The Alchemist could be looking to expand

I think someone pasted this last week...or maybe I read it somewhere. I know the customers were all in an uproar because they had to close the doors for 3 weeks.

 

Jen's words from the Business Insider article:

I really like that attitude. But the article's downside is that it appears the rumored Waterbury Center location is not going to happen. (unless my reading comprehension is way off, which is entirely possible.)

 

build the 2nd brewery and ship some of that liquid gold to mass

 

I think its just good business sense, $9-$10 16oz cans of DIPA is not a long term sustainable business model even if people would pay it right now. Pricing at $3 now and slowly moving their way up ensure that local customers can afford and the beer continues to sell out, further driving interest. If they were to jack prices up to $8 a can tomorrow, it would be difficult from a business standpoint to move them slowly back down to long term equilibrium of $4.50-$5 a can or whatever it is.

 

The title of this thread led me to think it was going to be full of posts from the dude who--in an earlier Alchemist thread--kept hinting that he had BIG inside information. "Just you wait and see, it's gonna be BIG!"

Alas, it just has posts with verifiable quotes from an owner and thoughtful commentary about sustainable pricing models...

 

.....and we never heard the "big" news from him then and don't think he's been heard from since.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Guy with the deep v.

 

This is not really a rumor if it is straight from the source. Would be nice of them to build a second brewery, but even with that, I bet they still sell out Vermont every day.

 

I emailed them today for info about a separate account, and was told they wouldn't have a retail space "anytime soon". I'm interested to see what it's like trying to find Heady piecemeal this weekend, hopefully it won't be too tough around Morrisville.

 

Was Brooootal the last two weekends. If you are looking on a Saturday, it is pretty much like winning the lottery.

 

It's their philosophy...beer is the working man's drink, it has to be affordable.

I'm not sure it's like that. My feeling is that a second brewery won't make more heady, it will have past alchemist or future alchemist brews. Don't be surprised if we see another beer in their lineup. I've never read them saying they were expanding distribution, actually the opposite...no new accounts.

 

I believe the article quotes Jen as saying that they are not against growth, so perhaps they are open to expanding distribution, or maybe growth is expanding within the existing accounts.

 

I think we also need to recognize what was said in one of their previous posts on their blog (Expand! Brew more etc...) They said straight up that they recognize they need to expand production at some point. Now, possibly their hand has been forced by having to close the retail at the cannery. At the same time, John has said that one of the reasons they fight expansion is they are concerned for their employees and their work load. So they are clearly having to deal with a number of issues in whatever decision they end up making.

Personally, I find the idea of just a retail space (no brewing at any scale on sight) a bit of a bummer. I would think that they would want some level of brewing going on so people who come from out of town to spend $ in Waterbury aren't just walking into a sterile store front, but actually experiencing the smells, and process of brewing. At the same time, the added brewing then addresses their previously addressed need to expand.

So who knows what will happen. Whatever it is though, I have no doubt it will be great.

 

I wouldn't bank on seeing them open a new store anytime soon. My gut is it's going to be quite some time before we hear anything. For now I'll enjoy the cases I have and a few here and there when we're up for snowboarding.

 

My normal spots in Morrisville (there are only two) have been selling out on Fridays since the cannery closed, even though I believe their allotments went up. Previously, you would see 4packs last till Monday. It may be Ski season effecting it too though.

I'm still holding out for them to buy the old flower place on rt100 and make a scaled down brew-pub, Lost Nation style. It could happen... I could win the lottery too...

 

That's crazy. I really thought I might be OK that far north. I'll be up until Tuesday, so hopefully I can find some early in the week or on my way home. I'm sure the shelves will be bare in Montpelier with the Lawson's farmers market happening, so I probably won't even try at Hunger Mtn.

 

Only three bucks a can!

 

Wasn't Energy Mill their desired new retail spot?

I've seen it last thru the week in a couple of spots, not Green Top, but seems to be getting raided in Waterbury thru social media sources. I've seen a couple 4packs last until Saturday in Stowe, but not this past weekend and I doubt now thru the season.

I miss the cannery simply for the ease of getting it on Monday or Wednesday and the smell....they should have Heady scented candles...or heady shampoo...or heady car freshener....heady perfume.
"I love you honey, you smell just like the cannery..."

Alas.

 

That would be sweet... that location has been screaming "Brewpub!" at me for 3 or 4 years. They would have to greatly expand the parking lot though.