Photo by Laura_Grageda.Things are moving quickly around the D.C. beer world. Expanding markets, collaborations, new equipment…oh my! As that old saying goes: “No rest for the brewers.” (Or something like that.)
DC Brau
DC Brau, who sponsored The Brewery Manufacturer’s Tasting Permit Amendment Act of 2011 that allowed breweries to apply for tasting permits, has recently received their permit and will be opening its doors every Saturday for tours, tastings and growler fills. Co-founder Brandon Skall says, “The response has been incredible! People have been so eager to take the tours and participate in our tastings.” Since the clamoring for their beers has been insatiable, this is a sure way to get your Brau fix and meet the men behind the beer at the same time.
Remember to check out the Facebook page or Twitter feed for specific hours as they will vary based on brewing schedule.
Chocolate City
Northeast beer brethren Chocolate City have been busy working with Pepco to get adequate power to their facility, testing their boiler system and purchasing kegs. COO Ben Matz says, “DCRA has stamped all the papers”and St. Gambrinus willing, the brewery have their Certificate of Occupancy in a few weeks. He also expects to have their beers ready for D.C. Beer Week (August 14-21).
3 Stars
Over at the 3 Stars camp, it has been a whirlwind month for these upstarts. At the beginning of June, 6400 Chillum Place NW was secured as the new home of the 3 Stars Brewing Company. Less than a month later, founders Dave Coleman and Mike McGarvey were travelling up and down the East Coast, securing their equipment. With fermentors, brew kettles, mashtuns and bottling line purchased, one would think starting a new business would keep them busy enough. But Coleman and McGarvey have a passion for collaborations, as well.
So in between the equipment purchasing, shipping issues, and form-filling, these ever toiling brewers went up to Baltimore to work with Oliver Ales’s Stephen Jones. Jones’ talents are well known throughout the beer community and his British-inspired beers are not to be missed. What came about is a rye-based pale ale boiled with Centennial hops and dry hopped with whole leaf Cascades. The B.W. Rye (named for the Baltimore Washington collaboration) will ring in around 7 percent ABV and will appeal to an audience of various tastes.
Coleman refers to Jones as a “brewer’s brewer” who exemplifies “what is right in craft brewing as he is always welcoming to questions or lend insight.” With expatriate Jones’ more traditional approach to brewing styles and 3 Stars’ aggressive, no holds barred take on beer, McGarvey says they “were able to come up with a recipe together that incorporated the American elements typical to our style that, based on initial taste, fit in quite well with his English style.” This beer will also be available during D.C. Beer Week.
Port City
Port City has recently expanded into Montgomery County and are now shipping throughout the entire commonwealth of Virginia. Monkey County, well-known for its iron-fisted alcohol laws, makes many companies avoid the hassle and not distribute there. However, Port City’s commitment to local customers and community obviously outweighs the headaches of selling there.
Port City has also recently put their first seasonal offering in the fermentation tank. Simply called Oktoberfest, this is a Marzen-style lager brewed with all German malts: Vienna, Pils, Munich and Caramunich for color. It will be an unfiltered, keller-style lager, and will be available to restaurants and bars, and in their tasting room, on draft only.
Lost Rhino
Ashburn-based newcomers Lost Rhino have been sprouting up all over the city with their Face Plant IPA and Rhino Chasers Pilsner. Brewers Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia, formerly of Old Dominion, may use surfing and exotic animals for branding, but these two are very loyal to the local community and are spreading their drafts all over town including Meridian Pint, Big Hunt and Whole Foods in Old Town Alexandria.
Baying Hound
Maryland’s Baying Hound has also been coming into D.C.’s bars and better beer stores. Their beers have been spotted at Churchkey, Connecticut Avenue Liquors, Bourbon and Smith Commons.
Mad Fox Brewery
Lauded as one of the area’s best brew pubs, Mad Fox turned one-year-old this week and is celebrating on Saturday with live music, giveaways, and tappings all throughout the day.
D.C. Beer documentary
Finally, in the wake of Savor last month, American University grad student Kate Musselwhite put a short film on D.C.’s burgeoning beer scene and features brewers, sales reps and DCBeer head editor Bill Debaun.
