The Alchemist (2020)

Yes they started dating, I’ve Focal and heady had within a week, but that is in Vermont.

 

The dated Heady I purchased at the grocery store were 2 days old when I bought 5 or so weeks ago.

I’ll take a look at the Heady and Focal at the gas station on the way home from work.

 

I got a 4-pack of Heady and Focal delivered to me through Threes Brewing in Brooklyn and both cans are dated 4/13.

 

yes, they date the cans now.

 

Does anyone know long the cans last for at Brattleboro CoOp? Thinking of making a trip on a Thursday (the day they get it delivered) but cant make it there until 4:30ish.

 

Historically they’ve lasted a few days. Can speak from experience in the current environment but I think you’d be fine going same day.

 

My experience, though limited, has been that Heady is gone Thursday or early Friday, Focal lasts a couple of days. I'd call and ask before you leave what the expectation would be for availability.

 

In my area (upper valley) Heady and Focal are at all the grocery stores and gas stations in recent weeks. Hannaford's in Bradford, VT had cases of each remaining yesterday. Wing's in Fairlee, VT has plenty too. Based on the Alchemist website, they are only brewing Heady and Focal currently and it is all being distributed. A lot more than normal out in the wild without restaurants and the tap room needs.

 

Yup, the Market 32 in Brattleboro just off Exit 1 had Heady last Friday night so you could check there as well.

 

Ah, even despite all that's going on in the world, what a difference it is now, huh?

We had a wedding in Lake Placid last summer and drove through Vermont. We stopped at Lawson's for lunch (and to grab some beer) then went to fill the tank. My wife went in the grab a couple bottles of water or ice or something. She came out of the Mobil station like, "There's tons of Alchemist in the cooler, do you want some?" AND THE ANSWER WAS NO! Incredible stuff. Eight years ago, I'd have been leaving with as much as I could.

 

I guess the question to be asked then is do you think that both have fallen off? I think focal is about the same and prefer it but heady is definitely not the same as 5 years ago. Tastes night and day differently. I assume that’s because it’s been scaled up or it’s just the hops aren’t up to the quality they were in years past. I find myself saying the same thing with SoS and basically everything trillium.

 

I don't. I think they're just as good. I believe that taste buds change, but the also become used to sensations. Heady, Focal, and the like were so unique and different that it challenged what our tastebuds knew previously. Now, many of these flavors are commonplace, so they don't provoke that "wow" anymore. For me, I don't do a ton of hoppy stuff, so when I really go for it and I get some Alchemist or Lawsons or Tree House or (some) Bissell, I still find myself impressed.

I often equate it to spicy food. If everything you eat is doused in habanero hot sauce, your tastes will look back at five years ago and comment on how it was "better" or "different" then. But if you space it out, you'll get that same kick.

 

I don't think Heady has changed at all. Still completely different than other options and loaded with layers of hop flavors. As good as I remember from when new.

I agree with @mrmattosgood that tastes have changed, Heady is not like the current trend NEIPAs.

 

I do think that there was a drop off a few years ago but the most recent can I had (December in Philly) was still excellent. As I've stated many times, I don't think a lot of breweries are trying to make a beer like Heady. They're chasing Trillium/Tree House/et al. There was a period where I got some smokey character from Heady, but I'd say more recent Headys have been back to the magic.

 

My descriptors were earthy dirt in some of those. Completely baffled

 

So Heady / Focal is officially being sold in NJ today. I picked up a 4 pack for $16.50 (which is pretty reasonable i guess vs $13.50). I never thought I will be able to drink fresh heady every month.

 

NJ is a small state in comparison to say, Texas but it's still a large area. Would you mind sharing a little more detail about where in NJ you found the mentioned beers? Perhaps a store name?

 

Joe Canals in woodbridge. 4/27 is the canned date.

 

I thought Heady/focal were all $12.50/ 4 pack

 

Damn, I rolled right by there today and didn't have the chance to stop. Any inkling on how much they got? This stuff has been on my bucket list since day 1!