DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2020)

Triple Crossing drop at the Bruery store today. All cans still available when I swung by an hour ago.

And looks like CBC H St will be having a can release from The Veil next Saturday.

Great time to horde some RVA juicebombs.

 

The Brew Shop still had CHS stuff from the release on Friday when I went in. Picked up an Ocelot Seamless crowler instead. This is my favorite IPA in VA. I wish they made it more consistently. They were still filling growlers but with sanitization procedures. I don't know if that will change going forward.

 

This has changed. They're only filling new growlers and crowlers now.

Looks like a lot of bars are starting to fill growlers now. I think all of the Pint bars are.

 

CBC H St is taking online orders for their Veil can release starting today at 5pm. You can place orders today for curbside pickup or delivery tomorrow.

https://craftbeercellardc.bevv.com/

 

Feels like there is a new can release every weekend now around town.

 

Digging this online order during cvid thing downtown crown has going on. Ordered some OH yesterday and not going to pick up until tomorrow or Friday so I don't spend multiple weekday afternoons with OH tempting me from my fridge.

 

Doesn't DTC just leave it in stacks sitting at room temperature? I'm anal about keeping my IPAs tasting as fresh as possible, so I wouldn't be too keen on than much time out of refrigeration.

 

They do but you would be surprised how long the cans in the middle of the pile stay cold for. And it usually sells out quick.

 

I've noticed little to no drop off in quality when cans are left at room temperature. It's when cans are kept on a dock in a mail package in the middle of July where it becomes an issue. With that being said, with how quickly they move their inventory and how much they get relative to their spec, I am fine with how DTC is conducting business.

Switching to online sales, being able to order and pick up within a week, Crowlers online. This is especially useful for me since I live just over the PA order and have been skeptical about taking trips for the weekly OH drops mainly because I don't want to leave empty handed with the beers i want. Being able to order and go at your convenience is a luxury I hope they continue after this crisis is over.

Big shout outs to the staff too. Super sanitary inside, they practice more social distancing than any other business I've seen remain open, and they are very friendly and knowledgeable.

 

Yeah, a couple days isn't the difference anyway (being kept at room temp). There's impressive charts I've seen, and blind taste testing, but if it's only a few days or so probably not much if any noticable drop off. Plus they're brewed within a week of the drop, compared to distributed NEIPAs that sometimes are 2-3 weeks old the minute they are for sale thanks to the distributor. If I were down there I'd have no problem buying some, especially considering there's no markup.

 

Solace Brewing is offering beer delivery to homes for people within a 20-25 mile radius. Shipping is $5.


ps-Unfortunately for me, I am 28 miles out.

 

Sapwood is still doing pick-up and are churning out bangers. Might be moving into best brewery in the DMV(ish) territory...

 

I’m close to the PA/MD border and was planning on hitting DTC tomorrow for the Other Half drop.

i should be fine driving through with PA plates right? I’m not sure how MD is right now but are cops strict with people on the roads and whatnot during this time?

 

Stay home. Driving across state lines right now for craft beer is ridiculous.

 

The Veil is shipping beer direct to customers in VA and DC, guessing most people who care know this but thought I post it here just in case. Cost for shipping is roughly $25 for 3 4-packs, their boxes can hold up to 3 4-packs so if you ordered 6, you'd be closer to $50 for shipping. It's pretty much next day delivery if you order early enough.

 

No you're right, even though it's pretty close to me and with the number of options for beer delivery within PA, I should just sit still

 

Besides, they’ll still be getting Other Half, Aslin etc. when this is over. Cheers!

 

I really hope they keep up the online ordering system

 

Same but I kind of doubt they will (just speculation). I was just in there a bit ago and there were a ton of online orders waiting to be picked up, almost all of which were the oh/aslin/tc drops. I feel like: (i) most stores want to serve their local community rather than being a place for traders to drive hours for; (ii) these beers sell out quickly without the online ordering; and (iii) if they want to keep the online ordering when things go back to normal then they probably need to increase payroll (reducing margins) because somebody would need to keep updating the online page and packaging orders. Even though it'd be convenient for non-local customers I probably wouldn't keep it if I owned the place as it'd likely just reduce the bottom line.

 

I ordered a crowler of jream last night with a note that I wouldn't pick up until early this afternoon. They kept my order in the walk-in fridge instead of just sitting out.