There are a few breweries and beers that have a reputation that evoke a certain reverence in beer fans. Some of these reputations are born of their overall rarity whether due to seasonality, price point, or regional or even brewpub-only availability; some are because they’re trailblazers in a style of beer, but nearly all of those beers and breweries are of superior quality. The Alchemist, located in Stowe, Vermont, is one of those breweries and their flagship beers, Heady Topper and Focal Banger, are the trailblazing, superior beers that made them a true bucket-list visit for beer-lovers all over the world.
Brewery: The Alchemist (Stowe, VT)
Focal Banger
Rating: 98/100
Comments: Focal Banger pours a hazy golden yellow with a finger of bright white, pillowy head. The aroma is laced with fruit: grapefruit, orange, and lime. There is a light floral element in the aroma, as well. The taste has tangerine, orange, some pineapple, and mango. The mouthfeel is slightly creamy, and light to moderate bodied. There’s a reason this beer has such a reputation.
Heady Topper
Rating: 97/100
Comments: Heady Topper is a star of its style for a reason; it highlights all the positives of it while not leaning too far toward any one aspect. The appearance (if you pour it out of the can) of this double IPA is medium hazy golden orange color, with abundant cloudy white head. The aroma is like you just stuck your head in a bucket of fresh hops – hugely floral, a bit juicy, along with some pine. It’s a bit bitter at the beginning, but turns semi-sweet, tasting of pine and citrus. It’s pretty dank. Delicious.
PINT JOURNAL 