The Alchemist
Stowe, Vermont, USA · Est. 2003
Also known as Heady Topper
From the record
What we have established
Their unfiltered 'Heady Topper' double IPA literally sparked the hazy IPA revolution across the globe.
Tally’s Take
The beautiful disaster that started the haze craze. Heady Topper is widely credited as the spark for the New England IPA. When Tropical Storm Irene flooded the original brewpub in 2011, the Kimmichs pivoted to a canning line — and the instruction to 'Drink from the Can' (to preserve the hop aromatics) became iconic craft-beer lore that shifted packaging culture across the whole industry.
The founding thesisJohn and Jen Kimmich opened a small brewpub in Waterbury, Vermont, brewing the hop-forward beers they wanted to drink.
The Museum
Timeline
- 2003Brewpub opens
The Alchemist starts as a local brewpub in Waterbury, Vermont.
- 2011Irene floods it
Tropical Storm Irene destroys the brewpub; the Kimmichs pivot to a dedicated cannery.
- 2016Stowe visitor center
Opens a purpose-built brewery and retail space in Stowe.
The People
Behind the beer
Turned a flooded brewpub into one of the most coveted breweries on Earth and helped invent the NEIPA category.
Co-founded The Alchemist with Jen Kimmich.
Co-founded The Alchemist.
The Beer Library
Beers
Heady Topper
Year-RoundImperial / New England IPA
Unfiltered double IPA sold in cans marked 'Drink from the Can.'
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Focal Banger
Year-RoundAmerican IPA
The other Alchemist IPA, living permanently in Heady Topper's shadow and rated nearly as highly. Citra and Mosaic, and no reputation to coast on.
Drank this? Add it to your passport →Travel Guide
Plan a visit
- Retail cannery store
- Tastings
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