Notable Releases - DC/NOVA/MD

It's horribly inconvenient to get to from most of DC, too. I'm near Dupont Circle, and it's a 27 minute drive per google maps (with no traffic). Or I could hop on the metro and get within 3 miles and then try a taxi or uber, yeah...pass.

 

What you describe above sounds like the tasting room of a number of breweries I've been to around the country. Ever been to 3 Stars?

 

I think DC Brau's quality is more of a reason I don't visit, than the location and what the brewery looks like. Other Half brewery in Brooklyn is pretty dumpy as well, but their beers are amazeballs.

When we have constant access to Ocelot, Right Proper & Bluejacket, why even bother anymore? If DC Brau ever had anything different or REALLY good on tap, I'd be more inclined to go. They don't even let you fill growlers of OTWOA, which is really their only above average beer besides Solar Abyss. The cans are so inconsistent at this point, I don't even bother. There are so many better options that are a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

3 stars is not pretty but it has that open area with seating when you first walk in. You can hang out and not get in anyone's way. DC Brau is a lot more narrow and doesn't have much space in the front tasting area in my opinion. When I go I am always in and out. Nothing about the location or interior makes me feel like staying for a couple beers.

 

@BikeChef Victory Harvest Ale started showing up in NoVA last week.

 

Does anyone know if there will be any Trickery making its way up here?

 

Was at the brewery yesterday. They sold out of bottles on Saturday but were doing half pours. Didn't ask but it seems unlikely to see distribution. It is being poured at Novermberfest tho.

 

People in the Richmond facebook group are saying ~500 bottles to select accounts in Richmond, but take that for what it is.

 

Any idea on the total bottle count of Trickery?

 

I heard some accounts in NoVa would see it. Something like a case each. Again, rumors. Take them with a grain of salt.

 

I recall reading a post someone made on of the local fb pages over the weekend that a HW rep mentioned a count of 5,500 bottles. Not sure if that includes only what they allocated for brewery release or if that is in total (brewery release plus distro). Also heard someone say 500-600 bottles would hit distro. Seems like a high number for "limited" so who knows if that is completely accurate. Just rumors...

 

What's the latest intel in MD on Alpine (GF brewed most likely) beers showing up either on tap or bottles? I had Duet at Roasthouse in Frederick, MD about a month ago. Was underwhelmed. Any bottle sightings of Duet, Nelson or Hoppy Birthday? Would still like to give them a try despite my initial disappointment of Duet on tap.

 

Haven't seen anything in Montgomery County. The batch of kegged Nelson* that we got in DC/VA last month was so damn good. I haven't had "real" Alpine before, but the nose was outstanding and it was so juicy. Definitely share the same thoughts about Duet.

The bottles were not nearly as good as what is on tap. Nelson expecially tasted like a totally different beer. There is a ton of Duet*, Nelson* & Hoppy Birthday* bottles all around NOVA though if you are ever in the area. Pretty easy to find now.

 

Wow I didn't have it on draft, but I've been drinking those bottles and love them, especially Nelson. For my money, that's about the best IPA I can just walk into a store and buy right now.

 

I had Duet and Nelson years ago, and the new bottles seem fine to me. Admittedly I don't have them all the time, but they tasted good to me. Hoppy Birthday on draft(had in Delaware) and the bottle seemed about the same too. I don't know what the commotion is about honestly.

 

Howdy folks, I think this is my first post on BA. I'm in NoVa, and Dominion is my local store. I had a growler of Nelson from there about a month ago when they had it on tap, and it was close to an all-time best IPA. Then I scored a bottle and agree it was like a totally different beer. I got onions in the smell and taste, and that's all I could focus on after that. Didn't get that at all from the draft. I also had Duet and Hoppy Birthday on draft from Dominion, and didn't think they were quite up there with Nelson, but a month later I don't remember exactly why.

 

I was at the release and the Hardywood folks would not give a bottle count, they just said they had enough for everyone in line. I would estimate probably 1000 people lined up. I can't say if more showed up after I left but there were still maybe 100-150 people in line when I did leave around 5:30. I would say if it does show, it would be this week but I am just guessing.

 

Already had a bottle of Duet... just great stuff...


Alpine Beer Co. - Duet IPA by imbibehour, on Flickr

Always looking back for those fantastic first memories, that was quite sometime ago, but this really still delivers for me.

 

They still had bottles tonight, not sure how many. They might be able to give you a number if you call them up.

 

Someone posted Sun @ 12:30pm they purchased the last 3 bottles and it wad confirmed by a few others who were in tha same line waiting about them just missing out.