The Alchemist (2019)

Four Quarters does a few different stouts, sometimes randalled through unique ingredients.

 

Is there any info on where in southern VT alchemist is distroing to? Probably doing some leaf-peeping but not going too far north so we're not in a car all day. Tentative plan is to swing through Turner Falls so I can check out Brick and Feather, then up to Brattleboro and maybe west on Rt. 9 from there.

Won't make or break the trip but coming home with a couple 4pks of Heady would be a nice bonus.

 

Brattleboro Co-Op gets drops of Heady and Focal on Thursdays. Limit of 3 four-packs on each while supplies last.

 

I saw that earlier in the thread. Does it typically last until Saturday?

 

Any decent beer store. They are distroing a ton now. Pretty much anywhere in Vermont. Probably Putney co-op and Allen Bros. a little farther north for sure.

 

Unfortunately, didn't really have time to duck into too many places, plus got in a bit of a fight with the SO, so beer shopping was at a minimum. Did have a Heady with dinner in Vermont, and it was as awesome as I remember. Picked up a 4pk of Focal at a gas station. Just had one and it's also ridic good. Was expecting it to be much more "NEIPAy" based on the hop profile, but no, it's still a dank and bitter hop bomb. I love it.

 

Knuckledragger released today. Seems like one that hasn't been around for a while

 

just a requisite affirmation of Alchemist as a great and worthy stop if you're in the area. Saturday afternoon passing through stowe (we stayed outside of Montpelier this weekend, best decision ever, Three Penny and Positive Pie are new favorites of mine, heard Waterbury was a mess) popped into the shop and walked out with a couple 4 pks in no time at all, and what a nice lineup of beers to boot.

was available this past weekend as well. John's video, as always, is worth a watch

 

Saw a video of the Heady Trotter event last year on their YT channel. Definitely adjusting my trip now that I saw how crowded it was. Skipping River Roost to get to HF at open and then heading to Alchemist Saturday evening instead of Sunday morning/afternoon.

 

first off...... skipping river roost is an ENORMOUS mistake. Its 5 minutes off the highway, take 1 minute to try a sample or two, grab your cans and out the door. Secondly, HF will underwhelm you. Its not disney world. Its solid beer in the middle of no where. I am up to stowe all the time, I might make the trek out to HF once a year if that. Beers of course are solid, but they close at 5 pm, and there is nothing to do really anywhere around there. Its a hour drive back to relative civilization, so go, but get there at 3 pm or something you will be bored after a hour there.
Pop into Doc Ponds in stowe, or blackback pub in waterbury. Have a few HF on tap and see if its worth the journey out there. You might realize its not what you expect.

 

Appreciate the advice and here's the issue: Time

The trip starts Saturday and if I want to get to River Roost (which I do, trust me), I need to be there for 12 when they open (they are not open on Monday when I'll be heading back home). From there, it's at least 2 hours to HF which means I'll get there at 2:30 or 3 the latest and they close at 5. From there it's an hour to Alchemist (6PM arrival) which closes at 7. Sunday at Alchemist seems out of the question as it will be a madhouse with people and a charity event going on which is awesome, but not the relaxing experience I'm hoping for.

I've told myself that if RR has a great selection with offerings I really want, I'll make the stop and deal with the rest of the trip as it happens.

 

To be fair, that could work. You seem pretty well committed to Alchemist late in the day regardless of your decision. The Alchemist can be done in 5 minutes if there's no line and I highly doubt that there would be that late in the day. Your biggest "concern" would be that they run out of something during the day but honestly 5 vs. 6 vs. 6:45 isn't going to make that big a difference.

 

Do RR -> HF and find Alchemist at a packy.

 

If skipping RR, then HF at 12pm and Alchemist at 4ish. I really wish these places had friendlier hours, especially on a Saturday (If Alchemist closed at 8 or 9 it would be a non issue).

 

I've thought about this, but I'm really hoping to score Luscious and others that I don't believe are available at package stores. Is this incorrect?

 

I would bet my life alchemist wont sell out of anything they have. You have to be out of HF at 5, at the latest you are at alchemist at 6:15. The longest Ive ever spent there was 45 as is and thats because it was after skiing and they had live music. Alchemist is awesome because you are in the parking lot and back in your car in under 5 minutes with a taster and your cans of great beer. If everything in life could be so smooth.
Noon- RR
2:30/2:45-5 - HF
6:15 - alchemist

Great day, all bases covered. You might leave HF early keep that in mind

 

Alchemist’s hours are pretty good imo. Open everyday & earlier than other breweries. Go HF then come south to Alchemist. there’s nothing you have to worry about selling out anymore at Alchemist and more to eat in the area if needed. Don’t know about river roost but Alchemist on a Sunday doesn’t sound bad either.

 

River Roost doesn't always have cans to go. I almost stopped this past weekend but didn't bother b/c no cans and I didn't feel like filling growlers.

And don't listen to others...HF is actually like Disney for beer nerds. Without a doubt one of the nicest places to have a few beers in New England. If you're just going for cans/growlers, I could see just going to the bars in Stowe or Waterbury since the tap lists are similar to what they have at the brewery. But the true magic is the BA saisons and stouts (and old world lagers) that you can drink on site.

 

if RR has a good selection of cans/bottles, I will be doing this. Will be a game day decision. This past weekend was pretty sparse there and wouldn’t be worth the rushing around later in the day

 

They usually have River Roost on tap at the Blackback if you don't make it and want to try some.