Just how big is too big for craft beer? The most recent story of a brewery being too big for its craft business came from a surprising location: Vermont. Specifically the Alchemist , which shocked the New England beer scene by increasing it's hermit-like withdrawal from the Craft Beer community. Quite possibly to increase engagement, or at least tolerance within its own community of Waterbury. With an output of less than 10,000 barrels a year, all a single flavor the alchemist grew too big to maintain its focus on its craft. The line of case-buyers and growler fillers was too great a distraction, and certainly an irritation to its neighbors . Heady Topper is a double IPA with such a reputation, and exclusivity, that some guy in Bangor, ME had the audacity to offer a pair of 16 oz cans as a fair trade for tickets to a Phish concert. The headyness of this coveted elixir is apparently equivalent to a single set of Vermont's finest. History repeats its self. Just as Hu
Enjoyed simply, or thoughtfully, beer is a complete refreshment.