DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2024)

I wholeheartedly agree. I also went to the taproom quite often around that time, as well as some other heavy hitters, such as for example Treehouse. It’s a shame that Treehouse managed to go from their Original location (I was there twice) seamlessly to the huge brewery locations without any discernible drop in quality (I have been to the larger locations numerous times), where Aslin did not.

 

Years ago someone gave me a Double Orange Starfish as an extra in a trade and I thought it was great. That's my first and only impression of Aslin. Curiosity will kill me if I don't try again while I'm there.

 

There are many other breweries that were also able to scale up without a huge drop in quality. Aslin clearly didn't give a shit about staying true to form. I think some of the founders took the money and ran. I mean they still aren't dating their cans lol.

 

Stopped by Sovereign on my last night. Great space and location. A cold beer, or three, were perfect for today's warm weather. I feel like it was holding back some fun kegs for Zwanze Day next weekend but I still enjoyed the staples. Appreciate the rec again!

 

Wondering about the recent DMV launch events by Dovetail and Notch. Are cans of either coming (never saw any in DC)? It’s getting to be lager season.

 

Dominion also. Sold out same day at $35. Ya’ll nuts

 

Yeah, there's no way I'm paying that. But cheers to those who do.

 

I spotted these on Dominion's website before they could get their Instagram notification out, but then I saw the price, reflected on the fact that I have a mini fridge shelf full of Monkish hops that are already demanding prioritization while they're fresh, and opted to pass. Fidens is great, but that's a bit dear for me.

 

I've only had Fidens once on tap and it was...pretty good? what am I missing here.

 

Just curious, has anyone been up the Fidens Brewery and are they priced that crazy way up near Albany or just crazy markup for DC area? That’s a pretty blue collar area and far away from NYC so was just wondering.

 

In Frederick we get a ton of Other Half and Aslin in the stores. Neither brewer puts dates on the can. All are $18+ 4 packs. I never buy. With that said, anytime Im in DC, Im pitstopping at Other Half to have a beer or 2 and mule home some. I think I had a AslinDouble Orange Starfish from a can a friend shared with me maybe 2 years ago and it tasted great still. He bought from a local store so no idea how fresh it was.

 

I was cycling yesterday and found myself out in Herndon. After the recent discussion on here I stopped by Aslin, but didn't get anything. It was packed and not really my scene. Obvioiusly very successful though. Instead on my way back to Falls Church I diverted to the OG Aslin spot where Juicy Brewing is now. Had a couple of really excellent Doppelbocks. Had a small pour of an IPA which was just okay. In spite of their name, of the beers I've had from them I have thought the lagers were really good. It was weird being back in that place. The brewery smells brought back some good memories.

 

So drive to Albany for 7 hours and pay the gas money or pay a lil premium to try some of the best beer.

 

Based on the hype I’ve been reading about Juicy on this thread, I decided to pay a visit to their tap room a few months ago. Agree, loved the brewing aroma in the taproom. I thought the couple beers I had were solid. NEIPA just ok. Not quite getting the DC area hype for them on the forum here but they make respectable beers.

 

That interesting - I grabbed a mixed handful of distro'd OH cans in cville a few weeks ago and all of them were dated. I wonder if it matters which OH they came from.

 

OH does at least try to date-stamp their cans. I've bought a few that, at first, appeared to lack a canning date, but a closer inspection showed the stamping equipment missed the target and grazed the bottom edge of the can.

Aslin has no excuse for their continued failure to date cans and deserves every bit of shame that we can possibly foist upon them.

 

Apparently The Veil will stop dating cans now that they are being more widely distributed in Northern Virginia. I was told this was because Total Wine wouldn't carry them if they were dated.

 

Not sarcasm. My understanding is if the cans have dates, Total Wine will end up with a bunch of old cans that no one will buy. How can the cans be old if they aren't dated?