The Alchemist Pub & Brewery

The Alchemist Pub & BreweryThe Alchemist Pub & Brewery
The Alchemist Pub & BreweryThe Alchemist Pub & Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

23 S Main St
Waterbury, Vermont, 05676-9003
United States

// CLOSED //

The brewpub at 23 S Main St has closed permanently. All beers are now brewed at the cannery, now called "The Alchemist." http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27039
BEER STATS
Average:
0
Beers:
0
Ratings:
0
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.47
Reviews:
108
Ratings:
108
pDev:
6.94%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by slander:
Photo of slander
Reviewed by slander from New York

4.53/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
So, it was like another half hour, maybe 45 minutes across Rte 4, through Woodstock (where I got to tell my great Woodstock story), past Quechee and out to the highway. From there it was, I don't know, about an hour and a half to the Waterbury exit. Moments later, (Evil) Davo, BA ambassador of good will that he is, was stealing a parking place from some people with Maine plates (who in turn, stole our seats at the bar). We were right on (any lack of) schedule so our arrival was well timed...

Entering through a half a hexagon entranceway, you're, um, you know, inside. Large front windows bearing the Alchemist logo, walls painted brown uppers with framed photos, drawings, and paintings done by local artists & brown slat wood lowers, dark wood slat ceiling, lamps and ceiling fans. There's a mobile of sorts hanging over the pool table to the rear, a large mounted clock, the sun, moon, and stars painted on the bathrooms, and a lava lamp sitting above them. A small bar counter sits along the bathrooms and a couch at the pool table.

A seating area with upwards of a dozen tables to the left, and a cool "C" shaped mosaic tile chunk topped bar seating 15 to the right with a single large bar table forward of the bar in the front window. The bar counter/dining area divider holds funky glass lamps.

There's a 40" X 60" mirror mounted along side of a framed GABF metal behind the bar over a small bar back unit holding booze and glassware and there's a wee wine fridge back there too. A bobble head, stuffed animal, and candles sit in the window behind the bar. It's a very comfortable place, and there's no damn TV.

7 house taps, Guinness, and a local cider, on a central tower with a wooden monk figurine standing atop it with his outstretched chalice, and a single cask too. I asked for the sampler and was told that they give you samples 3 beers at a time (A sampler of 3 for $3), and pints go for $3.50, I opted for the sampler. Actually, I opted for 2 samplers. The Donovan's Red was medium bodied and nicely hopped, The Holy Cow IPA was dry hopped with 6 hops, nicely done, Pappy's Porter was pleasantly bitter, with a roasty flavor and a great licorice aroma, the Heady Topper was an excellent double IPA, the Wild Child, an American style wild ale with Brett, tart, slightly sour, and just outstanding, the HeffyWeizen was sweet, first all clove, and then banaaana. There was a Light beer also, although I never got around to it. The cask was the Heady Topper, ummmm... just really well made beers, all of them.

Enough so that I kept trudging clear across the grounds to the other end of the VT brewer's fest the next day, for another, and another, and how about, yeah, can I get the Wild Child again please? Damn!!
Aug 02, 2005
More User Ratings:
Photo of UncleJimbo
Reviewed by UncleJimbo from Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -11.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
I visited The Alchemist brewpub over Memorial Day weekend in May 2011. A very nice, comfortable pub in a small Vermont town. There is a long bar on the right as you enter from the street, and a dining area to the left, separated by a half height divider, and also some dining in the rear. The beer selection was good with beers averaging in quality from average to very good. The food selection was typical pub fare with some good and a lot average. The prices were very good, especially compared to Boston. Overall a very nice place.
Nov 19, 2011
Photo of Digimaika2
Reviewed by Digimaika2 from Canada (ON)

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
We've stopped in here a fair number of times and haven't been disappointed yet- stellar beer and good food.

Atmosphere has always been lively with a tightly-packed long bar along one side of the establishment, and the open dining area on the other. Great vibe going on inside with young, middle-aged, and older crowds all exchanging in lively conversations.

I won't go into the beer in too much detail here as other BA's have rightly pointed out it is simply fantastic. Luckily for us, most times we've visited our favourite offering, Wild Child, has been on-tap. We've always had food when visiting and the menu is typical Vermont, with local and in-season ingredients used in delicious fashion. Prices are very fair for both beer and food.

Service has always been very friendly and prompt from the waitstaff. It can take a little while to order beer at the bar, but simply because it can be so busy at times.

Waterbury is definitely a beer-geek destination with a number of exceptional establishments, let alone The Alchemist, that'll satisfy anyone. Plus, it's really quite a beautiful town to walk around and explore afterwards.
Oct 17, 2011
Photo of papat444
Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)

4.3/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Came here for the bottle release on Oct. 8. Arrived at around 8AM and was surprised that no one except one person was there and he arrived at the same time as me. Spoke with him (Dan) throughout the morning.

Jen arrived not too long after and she showed us around a bit inside. We helped her load her car with stuff. It's really barebones with some small holes in the floor. Some of the decoration was still up as was a brew tank. Rebuilding is under way and Dan was telling me what the place looked like before.

At around 10 or so, people started lining up. John came out and told us how it would work. Many volunteers were on hand to help sell t-shirts, pint glasses (1$!) and of course, the beer.

