A couple of Vermont beers with cult-like followings are now available in the Greater Boston area, at least for the time being.
According to an article from boston.com, Chelsea-based Night Shift Distributing is partnering with The Alchemist in Stowe, VT, to bring Heady Topper and Focal Banger to a number of liquor stores and independent markets in Massachusetts, with most of them being within an hour of Boston, and just about all being north and west of the city. An Instagram post from Night Shift Distributing--which is part of the same business behind Night Shift Brewing in Everett and Dedham--says that "We understand that we are all living in strange and stressful times and collectively, we hope that some happiness from Vermont will be a temporary distraction." The list of stores carrying Heady Topper and Focal banger include a few inside Route 128, with many more being between Routes 128 and 495, and based on a number of phone calls made, it appears that most shops have already sold out of both for now, so call ahead before going to any of them.
The Alchemist is currently closed to the public, with owners Jen and John Kimmich saying that "our primary sales outlets -- our own retail shop, local restaurants, and retailers in Vermont -- are all seeing drastic reductions in sales." The brewery is known mainly for its award-winning Heady Topper beer, a double IPA that has been one of the most sought-after beers in the Northeast and beyond over the years. (Focal Banger is an IPA that also has a rabid following.)
Check out the list of places carrying Heady Topper and Focal Banger here.
[April 6 update: The list of stores carrying Heady Topper and Focal Banger has expanded greatly and now includes a number of places within the Boston city limits and at least one south of the city; the list could be expanded even more over the coming days, so keep checking back for more updates.]
[April 10 update: The list has been expanded even more, with many more places on the South Shore being added--and Cape Cod shops are now carrying it as well. Note that the stores are generally selling out very quickly, so call ahead before going.]
by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)
[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]
