NFT: Apparently, I haven't lived since I've never had HeadyTopper

fan or sip of sunshine.

Personally I prefer the session IPA's. they're not as strong, or citrusy as most IPA's IMO. Just a tiny bit hoppy, but because they're usually around 4.5% alcohol they're more "drinkable" IMO.

I will say treehouse beers I find to be better than both heady topper and sip of sunshine, but I'm not the best judge.

Stylistically very, very different. But HT is one of the beers that is in the top ten of American IPAs.

Head Topper IS amazing, but for my money Focal Banger is a better choice from The Alchemist. They only distribute around Burlington, Waterbury, and Stowe.

Other really good VT beers do distribute in some areas of New York.

Lawson's (maker of Super Session and Sip of Sunshine) distributes in the Albany area and has been for around a year.

Fiddlehead (my favorite brewery on this planet) has just begun distributing in the Albany, Saratoga, and Syracuse areas. If you get a chance try Second Fiddle Double IPA for a smoother take on the same style as Heady Topper.

me. Easy to find.

...I was joking with a friend about making a Smokey And The Bandit type bet about how much it would be worth to him for me to go up to Vermont to get cases of HT and back in a fixed amount of time to win

(Cue "Southbound And Down" music and my car peeling out)
:-)

their Session #2 and #8 are great as well if you need something lighter.

Recent had Double Fuzzy Baby Ducks which was good, but prefer the regular IPA version. By brother-in-law brought some good stuff up from Aslin Brewing (Virginia) which was excellent.

There are a few I don't mind, but most of them are participants in a race to make the happiest, most bitter swill imaginable. What's more, if you're not a fan, the IPA cult that dominates the craft beer audience will accuse you of being a philistine who probably drinks nothing but Bud Light because you "can't handle the flavor". Because the only flavor in beet is bitterness, right?

You can keep your IPAs and I'll keep my porters and dopplebocks and schwartzbier, thanks.

In comment 13840532 jnoble said:

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...I was joking with a friend about making a Smokey And The Bandit type bet about how much it would be worth to him for me to go up to Vermont to get cases of HT and back in a fixed amount of time to win (Cue "Southbound And Down" music and my car peeling out) :-)

Last April I made a trip to VT. I ended up spending more on Alchemist beers than I did on the bed and breakfast. I bought the max I was allowed and then my girl did the same.

Be Hoppy.

In comment 13840470 pjcas18 said:

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in Whitinsville, MA (not far from Worcester). He makes an IPA, a double IPA, a white IPA, a pilsner Ale, some Porters, all get rave reviews. small, and he does growlers more than cans, but he just started canning. a link is below. I help out occasionally when I have time. I'll be there St. Patrick's Day. It's always packed, but more accessible. Purgatory Beer Company - ( New Window )

I'm visiting family in Lowell in April. I'll try to sneak in a visit to your buddy's place.

when Purgatory (the one I linked above) opened I was working crowd control because they had a fire safety max of 75 people in there at one time.

A guy from the New England Beverage Journal came in and we were talking and he said there was something like 15 breweries in MA 5 years ago and there are like 150 now with more opening every few weeks.

So I said, wow that's a lot and he said in the colonial times there was 1500 breweries in MA (mainly that's a technicality since every pub/tavern/inn brewed their own ale and was technically considered a brewery, but he conceded it's booming).

Speaking of booming, some other MA beers boomsauce from lord hobo is another good one. Jack's Abbey is pretty popular. Trilium is where a lot of my friends go instead of treehouse, and notch is perfect for the people complaining about IPA's I think there beers are all pils/ales. I don't know if they even make an IPA.

In comment 13840561 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

Quote:

In comment 13840470 pjcas18 said: Quote: in Whitinsville, MA (not far from Worcester). He makes an IPA, a double IPA, a white IPA, a pilsner Ale, some Porters, all get rave reviews. small, and he does growlers more than cans, but he just started canning. a link is below. I help out occasionally when I have time. I'll be there St. Patrick's Day. It's always packed, but more accessible. Purgatory Beer Company - ( New Window ) I'm visiting family in Lowell in April. I'll try to sneak in a visit to your buddy's place.

