American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
I knew that Vermont was home to maple syrup, world-class ski slopes, Phish, and Von Trapp descendants. What I didn’t know was that this unassuming state with the second smallest population also happens to be home to more breweries per capita than any other state (in 2011), including the holy grail of beers. Considered by many to be one of the best IPA’s in the world, The Alchemist’s Heady Topper turned what started as a casual weekend in Vermont into a quest for hops.
In my pursuit of the Holy Grail, I set my sights on enjoying it out of a tap, like any good beer snob would. First mistake. -After passing up several bars, I finally settled and dejectedly ordered a can. Then I requested a pint glass. Second mistake. I was met with a smirk – Heady Topper is not meant to be enjoyed via pint glass. The can encapsulates the perfected hop recipe, and to release the aroma using another vessel would be to compromise the sacred taste. Okay, I’ll buy that.
Having made it past a few hurdles, I was finally able to appreciate the flawlessness of this American Double IPA. A complex combination of hops is balanced atop a delicious and drinkable body that doesn’t linger harshly and unwelcomed on the tongue after each sip like some over-praised IPAs do. The enjoyable mouthfeel is what keeps me eagerly returning for another sip, and what I believe sets this ale apart from others. I find that as others amp up the taste, they compromise drinkability. The Holy Grail impeccably integrates the two. Heady Topper is at an advantage in that it is an only child – The Alchemist focuses exclusively on getting this beer right. A noble pursuit, in my opinion. Quality over quantity!
Naturally, I wanted to acquire enough of this stuff to last my friends and me through many happy hours, Saturday nights, and events of the drinking and non-drinking variety. At the expense of my appearance, I was willing to sacrifice the contents of my suitcase to make room for multiple cases. Third mistake. No stores can keep a shipment on their shelves for more than an hour. There’s a reason The Alchemist’s website has a section called Where to Buy, including the delivery day for each location.
I swallowed my sadness in the form of many other exceptional brews Vermont has to offer. Switchback Ale out of Burlington is a complex yet exceptionally smooth amber, the kind you can drink all day. Hill Farmstead Brewery’s Arthur is a light and fruity, yet sophisticated saison that makes a fabulous dedication to the man it is named for. Vermont’s lineup is diverse and talented enough to keep me entertained and beer-logged for days.
There’s so much to love in Vermont’s quaint population, adventurous landscapes, and seriously impressive brews. Can we agree to keep this our little secret?
