Notable Releases - DC/NOVA/MD

WTF am I reading?

 

Aslin and Ocelot are not yet able to match HF's portfolio. They are both less than a year old and putting out solid beers. They both make great and excellent versions of the styles of IPAs they are trying to execute. Aslin's stouts are also excellent. Ocelot's other beers are very good as well.

 

Hahaha, hill farmstead? Either way, I know what you meant. There is no comparing the two really, but if you want to compare one single sub-style. My wallet is on Aslin.

Now lemme get that Juicy. A balanced portfolio counts for a lot, but for such a young brewery to be doing such things just puts a grin on my face, man.

 

Anyone that says small town is not a juicemonster has either:
1.never drank small town
2. Never drank juice

 

I think I can summarize this conversation so we can all move on:

1. Aslin's limited # of IPA releases to date have been juicy and delicious.
2. Comparing Aslin at this stage in their development to Tree House is laughable, despite a similar flavor profile.
3. Some people may prefer Aslin's IPA style (juice bombs) to that of Hill Farmstead (aka Hillshire Farms aka Hillstead Farmington), but again, to compare Aslin's full suite of offerings to HF's is laughable.
4. We are very lucky to have two promising new breweries in our backyard and should be excited to see how they mature and evolve.
5. For now, let's please stop comparing them to Tree House or Hill Farmstead (or Tired Hands or Other Half) and simply enjoy them (or pretend they don't exist so we can keep them our BA secret).

 

The brewery in Vermont:



The guys that make cold cuts and sausages from Illinois:



also, comparing Ocelot or Aslin, two start up breweries that have been operating for a year or less to arguably the best brewery in the US and perhaps the second best brewery in the world is just absurd. Hill Farmstead has 20 beers on the BA top 250, 8 on the top 250 new beers.

 

I want people to discuss the local breweries and how they'll never be as good as Harmful farmstead-or in fact are already better-to their hearts' content. I just want them to do it somewhere else. Kidding really, they are new releases, but people are really excitable (here and elsewhere).

 

There is a difference between being aspirational and delusional. Ocelot is nowhere close to HF levels. HF gets beer tourism from Belgium and Germany. Ocelot doesn't even bottle yet.

 

Yeah that's a dick move. Two of anything is the most I'll ever buy. Gotta share the love.

 

Yea, which is why they are going to start putting limits on growler fills for their IPA's. They didn't expect multiple people would come in and fill +4 growlers.

 

I don't think they should be in the same discussion with HF yet. I had the first batch of Small town and thought it was good but not great. I would put it below the 6+ ipas I've had from HF. However it looks like they are headed in the right direction.

I think Aslin is benefitting from the fact that we have a lot of mediocre breweries in northern VA. Especially when it comes to brewing good ipas. Hopefully Aslin will keep improving. Between them and Ocelot I have high hopes.

 

This. I think a few folks are getting a little bonkers here.

 

What's #1 then, Cantillon?

 

I don't know enough about non-domestic breweries, but yes, that is the one i was thinking of. At least Cantillon. Probably others too. I don't know enough to get into a debate about best breweries in the world. But HF should be up there.

 

@SlothB77 and @matthartman11. I want to state two things:

1. Matt summarized my thoughts perfectly.
2. After spending $XXX chasing AMAZING beers this weekend I would rather save the time and money for the stellar options now available a less than an hour away.

 

Maybe we bring this thread back to "Notable Releases" and not debates about which brewery is better?

 

Agree! Seems reasonable to put in here Aslin and Ocelot releases but this thread is a little off target.

 

Here we go...TW McLean just got a handful of cases of Hop Slam today. They also had aabout 6 bbottles of SHIT. Dominion has 7-8 cases of Sunday Morning Stout.

 

Anyone seen Lost Rhino - Genius Loci - Dark Hours anywhere? Norms had it but ran out. For those who haven't had it, very similar to Bourbon County. Terrific beer. Want to get my hands on a couple more to age them.

 

I think K-1 in Arlington may still have a few in stock.