The Alchemist (August 2016)

Just got back from Foam - awesome beer and staff. Not to mention the sunset! Thanks all for steering me there.

 

Will be in Stowe, Sept 1 and 2. Any idea of product available on those days? Sept 1 afternoon, Sept 2 plan to be there for the opening.

 

Right now, the offerings are Heady, Focal Banger, and Crusher. Depending on arrival time on Sep 1 afternoon, all could still be available but Crusher and Heady usually sell out some time during the afternoon. If so, two 4 packs of Focal is what's offered. If there at open on Sep 2, all 3 should be available. Crusher will be rotated out for a different beer at some point.

 

I apologize if this is a redundant question, but are there now dates on Alchemist cans?

 

Nope - still no dates.

 

I asked that a while back and nobody answered me. After grabbing some of the new cans myself, I can tell you that there are still no canning dates, unfortunately.

 

Then again, how long do those even last. Generally speaking its probably sub 2 weeks at most.

 

People want dates for trading purposes. If buying at retail and drinking on your own, you can be pretty sure it is within 10 days old.

 

Yeah, as I said in an earlier version of this thread, I don't think John Kimmich is a believer in the "IPA as fresh milk" school of thought. I know I was having Focal Banger from one of the last truck sales for months afterwards and it was still tasting great.

I don't blame them if they want to be able to stock up on Focal and the other beers during slow weeks and sell them over the weekend or even another couple of weeks later without incurring the wrath of the green beer addicts. If you know when it was bought it in VT, you know if it's fresh enough (and IMHO "fresh enough" for their beers is months, not weeks).

But maybe they'll put in a laser dater tomorrow and prove me wrong.

 

Thanks

 

Comment from the Alchemist yesterday regarding lines:

Are there still long lines at the brewery?

17 hrs

The Alchemist No. Only about 150 people in line this morning. We started moving line around 10:30 and it was done by 11:45. We had Crusher and Heady until around 5pm today. Focal all day!

 

Thanks all for the suggestions! Made it to The Alchemist by 230pm yesterday and they still had full mixed cases when I left at 330. No line. Also picked up Sip and Session #2 in Waterbury no problem. Just left Hill Farmstead and am rounding out the day at Lost Nation. Wicked great beer all around. My biggest challenge now is packing all the beer into my two 12 pack wine shippers. Stuffed 36 cans into one last night.

 

Just left The Alchemist, sampling and no line, Heady, Crusher, and Focal mixed case. One for me, one for my wife.

 

Hmm

 

They posted something about bottling Petit Mutant yesterday...so jealous of anyone who makes it there today if that's the case.

 

If they were showing pics of the starter for Petit Mutant yesterday, and bottles this morning, there is 0% chance it is released today.

 

Update from the Facebook:

With kids back to school, the crowds have really calmed down mid-week at The Alchemist. We are also proud to say that our yields continue to improve- kudos to our incredible brewery staff!

We are happy to report that we are increasing our limits for the day (Friday, September 2). Today, the purchase limits, per person, are as follows:

Focal Banger- up to 1 case (6 four-packs)
Crusher- up to 4 four-packs
Heady Topper- up to 2 four-packs

We will most likely have full cases of Focal Banger available on Saturday as well, but the Crusher limit may go back to 2 four-packs. We will make a post at the end of the day so everyone knows what to expect tomorrow.

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.

Thanks from the entire Alchemist crew!

 

There is a point where one feels it necessary to hate on Heady, for vague/miscellaneous reasons. There are also those who like to contradict the opposed, and claim palate fatigue is the result.

I can only vouch for the art of craft, and batch discrepancy that comes with it…my recent batch with Heady was to perfection: citrus, lemon, grapefruit, caramel, and a subtle resiny fruitiness to cut it short. My recent batch is an example of how much I prefer it over the …

 

Do they do tasters or 1/2 pours at the brewery? I've had Heady before several times (loved it) but not Focal or Crusher. Just wanted to taste each before deciding how much quantity of each to buy.

 

Yes, you can get small samples of each going thru the line.