DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2018)

Don't laugh - anyone seen Sam Adams NEIPA in DC proper?

 

Is there anywhere selling decent NE IPAs in NW DC, Bethesda, or Arlington? Cans, bottles, or growlers. Don't have the time to drive out to Herndon today. Thanks.

 

Brew shop usually has a good selection of canned DIPAs, may have one on tap.

Growlers of Right Proper's Thunderbomb (yuge) are $16.36 at the Shaw spot.

I've not grabbed DIPAs from CBC but I'm sure there are some.

Bruery has Offshoot for DIPAs/TIPAs.

 

Ah completely forgot about Bruery.

When you say yuge for the Thunderbomb are you talking flavor?

 

Yea looks like Brew Shop has Death of Civilization in Slow Motion. I haven't tired it, but the past few NE-styles I've had from them have been quite good.

 

Yeah I meant flavor. I love that beer, I think it's miles ahead of the experimental NEIPAs they've been putting out which have been pretty solid. Tropical fruit on the nose, stone fruit/tropical fruit up front with big bitter hop notes and a zesty finish from the Equinox hops. Went back for a growler yesterday - only been on tap a few days so it's definitely one of the freshest available in the city.

Still havent tried any of the AT NEIPAs but they must be doing something right for the demand to still be strong Looks like the brew shop has Solace and Stone DIPAs on tap, fresh Commonwealth 4pks, Evil Twin and the Aloha Sculpin if you're trying to see Ballast's take on NEIPAs.

 

Maple Bacon Coffee Porter and one lonely box of Sucaba downstairs at WF Foggy.

 

Had Thunderbomb at Right Proper yesterday. It was good but not great. A lot of bitterness for the style.

 

I actually love a mix of bitterness into a NE style. Looking at you Big Cat. But that's also highly contingent on whether it was intended and how it's incorporated into the beer. I need swing by Right Proper soon. Haven't been in a bit.

 

I usually do too, but see for yourself. You might like it more than I did.

 

Fair enough. The NEIPA is a fickle beast after all even for those who seem to have mastered it. Had Triple Orange Starfish at MP last night and it tasted so sweet. Sugary really. Much different than the first time I had it (in can) from the original release which was phenomenal.

 

My somewhat limited amateur experience trying to brew the style is that the British ale yeasts used are a bit fickle, and dialing in a consistent attenuation and ester profile based on water profile, pitching rate, and mash and fermentation temperatures is difficult. Judging by how much variation there appears to be even among experienced professional brewers of the style in the final product tells me this is not purely a result of less-than-ideal homebrew conditions.

My guess is that the absurdly high hopping rates needed to get the desired flavor profile causes volatility in yeast performance, because I don't think that the yeasts in question are so difficult to control when put to their usual task of brewing things like bitter or mild or even brown ales. At least, I haven't found them to be so.

 

What are my best options for KBS in MoCo area?

My close Bottleshop is releasing on Friday at 10am, and since I work it will be sold out by 4 when I can get there.

 

Gilly's said they would have them and I know Downtown Crown usually does as well. I'd just hit up a DC spot though and get them for less money with easier availability. Calvert Woodley will probably get a bunch and is easy access via the Red Line.

 

Had some Equilibrium dHop8 from Brewshop the other day - pretty delicious

Also just saw Aslin announced a beer garden outside of nats park for the season

 

Fresh SingleCut at Yes! Organic Market (14th Street, Eastern Market, and Brookland)

 

Saw that on Instagram, but wasn't sure if it was an early April Fool's joke or not.

 

Which releases?

 

Oh god, please don't say that. Couldn't be more excited to have another option besides nuts to butts at Bluejacket.

 

If true, I guess I’m wondering how they’re going to ramp up production enough to handle this.