VT Beer Question

Is there any Alchemist distro that hits WRJ or the surrounding area?

Last time I drove through VT, it was summer of 2019, and like @Stormfield said I was tripping over HT. It was everywhere, but that was along Route 7 and probably closer to HT region.

 

In 2019 I got Alchemist beers as far South as Brattleboro Food Co-Op, just a few miles past the state border on I-91. At that time it was available on certain days of the week. This year it is everywhere at all times it seems.

 

I wouldn't head to Stowe JUST to get Alchemist beers. This weekend they just had Heady, Focal, Rapture and Luscious. Is Rapture sells out quickly, you can pretty much get Heady and Focal at most beer stores. Stowe is great. But I wouldn't go out of my way just to head to Alchemist. I'd also recommend Von Trapp for lunch or something.

 

Spending the week in Stowe and usually love loading up on a bunch of different styles from The Alchemist. I was really surprised to see only Heady, Focal, Luscious on their website the last week or so. Is stuff just selling out way faster or are they making extra Heady and Focal? ...just curious.

 

They release Skadoosh about once every three weeks and Rapture once a month. They are usually available for a few days before selling out.

They did have a summer saison that was available for a couple of months but is now gone. It was awesome. There was a spring saison that was around for a few months before that.

Perhaps they will release something in anticipation of the fall during your visit.

Their release schedule has pretty much looked like what I described above since the beginning of COVID.

 

They release Rapture, Skadoosh, and Crusher every 3 weeks or so. They do have more choices in the beer garden (last Friday it was Kenny's Kolch, Light, and Zomerbier), but it is a somewhat awkward experience since they just sell cans with no glassware or anything else. This is also the reason they don't offer more beers for curbside pickup since all small batches are sold for on-site consumption only.

 

Absolutely. Both the CoOp and Fattys Crowler Pit get Heady and Focal (but none of the others as far as I know). The nice thing about Fatty's is you can order ahead and have it waiting for you if you like, as it has been a bit more spotty at the CoOp the last couple times I was up there this summer...

 

Everyone okay with another hijack?

Coming up from NJ for a few days of beer and travel with the Mrs...here's the agenda, if anyone else has any tweaks or suggestions let me know. We've broken up the trip to cut back on super long drives / see more.

Friday: Hudson Valley, Suarez Family, stay around Hudson.
Saturday: head to Burlington. Red Clover on the way in, then Fiddlehead, then Foam.
Sunday: day two in Burlington. Four Quarters and Alchemist.
Monday: Trying to figure out best route back - likely hitting Tree House at the original location and staying around there.
Sunday: Head home, pizza in New Haven for lunch, natch.

 

*edit, the last day is Tuesday not Sunday

 

Looks like a great agenda (and I'm very jealous!). A few things to point out:

* The Alchemist is located in Stowe, VT, about a 45 minute drive from Burlington, depending on traffic. They are offering one tour daily at 5 PM and they have a beer garden with a few other beers besides Heady and Focal, but that's about it right now. You can find Heady and Focal at just about any bar in and around Burlington, and the Beverage Warehouse in Winooski is your go-to if you want cans and prefer not to make that drive.

* Make a reservation for dinner at Hen of the Wood in Burlington if at all possible. Farmhouse Tap and Grill is also a great spot, albeit more casual, with arguably the best tap list in town.

* Mule Bar in Winooski, just down the hill from Four Quarters, has a great tap list and usually 2-3 taps of Hill Farmstead.

* Depending on where you stay near Treehouse in Charlton and timing, Armsby Abbey and BTs Smokehouse should be on your dining agenda.

 

So near Suarez (8 mi away) there is a VERY under-the-radar spot called From the Ground Brewing. It's literally a repurposed shipping container on a farm right next to a pond, and they make very solid farmhouse stuff (among other styles) and it's a real relaxing place to grab a beer.

Actually, since I assume you'll be coming up on 87, I'd stop quick in Kingston to go to Rough Draft for coffee and/or a beer (bookstore with bakery/beer bar, terrific selection), maybe grab lunch there in town (El Mercadito, Sea Deli, Lunch Nightly), then hop over the river and FTG is on your way to Suarez which is on your way to Hudson.

 

If you're heading to Stowe for Alchemist, consider stopping by von Trapp for great lagers, good food, and nice views, and Lawson's for great IPAs and nice location.

 

Just want to say thanks to all the BAs on this thread who came through with great tips. Very excited for this trip. Definitely adding Von Trapp to the list, I didn't realize it was so close to Alchemist, and I love me some crispy boiz.