The DC Beer Show

You may have heard about Urban Garden Brewing’s collaboration beer with City State Brewing, Roses Aren’t Dead. But that’s not the only exciting news from UGB and City State. Mike gets the scoop with Eamoni Collier of UGB and James Warner of City State to hear the exciting news coming down the pike. Eamoni and James also discuss the challenges and victories they experienced in the last year and the importance of cultivating great experiences for beer drinkers in the taproom.

In other news, Dry January is over, and the events are back! It’s a big weekend ahead of us filled with a LOT of fun events. Whether you want to venture out to Virginia, imbibe in Maryland, or just taste beers along the Red Line, we’ve got you covered this weekend. We also discuss the first non-alcoholic IPA that’s come to DC and give you our review of it.

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, and @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at DCBeer.com/newsletter. Email us at [email protected].

Many events are happening this week! Don’t miss them by checking out the DC Beer event calendar here.

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

• Amarendra Sahoo
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam
• Chip
• Tory Roberts
• Steven M Quartell
• Chris DeLoose
• Lauren Cary
• Amy Crone
• Clifton B
• Scott Pavlica
• Greg Antrim
• jeffrey garrison
• Joshua Learn
• Alexis Smith
• A t
• Dan Goldbeck
• Anthony Budny
• Greg Parnas
• Frank Chang
• Mikahl Tolton
• Kim Klyberg
• Chris Girardot
• Alyssa
• jeffrey katz
• Andrew MacWilliams
• Jamie Jackson
• Meegan
• Mike Rucki
• Jason Tucker
• Nick Gardner
• Amber Farris
• Sarah Ray
• Peter Jones
• Blue2024
• Brad Stengel
• Matt Winterhalter
• Bill and Karen Butcher
• Jordan Harvey
• Justin Broady
• Stephen Claeys
• Julie Verratti
• DFA Howie Kendrick

Welcome back to another episode of the DC Beer Show! Today's episode has much to cover, including an exciting new event at Solace Outpost Falls Church. We'll also dive into the upcoming Octoberfest events and beer happenings around the DMV area.

We'll be joined by Russell Carpenter, head brewer at Solace Outpost in Falls Church, to get the inside scoop on the highly anticipated Lagerfest (Sat., Sept. 16) and discuss the fascinating world of lagers. This event promises to showcase a variety of lagers, from Pilsners to Marzens, from some of Russell's favorite brewers — including a number that are not distributed widely like Quattro Goombas and Black Hoof — as well as Lost Boy Ciders and live music by the talented German band Lost Lederhosen. The street will be closed for this spectacular event, so you won't want to miss it.

But first, Jake, Mike, Brandy, and Jordan tell you all about the upcoming beer-related events like Hellbender's live music series and the Arts and Ale Festival in Hyattsville, both of which have sparked their interest. In addition, they touch on Denizen's closing of the Silver Spring location and the upcoming homebrew competition at Metro Bar.

The DC Beer team also highlights the 10th-anniversary celebration of the DMV Girls Pint Out at Andy's Pizza in Shaw and prepares for the start of Oktoberfest celebrations.

So grab a cold one, sit back, and dive into DC beer!

• Amarendra Sahoo
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam
• Chip
• Tory Roberts
• Steven M Quartell
• Chris DeLoose
• Lauren Cary
• Amy Crone
• Clifton B
• Scott Pavlica
• Greg Antrim
• jeffrey garrison
• Joshua Learn
• Alexis Smith
• A t
• Dan Goldbeck
• Anthony Budny
• Greg Parnas
• Frank Chang
• Mikahl Tolton
• Kim Klyberg
• Chris Girardot
• Alyssa
• jeffrey katz
• Andrew MacWilliams
• Jamie Jackson
• Meegan
• Mike Rucki
• Jason Tucker
• Nick Gardner
• Amber Farris
• Sarah Ray
• Peter Jones
• Blue2024
• Brad Stengel
• Matt Winterhalter
• Bill and Karen Butcher
• Jordan Harvey
• Justin Broady
• Stephen Claeys
• Julie Verratti
• DFA Howie Kendrick

DC Beer’s Richard is joined by Mari Rodela of DC Brau and Paul Dean of the DC Brewers’ Guild (DCBG) to recap the Guild’s 2019 activities and to preview what’s in store for 2020.

New Faces to the DC Beer Scene

DCBG is a nonprofit advocacy organization that represents the interests of DC breweries and taprooms. The DCBG family grew by two members in 2019, with Red Bear Brewing Company and Valor Brewpub both opening their doors last year. Mari and Paul noted that several great breweries also began operations in the region (but outside of DC-proper).

The turn of the decade is also bringing about leadership changes in DCBG. Mari is stepping down as President, a role she has held since the group’s inception seven years ago. She is handing over the presidency to Leah Cheston of Right Proper. Joining Leah on DCBG’s leadership team are Justin Cox of Atlas (Treasurer and Vice President) and Barrett Lauer of District ChopHouse (Secretary).

Updates on DCBG’s Legislative Advocacy

DCBG had one major legislative “win” in 2019. A DC government bill passed in 2018 cast doubt upon DC brewpubs’ ability to sell beer in all types of sealed containers (such as cans, bottles, kegs, growlers, and crowlers). Last year, however, DCBG was able to work with the DC City Council to clarify that DC brewpubs are still able to continue selling all forms of sealed beers.

