Notable Releases - DC/NOVA/MD

I'm in the same boat. I've had probably 20+ Ocelot beers and I haven't had anything I'd rate over a 4.0. I thought the IBUs on the barrel-aged My Only Friend were far too high, though I'd be curious to taste that beer again with a year or two of age on it.

 

Yeah it's great, I scored a growler.

 

In my opinion that's a borderline ridiculous statement. I think they are one of the most consistent breweries in VA, and I find almost every beer they make to be above average at least. Plus too high IBU on BA MOF? I don't know what beer you were drinking but that beer was a home run.

 

because aslin is a shorter drive from nova than tree house?

 

Just my preference in stouts. I prefer (non-infected) BCBS to something like Parabola with significantly higher IBU. I preferred Painless to the barrel-aged My Only Friend.

 

I just can't agree with this, but to each his own. They definitely have a house style, and for the IPA's, which is what I mostly drink, it's low malt, high hop presence. I'm good with that.

I will say that, at least with the IPAs, you may not like their flavor profile, but you can't fault how well they're made. I'd agree they're inconsistent in the sense that they rarely make the same beer twice, but that has nothing to do with quality. I've had a ton of their beers, and not one has been less than excellent, and many are world class...in my opinion, of course.

 

What Beers-es said. You're mistaking inconsistency for variation. DC-Brau would be "inconsistent".

 

I totally agree. Not every IPA they make is great, in fact there were a number of pretty mediocre ones the times I've been out there in recent weeks. But yeah, when they hit it, they hit it. Two Lost Souls, Vandals, et. al., I can't imagine anyone thinking those are less than top-tier IPAs.

 

Not exactly. They are just inconsistent in a very different way than DC Brau is. The quality of Ocelot's beers varies pretty wildly, and while I don't think any of their beers are poorly made, I think some of them just aren't very good.

 

Has anyone seen Stone Go-To IPA or Stone IPA cans in NOVA? Reston/Herdon or Ashburn area in particular. Thanks!

 

I certainly don't think I tried to hit them on either quality (in terms of applied tradecraft) or consistency - I don't see anything in my statement that reflects that idea so hopefully no one thinks that was my intent. From my sampling and to my palate I simply don't see anything revolutionary or even exceptional going on there. I missed a few of their most popular brews so perhaps I am not fully educated yet, but for now I just can't commit more money to them which honestly sucks as I live so close. My biggest issue with the style is not even the (D)IPAs but the stouts. That IBU level is off the charts, at least in the actual taste, and it simply doesn't do it for me. It tastes ridiculously unbalanced, and I have seen other places like LCCB (also not a fan) get raked through the coals on that. In the end I see the local hype on them and I see that I am in the minority, and I am insanely happy for their success thus far - I am just not in their target audience I suppose.

 

There is a Metro DC Brewery Discussion thread...would be nice if we kept this one to 'notable' releases.

 

My favorite brewery... go get some.

 

You're right, I sort of mentally combined your post with a previous one that mentioned them being inconsistent--sorry about that. I'm not a big stout fan, and I don't think I've even had one of Ocelot's. Their big focus is obviously IPAs, which is my preferred style. I like them big and bitter, so it works for me. If that's not your thing, I could see how their beers wouldn't do much for you.

 

Finally checked this place out. I've been waiting for a place that sells singles of everything-- Craft Beer Cellar does, and at reasonable mark-ups too. Prices for all beers are shown by single and six-pack.

Some Fantome left.

 

TW Leesburg is up and running! Place was packed this evening and they were pouring wine and beer all over the store. Grabbed a few Ocktoberfests which I will enjoy tonight.

 

Sweet! I dropped "A Roadie Named Bart" in the suggestion box, bu they got all petty on me and went with "Raised on Promises".

 

Happy to find Prairie Bomb! at Connecticut Avenue. $12.99, though. And one per person/ day.

Between the Bomb!, Black Note and Biggie Smores, it's been a surprisingly good week for dark Winter beers. That, plus I rediscovered a cabinet where I had stashed a bunch of SMS, Xocoveza and Backwoods Bastard last year and somehow forgotten all about it.

 

For a 12 oz bottle?

 

Unfortunately, yes.