Spring beer recommendation, local to DC/MD

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by lauremir, Apr 5, 2014.

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  1. lauremir

    lauremir Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2014

    Ahoy!

    We have recently moved from NC to Bethesda, MD. In addition to the sticker shock (for beer and everything else), I am finding myself frustrated by the selection. I know that the microbrewery scene in NC is something rather special and I've developed a "drink local" habit that I was pretty excited about.

    So I'm thinking that I must be doing it wrong, because DC is a big place!. There must be more local options besides Flying Dog, Dogfish Head, and DC Brau. Though those are the only local selections in my nearby beer/wine shops. I'm spoiled by the NC experience, where my grocery store carried Big Boss, Highland, Triangle, Foothills, Mystery, Aviator, Fullsteam... It was always easy to find something local to fit the mood or the weather. And I'm not very picky. In general, I prefer any variety of Belgian ales and some IPAs, I tend to avoid dark or sweet.

    So. Speaking of weather. My favorite Fall beer is the Big Boss Harvest Time, pumpkin but not too much, spicy but not sweet-- it just feels like Fall. I would love a Spring match to this experience. I was thinking something with a little more carbonation might be Spring appropriate-- something with some sparkle.

    I don't have a lot of beer knowledge or experience, so apologies if I've gotten all the vocab wrong. Just a consumer looking to support a local microbrewery while feasting her eye on these cherry blossoms that are about to pop... Would love a recommendation!
     
  2. DWheeler379

    DWheeler379 Zealot (747) Jun 15, 2012 Colorado

    We are spoiled in NC. There is another brewery in DC now to check out - BlueJacket. Also, Port City is out of Alexandria. They have some solid beers. Sorry, don't know specific ones we'll enough to recommend for spring, but try their non-dark beers. The Public from DC Brau is a very good spring beer. Don't know any Belgian style.

    Not quite as local, but close enough is Troeg's out of Hershey, PA - Hopback Amber, Sunshine Pils, and Perpetual Imperial Pale Ale are all excellent, the first two being good spring beers IMO. Don't know if you'll see those on tap or not. Victory Headwaters and Prima Pils are other PA beers for spring. Oh - AleWerks out of Williamsburg is good and there are some other good VA breweries like Devil's Backbone and Hardywood and Blue Mountain from Richmond and the mountains.

    I did the opposite move a few years ago - DC (Arlington) to NC (Chapel Hill, now Charlotte). DC area had zero craft breweries back then, so it's getting better!
     
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  3. Saudereth

    Saudereth Zealot (684) Feb 21, 2013 Virginia

    Hit up Right Proper. Lots of belgian style beer and a fantastic apa. They don't can or bottle but they do growler fills.
     
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  4. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    There are plenty of great shops in nearby DC that will give you exactly what you are looking for.

    There's a very a solid and varied selection in the DC area.
     
  5. SBALDWIN

    SBALDWIN Zealot (602) Feb 27, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Near Bethesda you have growlers in Gaithersburg, Frederick has a few breweries, and dc has some now.
    So what brought you to Bethesda
     
  6. bluewolf17

    bluewolf17 Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2013 Maryland

    Growlers is phenomenal. One of my favorite breweries overall. Everything they make is good to great. However, 1. they don't can and 2. a pipe burst in the building a few months ago and completely wrecked the place. It's currently under repair and the owner decided while they were repairing it he wanted to remodel the whole building. Thus, they're still a few months from reopening. However, SBALDWIN made a great recommendation with this place and you should absolutely give it a shot some time!

    As for local breweries whose beers you should try: DuClaw, Heavy Seas, Evolution, Burley Oak, Full Tilt, Union. It's really sad how few breweries we have in these parts and a few of those you may actually have to travel outside Montgomery County to find despite the breweries being located in Baltimore.
     
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  7. BradStokley

    BradStokley Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2013 Maryland

    Monocacy Brewing Co in Frederick is another nice small, local brewery. If you like coffee stouts, their Brewtus is a solid choice!
     
  8. kts

    kts Initiate (0) Dec 30, 2013 Maryland

    +1 I just had a Brewtus the other day and it blew me away. I'd rank it right up there with FBS and Wake N Bake. And it's local and year round which makes me happy.
     
