Downtown Rutland, Vermont has a heartbeat — and for over a decade, much of it has been pulsing from a lively corner brewpub on Center Street that has made itself absolutely impossible to leave.
Hop’n Moose is the kind of place that reminds you exactly why Rutland local restaurants exist — not to impress food critics, but to feed a community well, pour great beer, and give people a reason to love their city a little more every single time they walk through the door. 🍺🦌
From daily house-made pizza dough to an ever-rotating lineup of craft ales and lagers brewed right on-premise, this beloved Vermont brewpub has woven itself into the fabric of Rutland life in a way that few restaurants ever manage. 🍕✨
How Hop’n Moose won Rutland’s hearts
Owner Dale Patterson isn’t originally a Vermonter — he made the journey south from his native Quebec to play hockey for the University of Vermont, eventually putting down roots in Rutland in 1999.
For years, Dale spent his days selling woodworking equipment while quietly home-brewing in his garage — all the while telling anyone who would listen that Rutland desperately needed a proper brewpub. 🍻
In December 2013, before he’d even secured a space, Dale put a deposit down on brewing equipment — locking himself into the dream before doubt could catch up with him.
Hop’n Moose opened its doors in April 2014 at 41 Center Street, right in the heart of downtown — steps from the historic Paramount Theatre, on a block that shuts down for street festivals in the summer.
The response from Rutlanders was, by Dale’s own account, overwhelming. “‘Support’ isn’t even strong enough a word,” he recalled — locals flooded in with thank-yous, not just for the beer and food, but for believing in Rutland itself.
Dale made it a point from the start to use locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, and to brew beers that reflected the place — a Rutland Red Ale that he wanted to see poured at every restaurant in the city, a Bomoseen Brown brewed with ten pounds of Vermont honey, and seasonal recipes that rotate with the hills and the harvest. 🍂
A decade-plus later, Hop’n Moose has grown well beyond its original brewpub vision, expanding into a separate Rutland Beer Works canning facility on Granger Street — selling cans in some 15 nearby stores and putting craft beer Rutland VT on the regional map in a real way.
Regulars don’t just eat here — they belong here, and that distinction is everything.
Food Highlights
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Rutland Raider Pizza: A wood-fired pizza drizzled with real Vermont maple syrup from Johnson Family Sugarhouse, balancing sweet and savory. 🍁
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Long Trail Pizza: Named for Vermont’s legendary hiking trail and a fan favorite in the wood-fired lineup — hearty and flavorful.
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Spicy buffalo chicken and melted cheese on a fresh wood-fired crust. 🌶️🍕
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Vermont Maple BBQ Wings: Chicken wings tossed in a sweet Vermont maple BBQ sauce. 🍁
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Potato Keg: Jumbo tots stuffed with cheddar, bacon, and scallions, served with sour cream. 🧀🥔
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Poutine: A nod to owner Dale Patterson’s Quebec roots — crispy fries topped with cheese curds and rich gravy. 🇨🇦
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Pulled Pork Sandwich: Slow-cooked pulled pork piled onto a bun — a comfort-food staple that earns consistent praise for its tenderness and bold flavor. 🐷
Atmosphere
Hop’n Moose is the definition of a settle-in kind of place — a chill, seat-yourself pub where the TVs are on, the beer is cold, and nobody’s rushing you out the door. 🍺
With the warm glow of the wood-fired oven anchoring the space and the rotating taps of house-brewed lagers, ales, and seasonal specialties lined up behind the bar, the vibe is equal parts neighborhood hangout and genuine craft destination. 🔥
It’s family-friendly without being sterile, and lively without being overwhelming — the kind of downtown Rutland dining spot where first-time visitors quickly understand why locals have been coming back for over a decade. 🦌
Bottom Line
Hop’n Moose is Rutland’s most beloved gathering place — a from-scratch brewpub born from one man’s stubborn belief in his city, fueled by daily house-made pizza dough, Vermont maple everything, and craft beers that taste like the Green Mountains themselves. Go hungry, stay long. 🍺🍕🦌
Address:
41 Center St, Rutland, VT 05701
📞 (802) 775-7063
🕔 Wed–Fri, 4 PM–9 PM | Sat, 12 PM–9 PM | Sun, 12 PM–8 PM (Closed Mon–Tue)