Heady Topper: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Headytopper.jpg|thumb|alt=16 oz Heady Topper can|Customers are urged to drink directly from the Heady Topper can.]] |
[[File:Headytopper.jpg|thumb|alt=16 oz Heady Topper can|Customers are urged to drink directly from the Heady Topper can.]] |
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'''Heady Topper''' is a double [[India Pale Ale]] brewed by The Alchemist in [[Waterbury, VT]]. It is unfiltered and contains 8% [[Alcohol by volume|ABV]], with hints of citrus flavors. Unpasteurized, it is kept refrigerated by authorized retailers until point of sale.<ref name="fountain"/> As of October, 2014, it was rated number 457 best beer in the world by [[Beer Advocate]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Beer Advocate, Heady Topper Review|url=http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27039/16814/}}</ref> and has been described as "a complex web of genius."<ref name="noel"/> Sold only in limited production,<ref name="dzen"/> it sells out within |
'''Heady Topper''' is a double [[India Pale Ale]] brewed by The Alchemist in [[Waterbury, VT]]. It is unfiltered and contains 8% [[Alcohol by volume|ABV]], with hints of citrus flavors. Unpasteurized, it is kept refrigerated by authorized retailers until point of sale.<ref name="fountain"/> As of October, 2014, it was rated number 457 best beer in the world by [[Beer Advocate]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Beer Advocate, Heady Topper Review|url=http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27039/16814/}}</ref> and has been described as "a complex web of genius."<ref name="noel"/> Sold only in limited production,<ref name="dzen"/> it sells out within seconds or minutes of being released.<ref name="noel"/> As of the beginning of 2013 production was 1200 cases a week with plans to expand to 1800 during the following summer. |
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Heady Topper is well known throughout New England even by people who have never had the opportunity to drink it. It is common for people to travel long distances in an attempt to obtain Heady Topper beer from retail establishments in Vermont. The beer is sometimes referred to as "The Heady" by regular followers of The Alchemist brewery.<ref name="noel"/> |
Heady Topper is well known throughout New England even by people who have never had the opportunity to drink it. It is common for people to travel long distances in an attempt to obtain Heady Topper beer from retail establishments in Vermont. More recently, the beer has been made available at Stop & Shop Supermarket in Massachusetts. The beer is sometimes referred to as "The Heady" by regular followers of The Alchemist brewery.<ref name="noel"/> |
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As of November 2013, The Alchemist closed their retail shop citing traffic and public access issues, and plans to move to a larger space close by.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Alcehmist Blog|url=http://alchemistbeer.com/?page_id=1608|accessdate=12 November 2013}}</ref> |
As of November 2013, The Alchemist closed their retail shop citing traffic and public access issues, and plans to move to a larger space close by.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Alcehmist Blog|url=http://alchemistbeer.com/?page_id=1608|accessdate=12 November 2013}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 19:08, 14 August 2015
Heady Topper is a double India Pale Ale brewed by The Alchemist in Waterbury, VT. It is unfiltered and contains 8% ABV, with hints of citrus flavors. Unpasteurized, it is kept refrigerated by authorized retailers until point of sale.[1] As of October, 2014, it was rated number 457 best beer in the world by Beer Advocate,[2] and has been described as "a complex web of genius."[3] Sold only in limited production,[4] it sells out within seconds or minutes of being released.[3] As of the beginning of 2013 production was 1200 cases a week with plans to expand to 1800 during the following summer. Heady Topper is well known throughout New England even by people who have never had the opportunity to drink it. It is common for people to travel long distances in an attempt to obtain Heady Topper beer from retail establishments in Vermont. More recently, the beer has been made available at Stop & Shop Supermarket in Massachusetts. The beer is sometimes referred to as "The Heady" by regular followers of The Alchemist brewery.[3]
As of November 2013, The Alchemist closed their retail shop citing traffic and public access issues, and plans to move to a larger space close by.[5]
History
John Kimmich came to Vermont in 1994 to learn the craft beer industry from Greg Noonan. He worked as head brewer at Vermont Pub and Brewery in Burlington, VT., where he met his future wife Jen.[6] Together they opened The Alchemist as a brew pub in Waterbury in November, 2003, with Heady Topper an occasional offering.[6][7] After customers began illegally taking Heady Topper offsite, Kimmich began bottling the ale.[7] The Kimmich's started the production brewery in August 2011, and the same month Hurricane Irene destroyed the pub.[3] Despite no marketing effort outside of Vermont, it grew in popularity through personal recommendations and craft beer websites.[1]
Pricing
Heady Topper retail price is $3.00 / 16 oz. can at the brewery.[3] Black market sales of $18 per can in Washington, D.C. have been reported.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Fountain, Kristen (2013-08-01). "Heady Topper hits the black market". Waterbury Record. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ "Beer Advocate, Heady Topper Review".
- ^ a b c d e Noel, John (2013-04-22). "Heady Topper: Heady Topper IPA a Vermont sensation – Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ Dzen, Gary (2013-05-20). "Heady Topper to Boston? Maybe not". boston.com. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ "The Alcehmist Blog". Retrieved 12 November 2013.
- ^ a b Pollak, Sally (2012-03-02). "Vermont Brews: The Alchemist transformed floodwater into Heady Topper". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
- ^ a b Kimmich, John. "CraftBeer.com The Alchemist Pub & Brewery". Retrieved 2013-08-31.