Cross country trip. Looking for 'creative' beers

Furiously scribbles notes.

I totally see where you're coming from, I was just trying to put myself in OP's shoes and think about what I'm going to do when I finally make it to your beautiful area. Yes, HF and Heady may be a waste of time in a way, but you have the privilege of being up there, close to both at all times. When I come it'll be a once in a very seldom experience. I have to make it to both of those places since I would never forgive myself for going to
Vermont and not experiencing them. If OP is short on time, I'd say to skip Alchemist/Heady chasing, but I really feel like despite the wait and drive HF is a must visit if you have never been and likely won't be back soon.

 

That actually is a very good point. I'm a Belgian fan...that would be like going to Belgium and not waiting in line for Westvleteren

 

I have a friend who works for a GPS company and they send him all around the world. So he comes back from Belgium and he said the greatest thing about the whole trip was just sitting at a little table on the sidewalk and sipping a Delirium Tremens (a beer we've had a hundred times) and watching passersby. Being completely immersed in the environment. Either way, I admire the OP for venturing into the unknown.