The Alchemist (July 2016)

The line took two hours, about 1.5 outside and another 30 min once in the door. When talking to Jen she made a comment along the lines of increasing registers would lead to selling out of beer faster. Seems like a no win situation until the hype dies down abit. She said they made 320 sales in the first two hours.

 

Well that just sounds backwards. 320 people in line = 320 sales, regardless if it takes 2 hours to complete those transactions, or 20 minutes. The only way this makes sense is if people hear the line is 2 hours long and then decide not to show up at all.

 

Yeah, but they only have to employ one cashier that way.

 

They should install a webcam outdoors and a link on the website to view it. Ski resorts do that at the lifts and it's a huge help.

 

Oh well, hopefully getting there around 11 tomorrow doesn't suck too badly

 

The people there were super nice. I arrived around 11:45am and it was easily a 2 hour wait outside. I got a bit of a sunburn, hadn't planned for that.

It's running super inefficient right now, but I would assume it would get better. It wasn't a negative experience, although surprisingly the people who worked there seemed surprised by the large turnout.

I would go back again, but would give them some time to iron out the wrinkles. The crowds where never close to the size of treehouse crowds, they just didn't seem to have a good workable plan to expedite service.

 

Wonder if afternoons will have smaller lines. I am willing to risk missing some offerings if there is significantly less of a wait.

 

One negative I noticed was a lot of people parking on both sides of the street. The parking lot was actually the most efficiently run thing today and there were enough spaces to accommodate everyone I believe but once one person parked on the street I think others felt it was necessary. Not a big deal when folks on one side but when they park on both it basically turned it into a one lane street. Jen said parking on the street is legal but I don't imagine the town will keep it that way for long if that keeps up. Tip to others, go to the parking lot, people there will direct you. Let's try to keep the neighbors happy while Alchemist figures out how to run things.

 

Orange traffic cones were placed on both sides of the street when I arrived at 5pm, preventing street parking. More than enough room in the lot. Lines were light, but complaints of sold-out Crusher overheard.

 

I got crusher before it sold out. First time trying it and wow, lives up to the name. I can't imagine more than one in a sitting....but amazing, hard to imagine that much hops while still being as balanced as it is.

 

Got there around 12:30 and participated in the 2 hour wait with everyone else. Only one POS sale was a bummer, but I mean, come on, Complimentary samples and stickers, and the cheapest 4 packs around. They really know how to make a guy feel special. Super friendly staff and everyone in line, too. Was there when Jen made the announcement for everyone to move their vehicles off the road. By the time I was leaving the highway department was there and a police car, putting up cones and no parking signs along the road. Well, that didn't take long for them to spring into action.

 

Did they sub in more Focal for Crusher? They made it sound like they would...

 

So they open at 11...what time was the crusher sold out?

 

Heard the line started at 8 today, anyone think crusher will sell out tomorrow if you aren't in line by 11?

 

Must've been real close to me in line, was there maybe slightly earlier.

I was pretty surprised by how involved John and Jen were with everything right up front, Jen running the line and John running around trying to find something to do. Didn't really expect to see them so prominently, not something you always see at all these breweries.

On the beers, Focal didn't taste anything like it did the only other time I had it, had it at the vbf last year and the citra flavors were much more prominent then and it is way more bitter now. First time having crusher and it does crush with the bitterness, got to be a high ibu beer. The Heady tastes the same as it had since it's still being brewed in Waterbury.

 

Are they holding back a certain amount of the Crusher cans to ensure there is always some each day?

 

I was the guy in the Steelers shirt, which I figured John would appreciate (and he did!). Was not surprised to see them front and center as they were always prominent at the truck sales I went to.

 

Anybody know what time they opened up the parking lot yesterday?

 

Lot just opened at 10:25. I'm about 20th in line, there are about 20 people behind me but cars are pouring in.

 

Would appreciate any updates on increases in efficiency, may head back up next week if things get better.