There was a very strong community feel as i observed many people helping Jen and John. I regret not being able to make it before now but resolve to remedy that once they are up and running.
Oct 09, 2011
Photo of brewdan
Reviewed by brewdan from Michigan

4.45/5  rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Let's start by saying that after tasting Heady Topper last year and looking at the menu online I had very high hopes for this place.

Atmosphere was fun, laid back, and perhaps a bit quirky- at least judging by the artwork in the place.

Quality was very high. The food was good and the beers were outstanding.

Service was good. The staff were all very friendly and they got us served rather quickly for a busy Saturday night.

Selection was excellent. The food was a tad upscale for a brewpub (a good thing!) and they have a well-rounded selection of beers- even a wild ale. And while most places are happy to have one or two bottles of Scotch, the Alchemist had 6 or 7 to represent all the different styles- nice!

The food is quite good but I don't think it's on par with the quality of the beers. Of course the beers are truly outstanding. I like that it isn't typical "pub fare" but I think they have some work to do here to get to the level of the beers.

As I said I had high hopes for the Alchemist. More and more I am finding that when I have such high hopes, rarely do I end up being delighted. This time I was delighted; so much so that I can't wait to make the 14 hour drive back- and I hate long drives!
Aug 27, 2011
Photo of johnnnniee
Reviewed by johnnnniee from New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I've been to the Alchemist a couple of times now and I really enjoy this place. The place is really small which can be kind of a problem if its a busy night. You walk in the door and the bar is off to the right against the wall. There's maybe 20 seats at the bar and a couple of tables towards the front of the right side of the building. There's a half wall on your right that serves to kind of separate the dining area from the bar area. There are maybe 20 tables tops in the dining area. The food as always been good for me and my wife concurs. This is a brewpub so they have about 7 of their beers on tap and I haven't found a bad one yet. Hell I enjoyed the gluten free beer I tried once. Service is good, I will be back next time I'm up that way.
Jul 15, 2011
Photo of steelerguy
Reviewed by steelerguy from New York

4/5  rDev -10.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
I really dug the atmosphere of this place. A bit hipster, cool art on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Plus a Steelers pennant on the wall!

Good quality beer from a small place. The Sass Mouth saison was excellent and the best beer I had there, although all were good.

Service was good, nothing special but certainly adequate.

Good selection of beers, a couple special ones on tap, but out of the cask. They do warn you it goes on tap Friday and will be there until gone...didn't make it till Sunday.

I was expecting some really good food considering how much they talk about their chef but was disappointed. It wasn't bad, just far from special.

Would love to go back and try some more beer, try another dish or two, and just hang.
Jul 13, 2011
Photo of FeloniousDrunk
Reviewed by FeloniousDrunk from New York

4.66/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Taken from notes on a late-February post-snowshoe visit.

A: Clean, spacious enough with a different feel than one might expect from a VT brewpub. Less woody and stuffy than one might suspect, and more spacey with a tall-ish, cleanly-lined bar (complete with coat hook at your knees) with a gentle arc at the far end (where I sat, happily.) The place opened up around 3:00pm on a Saturday, and shortly after it opened it became hopping with all manner of individuals. Lots of ski bums in designer outerwear mixed with wool-and-denim folk. Many just came in from a windy, cloudy, snowy day at Stowe, and were happy for a conversation with anybody and a fresh pint. People who come here seem to be extremely approachable, happy, friendly, and looking for a beer of high quality.

Q: Speaking of quality, there are few brewpubs I've been to that had as many fantastic-tasting beers as this one. Every beer I had was top-notch, the bartender poured it just right, and in the appropriate glassware to boot. These people care about beer.

S: The bartender was attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and genuinely seemed to take pride and enjoyment in his chosen profession. He was also being kept exceptionally busy, but I never had to wait long with an empty glass in front of me.

S: I couldn't drink everything they had to offer while I was there. I may have been able to given two full days, but they have a lot of beers available. There was even a cask-version of their popular "Farmer's Daughter" which was a rare treat.

F: I didn't have any food, so I will not comment on it.

V: I've had much worse beers for more money in my day, and I personally don't think one can put a price on such a tremendous experience. But, needless to say, if I were a local, price would definitely not keep me from being a regular here.
Jun 24, 2011
Photo of TurdFurgison
Reviewed by TurdFurgison from Ohio

4.28/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I stopped here with some other BAs the day before Hill Farmstead's first anniversary party. My only prior experience with the Alchemist being Heady Topper (which was excellent), I was very happy to take a deeper dive into their offerings.

Nicely appointed, enough tables for maybe 100 people, also roughly 15 seats along the bar. The food is on the upscale side for a brewpub, with plenty of options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. I'm more of an omnivarian, but I still went with the tofu & red beans as it looked so good (and was!).

You can get reasonably priced samplers of anything, I tried a few before identifying my pint selection. A wide variety of styles, all seemingly well crafted, excellent.
Jun 19, 2011
Photo of Reagan1984
Reviewed by Reagan1984 from Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
After making the trip to Vermont to pick up some Lawson’s Finest Liquids, my wife and I needed a place for an early dinner and a revitalizing brew. Twenty minutes up the road is The Alchemist. It was an easy decision to make the trip.

