The Alchemist (October 2016)

I've bought the cheese at Hunger Mountain in the past.

 

Hi All - I'm in Vermont next week from Wednesday to Sunday. Does anyone have any insight on what would be the best day to go to avoid crowds? And any time that works best?

Also - I'm curious as to whether it is easier to buy Heady at stores now. I was in Vermont last year and it sold out instantly. Does anyone know if it is easier to find now? I'll be north of Burlington.

Cheers

 

i can't speak for friday or saturday as i usually avoid going those days, but generally on a wednesday or thursday you won't see a huge crowd. i'd advise getting there before 1:30 to ensure you get your full allotment if that's what you're going for, but if you get there say around noon, you should have no problem walking in and out with no line.

from the stores i've seen, heady still goes pretty quick as it saves people the drive to the brewery, and the leaf peepers are still around.

 

I was there on a wednesday a few weeks ago (early October). Easy in and out of Alchemist at noon or so with full allotment. Based on other posts here, other than saturday there is not much of a wait after about 11:30, and its relatively short even if you get there at 11 or a little before.

I saw heady in every store in the waterbury area (crossroads, CBC, village market) in mid-afternoon on my way back home, all were wednesday deliveries. I'm guessing it might move a little slower there than Burlington since the brewery is so close.

 

hmm, that's a really interesting point you bring up. I wonder if Heady is selling out as fast at local stores now that the brewery is open? Do any locals have any insight into this?

 

Alchemist -> Lost Nation (great stop for lunch) -> Hill Farmstead is just an hour drive and the way to go, IMHO, especially if you're already sure you're going to Alchemist.

 

It's just that area gets it on Wednesdays so thats why you would see those places all have it, but it's all gone very quickly still. Tons of people are still looking for it at retail despite the brewery being open, and my understanding is they send less to retail now that they have the brewery open to sell it out of.

 

No doubt about it. Here today and a few local stores have said they sell out the same day they receive delivery. Folks must still heady hunt the listed spots where everyone turns their allocation quickly

 

Yep I think it's a continuing function of price and trading. A 4-pack of heady at $14 or whatever just trades well at that price and maybe always will?

 

Off topic, but how fast does SOS last on shelves in VT? I'm heading up there next week. I would guess it goes the same day if Heady is still flying off local shelves.

 

Walked into Beverage Warehouse a couple hours after they opened on Friday when they got their delivery and there was multiple cases in the fridge. Can't comment on how many they received but if you can get up there at that time it should be pretty easy.

Also, walked into Alchemist around 3pm on Thursday and Friday this week and there was no wait and nothing had run out. Could have had something to do with the weather but it was the easiest of transactions.

 

FWIW, I arrived at 12:15p yesterday (on a Saturday), parked easily & probably waited 35-40 mins total. I think they only ran out of Heady several hours later.

There were Swish & Second Fiddle releases happening, rain was forecast and the previous weekend was a holiday. Not sure if this made it easier than usual.

 

Really seems to depend where you're heading. seems to last in Waitsfield/Warren...have seen plenty in waitsfield grocery store and gas stations on Friday or Saturday when they get it on Tuesday..... whereas I think at the more well-known stores it's lasting like 1-2 days.

From what I understand the Sip allocations could be greater than Heady, given that the new Alchemist brewery is open.

 

Heading up today for the first time, should be there around 11/11:30. What should i expect line wise?

 

I would guess little to no line at all. Enjoy!

 

A little bit of snow, and no lines.

 

I was up last weekend and It's funny to me, I ended up at a couple Stowe beer shops for some other VT beers and 3 people came in asking for heady topper. I felt inclined to inform them the brewery was 5 min away and at 1pm should have what they need. They had no idea the beer was made in town.

 

I was there on Friday, October 28 around noon. Decent flow of people in and out, maybe waited behind 2 people. There was plenty of parking space and had full allotments of all beers.

I was staying near Essex, I found some Heady late in the day on Wednesday.

 

Finally made it there this weekend. Beautiful place. Been to many breweries, never had one smack you in the face with hops as you walk in the door like the Alchemist. No crowd at all this weekend when I was there Friday afternoon and 11:30 Sat morning.