Metro DC Brewery Discussion Thread

Wow, glad I got there early. This batch is tasting great, the spicy rye finish really sets it apart from Ocelot's other ipas.

 

Only 500 bottles total. Overheard a bartender say they wanted to test demand.

 

I thought that release was on the 30th (regarding home) at least that's what I remember reading on their website. I'm going to be pissed if that's happening today.

 

Shit.

 

It will probably still be on draft.

 

Welp, @Dirtyhands is gonna be pissed. Hit me up if you are desperate to get a couple bottles for whatever reason - should still be available for growler fills though.

 

@Franch I think you'll probably see a different "cake" before we bring chocolate back

 

The anniversary party poster, for 4/30, does say "Home Release". Maybe they'll have more?

 

Yeah, you would think!

But, I was there on Friday and ask a bartender if they had bottles, and the person said next week...

 

They will definitely have Home at the party, it's also pretty likely they will bottle more for it. Bottles are tasting fantastic btw.

 

Maybe they were testing demand for next weekend. If they own the bottling line (Can't remember if they do) they can easily bottle more this week. 500 bottles, on a system that size, would leave quite a bit to bottle/keg.

 

I did the double play at Ocelot and Aslin today for the first time. A few thoughts:

The good: Beers at both spots were great today. I loved the Vandals IPA at Ocelot, even more than Home. Admittedly, I'm a Mosaic *****. I also thought Ocelot's new Russian Imperial Stout, Painless, was very good. Painless is the first Ocelot, non-IPA I've enjoyed. The people at Ocelot were amazing. I talked with four different bartenders and all of them were personable and engaging. The two IPAs I had at Aslin today were great. Master of Karate might be might favorite Aslin Beer. It's either Master of Karate or Bringing Sexy Back.

The bad: I would say it seems highly unlikely you'll see bottles of Home at the anniversary party. There might be bottles of something else, but the info I got from the bartenders today would suggest no more Home bottles for awhile. As long as growler fills at Ocelot are $6 dollar cheaper for a 64 oz fill, I'll be giving my money to Ocelot.

The ugly: The tolls. Jesus. As someone visiting both breweries from Bethesda, the tolls to get to the brewery and between the two were brutal. Calm down, Virginia.

 

I was at Ocelot today as well, my first time visiting. Man, the IPAs at this place live up to the hype. Valdals is great, but Home is on another level. One of the best IPAs I've ever had. Wish I could have grabbed some bottles, but glad I got a growler to go!

 

It's pretty easy to choose a route that avoids the toll road, but we're always glad to take the money of a Marylander.

 

The first time I did the double (Ocelot & Aslin) I took the toll road, but I realized right there and then I could not do that anymore.

So the next few times I took I66 to Rt. 50 (there are a few lights but not too bad) all the way to Rt. 606 (the main road off which Ocelot is off). It took me about 30 minutes from the Beltway.

Then when I was done I took Rt. 606 all the way to Rt. 288 south (Herndon Parkway). Aslin was right past the Hiatt. (It took me about 10 minutes).

Afterwards I got on Rt. 288 north to Rt. 606 to Rt. 7. It took me about 20 minutes to get back to the Beltway.

 

Ha, growing up in Arlington I used to think those tolls were awful. Then I moved to NYC and you realized those tolls are child's play compared to all the tolls in the surrounding area (especially NJ). At least there's EZ Pass now - those tolls were infinitely worse before that.

 

When you're (gladly) paying $13 for a 32 oz crowler, you kind of forget about the tolls.

 

F'ing Verrazano Bridge

 

Anyone try Hidden Hopyard 2? Thought about hitting up the release but ended up going to Ocelot instead.