The Alchemist (August 2016)

Arrived on Tuesday at around 11:30. Line was about 50-75 people in front to us outside of the brewery. By the time we got to the tasting area around 12:30 they had just sold out of Crusher. No opportunity for extra focal.

 

Any prediction on Saturday? I know Hop Jam is also this weekend, but I think that starts at 10:45 for VIP and 12 for GA. I wonder if people will try to squeeze in Alchemist stop beforehand, or if Friday will be the busier day.

 

Went yesterday (8/16), arrived at 1, line inside the building. I was later than I wanted to be, no crusher when I arrived. Got to front of line at 1:30, person in front of me bought last heady 4 pack, so struck out there. Only was able to buy two 4 packs of focal, which to me was kind of a bummer since I know people have been getting four 4 packs later on in the day. It is somewhat of a disappointment to wait in line that long for 8 beers, wish they would go to three or four 4 packs of focal once heady and crusher are gone....was able to salvage the effort by finding sip in waterbury though at 2:00.

 

It's probably a good 35 minutes from The Alchemist to Bolton Valley without traffic. And a lot of the Hop Jam crew will be taking buses from Waterbury/Burlington that won't afford them the opportunity to go to Stowe first. That being said, it will probably still be busy on Saturday.

 

That is a bummer. Last Friday they were coming out to the line every so often to let people know what they were likely to be able to buy. That ended up being 2 4-packs of Heady + 4 4-packs of Focal once Crusher sold out around noon (with Heady going maybe 90 minutes later). I may have been mistaken (hard to tell sometimes when couples are buying allocations together), but it did appear that cases of Focal were also an option.

Seems like they are tweaking how much Focal folks are allowed to try to ensure it always lasts the day and the week. That's a good idea, since if even Focal starts selling out early, the morning rush will just keep getting worse. But they're probably better off not varying the allocations this much, as it just leads to confusion and frustration.

 

It is likely they do not have enough Focal to do 4 4 packs (when other two run out). If they did extra focal everyday (once heady/crusher ran out) then they likely would have to turn people around without any beer. That would be an even bigger bummer.

 

I was fortunate enough to get the Sterk Wit a few weeks ago, absolutely delicious. I wonder when the next special offering will be available? I don't even care what it is lol

 

I am really hoping Beelzebub makes a Fall/Winter appearance. It was listed as one of the original target beers for the new brewery, so I'm optimistic.

 

Wouldn't be shocked if Beelzebub is the fall seasonal the way Crusher seems to be the summer one. Just a hunch though.

 

What was this beer style again?

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27039/114805/

 

While it is an "imperial stout," I'd add that it is super hoppy. Definitely on the aggressive end of stouts, but a good beer.

 

More than just a hunch. There were articles months back saying that Beelzebub would be regularly available. I agree with you that once we get more into fall, that we'll say goodbye to Crusher and hello to Beelzebub for a few months.

 

I have the same plan on the same day

 

Beelzebub........waiting for U

 

can't tell if this is a really heady reference to the Pit by moe.

 

Lol! Sorry.. I just can't wait to get this beer again
Cheers!

 

Went Wednesday, pulled in the lot right at 10:00, was maybe 20th in line. They opened the doors at 10:25ish I was back in the car with 2 cases at 10:35..could not have been easier. Everybody was really helpful and friendly, great operation. Went back later after hiking just to drink samples, ended up buying another 4 pack of focal...best part of the tasting was watching some people near us who clearly never drink craft beer. Their faces were great as they got hit with the hop punch. A great day...

 

So interestingly enough if you went this morning you might have noticed there were palates of unlabeled silver cans visible, and the canning line was prepped with them as well. Past two visits the palates were Focal cans, and the canning line was Focal cans also. One would have to assume they are ready to can something one off for next week. Probably a good guess it's BB, but still being summer it could be Petite or Holy Cow also. Either way I think folks next week are in for a treat.

 

Good news! I'll make sure to keep an eye out. Good time of year to drink some Holy Cow!