Otter Creek in winter in Brandon, Vermont, USA

Frost coats Vermont

Welcome to the picturesque US state of Vermont, known for its snowy mountains, lakes and forests. This frosty aerial shot captures Otter Creek, which has been an important waterway here since people first settled in the area about 10,000 years ago. A trade route for the indigenous Abenaki, Algonquin and Iroquois nations, it remained a vital part of the economy for European settlers throughout the 19th century.

Otter Creek winds through some of the Green Mountain state's most scenic towns before emptying into Lake Champlain. It is also the water source for more than one of Vermont’s many microbreweries. While this small state is well known for its maple syrup production, it also has the most beer brands per-head in the USA, with at least 60 breweries serving just over 600,000 people in the state. Cheers!