• Courtesy of Tap 25
• Tap 25 in Stowe

Over the weekend, the Vermont beer world was abuzz with the news that the Alchemist had opened its new brewery and visitor center in Stowe (see following story). But it wasn't the only new arrival: On Wednesday, June 29, across town, Tap 25 quietly opened at 151 Main Street.

The new taproom offers 25 American craft beers on draft: The opening list included local brews from von Trapp Brewing, Burlington Beer, 14th Star Brewing, Fiddlehead Brewing, Idletyme Brewing and others, along with a wide array of California beers. The dual-state focus makes sense, since Tap 25 co-owners Tim and Carrie Bryan own a similar bar in the San Francisco Bay area.

To eat, Tap 25 offers small bites such as sausage links on pretzel rolls, flatbreads, panini and hummus plates, courtesy of Stowe native and recent New England Culinary Institute grad Zoe Biron.

Later this summer, the Bryans plan to start hosting live bands three nights a week. "Music is integral to our place in California," Tim Bryan told Seven Days late last week, adding that, so far, locals seem to be embracing the pub. "Wednesday night was beyond expectations," he said. "People just wandered in from the village and found it easy to hang out."

For his part, Bryan seemed excited to help grow the local beer scene, in concert with the other local pubs and breweries. "You can't go wrong [in Vermont]," he said. "The beers here are world-class; the brain trust in the brewing community is exceptional."