“City State Brewing right off the MBT (north of Rhode Island Ave, south of Dew Drop Inn).” Photo by R Sverd

From City-State Brewing (705 Edgewood Street, NE:

“City-State Brewing Co., DC’s newest brewery and community gathering space, officially opens its taproom to the public Friday, June 4th.

The long-awaited homegrown brewery celebrates the District of Columbia in every way, from the beer, named after defining traits and historic moments like 8 Wards Independent Pale Ale and Lost Laws Pilsner, to the location, accessible by metro and the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The space includes an exhibit wall dedicated to the area’s culture and history, including 45 posters depicting DC neighborhoods by local artist Anthony Dihle.

“City-State is one big, heartfelt toast to DC,” said owner James Warner. “It’s a space that honors and celebrates everything unique about the District.”

The 13,000 square-foot brewery is housed in a former freight rail depot on the border of the Edgewood and Brookland neighborhoods. There is a taproom on site as well as an arts venue that will feature live music and an event space open to community groups. It will be open: Read More

14th and S Street, NW photo by angela n.

From an email:

“There’s something new and exciting coming to the corner of 14th Street and S Street, NW. Aslin Filling Station, a beer garden designed with the best interests of the local community in mind. Aslin Beer Company and local design firm //3877 are working in tandem on a beer garden concept that, upon opening, will be a family-friendly and well-maintained destination within the bustling, beautiful neighborhood.”

Rendering Credit: //3877

This space was originally slated to be a beer garden from Dacha. A lot more info about the plans from the email: Read More

Photo by Geoff Livingston

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Come get vaccinated and grab a beer, on us, to enjoy what looks to be a beautiful Thursday! No appointment is necessary.

Thursday, May 6, 2021
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Read More

Flashback to 2011 here

From DC Brau:

“It’s been a decade since the District’s beer community lined up around the block to get into Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights on Tax Day to grab a pint from the inaugural keg of DC Brau’s pale ale. Ten years and almost 40,000 barrels of The Public later, DC’s first craft packaging brewery is celebrating the momentous milestone with a year-long tribute to its first beer. Read More

From an email:

“Washington Nationals Philanthropies has proudly partnered with Bluejacket Brewery on the release of “We Are the Ship, All Else the Sea” in honor of Black History Month. The label honors Washington Homestead Grays great and Washington Nationals Ring of Honor member Josh Gibson. The Double IPA was brewed to celebrate the District’s rich baseball history and raise money for future generations of ballplayers through the work of the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy (YBA). Read More

1345 Connecticut Ave, NW

In late December Barredindc reported that “The Big Hunt Has Terminated Its Lease. Building for Sale/Rent”. I’ve been waiting for official word to come out but after spotting this dreaded sticker, I can be in denial no more:

For those not familiar:

“The Big Hunt is a one-of-a-kind dive bar and comedy venue in a sea of trendy clubs in the Dupont Circle area of Washington DC.

Open since 1992, The Big Hunt is one of DC’s oldest beer bars and has been serving quality craft beers on draft since long before the craft movement became mainstream”

The Big Hunt’s website is no longer live, their phone number has been disconnected and their last Facebook post is a tribute to their founder Joe Englert (RIP) and the page lists that they have “Permanently Closed”.

There’s much that can be said about The Big Hunt. It had it’s ups and downs like all spots do that have been open for so many years. At the end of the day all I can say is that I spent many many hours here, had many many good times here and met many many great people here. This Big Hunt was a great bar. Read More

Photo courtesy DC Brau

From DC Brau:

“DC Brau is adding a new hoppy ale to its award-winning line-up of flagship craft beer this month with The Imperial, a hybrid Double IPA that crosses a New England-style Hazy IPA and a filtered American IPA for a unique drinking experience. The Imperial enters the market starting January 27th via the brewery’s online store and retail distribution. Read More

via Occasion Ales and Atlas Brew Works

The good word from Occasion Ales:

“Thanks to your overwhelming support, Batch 1 of our 2021 commemorative Inauguration beer quickly sold out. Many of you reached out to us about a second run, so, we’ve decided to fire up the tanks if enough people are interested (once 200 cases of beer are pre-ordered). Read More

From DC Brau:

“The DC beer community lost our friend Ben Tolkan this past October after an epic five-and-a-half-year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. A charismatic mainstay within the community, Ben worked the bar at Pizzeria Paradiso before representing Brooklyn Brewery and DC Brau in the District. To honor his memory and his inspiring contribution to the DC craft beer scene, seven local breweries, along with longtime friends and family members, have come together to create a special American Pale Ale called Living the Dream, which will be available in limited quantities throughout Washington, DC, starting on Friday, December 11th.

“Ben’s unwavering optimism was infectious,” says DC Brau CEO & Co-Founder Brandon Skall. “He always saw the cup half full and the world as a beautiful place full of life and laughter. He always had a smile on his face, and spent each day ‘living the dream.’ We were honored to have him as part of the DC Brau family.”

The idea of the project came together in early November. The breweries collaborated with Ben’s friends and family, along with other community partners, including Pizzeria Paradiso and Jerkface Jerky, on the beer’s development. DC Brau is spearheading the Living the Dream brew along with contributions from Right Proper, Atlas Brew Works, 3 Stars, Bluejacket, Oxbow, and Hellbender. 
Read More