Notable Releases - DC/NOVA/MD

Where did the 3 cases go? All I saw was dominion and norms. Have to imagine the TJs will get some allocation as they typically do with HW's limited releases. Usually a day or 2 behind though.

 

Hello friends:

I had some family move to Alexandria this summer and I am visiting them (and the area) for the first time over Christmas. I get in tomorrow and will spend the afternoon/evening putzing around Old Town, then staying in the Fort Hunt/Waynewood area until Monday.

42 pages is a lot to sift through so figured I would just ask...any recommendations on local beers, bars, bottle shops, special releases/events, etc. that I should seek out while there?

Thanks, cheers!

 

Trader Joe's, total wine McLean, dominion, norms, and arrowine that I am aware of.

 

So Dominion posted a thing that all of their tickets for KCM are gone. When were they even available. They didn't post anything on FB or Twitter. I take it TJ's and TW McL are all gone?

 

In Alexandria check out Pizzeria Paradiso. They usually have a great beer list and have half price drafts during happy hour (5-7 on weekdays at the bar). In terms of bottle shops in Old town, Whole foods and Trader Joes are your best bets. Also, if you have any interesting local beers from Illinois try and bring them for IP trades

 

Secret squirrel society type stuff I would assume

 

Dominion and I think Norm's handed out tickets to people that showed up and waited. Best way to do it I think. Their employees didn't reserve any bottles either.

 

Arrowine
Dominion
Norm's
TJ's Falls Church
TW Alexandria
TW Chantilly
TW McLean
TW Springfield
TW Sterling
Wegmans Alexandria
Wegmans Fairfax

 

All sold out?

 

I get that most employees that work at a bottle shop want a beer like KCM, but when the shop is only getting a case and the staff buys up half of that allotment - i mean what is the point? Might as well just give each employee two and don't even bother selling any to any retail customers.

Its unprofessional for employees to snag up all the limited release beers. That goes for the truck drivers too.

 

TW Sterling is sold out

 

Meh. I was standing in line, waiting for the Kentucky Christmas release to start at 2pm and I noticed people coming out the back door of the brewery with cases. Probably folks that work there or friends of the brewer. Ultimately, I didn't get bottles of it. Can't fault those folks.

A number of our favorite places in the area allow employees to scoop up the hyped releases before Joe's like us get a stab. Their money is green too.

 

These places are, but haven't checked the rest. TW McLean had a line when they opened.

Dominion
Norm's
TJ's Falls Church
TW McLean

 

Have people lost their damn minds?

 

Apparently. That's what the TW employee said on the phone. Sounds like Dominion had a line at opening as well.

 

TJ'S Alexandria has about 10 bottles of BBGBS left on the shelf. $13.99.

 

When I arrived at Arrowine at 10:40am this morning there were already 12 people there in line. According to my count. Arrowine was expecting a case. Also, one employee had a bottle reserved. So I was 14 out of 12. I waited an hour, then went back to work. The delivery arrived at 12:30. There was no attrition during my hour wait.

 

I think a lot of people took the week off work and are more than happy to spend a few minutes on beer. Either that, or this is Bourbon County Brand Gingerbread Stout.

 

There is also the drama surrounding the brewery release that may be adding to the hype. Wouldn't be surprised if some of those in line were the same people who got shut out at the brewery.

 

Just want to say thank you for this. Some of my family recently moved to the area and I sent a message to my BIL after seeing your post. Turns out he works about 5 min from this TJs, so promptly went and picked a couple up. He's a huge craft beer fan but not as fanatical as I am and not the type to research releases, wait in lines, etc.

Purely happenstance that I even saw your note - I'm perusing this forum for the first time ever in anticipation of visiting them for the holidays...and now we get to enjoy delicious barrel aged GBS on Christmas. Cheers!