The Hunt for the Holy Grail (of Beer)

Travel day, into the Green Mountain State, north toward the Northeast Kingdom, toward the staging grounds for the Rasputitsa. But before all mental and spiritual energy lasers in on the race, another quixotic adventure comes first, the hunt for the holy grail of beer, the Heady Topper, that elusive IP brewed in Waterbury and not widely distributed. It's impossible to procure beyond a 50 mile radius (or less) of the Alchemist Brewery. However, with Friday delivery schedule in hand, I flogged the Team Shad car north with abandon, determined to arrive in Heady Land before all the day's offerings were gone.

Cruel fate presented itself at the first stop, the Sunflower Cooperative (or something like that). I pulled into the parking lot around 11:30 and saw a dude putting a four pack of the Topper into the trunk of his car. But when I went inside I was dealt a blow - all the Topper was gone!

Low grade panic began to set in. What if I were too late? What if I'd miscalculated and detoured all this way to Heady Land in vain? I shuddered, rushed for the car, backed up at high speed and, in a shower of gravel and dust, sped north on rt. 100 toward the next option.

Heady in the Window

That proved to be the Cold Hollow Cider Mill and, OMG, there it was, the Topper! But a limit to one 4 pack per person. Done. The success proved stimulating and off I went to Stowe to check some other locations. I didn't have to go further than the Mountain Cheese & Wine Shop. There, a very friendly woman overseeing a shop well-stocked with fine cheeses and excellent wines, pointed out the Heady Topper at the bottom of the beer cooler.

"What's my limit?" I asked, overjoyed by finding another batch.

"Well," she said "Normally it's two 4 packs per person but it seems like it's going to be slow around here so if you want to get a whole case, you're welcome to it."

Ka-CHING! Sold!

One more stop after that yielded one additional four pack and, coolers laden, I pointed the team car east toward Lyndon.

The Team Car in front of room #9

Got to Lyndon by 2:30 and found the classically timeless Lyndon Motor Lodge. As luck would have it, there had been a cancellation so a second room was available. I quickly reserved it for the Virginian so now both Shad riders have their own accommodations.

Then it was off to check out the registration area, the departure zone, and the course, at least some of it. Everything was easy to find and the vibes were good along the road. Not to mention that it was a stellar day, clear and bright and dry.

With the Niceness!

Now, hunkered down at the Lyndon Motor Lodge, the internet connection is dodgy and it's getting late and time to turn in for the night. Tomorrow, the Big Race!