DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2019)

$13 has been the standard. That's more expensive than $12 in 2018 and $11 in 2017, but it's still a relative bargain.

 

Not relative to when it came in a $22 four pack.

 

Costco in DC has the best pricing although it's bonkers in there on the weekend (and if you're in that part of the city on weekdays you're probably already shopping there).

Anyways, yesterday they still had a pallet of $10.99 reg, $15.99(I think?) WW, and $18.99 Cheri / Olla, no limits.

 

That's not even that much less per ounce. I recall it being $22-24 back around 2008-2009 when I first became aware of it. That's about $6 for 12 oz or about $8.50 for the current 500ml format. Setting aside the huge price inflation in this sub-style more generally, but adding in some minimal price inflation across the board, and you're not far from $10. With someone just posting they've seen it for $11, that's almost no price increase in a decade as we see Aslin, Veil et al charging $20-24+ for the same size bottle in recent years.

I'm not trying to champion AB-Inbev here, just pointing out that it's still a good value in the grand scheme of things. That being said, it's so ubiquitous on tap (and in bottles) all over the city, I'm not planning to purchase any bottles this year.

 

I gotcha, I don't bother with those Aslin and Veil beers at that price. I wouldn't use Costco prices as the measuring stick because most people probably aren't Costco members. Personally, smaller size is better for this beerr. The extra 5 ozs is useless so for me the comparison is 6 bucks vs 13 bucks.

 

Anyone ever been to Snow Daze? I just moved to the area, so I've never been. I'm looking to get the bottles they are releasing, and (presumably) some coffee beans from one of the vendors. Based on past events, do I need to show up early, or can I roll up in the afternoon and be fine?

 

I only went to the one last year (not sure if that was the first one) and it was essentially just a beer garden outside of their Elden St. location. As an aside, what ever happened with plans for that location?

It looks like this year the event has evolved quite a bit and now incorporates local vendors along with a dual bottle release. The availability of those bottles is up in the air- most Black Friday bottles lasted for a few hours but you never know with allotment and yield. Hard to say what the layout is going to look like with the limited details provided so far.

 

Elden st location is under construction. They think it will open Q1 2020.

 

The Elden St location has been in the works for what, 3 years now? lol

 

They actually are building it out now. Walls and floors are being done now.

 

Is the plan for that another taproom or just to-go only?

 

The plan is for a taproom. I don’t know if they will brew there.

 

It looks pretty small, not much bigger than the original Herndon location, so unless it's going to be more than 1 level I don't think they will be brewing there.

It's currently cinder block walls (no roof) so wouldn't expect it to be open anytime soon.

 

Hard to say. Last year was the first time they did Snow Daze, and it was just draft pours in a parking lot (i.e., no bottles).

 

Last years Snow Daze may have been the most depressing beer event I ever witnessed.

 

Probably need to wait and see the bottle count but more than likely you would need to get there close to open or shortly after to ensure you get the bottle(s) you want. Good chance they may last a day or two but impossible to give a good answer without more info from Aslin. My guess is you'll need to spend about 2 hours at Aslin to get bottles if you go around opening.

 

^^ That has been my experience.

 

Has anyone seen Black Note or Black Note Vanilla around?

 

Vanilla popped up at CBC last week

 

Got some Vanilla at Hop Cask and Barrel last week. Harry’s Reserve got some as well.