Notable Releases - DC/NOVA/MD

Was this recently? I was there late this afternoon and didn't see it.

 

Absolutely, it's usually much better than DC beer week. For example. Fremont had a great tap takeover last year, I believe it was at Meridian Pint, but all week all over town and somewhat Rusticos in VA there are great events.

 

Got some on Friday, but it may have sold out over the weekend. Their beer section took a hit from the rush of people preparing for the storm.

 

Has anyone been to Aslin Beer Company?

Are their IPAs legit?

 

I'm curious about this as well.

 

I've heard good things but haven't yet made it to the brewery. Hoping to make it out there this week.

 

Founders and Fremont did a tap takeover that day and brought out their bests. CBS, KBS, Dark Star +BA& variants, Abominable....that was a good day.

 

This. No offense to my friends that organize DC Beer Week, but Savor consistently beats the crap out of it. Huge out-of-market events during Savor week, e.g., Cigar City and Wicked Weed at CK on the same day, vs. gimmicky events from crappy local breweries during DC Beer Week. Didn't used to be that way when the local brewing scene was less developed... I guess there are some downsides after all.

 

I was told to check them out a while back, but they fell off my radar. I want to get out there soon.

 

Yeah, might head there this weekend. They have a new IPA with Citra and Galaxy:

 

Haven't been but I tried one of their IPAs (friend had a growler), it wasn't good but we were also drinking a growler of Ocelot Planets Align that night, so at least in comparison it wasn't good.

 

I have had a few of their IPAs. Mind The Hop, Small Town, & their new ones are great. Juice bombs!

Very different style from Ocelot if you are comparing. Both are great new additions IMO

 

I went to Aslin and really enjoyed their beers as well, it is definitely worth a stop and a nano to keep your eye on.

 

I had small town the week it went on. It was good but not great. I thought the finish was lacking. They are fairly new so I hope overtime their overall quality will improve.

 

I've been and loved their IPAs universally. I had Mind the Hop, A Small Town in Ontario, Red Invasion Rye IPA, and The Underground (Pale Ale). I thought Mind the Hop was excellent and Red Invasion and The Underground were very good. I thought A Small Town in Ontario was good, but my least favorite.

I also thought their stout (The Deceiver) was outstanding and reminded me of Founders Imperial Stout.

All in all, I thought the quality was on par with Ocelot, although the selection was less. For example, I enjoyed their IPAs more than Ocelot's Planets Align, but to each their own.

 

Isn't DC Beer Week designed to focus on local breweries? Maybe the fact that Savor events are so much better speaks to the quality of our local scene more than it does to the organizers?

 

I went right when they opened and was unimpressed. But palates I trust have been there since and vouch for a significant turn around.

 

Did KCM ever make a reappearance in VA?

 

Does Aslin makes New England style hazy IPA's? If so, I am all in on that.

 

Yes, most of their IPAs are the hazy style you find in NE. Keep an eye on their stuff because it is constantly improving, as they have only been open for a few months

If you like stouts too, they have an imperial stouts and variants that are really good too.