Alchemist gets permit to build Stowe brewery

The Alchemist Brewery was issued a land use permit Wednesday to build a new brewery in Stowe. The permit was granted by the District 5 Environmental Commission. It was issued to the brewery and to Baraw Enterprises, owner of Stoweflake Resort.

The permit "authorizes the construction of a single building for a craft brewery and retail sales area consisting of approximately 15,000 square feet." The "footprint" of the brewery will be 9,600 square feet, with a 5,000 square foot mezzanine, according to the permit.

"We're very optimistic," said Jenn Kimmich, who owns the Alchemist with her husband, John Kimmich. "It will evolve over time. We envision it being a beautiful place in a few years."

She called it an "agrarian style" project that will have gardens with hops and cherry trees.

The brewery will be located on Cottage Club Road in Stowe, on roughly four acres of land that the Alchemist is purchasing from Stoweflake Resort. The land deal is expected to close in 30 days, said Chuck Baraw, president of Stoweflake Resort.

The brewery will be a neighbor to the resort. It will be constructed in an area of Stowe known as Mountain Road Village, the town's "designated growth area."

"I think it's tremendous," Baraw said. "We think it's going to be wonderful — another really high-quality (business) for Stowe."

The Alchemist brews Heady Topper beer at its Waterbury brewery. Heady Topper is a double IPA that is packaged in 16-ounce silver cans and distributed within 30-miles of the brewery. The Alchemist stopped retail sales at its brewery in November 2013 due to crowds and congestion.

The Waterbury brewery will continue to brew Heady Topper, which will be for sale at the visitor center in Stowe, Kimmich said. The brewery in Stowe will produce other Alchemist beers, with plans for the initial brew to be Focal Banger, Kimmich said. Focal Banger was released last Saturday at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

The Alchemist applied for an Act 250 permit to build a brewery with retail space in Stowe in August 2014. There is a 30-day appeal period for the permit.

PREVIOUSLY: Lawmakers take a Heady Topper run

Contact Sally Pollak at spollak@burlingtonfreepress.com or 660-1859; www.twitter.com/vtpollak