The Holy Grail of New England beer
 

The Holy Grail of New England Beer

Just got back from a two day trip to Vermont. I made it a point to try and score some Heady Topper while up there. We went to a concert in Burlington on Monday night. I walk up to the bar and look at the beers offered – got two Long Trail IPA drafts for the wife and I. I get back to the stage area and the gal in front of me is holding a can of Topper. I immediately ask her if she snuck it in. She said they’re selling it at the bar but you have to ask for it. I gave my wife the Long Trail and went back for a can - $7.50 per but I enjoyed the hell out of it. BTW: We drove 6 hours to see the Australian band named Boy & Bear – great sound – catch them if you can.

The next day we put together a list of shops that get Topper delivered on Tuesdays, then set out on our quest for the Holy “Heady Topper” Grail, the quest to bring a case back to Rhode Island. Now it’s absolutely amazing how many people were doing the same thing as I was on Tuesday. Starting at 9am I hit 5 different shops and met many others doing the same thing – all of us struck out as it hadn’t been delivered yet. In some shops the clerk saw me coming and before I could even ask said, “Not yet.” On the way home we stopped in a small country town called Waitsfield. I went to the local Waitsfield Wine store which was not yet open, my wife went next door into a tiny shop called Waitsfield Village Grocery and came out with her thumbs up. I walked in and three people in line were carrying a case (or two) of Heady Topper. The clerk told me he’s generally sold out in about an hour or two - this happens there every Tuesday. So I consider myself very fortunate but $81.00 poorer – I’ll just have to drink another to console my wallet. Happy Fourth.
DZ

Nice! It really is the holy grail, the stuff is that good. I thought it was hype but then I tried it. A coworker of mine went up for a weekend and we convinced him to get a case for the office!

Waistfield is such a great town. You'll pop into an unassuming gas station and find an amazing little country store with Heady and Lawsons in the fridge. Glad you scored what you were after! Enjoy it and share. Always good to make a deposit in the beer karma bank.

Nice score DZ, stop at the co-op in Montpelier usually is a sure thing for Heddy. Make sure that next time you pass through Warren and go to the Prohibition Pig for some Hill Farmstead on tap and a porkbelly sandwich. There are also a couple places in Burlington that carry it on tap,look it up on their site...it is the TRUE Holy Grail!

fwiw ,I think a can of Be Hoppy rivals Heddy any day of the week.

The coop gets there delivery on Friday so plan ahead.

If you can, go to the blackback pub in Waterbury....they have Lawson's, Hill's Farmstead and Heady......one stop shopping......and it's fishing themed :-)

I've been milking a case for about 2 months now......just one a weekend.....once in awhile 2
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You guys are great - who needs stripers. Did I just say that? Must be the Topper talking. Thanks for the advice.

DZ

Great beer. Haven't had it in a can but great on draught.
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Where do you find Be Hoppy?

If any of you are at the Mews, try a proclamation IPA. It's a little RI Nano brewery that's making some of the best beer I have had since my Colorado days.
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I had a stone "enjoy by 7.4.14" that I believed rivaled heady as well...

Last Hedi I had wasn't as good. It was good but not great.

Agree though, Hill Farm and Lawsons on tab up north are so good…if the restaurant at my BnB has some at the bar I may never leave…

-spence

My new fav is Mass Rising by Jack's Abbey... I like it even more than Heady Topper now. It is available around the Boston area

I had a Bear Republic Apex that I thought rivaled heady pretty well.......it was extremely good.
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Damn. Must. Try.

(Though I have stumbled across a few Westvleteren Trappists lately muuaahhhaahhaaaa)

Sounds like we need to organize a Vermont leg.

Its the best beer Ive had. Also the worst hangover.

Try their Hopulence... its the DIPA in Bombers... its crazy. Don't get the Buddha's Juice (their other one) as it just isn't worth it.

I got my hands on some bombers of Double Sunshine over the weekend... Going to try that **hopefully** this week

Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge has a good stock of Wormtown stuff most days. Be Hoppy and others... they don't make many bad beers.

That Double Sunshine is fantastic.....
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I love beer. :love:
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As the rest of us ;).
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Sooooooooooo yeah... Double sunshine is a little bit on the good side
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Good beer and good people. My wifes maiden name is Lawson and her mom loves IPA's. I emailed him before my wedding with a total hail mary request for a 5 gallon keg for the reception, knowing there was 0% chance. He got back to me with congrats and told me the keg was out but if I could get up to VT on memorial day weekend he would set aside a case of bombers of double sunshine and the chinooked IPA's. I couldnt make it up, but I love people that do business the right way. They'll always be my favorite VT brew just for that reason.

PS got my hands on one of those Hopulence the other night. Damn, grab it if you see it. Maybe wear a helmet.

Lunch is another great NE IPA
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Anyone try their Dinner? Been keeping an eye out for that one.
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That's funny. I was reading this thread thinking, "oh well, if the bass really go to hell, at least we'll have a great beer forum".

My parents own a small restaurant and have a great beer source. I can get wholesale pricing on some pretty good beer, especially on kegs.

Want to. Think you can only buy it direct in freeport. Long lines on few days they sell it.
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Nice article in yesterday's ProJo Food section headlined "An Epic Beer Run" about one man's quest in Vermont to purchase Heady Topper.

Google Proclamation Brewery, located in Kingston, RI, for tasting hours. Bring an empty growler along.

Jacks abby kiwi rising is amazing. Probably best beer I've had from jacks abby, and that is saying a lot. Certainly best ipl I've had. Keep an eye out for it.
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Good stuff, uses some New Zealand hops if I remember correctly. Took me a while to come around to Jacks Abbey. Not sure why I didnt think they were going to be any good for a while. I was wrong. They make quite a few good ones.

If any of you IPA lovers are in the Boston area. Trillium on Congress St. has bottles of their Mettle DIPA. Probably won't last through the weekend. This one can hold its own against any of the New England big hitters.

Found a place up in my neck of the woods that has it on tap right now....will be trying it tonight.

That Jack Abby "Cooper Legend" is one fine Oktoberfest......
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