DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2023)

I don’t feel like we have many local west coast IPAs. When I’m looking for one, I feel like my choices are Stone IPA or Sierra Nevada Torpedo. I realize these aren’t local.

Fair Winds brews Howling Gale that they call a west coast IPA. I need to re-visit as I don’t recall if it’s really a west coast IPA. They also recently brewed John the Fisherman which I really liked.

I would love to hear other local options.

 

Which local brewery is NOT doing a WCIPA?

 

The ones I've visited were all hazy IPAs (solace, ocelot, vanish), one of them may have had a DIPA but I'm more into singles or APAs.

 

Unrelated, but, man I wish Ocelot and Aslin would trade venues. I like Ocelot's beers so much better, but their lack of food options and being a bit middle of nowhere-ish kills me. I can get to Aslin Herndon easily, and their food setup is pretty great. I usually just settle for the pilsener they have on tap unless I want to roll the IPA dice.

 

For West Coast IPAs, Other Half’s Green Crowns was very good, had it last week. Ocelot made one about 2 years ago when I stopped by after coming home from Dulles that I really liked when I stopped in there. Peabody Heights made one that was as good as any that I’ve ever had. Brewers alley in Frederick regularly sells a decent West Coast in 4 pack cans around the area. Olde Mother in Frederick usually has one on tap as well. I never have trouble finding local West Coast in the area. Also for lagers, agree I find most locals to be solid at best but not as good as Jacks Abbey or Von Trappe. I bought a 4 pack of 16oz Becks cans for only $4.99 the other day and was very satisfied with the flavor of that pilsner. Really made me question if I’ll ever buy $17 local 4 pack lagers again.

 

Totally agree, as I'm rather close to Alexandria. Of course, if I lived in Loudoun County, I'd probably prefer things as is. I'm assuming you mean Ocelot trading for Alexandria location, not Herndon.

Aslin will sometime have a killer barrel aged stout on draft. That's the only thing I ever get. Would love to have Ocelot's DIPA's with Aslin's pizza.

 

I'm not a fan, but a fair share of people seem to like Vibrissa, and they do WCIPA. And they seem to ship to stores around here (e.g. Dominion.)

Aslin just put out a WCIPA if you want to roll the Aslin IPA dice.

 

Thanks, tried a Vibrissa IPA, was ok but not something I'd go out of my way for.

Ha, I'm done with rolling the dice with Aslin. I had a WC Starfish and it was not a WCIPA, not even close.

 

I just picked up the Catch Me Coastin from Pariah and its legit. They are originally from out west after all.

 

Can't speak to WC IPAs but for local lagers, I've really enjoyed Wheatland Springs. Would definitely recommend trying them out.

 

Agree. I was at a work event at Hamilton Live recently and they had Green City on tap. It was a very good beer, especially in a free drinks situation.

 

Had a Zombie Ice (aka Double Zombie Dust) last night, and really liked it. If you see it on a shelf right now, it'll be fresh-- first time release.

 

Agreed, really liked it.

 

Why does my profile thing-y say "Trader" all of a sudden? I'm definitely not a trader, though I did visit the trading page recently. Hmmm...

 

Yeah, I didn't have cans but I had it on tap several times at Dominion probably a month ago. Also, for those looking for West Coast IPAs, I had a Boss Pour from San Diego's Abnormal Beer last night and it was excellent: clean and hoppy with moderate bitterness. Had on tap at Dominion, but they also have cans.

 

Dates on my cans are 3/6 (bought at Yes! in Petworth). I didn't realize another batch had already hit.

 

As far as wcipa I’ve been enjoying Cali Cush from Cushwa. Six packs of 12oz cans. Going to pick up some Green Crowns next time I see it along with Double Zombie based on the recommendations here.