If you do let me know how you like it. They're open Fri-Sun and have food trucks some of the busier weekends.

here is a facebook link that gets updated each week with their beers they have and the hours.

It's more pub-like then some of the other breweries since they kind of wanted a place for people to hang out and their cans sell out in seconds. They do fill growlers.


Purgatory on facebook - ( New Window )

there are waaaay to many good brewers nowadays to make it worth it. I know many see it as a badge of honor but its just dumb imo. People still do it for Sole Artisan brews by me and their products suck now.

here's an idea...sell the shit in more than one place other than timbuck too butt fuck Vermont. Heady topper....you know what beer I like? The kind I can get at the fucking liquor store!

the next time I walk into a Vermont Liquor store, and when I say VErmont I mean VERMONT...i'm walking in and demanding heady Topper and the first asshole that laughs at me gets a can of Guinness thrown at him. STORE bought Guinness...

Reminds me of beer equivalent the Greek wine Retsina

In comment 13840536 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

There are a few I don't mind, but most of them are participants in a race to make the happiest, most bitter swill imaginable. What's more, if you're not a fan, the IPA cult that dominates the craft beer audience will accuse you of being a philistine who probably drinks nothing but Bud Light because you "can't handle the flavor". Because the only flavor in beet is bitterness, right? You can keep your IPAs and I'll keep my porters and dopplebocks and schwartzbier, thanks.

Can’t say you have to like it or suck for not liking it, but there are very good ones that aren’t just hop bombs so I don’t agree with you on that note.

My response was 'where are the other four'? So then I got the story of the uber beer geek and how lucky I was to have two whole cans! Pounders no less! That said, I really really liked it.

In comment 13840477 Model4001 said:

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Tastes like battery acid mixed with a pinecone.

So you've ingested battery acid, to know what it tastes like?

Same with a pinecone?

You have an interesting diet...

In comment 13840466 UConn4523 said:

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is also one of the best beers in the business that isn't a pain in the pass to get. It only ships from Feb-April, I usually buy a case each year and need to find some in the next few weeks.

Feel it isn't as good this year.

But Pliny the Elder is still the tits.

my friend down in PA told me this years batch was great. I guess I'll grab a 6 pack before dropping money on a full case.

I don't expect everyone to agree. People have different tastes. It's just annoying when about 3/4 of the beer selection in most shops is IPAs

and get your shelfspace back!

I'm just glad nice weather is around the corner. I drink beer year round but much more so in the nice weather. I've been all about Scotch and Bourbon lately with the cold weather and ready to get back into beer.

somewhat of a mega hobby of mine. So heres what you need to know:

Best breweries in NYC area for IPAs are Other Half in Bklyn and Singlecut in Astoria. Also solid are Threes in Bklyn and Rockaway Brewing in LIC - Ive been to all of them, stood in the snow online for can releases etc.

I have also been to the Alchemist in Vt a few times. Personally I prefer Focal Banger to HT, but HT is an icon in the craft beer world. Skadoosh is also outstanding. The other iconic brewery in Vt Is Hill Farmstead, further north. Also a major player now is Upper Pass in Vt - their cloud drop and first drop IPAs are not to be missed. As well BBCO, Foam and other assorted breweries in VT are first class and among the best in the world.

I havent even been to Trillium or Treehouse in Mass but their rep precedes as well

If you are interested, I belong to a FB grp that I will link here for NE Breweries. A lot of good info there...
Link - ( New Window )

I’ve had their stuff and I’ve had treehouse beers as well. I will say this for the people living in the Richmond Virginia area, we are absolutely spoiled. Between the quality of the beer being at a national level and the lack of lines to get some of these beers we are absolutely pigs in shit down here

In comment 13840664 Greg from LI said:

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I don't expect everyone to agree. People have different tastes. It's just annoying when about 3/4 of the beer selection in most shops is IPAs

AGREED - especially in the winter.

I counted 5 breweries in DC alone the past week. Been to Three Stars and Atlas, not Hellbender and DC Brau. Two in Rockville that I know of (Saints Row and Seven Locks) and a host in Virginia (Caboose on the W&OD Trail in Vienna is pretty solid).

