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The Hills Are Alive With Lager: 5 Shocking New Updates From Von Trapp Brewery, The 2024 'Brewery Of The Year'

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Von Trapp Brewing has officially transitioned from a charming, family-owned New England brewery to a major national player, a fact cemented by their recent, highly-coveted industry recognition. As of today, December 19, 2025, the brewery, founded by the youngest son of the famous family that inspired "The Sound of Music," is aggressively expanding its market reach, launching new collaborations, and cementing its reputation for producing world-class, traditional European-style lagers.

The biggest news update confirming their elite status came in 2024 when the Stowe, Vermont-based operation was named "Brewery & Brewer of the Year" in the 15,001-100,000 barrel category at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF). This monumental award, combined with a major brand refresh and a packed 2025 collaboration calendar, proves that the Von Trapp family’s legacy is now defined as much by crisp, clean lagers as it is by alpine melodies.

The Family Legacy: A Profile of Founder Johannes von Trapp

The entire Von Trapp Brewing venture is a passion project driven by the family’s deep, authentic connection to Austrian culture and brewing tradition. The brewery's founder is Johannes von Trapp, the youngest son of Baron Georg von Trapp and Maria von Trapp—the couple whose story captivated the world in the musical The Sound of Music.

  • Full Name: Johannes von Trapp
  • Family Connection: Youngest son of Baron Georg and Maria von Trapp.
  • Education: Graduated from Dartmouth College.
  • Inspiration for the Brewery: During numerous visits to Austria, Johannes developed a profound appreciation for the crisp, clean, and sessionable Austrian and German lagers. He sought to bring this authentic European style to the United States.
  • Founding Role: He founded the brewery, originally known as Trapp Lager, in 2010 on the grounds of the family's Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
  • Current Role: Owner and visionary behind the brewery, overseeing its expansion and commitment to quality and tradition.

Johannes von Trapp’s vision was to create a brewery specializing exclusively in lagers, a style often overlooked by American craft brewers who focused on ales. His commitment to traditional brewing methods, including decoction mashing and long lagering times, is what gives Von Trapp's beers their distinctive, world-class quality.

The 2025 Brand Calendar: New Collabs, Market Expansion, and a Polotmavý Lager

The period between late 2024 and 2025 marks one of the most dynamic phases in Von Trapp Brewing’s history, showcasing a commitment to both traditional excellence and strategic growth. The brewery is leveraging its newfound national recognition to accelerate its market footprint and engage in high-profile collaborations.

Aggressive Market Expansion and a New Look

The brewery has been "aggressively opening new markets," expanding its distribution beyond its New England core of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This push is supported by a significant brand refresh launched in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Refreshed Branding: The new look includes a reimagining of their iconic ibex logo and updated packaging designs, aiming for a cleaner, more modern presentation while retaining their Austrian heritage.
  • The Strategy: This growth coincides with a broader industry trend where consumer tastes are shifting back toward traditional, well-made lagers—a category Von Trapp Brewing dominates.

The 2025 Collaboration Series: Polotmavý Lager and More

A key element of their 2025 strategy is the "Collab Series," where Brewing Operations Director Tom Everett and his team partner with other notable breweries. These limited-release beers not only generate buzz but also allow the Von Trapp team to explore variations on their beloved lager styles.

  • Bissell Brothers Collab (Fall 2025): The most anticipated release is a Polotmavý Lager, a traditional Czech amber lager, brewed in partnership with Bissell Brothers Brewing of Portland, Maine.
  • Burlington Beer Co. Collab: They recently released a Dortmunder Style Lager, a pale lager slightly stronger than a Pilsner, in collaboration with Vermont’s Burlington Beer Co.
  • Zero Gravity Collab: The 2025 calendar also features a collaboration with another respected Vermont brewer, Zero Gravity, further cementing their status in the New England craft beer scene.

Core Lagers: The Entities That Won 'Brewery of the Year'

While the collaborations generate excitement, the foundation of Von Trapp Brewing’s success and the reason for their GABF "Brewery of the Year" award is their impeccably crafted core lineup. The brewery, which can produce up to 33,000 barrels of beer annually, focuses on a portfolio of year-round and seasonal lagers.

These beers are brewed at their 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located a mile down the hill from the Trapp Family Lodge, featuring a high-efficiency Rolec brewing system.

  • Golden Helles: A classic Munich-style Helles, known for its light body, subtle sweetness, and crisp finish. It’s a foundational beer for the brewery.
  • Bohemian Pilsner: A Czech-style pale lager that is light straw in color, featuring a touch of Munich malt and a pronounced hop aroma. This is often cited as a flagship beer.
  • Vienna Lager: An amber-colored lager with a malty flavor profile, offering notes of toasted bread and caramel, balanced by a clean lager finish.
  • Dunkel Lager: A traditional dark Bavarian lager, featuring rich malt flavors reminiscent of chocolate and coffee, yet remaining surprisingly light and drinkable.
  • Kölsch: While technically an ale, this German style is cold-conditioned like a lager, offering a delicate fruitiness and a clean, refreshing profile.

The success of these traditional lagers highlights a significant shift in the craft beer industry: a move away from aggressively hopped IPAs and toward the nuanced, clean, and consistent flavors of European-style lagers. Von Trapp Brewing, with its authentic heritage and commitment to quality, is perfectly positioned to lead this trend. The combination of its historic family story, its modern brewing technology, and its prestigious GABF award makes it one of the most compelling breweries to watch in the coming years.

The Hills Are Alive with Lager: 5 Shocking New Updates from Von Trapp Brewery, the 2024 'Brewery of the Year'
von trapp brewery
von trapp brewery

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