By Kolby LaMarche

Upper Pass Beer Co. has officially opened its new taproom in the New North End early this week, bringing a popular central Vermont brewery to the city and filling a void left by the closure of a longtime neighborhood fixture.

The taproom, located in the Ethan Allen Shopping Center at 1127 North Avenue, welcomed its first customers Wednesday. 

Upper Pass began in 2015 when founders Chris Perry, Andrew Puchalik, and Ivan Tomek started brewing on a small one-barrel system in a converted sheep barn on Perry’s family farm in Tunbridge. 

What started as a home-brewing passion project grew into a respected operation known for approachable, well-crafted beers including its flagship First Drop American IPA, along with saisons, lagers, and other styles. 

The brewery has maintained production roots in central Vermont while seeking opportunities for greater public access, like Burlington, where the company is hoping to reach a larger audience in the state’s largest city.

The new taproom occupies space previously home to Simple Roots Brewing, which operated in the New North End since 2016. 

Simple Roots owners Dan Ukolowicz and Kara Pawlusiak closed the business in December 2025 after nearly a decade, citing rising operational costs, increased competition, and softer post-pandemic taproom traffic. 

Their departure left a gap in the New North End’s casual gathering spots, where the Ethan Allen shopping center serves as a food, retail, and community hub. 

Upper Pass secured the lease early in 2026 and expanded into an adjacent area to create more seating and operational space. The location offers ample parking and proximity to the Burlington Bike Path, just minutes away, as well as being close to the beach! 

The opening comes at a challenging time for Burlington’s hospitality and entertainment sectors, which largely began during COVID-19.  

Several longtime businesses have closed their doors in the past year. Nectar’s, the iconic Main Street music venue known for hosting early Phish performances and decades of live shows, shut down in 2025 after nearly 50 years. 

The Gryphon restaurant ended an 11-year run in September 2025, while Drink, a Saint Paul Street cocktail bar popular for live music and events, closed in January 2026.

Upper Pass plans to feature its core lineup from Tunbridge alongside potential special releases tailored to Burlington customers. The taproom will host events, food pop-ups, and community activities, aiming to serve as a new anchor in the shopping center.

Perry and his partners have expressed enthusiasm about joining Burlington’s beer community. The New North End already has a brewing history, and Upper Pass hopes to build on the neighborhood connection that Simple Roots established.

Vermont remains one of the states with the highest number of breweries per capita, though the industry has faced national headwinds with hundreds of craft breweries closing in recent years. Despite challenges, new energy continues to emerge, particularly in Burlington. 

City officials and business advocates view projects like Upper Pass’s expansion as positive signs for neighborhood revitalization and greater economic benefits.