The Alchemist (August 2016)

Because its a free market, and he has every right. That's kinda the way the world works. His money is just as good as any locals. Why can't a local go to the brewery. That makes much more sense.

 

That's ridiculous. Should I take it one step further and not drink Heady Topper at a bar I visit when I'm in Vermont? Or should someone visiting just not be allowed to have Sip of Sunshine which doesn't have a brewery you can visit?

When you travel to another city, do you not purchase local beer unless its at a brewery? If you ever come to Chicago, I won't be mad if you try something from Pipeworks or Mikerphone. They don't have breweries but make good beer. Sorry your rules wouldn't allow you to go to a store and try them.

I assume you just want Alchemist beer available whenever you have the whim, and thus would like it if people didn't stock up while visiting VT. But someone visiting probably only goes there once a year or less, so getting an extra 4 pack to bring home doesn't seem all that unfair.

Sorry, Alchemist isn't in business just for your own personal enjoyment.

 

Nothing so sinister. Just thinking you could save the time and effort of getting off 89 in Montpelier for those two 4-packs since you could just get them at the brewery.

 

Visiting Burlington tomorrow for the first time (arriving late) and leaving early Thursday. I have meetings both Tuesday and Wed morning but was hoping to get over to the Stowe location in the early afternoon. Reading through this thread though is giving me the feeling that they may be out of most things by that time of day. Is that generally true or is it still worth driving over from Vergennes? I've spent about half the day trying to figure out when and where to go to get Alchemist and Lawsons beers while I am in town and have to say that it seems like it will be a crap shoot even with my afternoons free. Appreciate any suggestions you might have. Thanks.

 

Get to Alchemist as early as you can on Weds... If you make it by 1 or so you should get a full mixed case. Sip of sunshine probably won't be as easy midweek

 

Seems like crusher has been lasting later into the afternoon the past week or two. Focal is pretty much a guarantee. I would say pick whichever day you can get there earlier, and you will probably be fine. I was there on thursday around 2:30, heady was sold out but crusher and luscious were still available. Might want to give fiddleahead a call, i wouldn't be suprised if they still have mastermind cans available. Your best bet for lawsons is probably early thursday at the warren store if your schedule works. Make sure you check out foam if you are staying in burlington.

 

Thanks. Any places better than others for SOS?

 

Hey, appreciate it! Was not even aware of Fiddlehead and will definitely check it out. Unfortunately I am on a plane at 640 Thursday morning, so I will have to find another place to get SOS. Foam was on my list from my research today and am looking forward to visiting there.

 

City Market in Burlington puts SoS out at 9:00 Wednesday morning. I picked up a case there last week and there was nobody else there right at 9 buying it, so it might last a little while (maybe).

 

Stop in Waterbury on Tuesday. You can hit Alchemist, then on your way back go to Craft Beer Cellar or Crossroads Beverage (combo of gas station / beer store). They get their delivery in early afternoon and had sip into mid or late afternoon from the Tuesday I went there about a month ago.

https://www.lawsonsfinest.com/find-our-beer/

It's hardly out of your way at all.

 

Sounds like a plan! Thanks!

 

I was able to get sip at crossroads at 2 pm a few tuesdays ago, but it was sold out at CBC when I went there. Plan to be in the area by about 1 or 1:30 and you can get it at both places (2 4-pack limits). Problem is, it seems that tuesdays are busier at alchemist, so getting there at 1 is a bit of a crap shoot. Thats what I did 2 weeks ago and got shut out on heady and crusher. Good luck!

 

Went to the Alchemist this past Saturday (8/27). Got in line at 10:45 and was out the door with a full allotment about an hour later. It looked like at around 11:30 the staff was doing a headcount of people in line and announcing limit reductions to those at the end of the line.

Waiting in line for beer is not my favorite thing to do, but I thought the staff was incredibly friendly and it went as about efficiently as possible given the demand for the beer.

And what fantastic beer. What absolutely fantastic beer.

 

Went for the first time Saturday, too. Interesting how the cars line up in a parking lot nearby waiting for 10:00 to roll around; I went to Stowe Beverage to kill time and picked up a couple things.

Interestingly, at 10:00 on the nose, I hit the parking lot, and ended up 50th or so in line. Line forms quick, but moves quick, too. In and out in less than half an hour with the standard mix-case, a stemmed glass and a bunch of awesome freebies (stickers and coasters).

Nice experience, and the weather was absolute perfection.

 

Sweet backpedal.

 

Regarding Heady, I agree with this 100%. Definitely not the same beer it once was. I thought it was maybe a batch issue but I was assured by several others in different forums that sadly Heady just isn't the same beer nowadays. I had the same experience you did recently (mind you the cans I drank were merely days old and purchased by me directly from the brewery) - it was much clearer, lacked that explosive juiciness that I was used to and was much maltier than I remember it being the last time I had it. Frankly I'm surprised this hasn't been a bigger topic of discussion.

 

I was endowed a can of crusher which I had never had before. Thought it was insane...it's really not often a beer makes me say "holy shit that's hoppy" anymore. It's so cool seeing the old alchemist beers coming back. Petit mutant for the fall/winter?

 

Or go on a Wednesday and pick up Heady all over Waterbury! Sorry for buying so much, locals. Next time I spend all that $$$ to fly to VT, I will only leave with a measly four Heady Toppers.

 

The beer is still made in the the old location. Nothing should of changed with Heady Because nothing has. Been awhile since I had one but maybe your pallete has simply matured or changed since.

 

thanks for that. yeah I think people steer clear of that convo because the usual response is something that implies you're being too critical of the beer, unappreciative/spoiled by juicier dipas, or unaware of changes in your own palate. I think a noticeable change in the taste of heady now vs then is not outside the realm of possibility and though the recipe/process may not change, changes in ingredients are inherently unavoidable. could be a combination of all these things, but good to know what consistency to expect.