Very cool and inviting atmosphere with high ceilings, brick walls, big windows and neat art hanging on the walls. Split about 60% restaurant/tables and 40% bar the place seems to serve both some locals on stools and a mixed crowd looking for food. The table area seemed a little sparse with tables, so they seem to want to maintain a lot of open space.

Service was excellent. Knowledgeable, friendly and always available.

The food menu provided many options for all types of customers. Lot’s of healthy and even vegan choices including tempeh etc. But lot’s of hearty upscale pub food as well. In fact, Pub food is probably not the right term. This food is better than that. My wife and I split a salad and sandwich and both were VERY solid. The bread on the sandwich was particularly spectacular. They take pride in their ingredients.

I think we all know the reputation of the beer here, but let me say it is excellent. Very reasonably priced. If it was closer to where I lived or visited, I’d be there often.

I will be back. Great Place.
Jun 07, 2011
Photo of jale
Reviewed by jale from Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Stopped by here while on an awesome road trip with my greatest of friends(Eric).
Service was perfect from the minute we walked in. Great selection of well crafted beers really hit the spot after a long day of driving. Hats off to John for these fine brews. People in Vermont take the quality of food serious and this place is no different. Some of the best food I have enjoyed at any brewery. If you like dill pickles, these are a must have. Prepared in a special way I have not tasted anything like this. Red beans and rice with tofu was simply amazing. Then there is Jen. What a wonderful host she was making this stop a place I will return whenever I'm in the area.
May 31, 2011
Photo of Kkottonmouthkngz
Reviewed by Kkottonmouthkngz from Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Final stop in the Hill Farmstead, Warren Store (Lawsons), and Alchemist trip, and definitely a great way to end it. Aside from waiting much longer than initially quoted (we think they forgot about us), the rest of the experience was excellent.
The atmosphere was way cool, with tons of interesting local artwork surrounding the place, cool lighting, and cool color scheme.
The overall quality of everything was excellent. The waitstaff was pretty knowledgeable of specials and the origin of where all of the local ingredients came from. Everything on the menu is sourced from local farms so its as fresh as you could possibly ask for.
The beer selection was great, covering most bases you may want including a wild, several reds, an ipa, pale, wit, and a porter. Aside from the much anticipated hoppy brews, the Petit Mutant was phenomenal, and a much appreciated surprise. The food menu was fairly simple, but what we ordered was excellent. The burger on foccacia with spicy ketchup was cooked perfectly (with local beef), and my girlfriend got the pulled pork sandwich which was also very nice, tender and spicy.
To top it all off, most pints were $4, which you cant beat. The only one that topped that was the Petit @ $5, which i didnt argue about at all.
Overall the experience was great, and couldnt have asked for much more. Great job guys!
Apr 30, 2011
Photo of ElGallo
Reviewed by ElGallo from New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I have been to The Alchemist three times and have thoroughly enjoyed every experience. The bartenders are friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and sometimes run for political office :)

The food is excellent for a brewpub, with lots of local, organic flavor in every dish. I highly recommend whatever the daily special is, because I've had great luck with them.

While John has become famous for Heady Topper, his overall beer portfolio is very good, with faves like Farmer's Daughter Saison, Petit Mutant (an American wild ale with cherries) and Holy Cow IPA keeping me satisfied. Lots of solid, safe options for noobs, but always one high-end offering for the geeks, which is a great model.

Overall, it's the people that make this place great. Locals and tourists who come here are chill, smart, friendly, and make the experience memorable. There's often a wait for a dinner table, but you've got great beer to drink while waiting, so there's no hassle. Can't wait for Heady Topper in cans - a brilliant business move in my opinion.
Apr 30, 2011
Photo of greenmonstah
Reviewed by greenmonstah from New Hampshire

4.83/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
What a treat. Decided to take a day trip to Waterbury to visit the pub and taste the glory of Heady Topper. It was well worth it. And on top of that, I got to try the also-brilliant Beelzebub and a very tasty cask-conditioned Farmer's Daughter Saison. What an exceptional selection of beers. In addition to the awesome beer there was some really delicious food. Pretzel fondue that was devoured in seconds by the table. Then of course I had my customary burger, which was amazing. My second favorite brew-pub burger, second only to the Deschutes Elk burger. The pub is in a cute little building on the main drag in the tiny Waterbury town center. We arrived about 10 minutes before open, only to find a line was forming outside, which was surprising to see (but less so when you consider the HT was tapped just a few days before and was very fresh). Heading inside we found the building to be pretty darn cool inside. A pool table is present in one corner. The pub filled up within 15 minutes, and every table was taken within 5. Skiers from nearby mountains were coming in, still partially decked out in their gear. Service was good, and the server was friendly. Overall one of the best brewery restaurants around, and a real can't miss.
Apr 25, 2011
Photo of hoponit
Reviewed by hoponit from New York

4.83/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Visited here as part of recent ski trip. Truth be told, the ski trip was partly built around the greater Waterbury beer scene!
Was very impressed with all aspects of The Alchemist, but first and foremost with the beer. All of the sampled styles were well executed. The knowledgeable and enthusiastic bartender was a wonderful guide to the beers (as well as the food).

As a hophead I was more than impressed that there were 3 different IPAs available. Holy Cow, the closest to a session beer of the 3, was my favorite. The others, Focal Banger and Heady Topper were close behind but didn't have the aggressive floral nose of the Holy Cow. That said, I eagerly await the arrival of the HT in cans.

