Five O'Clock Meeting: Belgian Bargain
The myriad beer tastings and new beer launches that have cropped up for this and next week have turned January into an unofficial beer month of sorts in D.C. Great Lakes beers are being sold in D.C. for the first time. Brewmaster Jérôme Rebetez is serving up La Meule, a Swiss blond ale with sage, along with other wacky beers from Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes at Birreria Paradiso next week.
Yes, for beer lovers in D.C., there’s little to no hope of keeping those New Year’s resolutions to cut back on the brewskies. Not to be outdone, Brasserie Beck is offering a rare happy hour special throughout the month of January—half price drafts from 5-7 p.m. every day this month. Yes, it’s all of the drafts, even the biggest and priciest. And yes, it’s every day, even weekends. Pardon us while we drool …
Beck is still pouring several of the Christmas beers right now, making the half price draft a particular bargain. The special brings the price of the heavenly St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel and the Gouden Carolus Christmas down to just $6. Too cheap to try the Alvinne Podge Imperial Stout for $14 on a normal day? Get it while it lasts for just $7 during happy hour. Otherwise, the special brings the price of Bavik pilsner down to just $2.50 and the refreshing and flavorful 1810 festbier down to $4. Paired with some addictive frites, a house-made kielbasa sandwich off the bar menu, or even an order of mussels to share with friends, Brasserie Beck’s current beer bargain makes for a largely affordable happy hour.
The promotion is mainly an attempt to get people out and about in the frigid (and notoriously frugal) month of January, and by the looks of things, it’s working. Beck was packed on a recent Friday, and bartenders said the crowd was “six deep” during happy hour and beyond on Thursday. If you’re hoping for a little more elbow room—and the chance to really talk to the bartenders about the beers, the breweries and the brewmasters—head over earlier in the week.
Oh, and if you’re trying to convince that non-beer drinker in your after work crowd to come along (using some ammo other than the cherry-infused Kasteel Rouge, $4.75 on special), don’t forget about the cocktails. Mixologist Damian Torguson is mixing a number of signature drinks with a bunch of new homemade ingredients. His blueberry martini involves his house-made blueberry and vanilla-infused vodka with sweet and sour, a twist and just a touch of brut rosé, and whiskey drinkers shouldn't leave without trying his Brown Sugar Manhattan, which is composed of bourbon, his own brandied cherry juice and a brown sugar simple syrup. Cheers!