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  9. zp6167a

    zp6167a Initiate (0) Apr 19, 2011 District of Columbia

    There are actually quite a few local breweries. I don't really think you'll miss a beat craft beer wise coming to the area from NC. If you're looking for bottles/cans some of the top/local breweries In DC: DC Brau. In VA: Port City, Devils Backbone, Lost Rhino, Hardywood. In MD: Flying Dog, DuClaw, Heavy Seas, Evolution, Union. In DE you have Dogfish Head and Dominion.

    There are also a ton of brewpubs and other small breweries in the area that serve on premises or to local bars and restaurants in the area.
     
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  10. HopAttack3

    HopAttack3 Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2011 Virginia

    You gotta be missing the Jade in bottles, and tall boys of Hop Drop!

    Lost rhino has some pretty good stuff, new one in purcellville, va call Adriot Theory is making some pretty good stuff, they just launched in January of 2014.

    If you head down to Richmond, about a 2 hour ride, there are some good ones including Hardywood, hit up Mekong for good local beers and good food.
     
  11. lauremir

    lauremir Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2014

    These are some great suggestions. Do you folks have any pub recommendations for a place that might have a variety of local fare on tap? Someplace a girl might get her tasting on...

    I'm driving down to NC next week and I'm looking forward to stocking up.

    Is there anything for the sticker shock?
     
  12. SBALDWIN

    SBALDWIN Zealot (602) Feb 27, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Dogfish ale house Gaithersburg. All dogfish beers on tap. Food decent.
    What made you make the move to Bethesda
     
  13. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    - Beer prices (and cost of living) in MD stink compared to surrounding states, that is for sure. If you work near Bethesda at least you don't have a horrendous commute. Many people live in southern PA, WV etc and drive 2 hrs to work each way in to DC area to beat the cost of living issues and get away from the congestion and crowds.

    Been down to Big Boss while on business in Raleigh/Durham about 4 years ago. One of the best brewery experiences of my life. That place was awesome and the beers were solid as well.

    Recommendations above are all good. If you're looking to support local folk, up in easter Fredneck County, there is a new farm brewer called Frey's making some good stuff I've seen bottled in stores now. I've had his Berliner Weise and also a Black Rye IPA both were solid brews. Also Milkhouse Brewery is another small farm brewery putting up some respectable, mostly low ABV farmhouse ales, bitters etc. Not sold in stores yet, but I highly recommend you take a trip up there early on a Friday evening or Saturday once the weather is nice the patio out back will be open and I think they'll have some musical guests and such. Its a relaxing, nice visit to get away from the big city of DC area.
     
  14. skinsfan

    skinsfan Initiate (0) May 24, 2005 Maryland

    As others have mentioned, definitely head down to DC, head north up to Frederick or drive (non rush hour of course) over to Northern Virginia when buying beer. Don't bother thinking about buying beer in Montgomery County, unless it is a dire emergency. Unfortunately for you, your days of finding a great selection at your local grocery store (now in Bethesda I assume) are long gone.
     
  15. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    If you are in Bethesda and find yourself in Silver Spring side of Maryland, you can check out the Quarry House Tavern.

    Personally though if you were to go that far, you might as well hit some of the places in DC, or the other places mentioned by others already.
     
  16. TheNightwatchman

    TheNightwatchman Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Troegs newest Spring seasonal, Cultivator, is really tasty. I'd look for that.
     
  17. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes I liked the Cultivator alot. Probably my favorite Troegs beer to date.
     
  18. BH712

    BH712 Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2014 District of Columbia

    I realize many of these have already been mentioned, but I figured I'd list everything out (that I can think of) that is within 2 hours of DC:

    DC:
    DC Brau
    Chocolate City
    Atlas Brew Works
    3 Stars
    Bluejacket
    Right Proper
    Bardo

    VA:
    Port City
    Mad Fox
    Starr Hill
    Lost Rhino
    Devils Backbone
    Hardywood
    Adroit Theorgy
    Blue Mountain
    Wild Wolf

    MD:
    Evolution
    Denizens
    Beltway Brewing
    Flying Dog
    Heavy Seas
    Union Craft Brewing
    Stillwater Artisanal
    Brewers Art
    DuClaw

    DE:
    Dogfish Head
     
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