Best Places To Buy Alchemist Beer In Massachusetts

The Alchemist is a Vermont-based brewery that has gained a cult-like following for its craft beers, including its flagship Double IPA, Heady Topper, and Focal Banger. While The Alchemist typically does not distribute its beers outside of Vermont, the brewery has partnered with Night Shift Distributing to bring its beloved beers to Massachusetts. Residents of Massachusetts can now find The Alchemist's elusive beers at various local stores and liquor stores throughout the state, offering a temporary distraction and some happiness from Vermont during strange and stressful times.

Alchemist beer in Greater Boston

The Alchemist is a Vermont brewery with a cult-like following that famously doesn't distribute its beer outside of its home state. However, in April 2020, two of its beers, Heady Topper and Focal Banger, were made available in Massachusetts for the first time due to a partnership with Night Shift Distributing.

Night Shift Distributing announced on Instagram that they were "really excited" to bring "super fresh cans" of Heady Topper and Focal Banger to the people of Massachusetts. They acknowledged that people were living in "strange and stressful times" and hoped that "some happiness from Vermont" would bring "temporary distraction".

The Alchemist's owners, Jen and John Kimmich, had closed their brewery and retail shop in Stowe, Vermont, to the public on March 26, 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak. They stated that they had been in a "constant state of emergency planning" and that their primary sales outlets were experiencing "drastic reductions in sales".

The availability of The Alchemist's beers in Massachusetts was short-lived, however. A blog post from April 17, 2020, reported that the distribution of Heady Topper and Focal Banger in the Greater Boston area had ended, at least for the time being. Night Shift Distributing thanked people for their support and indicated that the beers could potentially make a return in the future.

The Alchemist's Heady Topper is an award-winning double IPA, while Focal Banger is an IPA that also has a dedicated following.

While you may not be able to find The Alchemist's beers in Greater Boston currently, keep an eye out for future announcements or updates from Night Shift Distributing or The Alchemist, as there is a possibility that these sought-after Vermont brews may make a comeback in the region.

Night Shift Distributing partnership

In March 2017, Night Shift Brewing's wholesale operation, Night Shift Distributing, signed its first four craft brewery partners. The Everett, Massachusetts-based company announced that it would begin selling products from Pipeworks Brewing Company (Chicago, Illinois), Magnify Brewing (New Jersey), Mast Landing Brewing Company (Maine), and the Reinheits Boten Group (a New York importer of German beer).

Night Shift co-founder Rob Burns stated that the distribution company would initially target about 300 accounts in the greater Boston area that already purchase Night Shift Brewing products. The focus would be on securing off-premise retail placements at chain accounts and independent retailers, as well as popular craft-centric restaurants. Burns also mentioned that they were open to bringing other craft brands to Boston before the end of the year.

In September 2021, the Sheehan Family Companies reached an agreement to acquire some of the assets of Night Shift Distributing, including the distribution rights to Night Shift Brewing's portfolio in Massachusetts and Connecticut. This decision was made as Night Shift Brewing sought more resources, muscle, and horsepower to penetrate the marketplace further and amplify its presence.

The partnership with Sheehan offered Night Shift the benefit of a partner with fresh eyes and a broader perspective of the market. It also allowed them to focus on the craft brewery side of the business, doubling down on that aspect for the first time in five years. By shedding Night Shift Distributing, Night Shift Brewing also freed up capital for potential investments in brand-building initiatives, such as new taprooms.

Alchemist's Heady Topper beer

The Alchemist Heady Topper is an American Double IPA with 8.0% ABV. It is packed with hops, showcasing the complex flavors and aromas these flowers produce. It is meant to give you wave after wave of hoppy goodness on your palate.

Heady Topper is available at the Alchemist's Beer Cafe in Stowe, VT, which offers retail and curbside pickup daily from 11am to 6pm. You can also purchase beer online from their website. The Alchemist operates two breweries in Waterbury and Stowe, distributing Heady Topper and Focal Banger throughout Vermont, with occasional out-of-state shipments.

Heady Topper is best enjoyed straight from the can to ensure a delightful hop experience. Pouring it into a glass releases the essential hop aromas, which some enthusiasts may not prefer. It is perishable and should be enjoyed immediately, preferably when it is young, fresh, and hazy. Keep it cold, but not ice-cold.

Heady Topper has received numerous positive reviews, with enthusiasts praising its exceptional balance, delicious flavor, and intense drinking experience. It has been described as a "mind-bending" beer that saturates your senses with the flavors and aromas of dank cannabis. It is highly recommended to try this well-loved brew if you haven't already!

Alchemist's Focal Banger beer

Alchemists Focal Banger beer is an American India Pale Ale (IPA) brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops and British malts. The beer is described as having a crisp, clean malt character with a copious amount of hops. It is unfiltered and unpasteurized, and the brewery recommends drinking it straight from the can to ensure a delightful hop experience. The act of pouring it into a glass releases the essential hop aromas that the brewers have worked hard to retain.

Focal Banger is one of the most hyped IPAs globally and is known for its hazy golden colour and white head. It has a strong aroma of hops, with notes of black pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, and tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple. The taste is described as sharp and crisp with a dry finish, and the beer is best enjoyed young, fresh, and hazy.

The Alchemist Brewery, located in Stowe, Vermont, distributes Focal Banger throughout the state of Vermont, with occasional out-of-state shipments. The brewery offers daily tours and has a beer cafe on-site, open from 11 am to 6 pm daily, and until 9 pm on Thursdays. You can also purchase beer online directly from the brewery, with retail and curbside pickup available.

Focal Banger can also be found at various locations across the United States, including in Massachusetts, where it has been purchased at establishments such as Marcy Discount Beverage, Barons Market, and OL Beercafe & Bottle Shop.

Alchemist beer in Massachusetts stores

The Alchemist is a Vermont-based brewery with a cult-like following that famously does not distribute its beer outside of its home state. However, in April 2020, The Alchemist partnered with Night Shift Distributing to bring its beloved Heady Topper and Focal Banger beers to local stores throughout Massachusetts.

The Alchemist's Heady Topper is a flagship Double IPA with an 8.0% ABV that is packed full of hops. The complex flavors and aromas that the hops produce are what make this beer so special. The Focal Banger, on the other hand, has a crisp, clean malt character that supports the copious additions of Citra and Mosaic hops.

The Alchemist's owners, Jen and John Kimmich, shared that they "have been in a constant state of emergency planning" due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused "drastic reductions in sales" for their primary sales outlets. In light of these challenging times, they decided to partner with Night Shift Distributing to bring some "happiness from Vermont" to the people of Massachusetts.

The partnership between The Alchemist and Night Shift Distributing means that Massachusetts residents can now enjoy the elusive Heady Topper and Focal Banger beers at various outposts throughout the state. While The Alchemist typically keeps distribution in-state, this collaboration allows beer enthusiasts outside of Vermont to sample their highly-regarded brews.

To find the specific Massachusetts stores that stock The Alchemist's beers, you can refer to the account list linked in Night Shift Distributing's Instagram bio, which they keep updated as accounts receive cases.

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