Two New England Breweries Earn Top National Rankings in USA Today Poll
Two craft breweries from New England made it into USA Today’s top five list of best new breweries across America for 2025. Pittsfield’s Hot Plate Brewing Co. took third place, while Branford’s Caius Farm Brewery came in at number five.
These breweries stood out in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, which highlighted breweries that opened since 2022. Stuart-based Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co. took the top spot, but the strong showing from New England shows just how good the region’s craft beer scene is.
Hot Plate’s journey began simply – just two people brewing on a kitchen hot plate. They’ve since grown into a full brewery where they pair their beers with fresh-baked treats.
Caius Farm transformed empty land into a beer lover’s paradise. Their property now boasts a welcoming beer garden and hop fields where they grow their own ingredients.
The excitement isn’t limited to these winners. Tiny Littleton, NH, has gotten attention for packing several breweries into its small downtown area.
Portland favorite Allagash continues to draw visitors. Their tours give people a look at how they make their beer while sharing stories from their 20-year journey.
USA Today picked the initial nominees before letting readers make the final decision.
These awards highlight New England’s growing beer tourism. Both top-ranked breweries opened in just the last three years, showing how quickly they’ve found success.
What makes Hot Plate special? They bake fresh treats designed to go perfectly with whatever they’re brewing.
For Caius Farm, it’s about staying connected to the land. They grow their own hops and work with local farms to get their ingredients.
This kind of recognition usually brings lots of beer lovers to winning breweries. Dedicated craft beer fans will often travel miles to try award-winning beers right where they’re made.
