The Alchemist (October 2017)

Heading up to Vermont for a weekend trip next Friday (10/20) and I wanted to make it to Alchemist at some point to pick up some Heady and Focal. I'm wondering what to expect in terms of wait/can limits if I went on Saturday morning around opening. Would I maybe be better off going Friday night or trying to get it elsewhere in the state? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Not going to get Focal anywhere else. Got 4 - 4 packs each of Focal, Alena and the Skadoosh last Thurs. camping was good, despite some rain. Questioned my man beer card by not getting any Heady or Crusher. Made up for it by getting some Frost Lush.

 

I tried one this weekend, I couldn't disagree more. Tastes like onions and garlic. I know John said it focuses on the dank side of hops but I can't imagine enjoying something this vegetal. Skadoosh XII on the other hand...best Alchemist hoppy beer I've had.

 

What's the brewery been like Saturday afternoons? I've only gone at open whenever I've been, but I have family in town and they wanted to grab some Heady. Do they sell out of cans still? The huge allotments they've consistently had make me think they'd still have some mid-afternoon.

 

We run a "Bed & Brew" tour twice a year. Next one is Nov. 17-18. We get there right at 11am Saturdays and our guests get their allotment. Usually at the slower times of year you can still find what you want at 1 or 2pm. Beyond that, you're tossing the dice.

 

Farmers Daughter, the original saison from the old brewpub, is back in cans this weekend!

 

Skadoosh XII is the complete package. Nose reminds me of the first time I opened the door to the Waterbury brewery. Flavor like a DIPA, tons of tangerine, grapefruit, and a mouth coating bitterness that might turn some NE IPA fans off but that I love. “Citra Heady” would be a good description IMO.

I hope the plan is to add / rename some of the best Skadooshii into the regular rotation.

 

I've only had Skadoosh V, which I believe was the original citra Skadoosh, but I'd love to see an improved version of that turn into a regular offering. Skadoosh V was very good.

 

Is Heady available at the brewery every day they're open? Heading up to stowe next Tuesday for a couple days, haven't seen heady listed on the website for what's available/limits in about 2 weeks

 

I think there have been a few days when it hasn’t been available, but most days it is with a relatively low limit. You have to check the website in the morning, because it typically sells out first and then is delisted.

Last Friday it was limit-3 four-packs and lasted at least until I picked some up around 2pm. Saturday I believe the limit dropped to 2.

One reason limits & supply are so low is that Heady still sees plenty of distribution. If you check the website delivery schedule you shouldn’t have trouble finding more. On Friday I filled out my case at Hunger Mountain where it was also limit-3. (Sitting next to a two case Sip limit... yikes!)

 

Thanks, did hunger mountain last time I went to VT. Not going to be in a position to go hunt it at stores, so just hoping it shouldn't be too difficult to swing on a weekday afternoon while I'm in town

 

Heady is still made on the smaller system in Waterbury too right?

 

Yes

 

No its calmed down, Vermonter's have moved on to better beers, so you're really just fighting the tourist crowd.

 

Stowe Beverage is like a 2 minute walk from the brewery and worth checking to see if they have some in. When I've gone, they had Heady with a 1 4-pack limit.

 

What an insufferable thing to read

 

Already have plans to hit them up while I'm in town, just for some other options that they'll hopefully have in stock!

 

Do stores that get Heady in the beginning of the week on like Tuesday usually sell out quickly or does it stay on the shelves until the weekend?

 

Good call. Usually when I've gone to Vermont, the main purpose has been for beer, and we were able to go to a number of places. But the one time I went with family, it was nice to be able to hit up Alchemist and a close-by store with some VT beer options and only get a minor eye roll from my wife.

 

If a store gets its delivery on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the allotment will usually be gone that day or the day after. Winooski Beverage is the only account I know of that gets their delivery on Tuesday and puts it out in 3 separate releases on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I recommend people try the brewery or one of the smaller retail accounts that might go under the radar.