Official The Alchemist's Second Brewery Thread

Just for the record, we (Austin Design) are the architects for John and Jen's new facility, a task for which we are honored and delighted to have been selected, as you may imagine. They have put together an excellent team of professionals, headed up by the very capable Mark D' Angelo, Construction Manager. Things have been moving along quietly in a planning/preparation manner, as we get ready to go through the permitting steps. The Stowe DRB hearing was a critical course-setting moment and the entire team is psyched to continue the development of details for the next stage of permitting, and eventually groundbreaking. We'll be posting everything we are able on our Facebook page and a bit more detail (both images and details) in periodic posts on our blog.

 

Stop bossing me!

 

The comments from other property owners made me angry.

They don't realize that by cutting down farmland/forests to build second homes, that they are indirectly contributing to Stowe's traffic problem!

I'm happy for the Alchemist and I look forward to visiting the second brewery when it's built!

 

Property makes people f'in insane. It does.
But I digress....(in a good way)
Super excited about this, can't wait to see more of the operational design/plans because it really "could" (he says idealistically) quell fears about waste. Traffic will get worse w/ the bridge so hopefully people's perceptions will change by June 2015.
Hops bines and cherry trees? Yes, please and thank you.

 

Being a Vermont native, I personally can not think of a business that I would rather see, than an additional operation from the Kimmichs. Great people, great jobs (happy employees), generous public support and a world class product. Many people come to Vermont and spend time and money at so many local businesses because of what the Kimmichs do.

Vermont has lost so many opportunities to have great businesses set up shop because of the NIMBY factor. This facility has been cited in a location that is perfect for this type of business.

My plea to those that oppose this and live near by:

You chose to reside in this area that is primarily resort/retail/dining, why not be supportive of a business that will be a model community citiizen that contributes so much to it's surrounding area.

 

Perhaps there's some concern with alcohol being what's being brought in to a place where there are children crossing the road, or drunk drivers in a heavy foot traffic area, etc. I do think it's a semi-valid (if mostly uneducated) concern even if these are second homes. Honestly, and I know everyone who loves beer is always on their best behavior, I'm not entirely sure I'd want a line of 100 cars on my road at 6am for a special release either. I guess I can see their side of things.

Buuuuut, that's because I've thought of both sides. They haven't. Overall, this is, like @youbrewidrink said, such a good opportunity to bring in good people doing good things for the community. Instead of these people focusing on the negative aspects - or the worst case scenarios - they should focus on this could bolster the community in which they own property.

Hopefully, it will introduce new people to Alchemist and to craft beer and help the BA cause that we're good people, not drunken slobs trying to take over a peaceful, quiet area.

 

Set up a webcam so we can watch the construction live.

 

From what they describe, this will be to breweries, what a really nice winery is to Napa. Not an industrial eye-sore, and definitely a destination. Vermont is hurting. Travel outside of the wealthier areas and it is in real trouble, with a very high number of people on public assistance. They need the jobs this will directly create and indirectly create.

I look forward to visiting. Hope the state sees the opportunity they have here.

 

Late yesterday, the Burlington Free Press served up their version of Tuesday night's hearing in Stowe as well. There's a couple additional tidbits in the article, but mostly the same copy as the previous day's story in Stowe Today.

@HRamz3 Your construction site webcam idea is a great one. I will pass that on to the team when the time comes along; it seems it would dovetail nicely with The Alchemist's fan-forward approach.

The various viewpoints that were offered at the hearing were exactly what one might expect at such a venue and the evening fulfilled its purpose - to allow a thorough presentation of the proposal and an analysis of the impacts and for the public to express their sundry concerns and/or opinions. Having been involved in many such proceedings as a part of our business, we know that they can elicit strong feelings and reactions. The Design Review Board is charged with documenting all the evidence and weighing it against a very specific set of criteria, and then setting up the parameters to which the applicants will be held accountable. It is important for all parties to remember that this specific instance is not a stand-alone, one-stop procedure; it is built upon a system that includes the Town Plan, the zoning regulations themselves, and many other local and state agency oversights along with their concomitant permits. The brewery's plans are, and will be, in accordance with these requirements and it devolves upon us, as architects, and the other professionals and trades, to do our job with that in mind to ensure the best outcome for all concerned.

The entire thrust of this undertaking is to create a facility that will deliver a result over and above the cannery in Waterbury; the situation there evolved over time as physical, environmental, legal, and economic situations came to bear on a pre-existing set of constraints. Having an awareness of that knowledge, a conscious and intentional plan can be made which will incorporate and accommodate those considerations and, in the Kimmich's case, go above and beyond basic performance requirements to provide a higher level of efficiency, experience, and benefit. This is reflective of who they are, personally, and the company values that make their enterprise a standout in the craft brewery business. There is very little comparison to be drawn between the two operations - that is the whole point of launching this process. The product is the same; the circumstances will be entirely different, by design.

 

Sweet! Though, I think the actual construction workers may tire of people urging them to "build faster!".

 

Did I read correctly that they expect to sell 350 cases a day? Crazy, in a good way.

 

It reminds me of a small Escondido Stone and that place is the 3rd most visited spot in SD. Certainly not as big, but designed for the Alchemist brewery's needs...not them trying to fit into a pre-made space such as in Waterbury.

Not sure the state's position is relevant. It's more the town and its residents that could choose to see an opportunity. There were many, many articles written and many voices heard about the new skating rink and whether people were for it or against it...it's a great thing. My wife told me she heard someone say they didn't vote for it and were quite opposed and now that it's open, they love it. Let's hope for the same outcome for the Alchemist.

Sorry for the tangent, seemed it could apply.

 

Vermont has jobs. It just doesn't have qualified people to do them.

 

Huh??

 

I posted an article summarizing the Stowe DRB hearing for The Alchemist's proposed second brewery and retail/visitor's center on our company blog this morning, with a few photos taken that evening. I actually included some of the posts I have made here, in the BA community forums, in the interest of spreading the love and keeping our side of the story true to form.

It's a pleasure to participate here with so many knowledgeable and caring beer aficionados - there is so much collective information and insight. We've found that working with breweries to design their various facilities is a very satisfying and interesting proposition. Plus, there's the side benefits - need I say more?

We've also done a lot of work with the Northampton Brewery, in Northampton, MA - which happens to be New England's oldest operating brewpub - so we go waaay back! This spring we just wrapped our fourth and most ambitious renovation there (article here) - expanding the brewery itself, rooftop biergarten, and an all new bar, lounge, and kitchen. We've worked with owner Janet Egelston, since she opened the place with her brother Peter in 1987; Peter and Janet went on to open the Portsmouth Brewery in 1991, and Smuttynose Brewing in 1994. Peter now runs the Portsmouth operations and Northampton is solely Janet's bailiwick. Head brewer Boog Pacher is pleased to have some room to move now in the brewhouse - this was the first expansion and modernization since opening! They'll be canning their brews to go now, too, another first.

 

As an architect and beer-lover, I just wanted to mention how much I love the work you've done at the Northampton Brewery--the building is beautiful and easily one of my favorite brewpub spaces in New England. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop here; and I hope you'll share renderings or drawings of the Alchemist project as it progresses. Good luck!