Founded in 2003 by John and Jen Kimmich, The Alchemist is a family-run brewery in Stowe, Vermont. The Alchemist is famous for making an IPA so elusive and desirable that people have traveled to Stowe from all around the world just to snag a can: Heady Topper.
So why is Heady Topper so elusive? The Alchemist’s flagship brew, Heady Topper is a fresh, unfiltered double IPA that John first started brewing in 2003 and serving in The Alchemist’s original brewpub location in Waterbury. The Alchemist only brews 10,000 barrels of Heady Topper per year and only distributes within a 25-mile radius of the brewery, where demand is so high that most retailers limit customers to two four-packs per person.
One of the dedicated beer connoisseurs making the pilgrimage to The Alchemist is Joe Woods, a New York-based home brewer and beer enthusiast. Joe has visited breweries all over the country, and because of his travels, Joe has earned a free night’s stay with Hotels.com. Joe used his free night to visit The Alchemist, learn about their brewing process from John himself, and, of course, get his hands on some sweet, sweet cans of Heady Topper. Watch the video above to see Woods brew up a batch of his own beer and visit The Alchemist to make his hopped-up dreams come true.