In response to the overwhelming amount of requests to offer beer outside of The Alchemist Brewpub in Waterbury, VT, owners Jen and John Kimmich are introducing their prized double IPA, Heady Topper, in 16 oz. cans for release Labor Day weekend. The new Alchemist Cannery, located at 35 Crossroad off of Route 100 in Waterbury, is a family-run brewery specializing in small batch, unfiltered India Pale Ale. Sales will kick off Labor Day weekend with a tasting room, self-guided tours and plenty of the highly anticipated Heady Topper tallboys in 4-packs. The Alchemist will also distribute Heady Topper in Burlington, Stowe and Montpelier-serving locals first and foremost.
Rated #10 in the world by Beer Advocate, Heady Topper is an American Double India Pale Ale (IPA). Brewer John Kimmich notes, “It is meant to give you wave after wave of hoppy goodness on your palate. Tremendous amounts of American hops will creep up on you, and leave you with a dense hoppy finish in your mouth. So drinkable, it’s scary.”
The Alchemist Pub and Brewery, located on Main Street in Waterbury’s original post office, is a seven barrel brew pub specializing in hand-crafted beer and casual pub fare since 2003. Now after almost eight years of their “no beer to go” policy, brewer and co-proprietor John Kimmich has built a 15 barrel production brewery devoted to just that-Alchemist IPA in cans. “The can presents us with a unique opportunity to put a very special beer in a container that will protect it from the harsh realities of leaving my loving embrace,” says Kimmich.
WHY CANS? According to Kimmich, “to ensure an unsurpassed hop experience.” Beer in cans lasts longer and stays fresher-the canning process achieves very low oxygen pickup, protects the beer from UV light and retains the essential hop aromas that IPA fans love. Plus, cans are safer than glass and take less energy to produce, ship and recycle. If that’s not enough, they’re also wicked cool.
The Alchemist Cannery is the first canning line in Vermont and the first canning line in New England started by a craft brewer. The Kimmichs say they are very excited to take their business to the next level and to stay committed to keeping their beer local. They hope to keep the bulk of sales in state, and eventually expand to the Metro Boston area. Having lived in Boston for several years, they say they have close ties to the area and even considered opening their first brewpub in Boston. Perhaps there is a Heady Topper coming soon to a Boston location near you!
