from sugar shack to sugar shack is a bit much for me. So, after visiting the Bragg Farm (purchasing the smallest maple creemee they had and a pound of maple sugar), I headed to my favorite Vermont distillery, Barr Hill, located nearby, in Montpelier, for lunch. They were celebrating maple weekend as well (of course) with specially-themed maple cocktails & small plates, as well as maple cotton candy and a maple chugging contest. If you have not been to Barr Hill, and enjoy (extremely) elevated bar food and cocktails, I need to tell you to add it to any Vermont itinerary which brings you to Montpelier. Both their chef and bartender/ mixologist are extremely talented; you wont be disappointed, I promise.
On our way home, we decided to try out a craft brewery we had not been to yet, in Williston. Goodwater Brewery is located in a weird sort-of industrial area, but their beers are excellent, and their chicken wings are crave-worthy. FYI -- if you are an IPA person, you should know that they have one single and one double; it's not as IPA-centric as many Vermont breweries. Also, if not for the dry-rub wings at Prohibiton Pig in Waterbury (VT), these are perhaps the best Buffalo wings I've had.
What a great Vermont day! A celebration of all things maple -- syrup, creemee, craft cocktails with elevated small plates, and then craft beer/ wings. While cheese was conspicuously absent from the day's consumption, I couldn't have chosen a better day. I love it when I can experience many of the things which make Vermont special. (There was a covered bridge nearby, but I'd already visited it, so didn't feel the need to go this time around).
I'll be at the Vermont Maple Festival next month. Anyone with me?