DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2022)

Any Snally reviews? Highs or lows?

 

Snally lows: getting there early for vip, going straight to North Park for NPBC6 VIP stout only to learn they were pouring a magnum at 1pm. In fact all stouts were hourly pours. So my whole plan was down the drain as the other long lines were already filling up.

Highs: short lines for Sante Adairius, Drei Fonteinen (relatively), and every lager. Only long lines were Fidens, Cantillon, Monkish, and the North Park bottle pours. Probably forgetting a few long lines for things I didn't care about.

 

The VIP portion seemed less crowded than in past years, definitely a plus. The only beers I didn’t get a chance to try were Fou Foune and a couple from Floodland; everything else I wanted was available. Personally I drink my fill by about 2-2:30 then take off when GA starts coming in — VIP is definitely worth it for access to the best beers in the event. Also liked the Permanent Hangover pop-up; got a few nice pieces there.

 

I posted this in the separate Snally thread, but I'm copying it here (lightly edited to combine two posts) for those not looking to hop between threads:

To put it mildly, I share mrmsmith's frustration with North Park.

 

Monkish kegs back at Dominion, FYI.

 

Big Schilling drop at Magruders in DC, including the two great beers they were pouring at Snally (Other Half collab and rauchbier).

 

OK NoVa peeps….what should I check out this weekend? Going to DC for the Commanders game Sunday (sympathy not needed; doing it for the nephews). Gonna be close to Dulles otherwise.

 

Ocelot and Crooked Run aren’t too far from Dulles and are great breweries.

 

Agreed here.
Crooked Run has the tacos inside too, and the breakfast at Daybreak is pretty awesome.
Ocelot sometimes has a food truck, and their beers are better than CR, IMO.
If you venture to Herndon, Aslin has a kitchen with some good food (pizza/burgers, etc) and some good beer.
About a mile from Aslin is Juicy Brewing. They are in the old Aslin location. That experience is no frills, but I've really liked their beer.
If you are en route home from the stadium back to Dulles, I highly recommend Dominion Wine and Beer - great food and great drafts (in Falls Church).
Otherwise, in the DC area, Neighborhood Restaurant Group locations usually have the best stuff for beer.

 

Solace’s main place is also near Ocelot. It gets a bit more busy with families on the weekend than Ocelot if I recall.

 

As a former NOVA resident, go to Ocelot or for a further trip, go to Wheatland Spring

 

Ocelot has been quietly killing it of late.

 

Haven’t done much research, but does The Veil usually do a Black Friday release?

 

Yep. It's called Dark Daze. They will begin teasing releases on socials beginning next week most likely.
https://www.theveilbrewing.com/events/dark-daze-2022

 

Thank you

 

If you're going to be in RVA then look into The Answer as well. They also usually do some sort of release on Black Friday too. From some posts I've seen it looks like they may be having an event in the parking lot but not other details released yet.

 

Appreciate the input fam. Ended up going to Crooked Run and Aslin. I've got enough info here to map out the next trip to visit fam in NoVa, though.

Now I'm looking for tips for DC. I'm supposed to be a professional at a conference, but hope to sneak out a night or two. I'll be staying in Penn Quarter and am already thinking about Ubering up to the Bruery's DC location today for the Black Tuesday release (will it be close to as nuts as it is in Cali?).

 

Churchkey isn't far from Penn Quarter, and it's arguably the best beer spot in the DC area.

 

That seemed the obvious answer on the Googles - and it's in my crosshairs. May find myself there Thursday nite. Appreciate the confirmation.

 

If you’re looking to take some beers home, Craft Beer Cellar in NE DC is your best bet; ChurchKey may also sell some to-go.

 

Don't know much about them or if they are having a silent soft open this week but Lost Generation Brewing holds their Grand Opening on Saturday. Not too far from Bruery and seem to be getting good reviews on Untappd so far.

 

I haven't seen a crowd at Bruery DC since their opening weekend, and they only got that from the common folk showing up in response to press coverage. It's not a particularly convenient spot, it doesn't have a taproom, and a lot of their product is overpriced and underwhelming. I wouldn't expect any issues.

 

I sort of forgot about The Bruery and i live a few blocks away lol.

 

And I'm assuming the Other Half Ivy City location is walkable from there?
I'd probably recommend that. The only issue with OH (IMO) is the food or lack thereof onsite.
I did like the BBQ joint a couple of blocks away though.

 

In theory it's walkable, but I wouldn't. And I even enjoy walking.

 

Bruery is just a store, so to go only.

And agreed, I've never done that walk, and I walk a lot. Unfortunately the "walk" from Bruery to Other Half would be like walking next to a highway or through a construction zone, not even sure there's sidewalks whichever way you go. But you don't want to be carrying your Bruery haul on that walk.

Stick to Churchkey and Shelter. That's all you really need. Shelter would be a short bus or metro ride from Penn Quarter.

 

Thanks all! I was able to hit up ChurchKey Tuesday nite (nice!). I pulled the trigger on some Black Tuesday before realizing that the DC store only opens Thursday (???), so I was able to sneak out at lunch yesterday and grab my loot there.

Appreciate all the input!

 

Does anyone have any info on BCBS DRAFT events on Black Friday in the DMV? Or are those a thing of the past?

 

So a 16 ounce bottle of Coffee is 28 bucks or do? I remember not that long ago when a four pack of thr stuff was less than that. Why the price increase?

 

Because people will buy it and Goose Island likes money?

 

Back when a 4 pack of BCBCS cost $18, it sold out in minutes and was commonly traded/resold on the secondary market for a much higher price. That’s a clear sign that it was underpriced. Now, if we still see $28 bottles of BCBCS sitting on shelves in April, then it’s probably overpriced at the new price point. If it’s all sold, though, it’s probably priced correctly.

 

Earlier today at TW Fairfax. Lots of BCBS coffee Biscotti. Isaac and 4 packs. This eve at Dominion BCBS. Coffee and 30th

 

Saw basically the same thing at the TW Laurel. They also had a mix 6 for $115. Me? Picked up a 6pk of Celebration for under $10, a Devils Backbone Naughty 6pk for around $10 and the Sam Adams 12pk Cheers for $18. I'm cheap and $27 richer.

 

or $77, if you're picky about the math

 

I found stovepipe cans of Hardywood Gingerbread Stout at Giant Food today. I think they were on sale 2 for $ 4.25.

 

I'm pretty certain the sale is 2 for $8.50, thus $4.25 each.

 

Sorry, you are correct. I only picked up 1 can. I hadn’t seen this size GBS can before.

 

I picked up one at that price too. I didn't want a full four pack of pints, so this was the perfect purchase for me.