2026 JAMES BEARD SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED

 The list of semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Award includes Tiara Adorno of the Crooked Ram (Manchester) for Best Chef Northeast, Leslie McCrorey Wells of Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria Delia, Sotto Enoteca, and others (Burlington) for Outstanding Restaurateur, and Kate Wise of Juniper Bar (Burlington) for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

SWITCHBACK TO BREW ITS OWN NA BEER IN-HOUSE

 Switchback Brewing Co., the employee-owned Vermont brewery behind the iconic Switchback Ale, announced today that it is bringing non-alcoholic beer production fully in-house by installing the BrewVo® de-alcoholization system from Sustainable Beverage Technologies. In addition to producing its own non-alcoholic beers, the investment provides Switchback with the ability to collaborate with other breweries and beverage brands seeking high-quality NA production on the East Coast.

UPPER PASS COMES TO BURLINGTON

 Turnbridge’s Upper Pass Brewery has taken over the taproom and production space formerly occupied by Simple Roots Brewing in the Ethan Allen Shopping Center on North Avenue in Burlington.

Upper Pass managing partners Ivan Tomek and Chris Perry had been looking to expand for a few years and liked the small community vibe of the location.

NEW NAME FOR AN OLD SOUL

 The microbrewery at American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, where Zero Gravity craft beer began in 2004, has decided to return to its small-brew roots, announcing that it will now be known as Mothership Brewery. A launch celebration is tentatively planned for Wednesday, April 22, in conjunction with Earth Day.