DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2021)

I gave them plenty of chances and wasted lots of money, but the fact is they don't know what the hell they are doing at OHDC. It's embarrassing charging $20/4 pack for that crap.

 

Hope no one slept on Commonwealth/Other Half Midnight Sessions. I popped my first bottle last night and immediately hunted down more. Easily on the short list of best beers I've had in 2021. FYI, looks like NRG still has it in stock, if anyone is looking.

 

Yeah agreed, I had a pour on draft and grabbed a bottle to take home right afterwards, it was very good.

 

Yeah, I’ve only been buying OHDC singles since it still seems high risk/reward. Agree that the prices are absurd, as they are clearly still trying to dial things in. I avoid Aslin these days, don’t get to Ocelot, and am not sure where to turn for IPAs in the DMV. What are people drinking?? Was just through upstate NY and VT, and their beer options put DC to shame, unfortunately!

(Ok, so Parish GITM was quite good, but also $18 for a 12oz 4-pack and not readily available— I got Anxo’s last one. Some Elder Pine IPAs are great, but some are not, and they are not cheap.)

 

The DMV has gotten pandemic drops (some more regularly than others) from Equilibrium, Vitamin Sea, Civil Society, the Veil, Triple Crossing, Other Half Brooklyn and Finger Lakes, Charlestown Fermentory, Sapwood Cellars, Foam, Bissell Brothers, and probably a dozen or more other high quality hazy makers. What a shame, cry yourself a river. I'll be drinking a beer while you're crying in yours pining for Vermont.

 

I’ve become a big fan of New Anthem from Wilmington NC over the last few months. The ipas have been fantastic

 

I don't really drink a lot of IPAs these days (turned into a lagerhead, especially during summer months) but the Charles Towne Fermentory stuff is always great, but drops seem infrequent. Not sure if they are still shipping but Triple Crossing and Tired Hands never disappoint.

 

Do they make non-hazy IPAs? I went to their site and the beer list is a mile long and you need to click on each beer to get more info, not something I'm wasting my time doing.

 

There have been a few good drops, but in DC proper (without a car, Downtown Crown or Dominion aren't really options), I think it was only once Triple Crossing made it in (at the Bruery)? And twice for the Veil? Wish we saw those two more often. Have gotten a few good things via the Churchkey shop (like Bissell), but that can be a $20 4-pack (plus delivery) gamble. My intent wasn't to just slam DC-- more was interested in hearing what IPAs are out there and reasonably available that I shouldn't be overlooking. Aside from looking for special drops, going into shops in DC there's *a lot* I pass by-- Cushwa, Commonweath, etc... maybe somebody is really nailing IPAs these days?

Will look for New Anthem, Charlestown, and Vitamin Sea.

 

Don't know if it's available in DC, but NoVa has been getting IPAs from Masthead in Cleveland, and they are some of my favorite beers of 2021.

 

The ones I’ve had have been hazy. Some more hazy than others. But they’re not thick at all they go down almost too easy

 

My IPA go to was to get a crowler of whatever looked good (usually Ocelot) at The Brew Shop. I think my first choice for cans would've been Benchtop. Those were my two I'd turn to if I hadn't gotten some Triple Crossing. I've liked what I had from Vitamin Sea but I already knew I was moving back to Boston so I didn't really seek it out (same for Bissell - since I could/would go to Portland).

I don't think DC has gotten near the drops that VA and DTC has gotten. I'm not sure where I'd turn.

 

We’ll you’re closer to East Beer Heaven now (Treehouse, Trillium, The Alchemist, Lawson’s, Maine, etc. etc. etc., oh yeah and some green peckerwoods near the Canadian border), so maybe you should consider starting a distribution company that ships directly to NOVA! Cheers!

 

Yeah, it's not bad, but I'll miss the DMV breweries, esp Wheatland, Ocelot, and Port City. I don't really drink much of their beer anymore, but my work is literally right above the Trillium Beer Garden, which is cool, I guess.

 

Which begs the question, how much work are you going to get done!

 

Anyone go to Snally?

 

Didn't do the VIP ticket. 3 Fonteinen and Cantillion were gone by the time I got in (no surprise there), but plenty of beers I thought would be kicked were still around (and no line for Bierstadt!). Highlights for me were the IPAs from Fidens and Wayfinder's lagers. Lots of really good beers, though...

Long line to get in at 2pm, but it moved pretty quickly. Seemed somewhat crowded for 50% capacity-- not sure I'd want to go at 100%.

 

Hop, Cask and Barrel is the only place I've seen any real info from. They said allocations are very small this year, so they're only getting one case each of the Reserve OF 150, Blanton's and Double Barrel Toasted. The website also shows that they'll have the Cherry Wood variant. They've historically been pretty terrible with BCBS pricing (last year was surprisingly reasonable), this year, they're requiring that you order 6 bottles of older BCBS to be entered into a raffle for the chance to buy 1 of the 3 limited variants. According to their website, you're only on the hook to buy the 6 old bottles if you're selected to also buy a variant. Classic.

 

Heard that Norm’s is getting a bunch of variants as well; your best bet is probably to go into DC for the widest selection (I’d check out Harry’s Reserve, some of the WF stores).