As one hopes and often expects with a good brewpub the food was excellent. The sausage plate, the pickle plate, and a roasted red pepper soup were standouts.

I do want to comment on the decor: It was refreshing to be in a place that is tv-free. Instead there is a large selection of works by local artists on display.
Mar 29, 2011
Photo of gtn80
Reviewed by gtn80 from Maine

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Ate dinner and had some beers here on Saturday night, March 26.

We planned on eating dinner at the Alchemist because I really wanted to try Heady Topper. Upon arriving at seven pm we checked in with the hostess who told us it would be an hour and a half for a table. While longer than we wanted to wait, it is a small place, and very busy, so we put our name on the list and took a spot at the bar.

The beer list was around eight or nine beers deep that night. We tried all but two (the porter and the light) and each was exceptional. The breadth of the brewer's ability is ridiculous, from a world class IPA to a world class Wit to a world class Saison. He even had a sour made with local cherries that was incredible. Not something you see at the average brewpub.

The food was great, and alot of it was local. Our table was ready at 8:25, an hour and twenty five minutes. Apparently the hostess really knows her restaurant.

The service was tremendous, very knowledgeable, and almost excited to serve the beer. The beers were almost all $4 for a 12oz pour, which is incredibly reasonable for a pub with such a reputation.

The decor is pretty crazy, but really cool. Just a great experience all around.
Mar 28, 2011
Photo of mavbrew
Reviewed by mavbrew from Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Stopped by yesterday (after hitting up Hill Farmstead). It was about 5pm and the place was already jam packed but by being at the right place at the right time we were able to snag 2 bar seats.

The bartenders were very friendly and prompt, the atmosphere is great, good music placing constantly and of course the beer was delicious.

I found the prices to be very reasonable, the beer wasn't more than $5 for whatever you got (even cask) and the food was good and on the cheaper side as well. If you're in the area, definitely make a stop, it's worth it.
Mar 27, 2011
Photo of berley31
Reviewed by berley31 from Canada (NB)

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Dropped in on an early Friday afternoon on a recent trip to Vermont. The place was already starting to get busy, but luckily we snagged a couple of seats at the bar.

Dark, high-ceilinged place. Fairly good number of tables aside from bar-seating, with a pool table near the back. Very nice spot. Ten of their beers on tap, 5 that are staples, and 5 that rotate. I had the Sterk Wit, Revitilization Rye, and the acclaimed Heady Topper. All were excellent. My wife and I split an order of frites and a sandwich, which were both very tasty.

Our bartender was friendly and prompt, without being especially engaging. He seemed to have more of a rapport with the regulars, but I guess that's to be expected. I probably just got a bit spoiled with the friendliness of the guys at the Three Penny in Montpelier.

Either way, a great spot with fantastic beers and tasty food. Definitely a must-stop if you're in the area.
Mar 17, 2011
Photo of SunDevilBeer
Reviewed by SunDevilBeer from Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I had been looking forward to visiting this place for a long time, and a weekend ski trip to Sugarbush finally put me in the area.

Came in around 5 on a Friday afternoon and the place was already buzzing. Tables were full, bar seats were occupied, but there were a few spots on the rail that ran parallel to the bar. Mix of locals, skiers, hippies, and some middle-aged beer tourists like me. Great vibe.

Didn't take long for one of the 'keeps to spot my thirsty wife and I. Fortunately, my visit coincided with the much-hyped Heady Topper being available, and it didn't disappoint. IMO, it belongs in the same league as world-class DIPA's like Pliny the Elder and FFF Dreadnaught. Amazing beer. My wife is a marginal craft drinker and even she thought it was amazing. Also had a solid porter and their "regular" IPA which is terrific in its own right.

Managed to snag a few seats at the bar in a few minutes after arriving. Amazed with the friendliness & high level of service from the staff...or maybe I've just gotten too used to the shitty service at Boston-area beer bars?

We split a few pizzettes and brushetta - top notch and obviously used fresh ingredients. Pricing for everything was very reasonable...all beers were $4, food was comparable to other places in the Valley.

I really can't level enough compliments on this place. A destination in itself for any beer lover in the northeast.
Mar 07, 2011
Photo of sholland119
Reviewed by sholland119 from Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
We were very excited to make this our first stop in Vermont. we have long looked forward to our visit here.

We arrived promptly at the 4om opening and got three seats at the end of the ling spacious bar. There was a good sized dining room to the left of the bar. Good thing we got here early as by 6pm the place was jam packed. The vibe was very nice except for the one very drunk couple who took up residence next to and behind us toward the end. The staff was very friendly and made us comfortable from the get go.

There were about 9 beers on tap on our visit. Regrettably, Heady Topper was not one of them. But the Crusher was a nice consolation prize, as were Pappy's Porter and Secret Stash. We tried samplers of everything else, without a dud in the bunch.

Food was very nice. We enjoyed a nice local cheese plate and an andouille panini that was quite good. Looking forward to our next visit.

HV
Feb 21, 2011
Photo of SkunkWorks
Reviewed by SkunkWorks from New York

4.63/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
I was fortunate enough to visit the Alchemist during a trip for Valentine's Day weekend with my girlfriend, so we made it there twice during that weekend. I found myself saying "Damn, I wish we had a place like this locally!" more than once.

