Where To Find Heady Topper Beer In Vermont

Heady Topper is a highly sought-after double IPA beer crafted by The Alchemist, a Vermont-based brewery founded by husband-and-wife duo John and Jen Kimmich. With its complex blend of hops, fruity notes, and balanced flavour, it's no surprise that Heady Topper has gained a cult following, with beer enthusiasts travelling far and wide to get their hands on a can. But how can you buy Heady Topper in Vermont, and is it possible to get a taste of this elusive brew outside the Green Mountain State?

Where to buy Heady Topper in Vermont

Heady Topper is a highly sought-after American double IPA beer produced by The Alchemist, a brewery based in Vermont. While the beer has limited distribution, there are several options for purchasing it in Vermont, both in-store and online.

In-Store Options:

• The Alchemist Brewery: You can purchase Heady Topper directly from the source at The Alchemist Brewery in Stowe, Vermont. They offer daily brewery tours at 5 pm, and their Beer Cafe is open from 11 am to 6 pm, Friday to Wednesday, and until 9 pm on Thursdays.
• Beverage Warehouse: Located in Winooski, VT, Beverage Warehouse carries Heady Topper and other Alchemist beers, such as Focal Banger. They are open seven days a week and have no purchase limits on Alchemist beers.
• Local Restaurants and Craft Beer Stores: Heady Topper can be found in various restaurants and craft beer stores across Vermont, including in and around Barre, Burlington, Essex, Jericho, Middlesex, Montpelier, and more.

Online Options:

• The Alchemist Website: You can order Heady Topper online through The Alchemist's website and pick it up curbside at the brewery. However, supplies are limited, and orders are capped at 18 four-packs per person.
• Drizly: According to the online beer delivery service Drizly, a four-pack of Heady Topper costs $19.99, and a single 16oz can costs $6.89.

It is worth noting that Heady Topper is best enjoyed fresh and young, so be sure to keep it cold and consume it immediately, as the brewers are always making more!

Why Heady Topper should be drunk from the can

Heady Topper is a highly sought-after double IPA from The Alchemist, a Vermont-based brewery. While beer enthusiasts are often encouraged to pour their beverage into a glass to enhance the experience, The Alchemist has taken a different approach with Heady Topper, recommending that drinkers consume it directly from the can. This unique instruction has sparked curiosity and debate among beer lovers, with some questioning the rationale behind it. Here are several reasons why Heady Topper is best enjoyed straight from the can:

Preserving the Beer's Signature Characteristics

The brewer of Heady Topper, John Kimmich, asserts that pouring the beer into a glass causes a loss of the essential hop aromas that they have worked diligently to retain. The act of pouring introduces oxygen, which can rapidly oxidize the beer and alter its delicate balance of flavours and aromatics. By drinking Heady Topper from the can, you ensure that the terpenes, aromatics, and hop essence remain intact, delivering the intended intense hoppy experience.

Enhanced Carbonation and Texture

The carbonation of Heady Topper is more effervescent when consumed straight from the can. This higher carbonation has two distinct advantages. Firstly, it causes the beer to spread out across your palate, engaging all the taste buds on your tongue and even some minor taste buds on your soft palate. Secondly, the increased effervescence lends a silky smooth texture to the beer, reminiscent of a Belgian beer. Pouring the beer into a glass diminishes this effect, resulting in a less captivating sensory experience.

Practicality and Uniqueness

Drinking Heady Topper from the can also has practical advantages. It eliminates the need for specialized glassware, making it accessible to beer enthusiasts regardless of their location or equipment. Additionally, the "drink from the can" philosophy creates a unique drinking experience that sets The Alchemist apart from other breweries. It provides free advertising as customers drinking straight from the can in bars or social settings become walking billboards for the brand.

Brewer's Intended Experience

Ultimately, the brewers of Heady Topper have crafted this beer with a specific experience in mind. By drinking it from the can, you honour the brewer's intention and trust their expertise. They have designed Heady Topper to deliver a singular adventure in your mouth, and drinking it straight from the can ensures you receive the full impact of their carefully curated flavours and aromas.