So they're exploding all over the place. As for Heady Topper, never had it but would like to. Not making a pilrimmage, however.

are hardly alike. EC tend towards juicy/session/crushable with low ABV while WC style is more dank/resin/even slightly bitter on the finish. There are exceptions of course but there is a wide range of tastes within the IPA world.

probably the best brewery I've had in the NE. Every one that I tasted was better than the last. Their Broccoli is fucking fantastic.

great. Everytime I find one of their IPAs on tap, it's delicious. Singlecut's IPAs are really good too, although I find them to be a bit over priced.

I moved to Charlotte over the summer and there's a growing brewery scene here too. I don't think the IPAs are as good as Other Half/Singlecut yet, but NoDa, Resident Culture and Salud are brewing some really good ones.

I like Finback, it's from my hometown tho.

NJ: Carton, magnify
close to NJ: District 96, equilibrium
NYC: other half, Interboro, KCBC, Singlecut
Long Island: Sand City, Barrier
Mass: Treehouse, Trillium
RI: Proclamation, Tilted Barn
Maine: Foundation, Battery Steel, Bissel Bros
VA: The Veil, The Answer, Triple Crossing

Every single one of these breweries makes better beer than Alchemist! Heady Topper changed the game, but these guys have all improved upon it.

In comment 13840739 ShocknAwe80 said:

Quote:

NJ: Carton, magnify close to NJ: District 96, equilibrium NYC: other half, Interboro, KCBC, Singlecut Long Island: Sand City, Barrier Mass: Treehouse, Trillium RI: Proclamation, Tilted Barn Maine: Foundation, Battery Steel, Bissel Bros VA: The Veil, The Answer, Triple Crossing Every single one of these breweries makes better beer than Alchemist! Heady Topper changed the game, but these guys have all improved upon it.

forgot Aslin in VA

And is Heady an indication of what she may provide you?
Inquiring minds want to know.
My stepson is going to a brewhouse tomorrow, and since Whitinsville is not far from his house, it may be there.

In comment 13840739 ShocknAwe80 said:

Quote:

NJ: Carton, magnify close to NJ: District 96, equilibrium NYC: other half, Interboro, KCBC, Singlecut Long Island: Sand City, Barrier Mass: Treehouse, Trillium RI: Proclamation, Tilted Barn Maine: Foundation, Battery Steel, Bissel Bros VA: The Veil, The Answer, Triple Crossing Every single one of these breweries makes better beer than Alchemist! Heady Topper changed the game, but these guys have all improved upon it.

I was in Jersey this summer & hit up Kane Brewery in Ocean. Great brewery.

Around my neck of the woods, I love Aviator & Trophy Brewing.

As is Crusher and Focal Banger. I believe Crusher is very underrated, but Heady Topper is the best.

You should try to make a trip up to VT sometime and visit the brewery. Hell, I've been there and I live in the Tampa, FL area.

IPAs are still my go to beer and I say still bc many ppl are starting to sour on them. HeadyTopper is very good, dare i say the best i've had but i wouldn't say its 'fall of the seat crazy' better than other's I've tried. Among my favorites, in no particular order:

Alchemist Heady Topper
Single Cut Does Anyone Remember Laughter
Knee Deep Brewing Tahoe Deep
Carton 077XX
Kane Head High
Industrial Arts Wrench
Lord Hobo Boom Sauce

In comment 13840572 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

In comment 13840561 SFGFNCGiantsFan said: Quote: In comment 13840470 pjcas18 said: Quote: in Whitinsville, MA (not far from Worcester). He makes an IPA, a double IPA, a white IPA, a pilsner Ale, some Porters, all get rave reviews. small, and he does growlers more than cans, but he just started canning. a link is below. I help out occasionally when I have time. I'll be there St. Patrick's Day. It's always packed, but more accessible. Purgatory Beer Company - ( New Window ) I'm visiting family in Lowell in April. I'll try to sneak in a visit to your buddy's place. If you do let me know how you like it. They're open Fri-Sun and have food trucks some of the busier weekends. here is a facebook link that gets updated each week with their beers they have and the hours. It's more pub-like then some of the other breweries since they kind of wanted a place for people to hang out and their cans sell out in seconds. They do fill growlers. Purgatory on facebook - ( New Window )

I run a small chain of beer/wine shops in central MA, one about 20mins from purgatoy, I gotta check it out!~

Think its in Wallingford, former head brewer at New England..Better than Heady Topper

like potpourri on D*ck - have you tried miller lite?

