The Alchemist Pub and Brewery: Hand-Crafted Beer and Casual Pub Fare

About halfway between Manchester, N.H. and Montreal, Quebec sits the sleepy town of Waterbury, Vt., home to The Alchemist Pub and Brewery. The geographical details may seem trivial, but the only way to get a beer at this Luxist-nominated brew pub is to go there yourself – all ales flow from The Alchemist's own basement brewery. The only beer that's "to-go," they like to say, is the beer in your belly.

Perhaps things would have been different if the The Alchemist had been founded a few decades earlier – the brewpub is located Waterbury's original post office, which would have made for quite the convenient distribution network. Instead, the building was renovated and reopened as a brewpub in 2003 by proprietors Jennifer and John Kimmich. The pair has been brewing handcrafted beer onsite ever since, using only the best imported malts and domestic hops.

Exterior of The Alchemist Pub & BreweryBeer Taps at The Alchemist Pub & BreweryBeer and Food at The Alchemist Pub & BreweryArt on Display inside The Alchemist Pub & Brewery

Every Friday, new casks of beer are debuted, but four stalwarts are always available on tap alongside the newbies.

There's Donovan's Red, a medium-bodied and malty ale named after Waterbury's 19th Century Irish restaurant. Light beer drinkers will appreciate the appropriately-named Lightweight, a crisp pilsner that took third place at the 2006 World Beer Cup. For hops lovers, Holy Cow I.P.A. is an aromatic blend of six different malts and five different hops. And finally, there's Pappy's Porter, a dark and deep ale that's great for bitter New England evenings in the winter.

The Alchemist also offers a host of nourishment in solid form. The Vermont-centric menu offers seasonal farm produce as well as sandwiches, pizzas, vegetarian food, and a range of daily specials. Take in the paintings of local artists while you dine. And don't be afraid to order too much – the food, unlike the beer, can always be wrapped up to go.

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