The Alchemist (February 2017)

Got there at noon, out in an hour. Thanks for the advice!

 

How hoppy is Hellbrook? I don't always know what to expect when JK he says "it's not hoppy but not an IPA".

 

The old Hellbrook at the brewpub was IPA hoppy, also dark red, malty and 8% ABV (and delicious). Doesn't mean the new edition will be anything like the old but I'm sure it's still tasty.

 

It's pretty hoppy. Not quite Alchemist IPA hoppy, but certainly hoppy for a red. As hoppy as many IPAs. Similar in style to Maine Brewing Red Wheelbarrow. I liked it quite a bit. There is a nice malt presence that is not syrupy or sweet, but is more bready.

 

Thanks for the great description! Exactly what I was hoping for to help me decide whether to get it.

 

Hellbrook was my favorite when the pub was still open

 

Anyone know if Hellbrook is on for samples at the brewery?

 

It was not on Saturday. They specifically announced that to us in line, so I think maybe it just kicked. The Pappy Porter was on.

 

Hell Brook wasn't available for samples yesterday. I just spent the last 5 days in Stowe(great as usual) I went to the Alchemist brewery twice, Tuesday around 3, zero lines and plenty of Pappy's, HellBrook, as well as Crusher, Focal, and Heady. I also went by the brewery yesterday for Apres Ski(thursday's 3-6) $5 pours of heady, pappy's, and focal, plus tasters of same, a bigger crowd yesterday, but no wait to buy cans, mostly people hanging out, listening to music, and drinking. The apres ski session was good, but Im not sure I'd do it EVERY week. FWIW, PLENTY of other great stuff being poured at Doc Pond's and The Bench. Decent skiing to boot.

 

Interesting, I thought they said they weren't gonna offer full pours at the brewery.

 

Full pours, might be a relative term, they were charging $5 for 9.75 oz pours in the alchemist arome glasses https://alchemistbeer.com/product/arome-glass/. I suppose that's a decent value. Speaking of glass ware, for a company that seems pretty intent on telling people to drink their beers from the can, I counted 4 different types of glasses available at the brewery. I have ZERO issue drinking their beers either way.

 

I could watch videos of him talking about/drinking beer all day long. Each one makes you wish you had that beer in your fridge

 

Agreed. John should have his own show.

 

I have liked the Spieglau IPA glasses for awhile. We've broken about 6 of them. Picked up two more with nice Alchemist decorative aspect last week.

 

Just booked it this past weekend and am heading up to Vermont the weekend of March 10th for my birthday and going to The Alchemist that Saturday morning the 11th when they open. Am going to enjoy being off for the start of the NCAA tournament the 16th and 17th back in VA so much more with The Alchemist to drink while watching the games as well as whatever other great Vermont/Northeast beers I pick up.

 

Have fun!

 

Anyone have any ideas what the "Limited Edition" beer on their website might be? Another version of Skadoosh. Was thinking of either doing Alchemist or HF this weekend (or both), but this Limited Edition one could make a trip to Stowe a must.

 

I def will, thanks man. Getting the plan together now to hit the most places/which ones while we are in the area.

 

That's been there since the page went live when they opened last summer.

 

I could understand it being there a little while back (and see it back in October 2016), but I actually check pretty regularly, and a simple Way Back Machine search shows that for the past several of weeks it hasn't been the case.

Just thought that something might be coming down the pipeline...