DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2019)

It sounds like you've had them before so this is not necessarily directed at you, but reg GBS is better than any of the variants I've ever had (though nitro GBS is worth ordering if you ever see it). It's kind of a "classic" on the 95 corridor but outdated in the pastry stout'd 2019 world, and it's kind whimpy abv/ thiccness-wise, and the coffee/ BA versions are just kinda meh IMO/IME.

I hope you find what you're looking for, but the BA versions of GBS I've had have been nothing but boring as hell and not even worth the sticker price much less hunting or trading

::cue that's just your opinion maaan comments::

 

I have had several great ones from Commonwealth lately. Been purchasing in Richmond. I have stayed away from the sour IPAs just as a personal preference. Have not had any issues. They make some good beer.

 

Had some Kashmir from Commonwealth the other day that was good but I haven't been drinking much Commonwealth lately as the OH drops have become regular and I can make them pretty easily. On a related note, had a Vasen IIPA (mandarin galaxy) for the first time two weeks ago and was very surprised. All oats/no lactose and super creamy and juicy. Also only $22 including tax at Glenns.

 

Only $22 for a four-pack of DIPA from a third-tier haze producer?

 

I get the snark but I'm not going to turn my nose up of a $20 + tax for 4pack of a DIPA that I enjoyed. I have no knowledge of the brewery but the beer was good and that price is reasonable for shops in city limits and on par with brewery-direct pricing at Aslin/OH/etc. Commonwealth, Ocelot (what cans you can get in city shops), etc are all priced around that point so Vasen is another option to throw out there if you're not happy with commonwealth stuff.

 

Vasen makes solid beers. I'd hardly call them third-tier.

 

I've only had a couple kettle sours from them but both were very good, better than what I've had from any other VA brewery, Aslin gose's are usually very good but too much lactose/fruit more often than not.

 

Anyone have an opinion on Frost Beer Works? CBC on H got a bunch of their stuff in.

 

Good Stuff. all the ones that end in USH are solid to great.

 

They were pretty impressive when I first had them (in Vermont, mind you) but I haven't had them lately so not sure what their evolution has been.

 

I've found them to be inconsistent. I picked up some cans earlier this year while in VT and mostly enjoyed,

From CBC H Street I limited myself to a four pack of Lush and it's...if not garbage, at least not very good. Bad in the way hazy IPAs often get bad: harsh, unpleasantly bitter (not good hop bitter), washed out flavor, powdery, muted aroma. And it's 10 days old.

Should have done the 1 of each approach, but Lush had been my favorite from earlier this year.

 

Any Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopping and/or Avec Les Bon Voeux in 750 sightings in the metro (I'm in Capital Hill) or over towards Alexandria?

CBC got in 375s of ALBV but I'd prefer to get in quantity (and 750s typically better price per ounce) and they didn't have plans to pull in the Cuvee Dry Hopping.

 

Any recs for some holiday oriented fruited sours along the lines of Apple Pie Jream/Out of Order Puddin that are available in the DC area?

 

Obviously not a lot of cuvée dry hopping heads here, but you should be

CBC got it in

 

A great beer for Thanksgiving IMO.

 

Anyone know if Costco normally gets BCBS variants? And if they release them on Black Friday like everyone else?

 

It’s funny that Norm’s is having a Founders beer tasting when a number of area stores have discontinued their Founders’ accounts.

 

I don't think anyone around here is brewing anything that comes close to the JREAM beers.

 

What stores?

 

https://dcbeer.com/2019/11/07/founders-fallout-local-bars-shops-react/

Personally, I think the stores should let the consumers make their own political choices, rather than doing it for them.