Trout River Brewing
Vermont Beer Makers, originally known as Trout River Brewing, is a Vermont brewery that began production in 1996, relocated from Lyndonville to Springfield in 2014, resumed distribution in 2016, and adopted its current name in 2020.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Trout River Brewing is the former name of the Vermont brewery now identified as Vermont Beer Makers. The business began production in July 1996 in Lyndonville, Vermont, placing it among the state's earlier craft breweries. Its original identity was built around Trout River Brewing, a locally oriented brewing operation associated with the small-town Vermont beer scene. The brewery underwent a major operational transition in November 2014. Production at the Lyndonville location closed, and the business was moved to Springfield, Vermont, under its then-current owners. This relocation created an interruption in the brewery's commercial activity and distribution. Beer distribution resumed in April 2016, indicating that the Springfield operation had returned to the market after the move and redevelopment period. The brand later went through a formal identity change. In July 2020, it rebranded as Vermont Beer Makers, ending the Trout River Brewing name as the primary public identity. Trevor Billings stepped away from the business at the same time. The rebrand distinguishes the current Springfield brewery from its earlier Lyndonville history while preserving continuity with the enterprise that started production under the Trout River name. Available reference material does not provide a complete catalogue of beers, ownership structure, production volume, financial performance, distribution footprint, or current management. It also does not establish whether the brewery remains actively producing or distributing beer after the 2020 rebrand. Accordingly, Trout River Brewing is best documented as the historical name and predecessor identity of Vermont Beer Makers rather than as a separate modern brewery. Its principal significance lies in its long Vermont operating history, its relocation from Lyndonville to Springfield, its return to distribution, and its eventual transition to the Vermont Beer Makers brand.
History
The brewery now known as Vermont Beer Makers began production under the name Trout River Brewing in July 1996. Its original site was in Lyndonville, Vermont, a community in the state's Northeast Kingdom. The brewery formed part of Vermont's developing craft-beer sector and operated as a local brewing business rather than as a nationally scaled beer company. The original operation eventually came to an end in November 2014. At that point, the brewery was moved from Lyndonville to Springfield, Vermont, by its current owners. The move represented both a change of physical base and a significant interruption in the brewery's production and distribution activities. Public reference material does not specify the precise reasons for the relocation, the equipment transferred, or the ownership arrangements behind the transaction. Commercial distribution resumed in April 2016. This date marks the return of the brewery's beer to distribution after the Springfield transition. The available sources do not provide detailed information about the geographic range of distribution, the beers sold during this period, production volumes, or retail and hospitality accounts. A further change occurred in July 2020, when the business rebranded as Vermont Beer Makers. The change replaced Trout River Brewing as the brewery's principal public-facing name. Trevor Billings also stepped away from the business in connection with the rebrand. The new name emphasizes Vermont provenance and beer production more directly than the original Trout River identity. Because the reference material is limited, the later operating status of Vermont Beer Makers cannot be confirmed here. The historical record nevertheless establishes a clear sequence: production began as Trout River Brewing in Lyndonville in 1996; the brewery closed there and moved to Springfield in 2014; distribution restarted in 2016; and the business adopted the Vermont Beer Makers name in 2020. Trout River Brewing should therefore be treated as the predecessor name of the Vermont Beer Makers brewery rather than as an unrelated brand.
- 2020
Rebrand to Vermont Beer Makers
[1]The brewery adopts the Vermont Beer Makers name in July, and Trevor Billings steps away from the business.
- 2016
Distribution resumes
[1]Beer distribution restarts in April after the relocation to Springfield.
- 2014
Lyndonville operation closes and the brewery moves
[1]In November, the brewery is moved from Lyndonville to Springfield, Vermont, under its then-current owners.
- 1996
Production begins in Lyndonville
[1]The brewery begins beer production in July under the Trout River Brewing name in Lyndonville, Vermont.
Products and positioning
A Vermont craft brewery with a local and regional identity, originally operating as Trout River Brewing and later rebranded as Vermont Beer Makers.
Craft beer · 1996
Trout River Brewing beer
The brewery's core offering was beer produced under the Trout River Brewing identity. The available reference material confirms brewery production and later distribution but does not identify specific styles, recipes, packaging formats, or named flagship beers.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Vermont Beer Makers rebrand
United States
The business replaced the Trout River Brewing name with Vermont Beer Makers, presenting the Springfield brewery under a new identity centered on its Vermont origin and beer-making activity.
Outcome. The Trout River Brewing name became the predecessor identity, while Vermont Beer Makers became the brewery's subsequent name.
Brand decisions
2020
Change of brand identityStrategyBackground
The brewery had operated under the Trout River Brewing name since its 1996 production launch.
Action taken
In July, the business rebranded as Vermont Beer Makers, while Trevor Billings stepped away.
Aftermath
Vermont Beer Makers became the successor identity documented for the brewery.
2016
Restart of beer distributionOtherBackground
The brewery's relocation had interrupted commercial availability of its beer.
Action taken
Beer distribution restarted in April 2016 from the Springfield operation.
Aftermath
The brewery returned to the distribution market, although the available sources do not specify its geographic reach or sales performance.
2014
Relocation from Lyndonville to SpringfieldStrategyBackground
The original Lyndonville brewery closed in November 2014, and the business was transferred to a new location in Springfield, Vermont.
Action taken
The then-current owners moved the brewery's operations to Springfield.
Aftermath
Distribution did not resume until April 2016, indicating a substantial transition period following the move.
Recent events
- 2020
Trout River Brewing rebrands as Vermont Beer Makers[1]
Campaign · Leadership change
The brewery adopted the Vermont Beer Makers name in July 2020, while Trevor Billings stepped away from the business.
- 2016
Beer distribution resumes after the brewery relocation[1]
Other
Distribution of the brewery's beer restarted in April 2016 following the move to Springfield.
- 2014
Trout River Brewing relocates from Lyndonville to Springfield[1]
Other
The brewery closed its Lyndonville operation and was moved to Springfield, Vermont, under its current owners at that time.
Sources2 sources
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