Standing outside of the Alchemist, you can already get a feel for how cool it is. Their logo sits in the window, with what seems to be a hand painted fermentation tank behind it, a British pub inspired sign hangs above the door, and an ice sculpture of the Heady Topper logo is acting as the bouncer out front.

Inside, it was a bit crowded but not so much as to be a detriment. Can you really blame a lot of people from going to the Alchemist? I can't. You can sit at the bar or wait a good deal of time for a table, or do what we did and put your name in for a table and drink the time away at the bar. There is art from local artists all over the walls and it is all very interesting to look at. There are sculptures of all kinds around too. I particularly loved this big glass piece, that might've been a light of some kind, that looked like a group of mushrooms.

At times I felt I had stumbled down the rabbit hole and ended up in Wonderland.

The music is fairly low and just seemed to be beats. My girlfriend didn't like that but I kind of did. It seemed to be less intrusive into your conversations than music would've been and still provided the effect of dampening out the noise of the bar.

The place is fairly dimly lit and the reddish brown walls add to that effect. I really liked it. I mean, who wants a brightly lit bar? Not me.

The service is also quite good. The bartenders are quite attentive despite how busy they were. They also had no issue remembering my name once we started a tab. They also receive extra points because they seemed quite proud of the beer they were pouring. Once we were sitting, it was a little slow... but that was fine by me. It gave you plenty of time to sit and enjoy your meal and beer and not feel rushed. The hostess was also very nice.

For selection, I'm not going to judge this against other beer bars since its a brew pub and so they just have what they have. They did hit a good number of different styles with their menu and that's to be applauded. Their menu is also quite good. You can check out their menu online, but it hits the basic bar food needs and also is a bit creative in places.

The food was very good. I had a side of fries while waiting at the bar and they have a unique taste to them that I really enjoyed. Once we were sitting, I had a special for the night, which was a beef tenderloin and a loaded baked potato. My girlfriend got sweet potato fries and a salad of some kind. We both loved our food. Its making me hungry just thinking about it. My recommendation is to go with the sweet potato fries... they are so much better than the regular fries!

As for the beer, what else can you say? Amazing! I had at least a sample of everything on the menu and pints of 7 of the beers. Each one is a great example of the style. Heady Topper was being poured but not listed on the menu and you should've seen how excited the bartender was when I asked for it. The Imperial Stout is amazing, the porters were both incredible (especially Pappy's Secret Stash... its unfair this isn't bottled or canned), the saisons were solid. Everything was great. It was great to see that a place's beer lived up and exceeded the hype. The Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup awards hanging behind the bar were all well deserved!

Really, what more can you ask for than that? World class beer with excellent food and a cool atmosphere? The Alchemist is an amazing place and locals who get to come here at will do not know how lucky they are. As someone who one day hopes to open a brew pub, this is pretty much exactly what I've always dreamed of opening. This place is great and I highly recommend it. If you live locally, what are you waiting for? If you dont, it is definitely worth a trip. I wish I had a week to spend drinking at the Alchemist! Cheers!
Feb 15, 2011
Photo of antsinthepants
Reviewed by antsinthepants from Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
The Alchemist embodies everything great about New England. It's eclectic and original; in tune with the past but still creative. Every time I've come here, I have been impressed with the beer and food. I love the atmosphere: Relaxed, conversational, sharp. The beer menu is calculated to include the house brews (including cask style), a solid hard cider, a nitro-pour stout and more. Beer lovers will find something in either summer or winter.

The bartenders and the patrons all took their time bragging about the virtues of the local craft and what it meant to them as Vermonters or New Englanders. Come to think of it, I wasn't the only beer nerd with a beard and flannel ranting about civic pride.
Feb 11, 2011
Photo of BeerMaverick
Reviewed by BeerMaverick from Connecticut

5/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
This is by far the best bar that I have been to. Drove 3.5 hrs just for this place because I read so many good reviews. The bartenders and crowd were extremely sociable, knowledgeable, and nice. It was extremely crowded, but my girlfriend and I got lucky that two people were leaving and gave us their seats at the bar. Unfortunately we did not eat there (although we heard great things) because we ate at American Flatbread in Burlington (fantastic - read review).

I really wanted the famed Heady Topper, but it was not available (coming out in 3 weeks - just missed it!!). The bartenders provided me with a VITAL piece of info however...starting in june of this year Heady Topper will be available in cans to take home at The Alchemist and it's local beer stores!!!

I tried The Crusher which I was told is very similar to the Heady Topper...it was easily the best DIPA I've ever had at a whopping 140 IBUs (I was told 140 by the bartender although on the menu it just says "a lot of IBUs"). Extremely tasty.

I also tried Pappy's Secret Stash...easily the best porter I've ever had. It smells like a milk shake... I can only compare it to Stone's Russian Imperial Stout, but Secret Stash is wayyyy better.