While some may argue that drinking from a glass enhances the aroma and visual appeal of a beer, Heady Topper challenges these conventions. It invites drinkers to embrace a different kind of sensory journey, one that begins with the satisfying crack of the can and continues with each refreshing sip. So, the next time you get your hands on a can of Heady Topper, remember that it's not just clever marketing—drinking from the can truly elevates the experience of this exceptional brew.

The history of Heady Topper

Heady Topper is an American Double India Pale Ale (IPA) brewed by The Alchemist, primarily in Waterbury, Vermont, with some production in Stowe, Vermont. It is unfiltered, unpasteurized, and contains 8% ABV. The beer is known for its complex, juicy flavour, with notes of orange, tropical fruit, pink grapefruit, pine, spice, and cannabis.

In November 2003, John and Jen Kimmich opened The Alchemist as a brewpub in Waterbury, Vermont. Two months after opening, John brewed the first batch of Heady Topper, which quickly became a hit with customers. The beer was only available at the pub, leading some customers to sneak pints into the bathroom to bottle and take home. As the popularity of Heady Topper grew, John began brewing it more frequently and tinkering with the recipe.

In August 2011, the Kimmiches started a production brewery, and that same month, Hurricane Irene destroyed the pub. Despite this setback, Heady Topper's popularity continued to grow through word-of-mouth and craft beer websites. The Alchemist rebuilt and focused on packaging and distributing the beer, facing challenges in educating retailers about the importance of constant refrigeration for their product.

Heady Topper's reputation spread nationally and internationally, with people travelling hundreds of miles to get a taste. It gained a cult following, with long lines forming on release days and a vibrant black market. The beer even caught the attention of politicians, with Bernie Sanders photographed holding a can during his 2016 Democratic presidential campaign.

In November 2013, The Alchemist closed their retail shop due to traffic and access issues, moving to a larger space in Stowe, Vermont, in June 2016. However, they continue to primarily brew Heady Topper at their Waterbury location, producing 10,000 barrels per year as of 2018. The beer has left an enduring legacy, with its unique flavour profile and the business model it inspired, revolutionizing how people talk about, purchase, and drink craft beer.

The taste and flavour of Heady Topper

Heady Topper is an American double IPA, with a dense hoppy finish. It is not intended to be the most bitter, but rather to deliver wave after wave of hoppy goodness to your palate. It is also unfiltered and unpasteurized, with a strong citrusy aroma.

The beer is best enjoyed straight from the can, as per the instructions on the label. This is because the essential hop aromas are released when poured into a glass, and the delicate balance of flavours is disturbed. The can also helps to preserve the terpenes, aromatics, and hop essence that make the brew so unique.

The flavour profile of Heady Topper is complex and layered. It has been described as having notes of grapefruit, pineapple, melon, mango, and honey. There is also a slight piney and bitter aftertaste. The beer is juicy and soft, with a creamy and full-bodied mouthfeel. It is not too heavy, with medium carbonation.

Heady Topper is also notable for its use of the extremely rare "Conan" yeast strain, which was acquired by John Kimmich's brewing mentor, Greg Noonan, during a trip to England in the 1980s. This yeast strain complements the hops used in the beer, resulting in a well-balanced and exceptional flavour profile.

Overall, Heady Topper delivers a delightful hop experience, with a unique blend of flavours that have earned it a dedicated following among craft beer enthusiasts.

The Alchemist's other beers

The Alchemist is a certified B Corporation brewery with an inclusive and equitable social responsibility ethos. The brand has been recognised by the State of Vermont for its efforts in wastewater management and sustainable energy.

Other beers include the double IPA, Ouroboros, with an ABV of 8.88%, which features Curacao orange and American hops. The Alchemist also offers a range of seasonal and limited-edition beers, such as the Imperial Stout, Luscious, with a lush, silky mouthfeel, and the holiday ale, El Jefe, a Black IPA with a crisp, bitter flavour and spruce aroma.

The Alchemist's range of beers can be purchased online for retail and curbside pickup, or at their Beer Cafe in Stowe, VT, which is open daily. Brewery tours are also available and can be booked online.

Frequently asked questions