DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2021)

ZD is (was?) pretty awesome fresh - tons of citrusy hops (clementine and all other manner of orange citrus) packed in a nice light refreshing tasting brew. Very fresh, it's quite unique and great.

After like 2 weeks, it really starts to bitter up, turns from unique orange-y notes to common grapefruit... and I know this is an over simplification, but it starts to smell and taste like a 60day old SNPA available at every grocery store nationwide. And just to be clear I love SNPA, I think it has a nice slightly bitter hop bite that makes it super shelf stable. I don't even know if I would prefer ultra fresh SNPA - the way I think it is supposed to taste is probably 60 to 120 days in package, and it is legendary stuff, but I wouldn't call it a showcase of fresh or fruity hops.


But yeah, no reason to go out of your way to get ZD if it isn't popping. And yes I know SNPA uses PNW old school hops and ZD is 100% citra, but my point is that time in bottle is particularly hazardous to ZD.


I also will note that Maine Beer Co "MO" (I had to look this up but apparently Falconer's Flight+ Simcoe) is really similar in taste to Zombie Dust in taste - all of the those orange citrus notes as long as it is under 3 weeks old. MBC has kind of a high $/oz but I do appreciate their commitment to fresh beer, both date transparency and hustling it to shelves. Had a buddy who hooked me up with FFF years ago and that was good, but yeah, much easier to just snag a fresh MO then deal with all that.

 

I unfortunately have to agree with this - won't stop me from visiting the brewery when the weather warms up though!

 

I went there yesterday with a friend - great vibe and pretty good beers - my favorite was the pilsner which was unfortunately not in cans

 

Thank you for defending my honor, and my old age

 

I missed out on Alpha King & Draughtnaugh last week (at Arlington Brew shop after only an hour past their Twitter post), but Total Wine had it today and they had quite a few of all the six that were distributed in this area.

 

The Alpha King was as good as I remember from having it on tap at the Brewpub.

 

I’m drinking a Lazersnake, which I’ve never had before, and digging it much more than expected. Definitely an old-school IPA hop feel (says “Special Bavarian” hops on the label), but a tasty throwback.

 

More of America's best lagers shipping to DC, but pretty steep with the shipping costs...
https://www.suareztogo.com/padc-mail-order

 

uhhhhhhh this is going to be a problem

 

Sheeeeeeeeeeit

 

don't think i can do a half case of a rauchbier though...

 

I'm disappointed in you.

 

What's the deal with food at Wheatland Spring? They say you can't bring your own, and they have some. But there's no food menu to be found on their website, and no mention on social media.

 

They have paninis, which are not bad (also chili and I think one other soup when I was last there a couple weeks ago).

 

Suarez ordering goes live in a couple minutes. Here is the mixed case they are offering this week:

2 x 4-packs QUALIFY PILS
2 x 4-packs STANDS TO REASON
1 x 4-pack HOMESPUN
1 x 4-pack RIVER

Homespun??? you bet your balls i placed an order

 

They have sandwiches and chips. I think options, going just off memory, include a Cuban (which I always get), Buffalo Chicken, Roast Beef, and Turkey (and maybe more?). They used to post the menu on Instagram heading into the week/weekend. Not sure why they stopped.

 

Driving down to DC from LI next Friday. Looking to stop at a brewery I’ve never been to. Any recs for breweries within a 50 mile radius of I-95 in the DE/Southern NJ/MD area?

 

I think you got most of them, I seem to recall a BLT or something along those lines. Also have chips & something else snack like on the menu.

Occasionally they will have a food truck on top of their offerings

 

Sapwood Cellars in MD if you haven't been is putting out the best stuff near DC/Baltimore that you won't find anywhere but the brewery. Hysteria and Black Flag are also relatively close too.

 

Not a brewery, but a visit to State Line Liquors in Elkton,Md just off I-95 would be a good idea.