Beer

Colony Club, Coffee, Beer and Ping Pong Club Opening Soon in Park View

By Prince Of Petworth

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3118 Georgia Ave, NW

I apologize in advance but this is one of the transformations that makes ramble because I’m so happy. First of all I had no idea it was gonna turn out so nice. I just thought Colony Club was gonna be a very bare bones ping pong hall. I was very very wrong. Their website says:

“Colony Club is a neighborhood coffee shop, bar, and ping pong club. We serve quality products in a friendly and approachable setting.

Located on historic Georgia Avenue in Park View, Washington, DC, Colony Club tries to capture an old-school vibe, and pay homage to the history of the street (including the family flower shop, pictured below).”

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Photo via Colony Club

Check out their beer/wine/spirits menu here and breakfast and bar snacks here.

So a bit more info – which I totally didn’t realize. They’ll be a proper coffee shop during the day. They’ll open Monday-Friday from 7am-11pmish (hours likely to change a bit based on what folks want) and 8am-midnight(ish) on the weekends. Coffee is ceremony. Pastries will come from Bakehouse (14th and T St, NW.)

As for the evenings – while they have a small wine and cocktail list – the focus will be on good beer. Four draft lines, four cans, four bottles and a small cellar list. and Porkslap will only be $3!

As for the ping pong – it’s upstairs. One table. The space wasn’t photo ready when I stopped by but they are very very close. And you could definitely get a feel for it. It reminds me of when Temperance Hall (now Looking Glass) first opened on Georgia. It doesn’t remind me of the same style but in that what a huge deal it is. There is nothing like this around the 3100 block of Georgia (all due respect to Bravo Bar which is great for different reasons.) This place is a game changer for this section of Georgia Ave. You will see very, very soon.

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I take this as a very good sign:

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This is so much nicer than I was expecting, just a taste, but wait till you see proper photos:

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There will be bike parking out front:

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To properly gauge the amazing transformation – here’s how it looked in 2009 as Hadiya Cafe before it became Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine:

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More info on Wonder Garten, Beer Garden, Coming to NoMa plus Vote for this year’s Outdoor Movies Series Themed “Dance, Dance, Dance!”

By Prince Of Petworth

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150 M Street, NE

Back in February we first heard NoMa was getting a beer garden. Now a bit more info from Wonder Garten’s liquor license placard:

“Food will be served from food trucks, which will be permitted on the premises. Total Occupancy Load of 300. Entertainment Endorsement with Cover Charge, dancing and possibly occasional live music.”

Hours are listed as Sunday 12pm – 10pm, Monday and Tuesday 4pm – 10pm, Wednesday and Thursday 4pm – 11pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm – 12am.

In other good NoMa news:

“The theme of this year’s NoMa Summer Screen is Dance, Dance, Dance! Please select your top 10 favorite dancing movies here.”

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Smells Like Freedom, a collaboration brew from Oskar Blues Brewery and DC Brau Release Party and Tap Takeover Tonight at Meridian Pint

By Prince Of Petworth

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11th and Park Road, NW

From DC Brau:

“What is that in the air? Can you smell it too? It’s getting stronger. OH that’s right ……. it’s FREEDOM!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Smells Like Freedom, a collaboration brew from Oskar Blues Brewery and DC Brau Brewing Company. We couldn’t just choose any day to release a beer this monstrously dank, so we turned the amps up to ELEVEN and called on the luck of the Irish as well. Please join us on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th 2015, and be among the first drinkers in the city to imbibe a full pint of Freedom. To make things even more bodacious we are also celebrating the birthday of DC Brau Co-Founder and Head Brewer Jeff Hancock who is ACTUALLY born on St. Patty’s day! We have compiled a super Headie list of choice rarities and familiar favorites to round out this special tap takeover!

THE LIST

DC Brau:
Smells Like Freedom
Barrel Aged Penn Quarter Porter
Exaltation
Ghouls Night Out
On the Wings of Armageddon
Public
Citizen
Stone of Arbroath
Maple Syrup Barrel Aged On the Wings of Armageddon
A Special Firkin of Smells Like Freedom

Oskar Blues:
Coffee stout brewed with Boliva Newton John (OBeans hand roasted by Dale himself)
The Deuce (Brown ale originally brewed with Sun King, Indiana grown corn, CO barley, and 100% Galaxy hops)
Old Chub – NITRO
Pinner
Dales Pale Ale
Gubna
Mama’s Little Yellow Pils”

Dacha Beer Garden Opening for the Season this Thursday! Plus All the Details on Their Expansion

By Prince Of Petworth

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7th and Q St, NW

Last week I begged Dacha to hurry up. If you will it, it is no dream.

