Probably the most inspiring confluence of world class craft endeavour and sustainability I've seen

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The Alchemist: getting to the heart of Heady Topper | The Craft Beer Channel

We tick off one thing from the bucket list as we visit The Alchemist Brewery in Vermont. Join us for all the amazing stories that didn't make our documentary – including lots more on how one of the world's best breweries works, the secrets of Heady Topper and everything it is doing to literally SAVE THE PLANET.





The Alchemist Heady Topper: What It Is, and Why It's So Popular

How far would you go for the perfect beer?

https://www.gearpatrol.com/food/drinks/a37574997/the-alchemist-heady-topper/

"I drove 400 miles to VT [...] just for your beer. It was worth it. And your brewery smells freaking amazing," one Youtuber comments on The Alchemist's Youtube video about its Heady Topper beer. Said commenter isn't the only person to make a trek to The Alchemist's brewery for Heady Topper. The beer has inspired legions of people to make miles-long journeys to the Vermont brewery for a taste of Heady Topper (and I guess a whiff of the amazing brewery). But why would anyone be crazy enough to go to such lengths for a beer? This is what you need to know about the cult-favorite Heady Topper.

What is Heady Topper?

Heady Topper is a double IPA-style beer with an 8-percent ABV. The beer is unpasteurized and unfiltered, giving it a hazy look and full-bodied mouthfeel. Those who have had Heady Topper praise its balanced flavors, which perfectly combines a bitter bite with bright, fruity notes. The beer has a citrus crispness to it that pairs well with an overwhelmingly "dank" flavor, a tasting note that's come to mean something tasting like pine or resin. It's a double IPA, so it's a boozy brew, but it goes down easy without feeling like you're drinking battery acid. The Heady Topper can tells you to drink it straight from the can. John Kimmich, owner of The Alchemist, says that drinking the beer from the can helps retain its integrity once you crack the top. If you pour Heady Topper (or any beer, for that matter) into a glass, you're inundating the beer with oxygen, which will quickly degrade the flavor.

Who makes Heady Topper?

Vermont-based The Alchemist is behind Heady Topper. Founded in Waterbury, Vermont, by husband-and-wife duo John and Jen Kimmich, The Alchemist started as a brewpub in 2003. It brewed beers from its basement, with Heady Topper only coming out twice a year before John upped the frequency, though maintaining its limited release. Because Heady Topper was only available at the pub, some would sneak their beers into the bathroom, fill up their own bottles then sneak them home either to drink for later, or more likely, to resell on the very-real beer black market.

In 2011, Hurricane Irene flooded The Alchemist's basement and destroyed the pub. Soon after the hurricane, the Kimmiches opened up a cannery, still in Waterbury, and for the first time ever, Heady Topper was available statewide. Word spread about the beer, and because the beer was only available in Vermont, people would make their way to the Green Mountain State to get in on the hype. At one point, the Kimmiches had to limit how many cases a customer could buy, and it's a practice that the brewery and other retailers still have to implement. Today, Alchemist has two breweries in Vermont — in Waterbury and Stowe — both of which are beacons for congregating beer lovers.

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