Metro DC Brewery Discussion Thread

I think even making 5 times the amount they are currently making, they would be running out of beer.

Gotta get muh top 250, bruh. Gotta trade dis for other top 250s.

 

So many salty, disgruntled people on here. Right now Aslin is living the dream as a brewery and if you like them as much as you claim then you shouldn't be so upset about their hype and success.

Also, as buyers it would be great if they were to expand, but as the sellers their incentive is weighed down with undeniable risks. If they can sell the amount of beer that they were over a whole week in 2-3 days then why not let that be the new norm for a while.

Expanding is a risky proposition for any new, successful business especially when you have something that is in high demand...see, example-Neighborhood Restaurant Group.

 

Not sure how NRG is the poster child for risky expansion; everything they open seems to be successful. I guess that donut place didn't work out, but that was bound to be a short-lived trend anyway.

 

You mean GBD? That place didn't close because they were doing bad financially. It's re-opening under a different name with different food. They are smart by separating themselves from this whole donut craze. NRG does have a ton of places, but I don't get the impression that expansion has hurt them. Those places are packed all the time, and they go through a fuck ton of kegs. I do think they did get a little too ambitious by opening a brewery, but the beer sells well with Nats park being so close. DC people are custies, and NRG does a very good job at taking advantage of this. Those people know how to run a great beer bar/restaurant.

 

#flashbackfriday

 

I'm not sure I buy this. Either way, someone said they already have new tanks on the way for August, so the expansion in capacity is happening. And we're not talking about building a whole new, large brewery or anything, just adding a few new tanks to increase capacity - not a huge capital expansion in the scheme of things. Given how quickly they sell out the limited beer they make, coupled with their rapidly-increasing popularity and recognition on a national level, expansion seems virtually riskless. Unless they suddenly forget how to make good beer, they will have no problem quickly selling out batches that are several times larger than their current batches.

 

I'm pretty sure I've met this guy. He was the worst.

 

It's also important to note that Aslin has added many fermenters to the existing space since day 1.

For Aslin to forecast a year ago what's happening right now would have been irresponsible.

It's not like they haven't tried to address it.

 

Even marginal breweries like 3 stars are doing well right now, it's a big market with relatively few options compared to other large metro areas. they'll be fine.

 

But they're running out of beer every week/weekend. I'm not salty, I've never even had a Aslin beer. I don't know if this is an apt comparison but what's the capacity of a place like a Rock Bottom or Cap City (Shirlington)? They are decently crowded all the time and don't run out of beer? While Aslin has "hype" and people buying as much as they are allowed, doesn't Cap City have hundreds of people coming in per week, who are drinking 4 pints at the bar (more volume than Alsins "limit").

Maybe they should consider running a couple big batches at Beltway Brewing or something, just getting some of their regular'ish stuff brewed and in kegs. I know Port City is not huge and runs almost constantly, but there has to be someone who has some capacity in this area, I would think. Just some thoughts

 

I understand your sentiments.

I'm going to put this as generically as I can and try not to make myself look like an ass.

Aslin is not using any flour. However, the processes used to make these beers cannot be replicated at any brewery. It's not as easy as calling up a local brewery and asking if they have production space that could be used.

Making a dumbed down version of a great beer would be far worse for Aslin than running out at 7 p.m. on a Thursday.

 

Have you seen the fermenter as Aslin? They are TINY

 

And Port City might as well be Stone compared to Aslin.

 

Yeah bud I've been to Aslin many times to check out and measure the size of the fermenters but have never had one of their beers, as I've said [sarcasm 100%]

That all may be true, I was just thinking long term they might want to figure out some other kinds of beers that they can sub/contract out temporarily, just so their brew pub, ya know has beer. Maybe even with different names or something, or even invite other VA breweries into their brew pub occasionally. Just so they have beer to be open with. Maybe that's a silly thought but I'd have to think being open on some level is a better use of the rent etc then being closed.

 

leaving money on the table and closing one to two days a week they would normally be open to make more money but are not because they don't have enough product? k

 

I agree with this mostly, but I think there are a few exceptions. Is Beltway actually making some of the Grimm beers or just selling them?

On the other hand - to support your point - my mother lives in Lakeland FL near Brew Hub, which contracts for Cigar City and Toppling Goliath, and I recently bought some (two four-packs) of absolutely undrink-able cans of PseudoSue - super disappointing considering it's rank as one of the best APAs out there.

Further, I've heard many brewers say that they've struggled to maintain consistency when scaling up to a larger system. It just isn't so simple as double the malt, double the hops, etc. I hate to play into the smaller/rarer is better thinking, but we shouldn't assume that more product will translate to the same quality of product. That being said, I would love to see Aslin get (much) bigger if they can even stay close to the quality they're pumping out now.

 

All of the Grimm beers are made there.

 

Trillium seemed to do it and succeed.