Overall, I only had two beers and they were the two best beers of those styles that I've ever had so....more than deserving of A+.
Jan 31, 2011
Photo of vdoz3
Reviewed by vdoz3 from Vermont

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I made a point of taking the half hour drive from Burlington to The Alchemist during a recent visit after hearing all the praise for Heady Topper. They were out of the famed DIPA but I had a great night nonetheless.
The dredded Joel was working behind the bar and what a guy! Glad to explain the workings of the portions ("12 oz only" beer doesn't mean I can't get a 4oz sample glass!), and really into the place, Joel was happy to help me sort my way through the beer menu. I couldn't appreciate his advice more (I wouldn't've gotten to the delicious Wabbit otherwise), and I could tell he really enjoyed what he was doing when he fiddled around with a magnum flashlight, cracking it open and pointing it directly into my glass of Beelzebub stout - just to show off how pitch black said stout really is.
The laid back atmosphere fits its role as a great local place. The food is also proudly local, and if you have a chance to try anything with their house mustard, do it immediately. It's a really nice honey-mustard...that's as spicy as any you'll find in a Chinese restaurant.
Jan 30, 2011
Photo of GatheringBrews
Reviewed by GatheringBrews from Vermont

4.63/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
Another of our favorite places, the food is exceptional and a great value. We go whenever we get a chance, and we're in the area.

The beer selection is usually a nice range of styles and tastes, and on special occasions, like the fifth anniversary party, it can get fairly crazy with unique brews.

Atmosphere is super comfortable and easy-going.

Split restaurant and bar area can be pretty crowded and busy, so get there early.

The food is outstanding, and chef Jeff regularly just knocks it out of the park with in-house smoked meats, scratch-made sauces (the habanero dipping sauce is amazing) and locally-sourced foods.
Jan 26, 2011
Photo of coachdonovan
Reviewed by coachdonovan from Rhode Island

4.68/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Visited shortly after opening on a Sunday afternoon in early January - a perfect time to blend in with the locals. The wife and I saddled up in the middle of the bar and were warmly welcomed by Bart the bartender. I opted for the full sampler, which on that day was ten 4oz pours of their draft offerings, and each was $2. I've been in a lot of brewpubs and had a lot of samplers, but this was by far the best experience I've ever had. Bart served two at a time (in the recommended order, of course) and each "course" was presented with an incredibly thorough explanation of the beer and/or brewing process along with a description of what flavors to look out for. I know he's not the brewer, but he knew enough to pass for John Kimmich himself.

The ten were: Beelzebub, Celia Saison, Donovan's Red, Double Twubble, Holy Cow, Light Weight, Pappy's Porter, Pappy's Secret Stash, Wee Widdle Wabbit and Wild Child. Obviously I liked some (Holy Cow, Wild Child, Secret Stash) better than others, but each was very true to style. Even the wee heavy, which isn't my favorite category, was just so damn well made. My only regret was that we walked in right after the Stash on nitro had kicked.

The decor was not what I was expecting, as it was more modern/sleek that you'd normally find in a small town, but it wasn't to the point of annoying and still maintained a local feel. Not knowing John is a Pgh native, I was happily surprised to see the subtle Steelers pennant in the back, and Bart pointed out the four stadium seats in the front from Forbes Field. First-time visitors should take note of the bathroom doors; they both have females on them, but one is standing and one is sitting. There is a pool table in the back and plenty of tables opposite the bar.

Menu was robust, but we opted for simple sandwiches, and they were great. The staff was very attentive to the wife's nut allergy. It wasn't until I got the receipt that I realized how cheap it was - all those samples plus a pint, two sandwiches plus a side of fries, and a tee shirt for $55. We walked in as strangers but left as friends, both with the staff and our fellow drinkers. What a great afternoon.
Jan 21, 2011
Photo of Jwale73
Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Visited the Alchemist on 1/5/2011 as part of a work-related road trip. I've tried to hit the Alchemist on several occasions, but this was the first time I was able to time a stop with my travel plans. Not a large establishment - probably about 1200 square feet, you are greeted with the tea-like smell of boiled wort as you enter the pub. The space is subdivided by a low, partial wall that separates a long, wooden bar from the dining table. We arrived shortly after 5pm and by the time we left around 7pm, there was a line of people waiting to be seated. The walls were decorated with paintings by local artists and the overall vibe was pleasant and family friendly with a slightly Vermont, crunchy hipster feel. On draft at the time was Holy Cow (awesome), Beelzebub (pretty good), Celia Saison, Donovan's Red, Double Twubble, Light Weight, Pappy's Porter, Pappy's Secret Stash (awesome) and Wee Widdle Wabbit. Pours were $4 a pint and a bargain at that, with 8oz. and 12oz. pours only available for some of the more high octane beers. Short pours and samples were also available as options. The food was delicious, with the sweet potato fries and spicy ketchup and garlic mayo dips really highlighting the experience. I had the sauerkraut plate which was top notch and very reasonable at $13 dollars, while my co-workers enjoyed the rib-eye and pizza. All and all, the Alchemist lives up to the hype. Beer and food was top notch. I wish I had a brewpub of this calendar in my home town. Now to find a reason to move to Waterbury...
Jan 09, 2011
Photo of rowingbrewer
Reviewed by rowingbrewer from Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
This is a small brew pub with a really nice feel to it, you can sit at the bar, or at tables across from the bar. they also have a pool table and couch in the back. There is also a lot of cool art hanging on the walls as well as painted on the walls.

The quality is second to none. All of the beers are extremely fresh (save the wee wittle wabbit a 10% scotch ale which had a year of aging and it was amazing) They pour the beers perfectly.