From a press release:

“Team Dacha is excited to announce the much anticipated reopening of Shaw’s own, expanded and improved, Dacha Beer Garden this coming Thursday, March 19th at 4:00 pm!

We gutted the China Express building next door and installed new bathrooms and a new kitchen on the 1st floor. The plan to build an extension to the main historic structure that will expand the restaurant and bar spaces to the 2nd and 3rd floors is still active. We will continue working with our neighbors and the Historic Preservation Review Board to approve the plans and move forward.

What to expect at the opening:

– First 50 guests will receive beautiful, complimentary Dacha t-shirts.
– The same great casual set-up with several major improvements.
– Brand new sparkling bathrooms. Porta potties no more!
– Expanded beer menu, with the addition of Weihenstephaner Pale Ale and All Day IPA from Founders Brewing Company.
– Expanded grounds with more canopy coverage and larger guest areas.

The Happy Hour will remain, Monday through Thursday, lasting from 3pm to 7pm including $5 singles and $10 boots of select drafts.

What to expect in the next few weeks:

– Full kitchen slated to open in April.
– Expanded menu to start in April.
– Dacha Market and Coffee will start operating from the former China Express carry out store front in April. The market will feature self-serve coffee, pastry, sandwiches, occasional gourmet groceries, juices, milk, fresh bread, cold cuts and more. In the morning the market will greet guests with freshly brewed coffee, pastries and a selection of breakfast sandwiches. Our upcoming online ordering system will allow guests to order their lunch and dinner then pick it up at Dacha Market and Coffee.

Thanks again for your continued support of Dacha Beer Garden. We cannot wait to welcome you and your loved ones at the garden this coming Thursday!

Dacha Beer Garden is a pleasant, green neighborhood epicenter that has been warmly received and endorsed by the community. Dacha serves a carefully curated selection of world-class German, Belgian and American beers, a variety of meads, ciders and wines – all accompanied by German and Eastern European inspired menu. The open-air format, comfortable seating, and convenient location make Dacha an easy choice, while affordable prices offer a great dinner/lunch alternative to a restaurant or a take out.

We’re changing the world, one beer at a time.”

Fairwinds Brewing Company Opens in Lorton, VA – But You’ll Get a Chance to Taste in DC Starting Early April

By Prince Of Petworth

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7000 Newington Rd, Lorton, VA

The fine folks at Meridian Pint were kind enough to invite me along while they toured the newly opened Fairwinds Brewing Company. For me touring a brewery is about as close to heaven as it gets and this one was no exception. There are three key components to a good tour – the beer (obviously), the space and the people. These guys hit it out of the park in all categories. But first a bit of info from their website:

“March 2, 2015– Fair Winds Brewing Co. is pleased to announce it will be opening its doors this week. [March 4th]

“We are very excited to be introducing hand crafted beer, tasting room and brewery to customers in the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area”, said Casey Jones, CEO of Fair Winds Brewing Company.
The almost 13,000 square foot facility is complete with a fully operational packaging brewery featuring a 30 barrel system and expansive tasting room. The Tasting Room will be open Wednesdays-Fridays 4-8 pm, and Saturdays 12- 9 pm. Fair Winds Brewing is located at 7000 Newington Road, Suites K&L, Lorton VA.

Casey Jones and Charlie Buettner established Fair Winds Brewing Company in order to bring quality craft beer to Fairfax County, Virginia. Premium Distributors of Virginia will begin distributing Fair Winds Howling Gale IPA, Following Cs Pale Ale, Running Light Red and Quayside Kolsch in March.”

Now you can see the tasting room (more photos after the jump) is huge – below is just part of it:

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And the people, especially owner Casey Jones and head brewer Charlie Buettner were incredibly passionate, knowledgeable and kind. Buettner, formerly of Mad Fox, has shepherded through some delicious first brews. But I’m not a critic, so you’ll just have to try them for yourself and see what you think. And to that end, I’ll admit that I don’t often hit up Lorton, VA so here comes the good news for DC – Meridian Pint, Brookland Pint and Smoke & Barrel will all feature Fairwinds Brews in early April. Stay tuned for the exact date of a DC launch party to be held at Meridian Pint. In the meantime – lots more photos and if you do wind up in Lorton you should definitely stop by.