DCBG seeks to continue to advance some legislative priorities in 2020. It is advocating for the DC City Council to allow brewpubs to self-distribute its beers. Mari and Paul anticipate that this legislation will pass before the end of the 2020 session. In addition, DCBG also supports the Manufacturer’s Satellite Taverns Amendments Act, which would allow DC breweries to establish up to two satellite taprooms in DC (an allowance that only outside breweries currently enjoy).

DCBG’s Ever-Growing Flagship Events: HopFest and DC Beer Week

DCBG holds two annual flagship events to help fund its operations: HopFest and DC Beer Week. Both events were highly successful in 2019 with record turnouts, expanded offerings, and even participation from some DC City Councilors.

Mari and Paul announced that HopFest 2020 will occur on March 14 (Pi Day!) at DC Brau. They are anticipating building upon last year’s turnout of over 700 guests, 40 breweries, and outside vendors (including DCBeer.com). Buy your tickets here!

You can catch up on all the DC Beer Show episodes here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the DC Beer Weekly Pour.

• Amarendra Sahoo
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam
• Chip
• Tory Roberts
• Steven M Quartell
• Chris DeLoose
• Lauren Cary
• Amy Crone
• Clifton B
• Scott Pavlica
• Greg Antrim
• jeffrey garrison
• Joshua Learn
• Alexis Smith
• A t
• Dan Goldbeck
• Anthony Budny
• Greg Parnas
• Frank Chang
• Mikahl Tolton
• Kim Klyberg
• Chris Girardot
• Alyssa
• jeffrey katz
• Andrew MacWilliams
• Jamie Jackson
• Meegan
• Mike Rucki
• Jason Tucker
• Nick Gardner
• Amber Farris
• Sarah Ray
• Peter Jones
• Blue2024
• Brad Stengel
• Matt Winterhalter
• Bill and Karen Butcher
• Jordan Harvey
• Justin Broady
• Stephen Claeys
• Julie Verratti
• DFA Howie Kendrick

DC Beer’s Richard speaks with guests Lyn Holland of 3 Stars Brewing Company and Bryan Van Den Oever of Red Bear Brewing Company about the concept of breweries and brewpubs as community centers, and patrons enjoy the brewery events that are held.

Before prohibition, pubs and salons were popular community meeting places. Since the 1920s, however, most of these establishments lost their “community center” characteristic. But now, things are beginning to change. Over the past several years, breweries and brewpubs around the country (and especially in DC) are again becoming focal points of their communities. Families and groups of all ages are welcome, with breweries holding events from weddings to bingo nights to “plant swaps.”

Plant and Yarn Swaps at 3 Stars

Last year, Lyn Holland spearheaded a plant swap to bring people together for a few beers and to share their love of plants. She was overwhelmed that the first plant swap brought in more than 80 people. She thought it was a great way for like-minded people in the community to meet and make new friends. Since then, Lyn has organized two additional plant swaps, along with a “yarn swap.”

Moving forward, Lyn plans to partner with Cultivate the City to hold another plant swap on March 29, 2020 and another yarn swap soon (TBD). She is also working with a local library to try to host the first “puzzle swap.” Stay tuned!

Events for the LGBT, Deaf, and Boardgamer Communities

Coming up on its one-year anniversary on March 7, Red Bear has already made a huge impact on the local community. The three main groups to rally around Red Bear are the LGBTQ, deaf, and boardgamer communities.

As a 100% gay-owned bar, Red Bear (Bryan and his fellow co-founders Simon Bee and Cameron Raspet) have done a lot to make their brewery a popular gathering place for the LGBTQ community. They hold a number of drag events each month, including drag bingo (on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month), a “Slay Them!” drag competition for drag newcomers (on the first Friday of each month), and a traditional drag show once a month. They also hold “Bear Bust” nights for the community that features bottomless craft beer for one set price.

Red Bear is located near Gallaudet University, a federally chartered private university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. Red Bear makes sure to welcome the deaf community requiring every bartender to know basic American Sign Language (ASL) (some staffers are even fluent in ASL!) They also hire ASL interpreters for trivia nights and host ASL Queer Nights.

Cameron is a MAJOR board gamer, with over 400 unique board games in his personal collection. He brought his passion to Red Bear, which boasts 200 unique board games. Some of the games are so new/exclusive that they’re not yet out for retail. Cameron, Simon, and Bryan are also trying to educate their staffers (and customers) about board games by hosting periodic staff board game nights.

Other Upcoming Brewery Events in the DC Area

Every DC brewery and brewpub is hosting events to foster community engagement. Some recent/upcoming brewery events in the DC area include:

• Right Proper’s Crowdsourced Beer (happening now!)
• DC Brewers’ Guild Hopfest (March 14)
• The Brewers Association’s Annual Savor (May 15)
• DC Brau’s Pride Pils can design competition (TBD)

Stay updated by following the DC Beer calendar!

And, as always, you can catch up on all the DC Beer Show episodes here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the DC Beer Weekly Pour.

• Amarendra Sahoo
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam