Seven Northeast breweries for great beer and even better views

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Beer nerds know that Hill Farmstead Brewery is almost the holy grail of breweries in the Northeast—everything from their saisons and pale ales to their stouts and porters are received with almost rabid admiration. And the view from the farm is just as good as the brews—starting with the drive through rural Vermont to reach the facility, which is set on a hilltop in Greensboro. The Farmstead's beers are named after Hill ancestors and philosophy texts; Try Arthur, Anna and Vera Mae, or feel free to drink through the whole family tree. 

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Central Massachusetts's Treehouse Brewing, located among 70 acres of pure woodland, is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. First, you can arrive on mountain bike via the trail that connects the brewery to the nearby 86-acre Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary. Then you can meander through the brewery's on-site orchards and beehives (there's also plans to grow hops on five acres of open field). Cool off by sipping the popular Julius IPA on the gorgeous open pavilion or spread out a blanket on the massive lawn. 

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What started as a family-owned hops farm has expanded into a gorgeous brewery. Built on what was formerly a cornfield, the Beer Tree taproom, which looks out over a impressive lot of farm land, was built from all local wood by the family itself and without any nails or screws! Sip a Funky Hop sour NIPA, with hints of mango and passionfruit, from one of the many picnic tables that dot the land while you take turns marveling at the architectural masterpiece and the view of nature. 

For a real farmhouse ale, you have to go to a farmhouse (duh). Travel down the rough road along the Sheepscot River to find Oxbow Brewing in Newcastle, where the team is crafting farmhouse ales in an actual farmhouse. Surrounded by 16 acres of hiking trails, the rural brewery comes with gorgeous surroundings. Get warm with a mixed-fermentation saison in the refurbished barn or enjoy a Barrel-Aged Farmhouse Pale Ale on the porch. 

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In the middle of Vermont's Green Mountains, family-owned Lawson's offers ton of indoor and outdoor seating and gorgeous views to boot. Side up to the bar to try one of the brewery's unique maple stours, made using local Vermont maple syrup. In warmer months, snacks like cheeses and warm pretzels, pinball machines, foosball and cornhole will keep you occupied while you sample the Sip of Sunshine, a fan-favorite, fruity IPA. 

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Set on 136 acres of idyllic New York farmland, Ommegang is gorgeous anytime of the year, but even more so in the fall, when the leaves surrounding the brewery turn yellow, orange and red. The facility brews eight beers year-round as well as seasonal creations such as this year's Neon Lights, a flourescent New England-style session IPA, and the Solera, a tart golden ale. Stake out a spot by the bonfire and opt for a Farmhouse Saison, Hennepin, or Hopstate IPA—some of the most popular on the brew list. 

Belkin Family Lookout Farm, one of the oldest continuously working farms in the United States, is the whole package—a gorgeous farm where you can pick your own fruit, an all-outdoor farm-to-table dining experience, and an on-site brewery and cidery. Grab a seat at one of the restaurant's picnic tables to taste ciders and beers brewed using fruit straight from the surrounding orchards while noshing on seasonal snacks like apple donuts and pretzel bites. 

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