The DC Beer Show - An Update From The DC Brewers’ Guild

An Update From The DC Brewers’ Guild

01/22/20 • 32 min

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.

Thanks to our monthly supporters

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

Updates on DCBG’s Legislative Advocacy

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

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

Thanks to our monthly supporters

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

Previous Episode

Crooked Crab Brewing Company

DC Beer’s Richard and Adam speak with Earl Holman and Dan Messeca about the history and beer offerings at Crooked Crab Brewing Company in Odenton, Maryland. Approaching its two-year anniversary, Crooked Crab has found its identity as a brewery that offers something for everyone. It always has at least a dozen beers on tap and will continue to create more high-quality brews in the future.

A College Dream Come True

Earl, Dan, and their friend Alex Josephs became close friends while attending the University of Maryland in the mid-2000s. Over a few rounds of golf and a few more rounds of beer, they started talking about eventually starting a brewery. Ten years later, in August 2015, they began developing business plans to open their brewery. Two and a half years later, on February 15, 2018, they officially opened Crooked Crab.

Despite its name, Crooked Crab does not cook crabs, nor does it brew crabs (as the owners have informed disappointed inquirers). Instead, Earl, Dan, and Alex came up with Crooked Crab as an alliterative tribute to Maryland’s crab scene.

Something for Everyone

Crooked Crab hosts a 15-barrel system brew house, which allows the brewmaster, Adam Osborn, to constantly brew new beers, while also maintaining five flagship beers served year-round. The Maryland brewery also hosts a large tap room that has become a popular gathering place for Odenton locals.

Crooked Crab’s five flagship beers are Crooked Cream Ale (a light, easy cream ale), Haze for Days (a hazy IPA), I Fought the Claw (a traditional west-coast IPA), Chuck Brown Ale (a brown ale), and High Joltage (a coffee stout). In addition to these year-round beers, Crooked Crab usually offers around ten seasonal/experimental beers on tap at all times.

The Crooked Crab team likes to get creative when creating beer names. Many are music-inspired, like Chuck Brown Ale (the Godfather of go-go music), Started from the Bottom Lager (a tribute to Drake), and I Fought the Claw (a spin on The Clash’s I Fought the Law). Some other favorites are a Bohemian Pils called Pils Bo Baggins and a locally sourced pumpkin brew called Straight Outta Odenton.

Coming Soon to Crooked Crab

In the coming months, Earl, Dan, and Alex look to continue to build a diverse offering of brews, possibly looking to focus a bit more on barrel-aged beers and lagers.

Crooked Crab is available in draft and cans in over 100 locations in Maryland and DC. And their canned offerings are growing. They just recently had a canned release of two flagship beers, High Joltage and Haze for Days, and are looking to do a canned release of an imperial fruited sour and hazy double IPA in early February.

Crooked Crab is also celebrating its two-year anniversary on February 15. Come and join the party at the Maryland brewery!

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

Thanks to our monthly supporters

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 Bro...

Next Episode

DC Craft Beer Discussion Topics - Live From Silver Branch Brewing

No prep? No problem! On Sunday, January 26, 2020, DC Beer’s Richard, Adam, and Brandy visited Silver Branch Brewing Company for a live DC Beer Show recording. The co-hosts brought up members of the audience to talk about a range of Washington DC craft beer topics, including the latest retail trends, recent legislative “wins”, and upcoming FeBREWary events.

First Guest: Eric Kintner of Wardman Wines

Eric Kintner is a Certified Cicerone and a trusted source of beer knowledge for his customers at Wardman Wines. Eric’s clientele range from local college students to established residents in the area to new move-ins. Wardman provides 3-4 free beer tastings a week for its customers--check out their calendar and stop by for a free tasting soon!

Eric and the DC Beer Show hosts discussed the latest trends in beer retail. Eric observes that while smaller DC craft breweries consistently sell their “tried and true” brands, large distributors always look to sell the most “trendy” beer styles. Today, large distributors continue to sell Hazy IPAs, but Eric has noticed that many breweries are taking more creative approaches to these brews, helping to broaden the brand.

Second Guest: Clay Palmer of Silver Branch

The DC Beer Show next welcomed Clay Palmer, bartender/certified beer server at Silver Branch. Clay discussed a few of the new beer releases at Silver Branch, courtesy of Head Brewer Christian Layke. One popular choice is Obsidian Castle, a dark Czech lager with roasty malt flavors. Another is Full Tweed Jacket, a medium-bodied Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy with a rich, malty flavor.

Silver Branch currently has around 20 drafts currently on tap, with plans to continue to release new craft brews and expand their offerings. Their beers are also available in cans in a number of local Maryland locations (and beyond).

Third Guest: Greg Parnas of Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws

Greg Parnas, legislative counsel for Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws and DCBeer contributor, closed out the session by discussing legislative successes for breweries in 2019.

Maryland breweries received more favorable contractual rights when dealing with large distributors and wholesalers. The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild blocked a proposal by Anheuser-Busch that would have expanded the dollar value of marketing “gifts” they could provide to bars. DC craft breweries reduced a number of restrictions to help them become more competitive against larger wholesalers. And most importantly, Congress extended a tax break for all American breweries under the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. Looking forward, Greg hopes that the recent good news on US-China trade talks and the USMCA (or the “New NAFTA”) will help bring about more predictability and stability to the market.

Greg and Richard also previewed the months-long Maryland festival of brewing, FeBREWary. One of the main events is the February 14 “Love Thy Beer,” where 30 breweries will compete to brew the best “Cupid’s Curse” beer. FeBREWary will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment by debuting the “Suffragette Stout,” brewed by a team of female brewers from across Maryland. You can grab a Suffragette Stout at Denizens Brewing Company.

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

Thanks to our monthly supporters