The Alchemist

Stowe, VT

The Alchemist is filled with both the magic and science worthy of its name. Half brewery and sales, and half mecca and funhouse, The Alchemist arguably placed Vermont beers in the pantheon of world-class breweries with their game-changing Heady Topper Double IPA. As their offerings grew, so did their following, leading to our working relationship as we designed a state-of-the-art brewing facility and user-friendly store front. The Alchemist never disappoints with its beer, its brand, or its fun. Go for a visit, and you’ll enjoy an exemplar of form and function.

The Alchemist

For owners John and Jen Kimmich, the chief requirement for The Alchemist was that it would be, simply put, a good place to work. They wanted to create a brewery that accommodated their production and packaging facilities, staff offices and amenities, as well as a tasting room and retail area. They sought a unique space with plenty of light and attention to workflow. To that end, designer Peter Webster recalls, "They presented us with a photo of them walking through a sun-drenched Caribbean airport as inspiration." The challenge: marry that sensation of an open, modern structure with something that also respected the vernacular architecture of rural Vermont. The predominantly steel-framed building needed to be highly energy efficient, durable, and sustainable. Located in picturesque Stowe, the project also entailed navigation of Vermont’s environmental regulations regarding development.

Austin Design Cooperative delivered with a simple but elegant structure featuring curvilinear roof forms and a high center area, characteristic of the monitor barn style often seen in Vermont's quintessential sugar shacks. A glass curtain wall at the end of the building, along with clerestory windows, maximizes natural sunlight and ventilation in the workspace. The accompanying storage silo rounds out the twenty-first-century brewery's homage to Vermont's working landscape. We worked with a team of engineers to achieve energy and sustainability goals, and we reviewed local building and zoning codes and Act 250 requirements to ensure all regulations were followed. The result is a brewery that fosters The Alchemist’s work culture and celebrates their commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and community. In short, it is a distinctive monument to great beer and the people who craft it.