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You Can Take It With You
Sorry it has been so long since my last update, but we have been very busy starting our new brewery. WHAT!!!! You heard me right.
The rumours are true, we are in the process of starting a 15 barrel production brewery right here in good old Waterbury . After some searching, the perfect location became available to us, and we decided to go for it. Our new brewery will be called The Alchemist, and it is located at 35 Crossroad, a stones throw from Ben and Jerry’s. I have already began the process of converting the space into a brewery. The floor drains have been cut, the electricians are working their magic, and the floors will be poured in two weeks.
My equipment is under construction at various locations. The kettle and mash tun are being built by Stainless Steel Specialists of Quebec, the same guys that built my new kettle at the pub. My fermenters and bright tanks are being built by Wine Country Stainless in California . My canning line is being built by Cask Brewing Systems in Canada.
Yes, that’s right, a canning line. We will be producing only one beer, Heady Topper, and it will come in four packs of 16 ounce cans. Pounders of Heady!!!! I can hardly believe it myself. We are very excited about taking our business to the next level. 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.
The decision to put it in cans and not bottles rests on several reasons. First of all, the recyclability of the cans; add to that the non-issue of breakage, the superior protection from UV light, and the low levels of oxygen uptake. All of these factors will play a part in providing an unsurpassed hop experience to you, our loyal customers.
The project will be in full swing for the next several months, and we hope to be brewing in May, with the first cans for sale in late May to early June. There will be a retail shop at the new brewery that will be open seven days a week, with self-guided tours and tasters of Heady Topper on draft. Stay tuned for more details, and don’t even THINK about coming by until the construction is done. The little video you can watch was filmed during my visit to Baxter Brewing in Maine. Ours will look just like that one.
Now, on to what is coming up at The Alchemist Pub and Brewery. I am releasing Heathen this weekend, a beautiful batch of American IPA coming in at 7% abv. I should be getting the new batch of Farmers Daughter on tap in the next few weeks as well. Petit Mutant is due to come on very soon also. I also have a batch of Sterk Wit, and a batch of Heady Topper coming on soon as well. All in all, this blog has brought you a lot of good news if you are a fan of our beer. Stay tuned to our Twitter account, and the web site for updates on when exactly all of that goodness will be available.
Thank you, John
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on:
Wonderful News and Congrats! I can’t wait. Tom
on:
HEY,HEY!
on:
So glad to literally have you down the road. Welcome to the Neighborhood!
on:
Some amazing news! I’ve been dreaming of this moment for awhile now. Looking forward to following your brewery’s progress and counting down the days until I can get my hands on those cans of Heady Topper! Best of luck! Cheers!
Russ
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Goodie!Now I can just roll down the hill to enjoy your brews.
on:
Don’s dream come true.
on:
Excellent news. Loved our trip to The Alchemist Pub And Brewery last year, so can’t wait to bring some of the beer home. I even have a Heady Topper pint glass waiting for it.
on:
This is a whole lotta sweet news! Any chance that canning line could be configured to produce 64 packs of 1 oz. Heady Toppers? It would be a really nice addition to my carry-on bag when I fly, but there’s a 1 oz. limit on liquids. . .
Think about it. It could be the next big thing: Heady Topper ouncers!!! (vs. pounders). I know, I know, not exactly an “environmentally friendly” idea. . .
By the way, big time congrats on the #8 ranking of Best Brewpubs in the world (ratebeer.com)! I have a feeling that the new brewery will result in some future top rankings in additional categories.
on:
This will make road trips so much more fun. Instead of talking about how great your brews are, I’ll share them.
Thank-you Jon and Jen
on:
I hope you will be able to add gluten free beers to your canning. Absolutley no one has a canned GF beer.
on:
Jon and Jen, ever since our trip to Ireland back in the day, I have wished for an American equivalent of the Irish pub in my neck of the woods. You’ve far surpassed my wish. You have provided a place for the community to gather. Young professionals, families and oldsters alike under one roof. You have assembled a staff who are professional, caring and real. The food is of the highest caliber, sourced locally and artfully presented. We listen to our server’s reading of the amazing daily specials with rapt attention not wanting to miss any glorious detail. The beer: I’m afraid there are very few beers we will drink anymore and yes, Jon, it is completely your fault My brother and I embraced the Vermont microbrewery movement at it’s outset and have at least tried them all. Now it is not uncommon for us to walk into the local beer cave, surrounded by Vermont brews and find nothing worth drinking. Keep up the great work! We are excited by the prospect of being able to take some Heady home in a can. John & Davis Koier PS: We sensed there was some new development afoot. You guys don’t stay still long and we love ya for it!
on:
Wonderful to here ya’ll are movin’ on to the next level! Seems like just the other day when I came to your opening. Remember Steve Schomiler’s band playing in the early days?
I wish you all the success in the world!
Hutch
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Well, dreams really do come true! Congratulations you two!! We can’t wait to try out the new Heady cans and be able to share them with friends afar. Hope to see you soon!
on:
Yeah dude! Just checked in to see how you all are doing and stoked! Its been 4 years since I’ve been in VT. Miss you guys and rave bout your beers to anyone who will hear it! Hopefully I can make it back there soon!
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