In comment 13840886 Aaroninma said:

Quote:

In comment 13840572 pjcas18 said: Quote: In comment 13840561 SFGFNCGiantsFan said: Quote: In comment 13840470 pjcas18 said: Quote: in Whitinsville, MA (not far from Worcester). He makes an IPA, a double IPA, a white IPA, a pilsner Ale, some Porters, all get rave reviews. small, and he does growlers more than cans, but he just started canning. a link is below. I help out occasionally when I have time. I'll be there St. Patrick's Day. It's always packed, but more accessible. Purgatory Beer Company - ( New Window ) I'm visiting family in Lowell in April. I'll try to sneak in a visit to your buddy's place. If you do let me know how you like it. They're open Fri-Sun and have food trucks some of the busier weekends. here is a facebook link that gets updated each week with their beers they have and the hours. It's more pub-like then some of the other breweries since they kind of wanted a place for people to hang out and their cans sell out in seconds. They do fill growlers. Purgatory on facebook - ( New Window ) I run a small chain of beer/wine shops in central MA, one about 20mins from purgatoy, I gotta check it out!~

Let me know what you think when you try it out. I do help out sometimes, probably wearing a Giants hat, so if you see someone with a Giants hat it's me.

The owners are a Steelers fan and a Pats fan.

If not just post on here if you don't mind. I like hearing the feedback. All so far has been positive.

In comment 13840460 UConn4523 said:

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but there are definitely better beers. I actually like Focal Banger better (same brewery). Sip of Sunshine is still tops for me.

Just came back from Vermont, and most places I went to, were out of HeadyTopper, but offered Focal Banger, which I ended up drinking most of the week. I was very happy with it.

just a preference at that point though, they are both excellent.

Just got a 6 pack of Nugget Nectar, no problems on my end, still tastes great.

Magnify and Kane in NJ
Lord Hobo in Mass

All three make outstanding beers.

Cape May’s Coastal Evacuation is up there on my list too

Ill add that seems to fly under the radar is Greenport Harbor out on the North Fork. Ive been very impressed with their IPAs.

I will just add your not missing much not having the most daughter after IPA’s like Heady and Julius from Treehouse and Alchemist. iMO the “Juice Bombs” are kind of over played and while I love them and enjoy Jen I appreciate a more balanced IPA than a super citrus forward one.

I’ll second Other Half as an amazing brewery, haven’t had a mediocre beer from them. Brussels Bros in Maine is pretty impressive too. However, they are also both very popular and very busy places where you have to plan to wait and deal with huge crowds.

Lawson’s is made down in Stratford CT and they are now distributing all over, I found some when I was living up in Albany at Brew Crew a couple weeks ago.

Here are some hidden gems I love in CT where you won’t have to deal with crowds and make some excellent IPA’s. New England Brewing Co. (NEBCO): just picked up a pack of Locust Reign very good, and a growler of Ghandi Bot which is one of my all time favorites. Relic in Plainville is a must go to, they are creating new IPA’s like every other week and all are really good. Anyways just my two cents.

In comment 13840682 mattlawson said:

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I’ve had their stuff and I’ve had treehouse beers as well. I will say this for the people living in the Richmond Virginia area, we are absolutely spoiled. Between the quality of the beer being at a national level and the lack of lines to get some of these beers we are absolutely pigs in shit down here

What are some of your favorites?

when he came back from UVM. It is excellent, but I’ll take my DFH 90 minute, thank you very much.

In comment 13840740 ShocknAwe80 said:

Quote:

In comment 13840739 ShocknAwe80 said: Quote: NJ: Carton, magnify close to NJ: District 96, equilibrium NYC: other half, Interboro, KCBC, Singlecut Long Island: Sand City, Barrier Mass: Treehouse, Trillium RI: Proclamation, Tilted Barn Maine: Foundation, Battery Steel, Bissel Bros VA: The Veil, The Answer, Triple Crossing Every single one of these breweries makes better beer than Alchemist! Heady Topper changed the game, but these guys have all improved upon it. forgot Aslin in VA

Went to Magnify today.....purchased 2 4 packs. Really looking forward to it....Thanks