DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2021)

I hope that they can get things back to where they were pre-pandemic. I’ve considered stopping by now that the weather is nice and I’m vaccinated, but their taplist looks really heavy IPAs that they brewed in December/January. Makes me worry that they’ll get caught up in a downward spiral of old beer and reduced demand.

 

I haven't been to the brewery in some time. I did order delivery from them when they tried it for like two weeks in Spring of last year. I would say a good percentage of the crowlers I've gotten locally have been Ocelot. I am not sure if demand has drastically changed in the last 3 months vs the last 6 or 9 months. What I will say is that there seem to be plenty of opportunities (sales channels - e.g. delivery or shipping) to move product quicker and they don't seem eager, at least from the outside, to give those a shot.

EDIT: Should add that I had that batch of Two Lost Souls in January and it was the best Ocelot beer I've had in some time. @BikeChef

 

That is interesting that they only with Bucks at the moment, who seems to cover only 5 counties in Maryland. What is weird is that they aren’t even bothering with the Baltimore market at this point. I reached out to a local Baltimore area distributor and they were unaware of Jack’s arrival, but said they would not be taking any new breweries due to market saturation. I even tweeted Jack’s Abby but received no response, so I am unsure what is going on! It sucks that they’re in Maryland, but I still need to drive an hour to get their beer. If anyone knows anything about their distro plans here, I’d really appreciate the input...they are prob my fave brewery!

 

I've been a few times over the last year, and never had an IPA on draft that didn't taste fresh. So don't let that discourage you from going if you're considering it. Only cans I bought recently were fresh, so I guess just check Instagram before you buy to know what's recent.

 

i can only get shipping out of Boston and sunny ridge. What’s weird is jacks abby lager locator shows no locations in Maryland

 

If you are close to Crofton, there is a neat shop called Angels Share Wine & Spirits (not too far from the Chesepiooc Brewery) that had a couple Jacks Abby in stock last week.

 

I actually looked on Untappd and that was the shop that was the closest to me that carries Jack’s. Unfortunately it is 45 min away. If it wasn’t for having to pay the tolls, I’d probably run down there. I’m still holding out hope that they will be picked up by a Baltimore area distributor. Thanks for the head’s up though!

 

Dominion got some New Anthem Beer Project in today from Wilmington NC. They’ve been putting out some pretty good stuff. Might want to check it out

 

that’s BS I would email them for a refund. I never understood why they don’t distribute to shops closer to DC. Dominion seems like a place that could move some ocelot cans.

 

I was pretty disappointed when I saw the dates, but honestly the beers aren't drinking too badly. Not Two Lost Souls at its best, perhaps, but still a fine beer. Hard for me to come down too hard right now on maybe my favorite brewery in the area, I guess. Agree that it would be nice, for their sake and ours, if they would get some cans into distribution in some way. I, for one, would be buying the hell out of them (if they aren't four months old that is... ) Downtown Crown seems to the only place they are working with.

 

I used to hit Ocelot and Aslin back to back (when Aslin served at the original site). At least Aslin can be found everywhere in NOVA...

 

I have a couple older Ocelot cans in my fridge. Talking backwards from January I had one the other night and tasted delicious. I don’t think their beers fall off nearly as quickly as some other places. And I would give them a little leeway personally as My favorite and most consistent place around.

 

How can we lobby Suarez to ship to Virginia?

 

I used to do this before I even moved here when I'd visit my GF (who moved here before me). I have actually only been to Ocelot during the week and I have not been super thrilled about heading out there during the pandemic given their small patio and my experience with people smoking on said patio. It's been a while. They still distro enough kegs to the area where I get enough of a taste, although I wish they sent more (any) Sunnyside. I really do like their beer - it's consistent - I'm the doofus who tried to get an annual thread going for them last year.

Wheatland Spring distro'd Found Artifacts and Fieldrise. Not sure what's still kicking around, but figured I'd give the heads up. Still waiting on the next batch of Corn Crib.

 

The beers ocelot came out of the gate with (a hop bursted less bitter west coast hybrid kind of style) - before they went full hazy for some of their beers - is where I feel the market is shifting back to. Home is one of the best IPAs I’ve ever had. Holds a special place in my heart. Pretty sure I had batch one on tap at the brewery. Got it in cans later and it didn’t disappoint.

 

I really enjoyed it. Nice, juicy and smooth. No chewiness or hard pith at all. Great beer overall. I got 2-4packs and only have 2 cans left! I guess my wife liked it also.

 

Their original beers (first 1-2 years) were their best, now everything has oats and is hazy.

Did you try the most recent batch of Home? They used their House Ale 3 yeast (have not liked any of their beers with this yeast) so I passed.

 

Without getting into another yeast debate, I find it interesting that Ocelot hasn't tried to establish a flagship IPA. Their flagship is basically Sunnyside, but most of the production and availability is IPAs. Feels like driving towards a flagship or consistent offering would be good versus having a never ending rotation of hop combinations. Even Aslin and Other Half have beers that are consistently brewed and/or offered.

 

In case you aren't aware, my understanding is the brewer from those days is now at Front Royal Brewing.