Local beer geeks can now get elusive IPAs from two of Vermont’s acclaimed breweries: Lawson’s Finest Liquids and The Alchemist have finally arrived in Westchester.
From Lawson’s there’s the tropical fruit notes and easy-drinking hoppiness of Sip of Sunshine, plus Sip’s maltier, less boozy “little brothers,” Super Session #2 (single-hopped with Amarillo) and #8 (brewed with lots of Mosaic hops). Your best bet to take home Lawson’s cans is to pay attention to your go-to beer shop’s social media, so you know when it arrives.
Getting your paws on The Alchemist’s Focal Banger or Heady Topper, however, won’t be as easy.
Joe DeCicco Jr., owner of DeCicco & Sons, says The Alchemist has been registered for distribution in New York since 2011. “We’ve received a few small deliveries of Heady Topper since then. When the demand in Vermont exploded, they stopped shipping outside of the state. Since then, drops have been extremely sporadic,” he says. “During this last year, though, we’ve been getting more consistent drops of both. From what we understand, they use New York as a release valve when they have excess inventory.”
There’s a rule when it comes to The Alchemist’s beer: It’s for on-site consumption, so that means bars and restaurants only. “It’s a rule straight from the brewery,” DeCicco said. “It keeps craft-beer drinkers thirsting for more. Their beer is fresh, and it’s gone within a day, sometimes hours from when we get it.”
The Green Growler in Croton-on-Hudson is another popular spot that’s seen a positive reaction to Lawson’s and The Alchemist’s flagship beers, despite Focal Banger’s $10/can price. “Sip, Heady, and Focal are the beer equivalent of cult classics,” said owner Seana O’Callahan. “Their rarity, quality, and reputation make them must-gets.”
