DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2017)

Hey everyone,

I'm a regular visitor to DC, so I've hit a lot of the notable bars and shops. That said, the folks I stay with just moved to Arlington. Anything notable bottle shop, bar, brewery wise out that way? Will be there in a few weeks and looking to try something new. Thanks!

 

Anyone go by churchkey today? I have to go into DC for something else and am debating going by CK first, primarily looking to drink some Dusty Roads and Clever Girl if they're still on tap. Online menu says they are but I know that isn't always accurate.

 

Clever Girl kicked last night before I got any.

 

Scored Mo Shuggie ($22/4), Trouble in Paradise ($12/4), World Wide Stout Oak/Vanilla ($11), and Lovers Greed ($17) at DVines today.

Was pretty happy with my quick stop in that those were all beers I've wanted to grab. Lovers Greed was one of my favorites of 2015 and Trouble b1 was the best beer I've had that was commercially produced in DC.. ever.

FTR, Trouble in Paradise is a shadow of b1 (hate to be that guy) but still really good. Probably still the best 3 Stars beer.

 

Parabajava 2016 on tap at Rustico Alexandria.

 

Would anyone happen to know if any of the shops in DC still have Mo Shuggie 4 packs?

 

Craft Beer Cellar looked like they still had a good amount late in the day on Saturday.

 

As someone already pointed out weeks ago-CBC is just killin it as far as bottle shops go in DC. I swung by after I got off work Saturday and even though Cantillon was gone they had a ton of great stuff. They also having an amazing range of styles. Really well run spot.

 

Will be at Meridian Pint on 8/22 along with Falcon Smash, Paranoid Aledroid, Interstellar Burst DIPA

 

New beer release at Right Proper Shaw:

Facing Future is our interpretation of a NE style IPA. Brewed with a large amount of Golden Naked Oats, Flaked Oats, and Flaked Wheat then fermented with a blend of two different English ale yeasts. Mosaic lupulin powder, Citra lupulin powder, and Motueka are the hops featured and a very generous amount was added at the whirlpool and then we double dry hopped it for added aroma.

I called; no growler fills.

 

^ That's very unlike them. Unfortunately I wasn't terribly impressed with their first take on a NE IPA (even though I love most of their stuff). This sounds really good though.

 

I was there last night and they were actually out of Mo Shuggie, so I'm sorry if you went and came up empty. They did still have a bunch of Yellow Rose from Lone Pint though, which I'd definitely recommend checking out.

 

Thanks for the heads-up! I actually went to Yes Organic Market since I was closer to them. They had a bunch, but were only selling them by the singles.

 

Rustico in Ballston is the best beer bar/restaurant IMO. There's also one in Alexandria if they live further south. There's a place called "Craft House" near the Ballston location that used to be a World of Beer franchise but has gone downhill since it split off. Wouldn't recommend it but might be worthwhile to check their website for a current menu.

Galaxy Hut in Clarendon and Space Bar in Falls Church (owned by same people) are more on the divey side but have some good beer. If you're in Falls Church, you should check out Mad Fox as well. It's right across the street from Space Bar.

Lost Dog Café has restaurants in Westover and on Columbia Pike, and also sells bottles to go.

Fire Works in Courthouse is also pretty decent.

 

Anyone have thoughts on Yellow Rose? I had a good amount of it late last year while visiting Texas, and I thought most of my bottles were way off with diacetyl and muddied flavors. I did have one draft pint that was spectacular though (and maybe one bottle was better than the others). Thought this was strange given its high ratings.

 

I personally was underwhelmed, as were 2 friends who tried it. Pilsner malt does a nice balancing act with mild floral, slightly fruity hops, and nice creamy texture from long-lasting head, but it was certainly not the tropical flavor-bomb many reviews have hinted at. Solid, worth trying, but not worth driving out of your way for. Though I must say, the packaging is dope.

 

My only experience is the two bottles I had this weekend, but I really enjoyed it. The pilsner malt gave it a really clean flavor, and I thought it came out as a really well-balanced, well-made IPA. I'm not sure it's a beer that's superlative in any particular way, and it's definitely not a NEIPA juice bomb, but I thought it was a great beer nonetheless. That said, I could see why some would be underwhelmed.

 

Didn't realize the WOBs were rebranded. Good luck but I don't see them making it.

 

The same guy was franchising all of the local ones before he split off. It's supposedly "focusing on local beers" but it just looks like bottle selection is greatly reduced and the tap selections kinda sucked the one time I went there. Think I ended up just getting a bottle of Old Rasputin or something.