The service is great and the employees are friendly and willing to chat about other regional beers you can find in the area. They are truly beer advocates, as they were willing to suggest other great places in the area to get beer, Lawsons and Hill Farmstead to name a few.

They had more beers on tap while I was there than I can remember, I wonder why that is, and not a single bad or even sub par beer on the list. all that I had were superb examples of the style.

The prices are also really inexpensive compared to what I am used to, all the pours are 4 dollars.

If you get a chance check this place out you won't be disappointed
Jan 04, 2011
Photo of coreyfmcdonald
Reviewed by coreyfmcdonald from Georgia

4.4/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Stopped here during a beer related road trip to Vermont, showed up at opening on a Thursday to a practically full bar. Open, yet warm interior, no signs of brewing equipment, mostly local crowd.

Beers were served in appropriate glassware at appropriate temperatures. Beers were very fresh and done well to style.

The bartenders were very attentive and got us everything we needed. We never had to flag one down. They were very knowledgeable about the beer.

The beer selection was outstanding. We were able to drink Beezelbub, Wild Child, and Holy Cow, among others. I was very happy. I was a bit disappointed I wasn't able to try the hyped Heady Topper, though.

We only had pickles and fries for food, but both were good. The menu seemed fairly standard, yet still interesting.
Dec 26, 2010
Photo of Chincino
Reviewed by Chincino from Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I visited the Alchemist in July 2010 after going to the Vermont Brewer's Festival In Burlington, VT. I'd heard of how great this place was and it did not disappoint. I actually turned around on the highway and headed back 20 miles in the opposite direction to check this place out on the way back from a road trip. It was definitely worth the detour.

The place was small and inviting, with an artsy feel to it. It's a small place and there were no seats at the bar so we parked ourselves on some stools by one of the windows and enjoyed our beers. The service was good and the bartenders were friendly. We did not try the food. I had a farmer's daughter and a Your Mother both of which were quality beers. Your Mother was my favorite of the two.

I wish I'd had more time to relax and enjoy this place. I hope to go back in the near future.
Dec 15, 2010
Photo of stonermouse
Reviewed by stonermouse from Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
I needed to submit a review for Alchemist. Been there a couple times, and it's a must-visit destination for the beer enthusiast.

The atmosphere here is great. A little bit too dimly lighted given the excellent and unique local artwork that is featured throughout the place. The bar is a little tight, and is probably really tight in the winter time, what with everyone's ski jackets and such. The nondescript taps are a neat contradiction to the delicious variety of their brews.

Service is excellent, and the bartenders know the brew well. They truly seem to appreciate beer and beer lovers. The brew selection is likewise excellent, and they have a couple of brews (Heady Topper, Ouroboros, among others) that are literally among the best in the world of their styles.

Not for nothing, but you can also get a pretty darn good meal here, too. The menu is pub fare with a lot of flare and creativity.

The value on the beers is incredible, considering how good they are. 5 bucks or so for 12 oz of amazing, potent, carefully crafted brew.

If you are a true BA anywhere in the country, get yourself here. Get in a hike or do some sightseeing in northern VT, and check out Alchemist.

One note: They open at 4 during the week... Twice I have made the mistake of going there for lunch, only to be 3 hours early for opening.
Nov 19, 2010
Photo of chiefmick
Reviewed by chiefmick from Florida

4/5  rDev -10.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Visited the Alchemist last week. They have about 8 taps of their brewed on premise beer. I had the IPA (quite good), the pumpkin Saison (what were they thinking), and their 2 high end beers a barley wine (kind of) and their porter. Both of those were outstanding. You only got a sniifer for the high end beers, but they only charged you $4. They were also getting ready to put something on the beer engine in a day or two. I had 4 beers and a sandwich, which was very good, and had a $24 bill. Well worth the trip. Great atmosphere and cool place.
Nov 14, 2010
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

4.2/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
What else can be said about this magical place?
Corner spot in a town with 4 bars on BA, all within 100 yards of each other...comfortable, friendly, high quality house brews, pool table in the back, crowd of happy locals and mix of beer travelers settles in. We enjoyed our first Heady Topper and a variety of their other quality IPAs and assorted brews. Loved the place, lots of tasty food being passed around didnt have the smarts to eat here

One of the obvious must visit places when in Northern Vermont
Oct 31, 2010
Photo of IronCitySteve
Reviewed by IronCitySteve from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Stopped here on our travels through VT thanks to some great BA's!!

We showed up at 4pm sharp thinking we would be the only people there, wow, were we wrong. The place began filling up quickly right at 4pm on a Thursday.

The bar is dimly lit which gives it a nice Pub feel. There is a nice long bar that sits about 20 people and plenty of tables. There is also a pool table at the opposite end of the bar.

The service is fantastic, fast, friendly, knowledgable and efficient service. It is everything and then some!

There were 9 beers on tap and one beer on cask. In addition, there is a full service bar.

The food menu offers a lot of salads, pannini's, sandwiches, pizzettes, snacks and apps. They also have dail specials.

This is a fantastic little beer pub with AWESOME beers on tap! A must stop if you are anywhere near the Waterbury VT area.
Oct 04, 2010
Photo of bkett01
Reviewed by bkett01 from Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5
Went on a Sunday evening with the wife and ended up eating at the bar due to a long wait for a table. It was your usual nice dimly lit bar atmosphere but with an interesting array of local artwork hanging from every wall in sight.

