![]() The quality of the beer matches the view The Alchemist Heady Topper History We'd like to imagine that it's the combination of that yeast, along with a proprietary blend of hops and just enough malt, as well as the dedicated labor (and sweat) involved in the brewing process that give Heady Topper its own unique flavor. With regard to the beer itself, Kimmich has stated that his brewing mentor, Greg Noonan, gave him permission to use special yeast. You'll remember the first time you had it, and how you cannot possibly understand your youthful preference for mass-produced pilsners from the Big Beverage folks (hint: targeted advertising). Not a high IBU, bitter DIPA, Heady Topper displays some notes of tropical fruit (and grapefruit?) and possesses quite the mouthfeel. It was, and by some, is, considered the best beer in the world. The Alchemist offers brewery tours at 5pm daily, so keep that in mind.īack to the beer. For fun, should you make it up to Stowe for a few pints of Heady Topper and Focal Bangers, COVID allowing, you should take a brewery tour. Clearly this was prior to The Alchemist opening up shop in Stowe. The Alchemist Pub and Brewery was where the first cans of Heady Topper were produced in 2003. Your best bet toward enjoying this 8% hazy IPA was to visit the Vermont pub and brewery in Waterbury. Some retailers around Vermont had it, but which, and when? For years, it was hard to find it around New England, almost impossible. This (now) year-round American Double IPA is the flagship of flagship beers. It appears in RateBeer's top 50 craft beers - though the Stowe brewery does not.įorget Massachusetts or New York, Alchemist beers are the type of beer that beer geeks will drive from Wyoming to acquire, and Heady Topper takes center stage. Homebrewing Books, Craft Beer T-Shirts & Stainless Steel Growlers, Oh My! Heady TopperĪs for the unfiltered Heady Topper, what can you say that hasn't been said? It is Beer Advocate's #1 NEIPA. I highly recommend a trip.Beer Alcohol Content Beer Festivals Beer Glasses Beer Reviews Breweries Brewery Jobs Brewery Tours Cideries Distributors Drinking Holidays Hard Seltzer Homebrew Books Homebrew Stores Interviews NA Beer Shipping Alcohol Toasts Types of Beer Types of Hopsĭrink from the can! Drink from the can! Drink from the can! There are plenty of popular destinations for beer tourism - big cities like Portland, Denver, San Diego, Chicago - but it’s hard to argue with what a quaint college town like Burlington, and the surrounding Vermont countryside, has to offer. Nothing at Foam disappointed, and judging by the large crowd bellied up to the bar early on a Saturday night, they’ve built quite a fan base. Standouts were beers like Life Without Buildings, a decadently fruity double IPA made with lactose, pineapple and vanilla bean and Everybody Daylight, a juicy IPA that was less sweet but no less flavorful. The highlight in Burlington was Foam Brewers, a busy spot on the shores of Lake Champlain that’s crafting a slew of outstanding New England IPAs (see the hazy and juicy reference above). It’s odd to see gems like Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine IPA and Fiddlehead IPA - a pair of brews that we here in the Midwest would pay a steep price just to sample - readily available in most bars and even in convenience stores. ![]() I also had the opportunity to check out the beer scene in nearby Burlington. The visit to Stowe was the end of the trip. Next time, I’ll be sure to bring a bigger suitcase. A four-pack of Heady Topper snuck its way into my checked luggage. After a half an hour, I reluctantly left the heavenly spot to begin the long three-hour drive to Boston Logan Airport. ![]() The original location is a short trip down the highway in Waterbury. The Stowe brewery is a gorgeous 16,000-square-foot space that opened in the summer of 2016. It’s a flawless example of an IPA whose recipe was honed well before words like “juicy” and “hazy” were predominantly popular descriptors of the style. The expertly balanced brew is perfectly piney, has a hint of citrus, and finishes with a crisp bitterness that isn’t overpowering. ![]() A haul from The Alchemist.Ĭertain beer experiences are transcendent, and sipping on a fresh pour of Heady in the shadows of The Alchemist’s brew kettles fit the bill. ![]() Shortly before 11 a.m., the friendly folks inside opened the doors and a growing crowd lined up to purchase four packs of fresh Heady Topper, a world-class and highly sought after double IPA. My brother pulled our full car into the parking lot of The Alchemist’s gleaming brewery in tiny Stowe, Vermont at 10:40 a.m., twenty minutes before the doors opened.ĭespite the fact that it was a Tuesday, there were already a handful of other beer fans waiting in line. ![]()
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