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note the music the beer was brewed to is included. Awesome

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Hurry up!

By Prince Of Petworth

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7th and Q St, NW

Ok the recent weather got me a bit impatient about Dacha’s expansion. Fortunately their facebook update for Sunday says:

“#‎teamdacha‬ is happy to report that renovations are going as planned with almost no delays. New bathrooms, new canopy, new bar, new kitchen – these are just some of the new features to look for. If all goes as planned, and the weather cooperates, Dacha will welcome you and your loved ones in March.”

DC Repeal Day celebration at Acre 121 from 3pm Saturday to close Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo courtesy Acre 121

From Acre 121 (1400 Irving St, NW):

“Acre 121 is celebrating DC Repeal Day this weekend with Prohibition cocktails, local brews and local music. Specials kick off on Saturday at 3pm and run until close on Sunday, including $9 Sazeracs and Gin Rickeys, and $5 DC Brau Corruption cans and Denizens draft. Saturday night will feature a free show from local band Smoke N’ Mangos, from Poolesville, Maryland.”

Denizens Brewing Co Tap Takeover coming to Tryst, The Diner, Open City, and The Coupe March 4th-10th

By Prince Of Petworth

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From a press release:

“Four stores in the Tryst restaurant group are proud to announce they will be teaming up with local Denizens Brewing Co for a Tap Takeover from March 4th – 10th, 2015. Tryst, The Diner, Open City, and The Coupe are excited to offer their communities the opportunity to try an assortment of these local beers on tap, as well as beer flights, assorted beer cocktails and unique food pairings.

Denizens Brewing Co is a microbrewery located right on the DC/MD line, just about 5 miles from the Tryst group’s stores. Denizens believes that everyone has a right to fresh, local craft beer and the Tryst group is making that more possible than ever with this tap takeover—bringing Denizens beers to three neighborhoods of DC—Adams Morgan, Woodley Park, and Columbia Heights.”

A Roundup of the week’s events:

March 4th 6-8pm: Opening Night Launch Party- [3415 11th St, NW] The Coupe; Meet and greet with head brewer and co-owner of DBC, Jeff Ramirez; Upon purchase of a DBC Beer, you will entered into a 7pm raffle for a DBC sweatshirt; beer flights, assorted beer cocktails and food pairings offered!

March 5th 5-8pm: [2459 18th St, NW] Tryst Happy Hour with DBC representative present; Upon purchase of a DBC Beer, you will entered into a same night raffle for DBC merchandise; beer flights, assorted beer cocktails and food pairings

March 9th 5-8pm: [2331 Calvert St, NW] Open City Happy Hour with DBC representative present; Upon purchase of a DBC Beer, you will entered into a same night raffle for DBC merchandise; beer flights, assorted beer cocktails and food pairings”

Bach and Brews “classical music and beer pairing event” this Friday (and March 6th)

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St NE, Washington, District of Columbia 20002

Fabulous worlds collide when All Points West, an eclectic chamber music ensemble “hell-bent on transforming the classical concert back into a fun, social experience” unites with neighborhood favorite, Atlas Brew Works. Quench your thirst for two arts at once! Meet All Points West artistic director, Jessica Zweig, and Atlas Brew Works head brewer, Will Durgin, who will pair classical and contemporary music and locally crafted beers in a fun, unique exploration of the senses. Discover the notes, aromas and flavors of the Atlas Brew Works arsenal while listening to a just right musical selection paired for perfection!

Friday, Feb 27 at 7:00pm
Friday, Mar 6 at 9:30pm
50 minutes
$38.50/$28 for under 21s
For ages 12+”

You can get tickets here.

Forget Growlers the 1st Official Crowler Hours at DC Brau this Weekend

By Prince Of Petworth

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Behold the first official Crowler. It’s 32 ounces and it’s awesome. Crowler will be like $1 or $2 for the can and like $6 for a fill. This is gonna be particularly awesome come backyard BBQ season…

A bit of explanation from DC Brau’s facebook page:

“In honor of Brewer Chris’ BDAY, Smells Like Freedom & their love for DC the crew @OskarBlues has gifted us A CROWLER MACHINE! DC get ready for fresh CROWLERS and make sure you thank our buddies @OskarBlues!”

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