DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2025)

Corks & Kegs and Once Upon A Vine are both good stores (the former in particular).

 

Could be wrong but I do not think Corks & Kegs sells singles. BUT they are the best beer store in RVA by far.OP can check their socials for pics of drops and they are also a Verified Venue on Untappd to see a list of what package beers they have recently dropped. https://untappd.com/v/corks-and-kegs/19766?menu_id=21587

In the West End / Glen Allen area, De Fles Winkel "The Wink" is solid too. Been probably a year since I stopped in but last time I did they had a singles cooler and would also single out / individually price any beers that weren't in the cooler if you asked them to.

 

Opening on Oct. 31st according to this article..https://www.thebanner.com/culture/arts/babycat-brewery-bethesda-opening-WWHH25BG2ZCHVF2OKQBAM3T4MI/

 

Anyone have any reports from Mayan Monkey brewing yet? Was just reading on Beer Talk forums they won silver at GABF with their smoked Helles Lager (collab with Waradeca). Also anyone vouch for the food? Beer listing and food Menu looks good.

 

Man, I lost track of this thread and missed a couple months of news. Glad to be caught up. Thanks to all who post here. Cheers!

 

I was waiting until they were making more of their own beer. Maybe I go tomorrow?

edit: I see they have a full beer menu. Probably go tomorrow.

 

Atlas Brew Works opening their new DC location on 11/8.... https://porchdrinking.com/atlas-brew-works-sustainable-brewery-bridge-district

 

I went "tomorrow". Not bad. I had remembered that space being bigger but I guess not. I don't understand the feel they're going for. did two flights of anything that wasn't IPA. was happier with the second flight.

Its a hard space to make feel cozy. Don't know what the long haul looks like for them.

 

They didn't have any singles when I stopped by this summer. Bit of a bummer as the selection they have is unreal

 

Has anyone seen Aecht Schlenkerla beers (Rauchbier maker) in stores in a while? They seemed to have disappeared from Frederick MD area stores in last year or so. Their Fastenbier/Lentbier is one of my highest rated beers of all, and been trying to find anything from this brewery and haven’t seen their stuff lately. Even out of state I don’t recall seeing it in quite some time.

 

PSA on the Ghost Prime cans hitting the area: this year's release is pretty underwhelming, especially compared to the absolute banger Parish cooked up last year. Scrolling through Untappd check-ins, it seems I'm not alone in noticing the stark drop in quality.

 

How's the new Dominion beer garden (Stratford Gardens?) progress coming? I had November opening in my mind but we all know how that usually goes.

 

The latest newsletter indicated the tents would be coming down and that the new place was nearing opening - without any definitive dates given for the latter.

 

Saison Bernice on tap at Rocklands last night and gathering dust on the shelf at the brew shop...never thought that would be the case

 

I spoke with the people at Dominion last week and they told me most likely the first week of December

 

If anyone in Northern Virginia is looking for Bourbon County Brand Stout 4 packs, I found them at my local Safeway today on sale for $ 23.99. Looked like the regular price is $ 25.99.

 

FYI the Red Dragon Brewery in Fredericksburg VA is closing 31-Dec, too bad was a nice spot

 

Saw Dominion has BA Abraxas on tap and available for crowlers. Super tempting but also $43 / crowler and I cannot solo that haha.

 

Now down to $18.99, at least at the Safeway in Alexandria's Belle Haven neighborhood.

Last year, when Safeway knocked their price down in what I'm guessing was an effort to clear out the last of their inventory, I snagged two bottles but kicked myself when I went back for more and found it had sold out. I purposefully kept my eyes peeled for a price drop this year, determined not to make the same mistake. While I found the 2025 vintage to be underwhelming fresh, the 2022 and 2023 vintages also struck me as weak entries early on but improved considerably with time. As the two 4-packs I just brought home demonstrate, I'm willing to extend some faith in Goose Island for the '25 batch.