From my perspective the beer selection was great, as I had a couple of Heady Toppers and a Holy Cow IPA. Both were very good, especially the Heady. Most of their other draft lines also included hoppy beers, which was a letdown to the wife who likes belgians, wheats, saisons, etc...

The food was fantastic. We had a pork burrito and a mushroom & goat cheese sandwich. Both were truly top notch, and very affordable. The service was good and I never had to wait to order my next drink. If you're traveling to or through Vermont, make this one of your stops, preferably for the night.
Sep 28, 2010
Photo of FrankLloydMike
Reviewed by FrankLloydMike from Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I stopped by the Alchemist this past weekend after picking up a growler from Hill Farmstead with a friend who grew up nearby. Neither of us had been, and we were really excited by the prospect of good beer, good food and a great environment to be followed by the growler outside by a fire. I was also excited to see all the Dan Blakeslee graphics in person. Needless to say, we were not disappointed.

The vibe, at first, is not unlike any great bar--it had a sort of homey sophistication that reminded me of Magnolia in San Francisco, but a good deal less forced. We sat at the bar near the large, corner bay window, and ordered beer and food. While sitting there, we realized that while the space really could be anywhere, what made it so special was that, despite beer pilgrims like us, it was such a neighborhood bar.

The food was excellent, especially the sweet potato fries, and the service was generally good. The beer was fresh, delicious and varied in style. I was glad to see a handful of quality, low-alcohol brews given that almost everyone there could not walk home. It was also great to see an effort to make approachable beers to woo over some of the BMC crowd. While the beers were all good, however, neither of us thought it quite lived up to the hype. This was very good beer and worth making a detour to enjoy, but in a state so well-endowed with beer, the Alchemist was a destination as much for the whole experience as it was for the taps.
Sep 07, 2010
Photo of dsartwell72
Reviewed by dsartwell72 from Vermont

4.28/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I don't know why I had never been here before, but when I looked at the map and saw that it was only a 40 minute drive, I was there the next day.
We went on a Sunday afternoon shortly after opening, so I figured there wouldn't be much of a crowd. To my dismay, the bar was completely packed, but there were a few open tables.
I started out with a Heady Topper, because thats what I was really there for. The beer was great, the service was excellent, and the food was top notch. Really cool place to drink some fine beers. They have cask on Fridays until... well, whenever it runs out. I will definitely be back to this bar, soon!
Sep 03, 2010
Photo of cavedave
Reviewed by cavedave from New York

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
The Alchemist

Can't praise this place enough.

It's not huge, but the space is put to maximum benefit. A long, beautiful bar greets you as you enter. Some bar stools and cafe' tables are set strategically near. You follow along the bar to get to the main dining area. Decor is tasteful, relaxing.

Heady Topper is the reason I came, and this beer is as good as a IIPA gets, PTE-good, worth a visit here for just this beer. The surprise was that the food, staff, and prices were equally as good. I'm a wild mushroom picker, and I was able to enjoy fresh black trumpets prepared better than I can do on my best day. I wish there was one brew pub within fifty miles of where I live in NY with nearly as good a combination.

Great beer, great food, nice atmosphere, a fun staff with great skills, what more could you ask?
Aug 27, 2010
Photo of CooperEllis
Reviewed by CooperEllis from New York

4.58/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Aside from the drive time to get to The Alchemist (which is hardly anyone's fault but my own) the visit was excellent.
Had the chance to try several differnt drafts and the cask.

Service was very good. We sat at the bar and avoided a 40 minute wait for a table. I suppose you can't always get 4 seats together as we did, but we did. Had no less than 5 of the folks working check in with us, get brews, take/deliver food that was ordered and essentially make us feel local even though we were not (and there were locals seated on either side of us - we felt like our service was every bit as quality as the service they received.).

The food was solid+. We split a pizza for an appetizer and each ordered a different meal: burger, tuna melt, pork, and vegeterian rice and beans. All four were at least very good, my own meal (tuna) was excellent. They serve their coffee French press and it is a great cup.

The beer was, well, you can read the reviews. The bartenders and other staff constantly chatted about what they were serving, what was coming on line next, etc. The highlight was a blended Heady Topper / Shut The Hell Up which was the best drink of the night.
Aug 09, 2010
Photo of koopa
Reviewed by koopa from New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
The Alchemist is by far my favorite brewpub in all of Vermont. While I haven't met the brewmaster John yet, I can say that his girl Jenn is a pleasure to work with. She is fun, nice, hospitable, and easy to talk to. Same goes for Kenny and the other guys behind the bar. The food ranges from average to above average and the beer is phenomenal! I sat here for 5 hours yesterday and after one free buyback and including a $10 mini sausage and caramalized onion pizza, I had only acquired a bill of $32.00 which amazed me considering the overall quantity of good brew that I drank. If you are in VT and you are a beer lover you simply have to visit the Alchemist. Beer prices are typically: $2.00 for a 4oz sample, $3.50 for a 12oz sample, and $4.00 for a pint.
Aug 06, 2010
The Alchemist Pub & Brewery in Waterbury, VT
Place rating: 0 out of 5 with 108 ratings