One of my favorite stops on the way to my in-laws in Stowe, VT is the The Alchemist Pub and Brewery in Waterbury. The Alchemist is a 7 barrel brew pub specializing in hand-crafted beer and casual, creative pub fare. The Pub burger on Elmore Mountain foccacia, is one of my favorite burgers, period. Chef Jeff Lang and his talented crew offer creative comfort food and seasonal specials to take advantage of Vermont's fresh, organic produce and meats. These guys and gals are a passionate group of folks that care about great local food, and hand crafted brews with big flavors.
Unfortunately last week, Hurricane Irene literally took out The Alchemist with the heavy rains. I had the opportunity to drive through the town of Waterbury yesterday and it was a deeply saddening sight to see the damage this horrific event has done to this little Vermont haven.
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| The Pub during cleanup after Hurricane Irene |
As I said, this place is a staple on my visit to Vermont and I would put their menu and beer lineup to some of the greatest pubs in the nation. Knowing how much Vermonters love their state and community I'm sure the The Alchemist will be back in full force after the cleanup and rebuilding is completed. So, the next time you're nestled up at your favorite bar, tip your pint to The Alchemist and hope for a speedy and safe recovery.
