The Alchemist (2019)

Are Focal and Heady pretty much available every weekend? Hoping to grab those two and Luscious when I make my way there in the Fall.

 

I feel like I saw something about this at some point, but can't recall. Does the Alchemist sell by the can or only by 4 pack?

 

Heady is the most likely to sell out. Focal is next. This is other than very limited releases or bottles.

That being said, Heady and Focal are also available for sale retail in a lot of bottle shops in the area and you could find them outside of the brewery if they sell out pretty easily.

 

I have never tried myself, but I am fairly certain I have seen people buying mixed four packs and single cans.

 

You can buy single cans.

 

Has anyone taken the tour? How is it?

 

I plan on doing it when I go. Not sure what else to do in Stowe from the time we wake up to Alchemist opening.

 

why are you even going to stowe then!!!???!!!! Stowe is in my top 3 places in the US. Go for a hike, mountain bike the stowe trail system. Check out the whistlepig tasting room in waterbury, grab a great breakfast........ literally anywhere. Go look at some antiques. There is more to life than just beer......... but having said that, go to Von Trapp. Maybe walk around before it opens. Craft Beer cellar in waterbury, alchemist, stowe cider, definately get lunch or dinner at doc ponds, Hit up Ten Bends in hyde park if you can or Lost Nation in Morrisville a short 15 min drive away. Theres so much to do outside of beer up there

 

As others have pointed out, there's a ton to do there.

- Either bring, or rent bikes, and take the Stowe Bike Path.
- Drive through the Notch road (Vermont 108). If you are into hiking, Sterling Pond is a nice short one at the top of the notch. For something less arduous, park at the top of the notch at the visitor center and explore Smuggler's Caves.
- Check out Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury to watch them pressing apples, taste cider, and eat some maple donuts.
- Definitely take the drive up by Trappe Family Lodge
- Take the quick walk/hike to either Bingham Falls in Smuggler's Notch State Park, or Moss Glenn Falls (tallest waterfall in the state).

 

Sorry I guess I didn't give enough information. I'm sure there's plenty to do up there and didn't mean to make it sound like a boring town. I'm heading to River Roost and then up to Hill Farmstead one day. After HF closes, driving straight to Stowe for dinner, rest and sleeping for one night. The next day it's Alchemist and then off to Burlington. I would love to stay up longer but the trip won't be as long as I would imagine most people who head up there. Maybe we could do an early morning hike before hitting Alchemist. Next time I'll take another day or two off.

 

I was just trying to suggest some good activities that could fit into your window in the morning. I was not insinuating that you were calling it a boring town. Enjoy the trip!

 

So what’s distro in VT look like now? Are Heady and Focal much more widely available now? Folks are gonna be back there for 10 days between Rutland and Middlebury and they’re good about muling beers home for me if they don’t have to go out of their way to get it.

 

They have full state distro finally, I’d imagine any decent store around where they’re staying will receive a few cases. Not sure how quickly they sell em... time to start making some calls!

 

Heady and focal are pretty easy to find in the Burlington from area. (Not sure about rutvegas or Middlebury ) Focal moves a little faster but both last a few days if not more.

 

Obviously some things have changed since the aforeposted FAQ page above. Haven't been in the VT in quite a while and so I'm expecting much has changed. Seems like they are running out at the brewery, and lessened their quantity concentration of distro in order to spread it further.

Their historic distro page seems up to date, but I wont be in the area til Saturday AM, and Barre/Montpelier is closest to WRJ where I'm staying. Obviously would prefer to not drive all the way to Burlington, which sees Friday delivery.

All that said, would Hunger Mountain and/or Barron still have product left over from earlier that week? Or should I risk it and drive to Stowe?

Obviously I can muster a call list and ring the day of, but figured I could get a feel ahead of time.

longwindedly,
b_r

 

So Luscious, Heady and Focal are typically available each week?

 

Beverage Baron should have Heady and Focal. They have the last 20 times I have stopped, usually Sat-Sundays.

 

They have also had both Heady and Focal at The WRJ Coop and the Big Fatty's Crowler Pit pretty often this past summer.

 

I was up in the area a couple saturdays ago, and the Coop was out of both and only Focal at Crowler Pit. I also found Focal/Heady at Mikes in Hartland VT (1 exit south on 91 from WRJ). Hops and Barley in Woodstock should have both as well, and is closer than Barre by a bit.

 

Luscious is an occasional release, not a regular. Gets announced publicly about a week ahead of time or less.