Sinistral Brewing | Draft Favorites

Virginia’s beer market is booming, with big names and new, sprawling establishments. Among those, Sinistral Brewing Company, located in Manassas, VA, really embraces simplicity, though it certainly isn’t dull. Sinistral takes family and community to heart: its location is right near a commuter rail station; they provide a venue to featuring local musicians and they name beers after colleagues’ children, just to give a few examples.

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Braven Brewing Makes a Home in New York’s Bushwick Neighborhood

Sincerity can’t be faked — and it can make something that’s good transform into something absolutely wonderful.

Walking into the newly opened Braven Brewing Company in Bushwick on a Tuesday night, you’ll likely receive a warm welcome from the bartenders, hear friends laughing after work and see Cheer’s playing on all the televisions. Read More

Ballast Point Brewing | Fathom IPA

Ballast Point made a fantastic decision in opening their East Coast location in southwest Virginia. Daleville is near rolling mountains outside of Roanoke and has a cluster of outposts from well-known breweries, like Deschutes, Starr Hill and soon, Three Notch’d. Ballast Point’s production brewery, tasting room and restaurant opened in 2017 and has floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the landscape.

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The OGs of Craft Beer | Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – 60 Minute IPA

A longtime beer can remain beloved in a fast-paced market because it has a cult following, because it fits a really niche need or, for better or worse, because it’s so widely distributed it becomes a default choice.

Sometimes, a beer remains hot because it’s still so damn good. Read More

Eurotrip | DC Brau Goes to Sweden

DC Brau is the latest stateside brewery to capitalize on the exploding Swedish beer market. The Washington D.C.-based beloved brewery announced it will be distributing in Systembolaget stores throughout Sweden this fall.
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BadWolf Brewing Company | Clara’s Vanilla Porter

Spring is here but that doesn’t mean porters should disappear from your lineup, notably something that’s light, slightly sweet and beloved in your hometown. Personally, I was shocked when I saw that I hadn’t profiled this Clara’s Vanilla Porter from BadWolf Brewing Company, located steps from my home in Manassas, Virginia.

I’ve been enjoying this beer during Friday night date nights with my husband for months now, thrilled with its low ABV and full body.

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Ultimate 6er | Virginia Beers + Outdoor Music

The weather in Virginia is doing a dance between 20 degrees and 60 degrees, teasing us with warm but reminding us that yes, the groundhog did see his shadow.

We’re going to charge ahead and look to spring and summertime, which means there’s plenty of days to enjoy beers outside to your favorite live shows, cover bands, Amazon Echo streams or whatever.

Grab a beer, grab a seat outside and relax with your favorite artists.

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Hardywood Park Craft Brewery | Gingerbread Stout

My Secret Santa may still be a secret, but his great taste in Virginia beer is definitely not. I was gifted Hardywood’s Gingerbread Stout and shared it with my family during Christmas. Despite enjoying it in Florida’s 80-degree December heat, we found the Imperial Milk Stout delicious, sip-able and surprisingly light.

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Wyndridge Farm | Crafty Cider

Wyndridge Farm does many things, but it truly does cider well.

The cidery, brewery, farm, restaurant, hard-soda maker and event space is in York County Pennsylvania, which borders Maryland and is straight north of Baltimore, south of Harrisburg and west of Lancaster. Wyndridge distributes throughout the East coast, and their Crafty Cider was a surprising addition to a supermarket in Northern Virginia. Read More

Want to Buy a Brewery in Virginia? Go to Craigslist.

A Craigslist ad posted Nov. 6 in the Washington, D.C. region caught the inquisitive chatter of local beer forums.
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Shipyard Brewing Co. | Pumpkinhead & Spiced Rimmer

Maine’s Shipyard Brewing Company wants you to call it a comeback. The brewery has a bold goal for its seasonal, 20-year-old pumpkin beer: Grow sales, despite consumers experiencing pumpkin burnout. (Maple, right? That’s the new, trendy flavor of fall 2017?) Read More

Growth is All Local in Virginia

Expansion means something specific in Virginia’s beer counties, which both encircle Washington, D.C. and span to verdant farmland.

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Mustang Sally Brewing Company | So Little Time IPA

So Little Time IPA is great for lager lovers — It’s a great beer to drink during the transition from summer to fall when many aren’t yet ready for the bold flavors of autumn but do desire more depth.

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National Dog Day: The Dogs of PorchDrinking

PorchDrinkers love their dogs just like they love their beer. In honor of #NationalDogDay on August 26, we wanted to show you the puppers that deserve a blop or two and are h*ckin’ good pets.

Meet the adorable dogs of PorchDrinking.

Have a pup of your own? Tweet us at @PorchDrinkingCO

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DC Beer Week 2017: More Than Tap Takeovers

This city isn’t actually known for being suave or sexy or hip or even truly hipster. Washington, DC is rather a place of ambition, Type A personalities and power — and a city with a whole lot of soul (something the interns running about the Hill oftentimes don’t realize).

In the middle of a busy summer, DC Beer Week snuck up on me again. Looking at the event listenings, I realized how foolish ignoring this awesome week would be.

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Ultimate 6er | Ode to The Star Spangled Banner

Feature image courtesy of the Smithsonian.

It’s Fourth of July season, which means it’s time for intense patriotism on social and other media. We’ll see slews of posts on the most Americana XYZ thing and guides to finding the most Independence Day-themed stuffs, all the stuffs, out there.

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Brothers Craft Brewing | Lil’ Hellion Helles Lager

ABV: 4.6%

The term “little hellion” can only be used endearingly for this brew, from the Harrisonburg-based Virginia brewery. It’s relaxing to drink, harbors a thoughtful approach to the style and is a flagship selection from Brothers Craft Brewing. Read More

Devils Backbone + Mad Fox | Craic Stout

ABV: 4.6% | IBU: 39

Hop-heavy beers, sours, barrel-aged… sometimes, they have nothing compared to a classic Irish dry stout. In the Devils Backbone Virginia Brewers Collaboration Pack, the Craig Stout created with Mad Fox Brewing Company is true to form: relaxing, easy, slightly sweet and a bit fizzy.

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Avery Brewing Returns to Connecticut Shelves

Feature image courtesy of Avery Brewing.

Boulder’s Avery Brewing Co. announced earlier this month that they would be returning distribution to Connecticut, after leaving the state in 2011 because of financial reasons and growing pains.

Connecticut was one of eight states Avery exited from six years ago, as they had lost “the ability to support all markets with a steady supply of fresh beer,” a press release said at the time. Now, due to a new brewery that opened in 2015 with the capabilities to produce 150,000 barrels, Avery says that can start to handle the larger demand and return to some of places they had to leave.

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#CBC17: DC Brau Celebrates 6 Years with 6 Beers

DC Brau is undoubtedly one of the mainstay brewers in the nation’s Capitol, available throughout the region and inspiring much of the craft beer growth that has occurred over the past few years. Its name recognition is paramount and its beers are more than familiar, even to the backseat craft beer drinker. Surprisingly, the brewery is only turning six years old this spring, but it’s celebrating in a big way.

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