The Brew Daddies

As more Americans are self-quarantining and transitioning to socially distant lifestyles to help contain the coronavirus, local breweries and brewpubs are in a crisis. These small businesses are working to transform their operations from in-house sales to deliveries and takeouts, while facing gut-wrenching decisions about how to do right by their loyal employees. There is little clarity about how long the public health emergency will last.In this episode, Richard speaks with brewery professionals from DC, Virginia, and Maryland about how they are handling the current challenges and what local, state, and federal governments should do to keep them afloat during and after the pandemic. Paul Dean Outlines Local Government Actions to Help BreweriesDC Brewers’ Guild Executive Director Paul Dean reviews the current status of breweries and brewpubs in Washington DC. All breweries now are transitioning their business models to take-out and delivery and are looking for government assistance for their businesses and em

DC Beer’s Richard hosts the first DC Beer Show in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Richard speaks with a number of stakeholders in the local beer community to talk about how breweries are handling the coronavirus amid mandatory closures on all bars and restaurants in DC and Maryland. Richard and his guests also discuss what federal, state, and local governments should do to ease the pain, and how YOU can support breweries during these tough times.Greg Parnas Discusses Legal Mechanisms for BreweriesGreg Parnas, who is a writer at DC Beer and partner in the DC Beverage Law Group, discusses how breweries can manage the financial implications of coronavirus. Greg notes that many breweries could exercise force majeure provisions within their work contracts. Breweries can also exercise clauses related to impracticality or impossibility of carrying out certain tasks. Breweries should study these contracts to determine how to ease financial burdens as revenues dry up. Red Bear Brewery Is Open for Takeout, but t

DC Beer’s Richard and Adam visit Silver Branch Brewing Company to talk with Head Brewer Christian Layke and Marketing Manager Erin Karla about upcoming events and beer releases.Silver Branch is located in the heart of Silver Spring (just a few blocks from the DC Metro Redline stop). After opening its doors a year ago, Silver Branch has gained a reputation for its excellent dark lagers, along with a host of other favorite brews (including Hazy IPAs and Stouts).Celebrating One-Year Anniversary This Week Silver Branch has a number of events this week to celebrate its one-year anniversary. On Wednesday (March 4), Silver Branch is hosting its weekly Trivia Night with a special round on Silver Branch beers. On Thursday (March 5), Silver Branch is previewing its new beer called Power Boots Pilsner during its weekly Gravity Cask Night.On Friday (March 6), Silver Branch is releasing its Power Boots Pilsner, which was brewed with a “pink boots hop blend” created by the women brewer’s organization, the Pink Boots Societ

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 StarsLast 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 th

DC Beer’s Richard speaks with the Brewers Association (BA) Executive Chef Adam Dulye about his work to promote the value and compatibility of craft beer and cuisine. Chef Adam also gives a preview of what to expect at this year’s SAVOR (which will be held on May 15 at the Anthem).The Art of Food and Beer PairingsChef Adam is a longtime chef who always had an appreciation for beer. He began collaborating with the BA on food and beer pairings over a decade ago for the annual Great American Beer Festival. His work with BA grew over time, and he eventually became BA’s Executive Chef in 2015. As Executive Chef, Adam leads BA’s efforts in preparing food and beer pairings for major events across the country. He also engages in educational programs and training sessions to teach craft breweries and restaurants about the art of food and beer pairings. Chef Adam is proud that a growing number of American restaurants now offer beer pairing recommendations on their menus. A New Venue for a Growing EventThe National Build

DC Beer’s Richard speaks with John Ustleton, Cofounder of New Columbia Distillery, and Alex Laufer, Head Distiller and Cofounder of One Eight Distilling, to talk about distilling spirits using local DC beers.Made in DC, for the Love of DCNew Columbia and One Eight are located in Ivy City, a small neighborhood in Northeast DC that is also home to DC breweries Atlas Brew Works and The Public Option. They take pride in their city and focus on providing local clientele with a broad range of spirits offerings. New Columbia opened its doors in Ivy City in 2011 as the first of several distilleries to begin operations in DC over the past decade. Its main product line consists of eight gins, all produced under the “Green Hat Gin” label. The Green Hat moniker is a tribute to George Cassiday, a Prohibition-era bootlegger who operated in the Cannon Office Building (House of Representatives) from 1920 until he was arrested in 1925. Soon after his arrest, Cassiday restarted operations in the Russell Office Building (Senate

DC Beer’s Richard sits down with Katie Marisic, the Federal Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA), to talk about BA’s advocacy role for the 8,000 craft breweries across the United States. Katie discusses the BA’s craft beer legislative victories in 2019 and previews the exciting activities coming up in 2020. Recap of 2019: Extension of the Excise Tax BreakBreweries have been subject to excise taxes since the Civil War. Excise taxes are placed on each barrel of beer produced by a US brewery (and foreign beer imports). In 2017, the BA successfully helped pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to lower the per-barrel excise tax from $7/barrel to $3.50/barrel for the first 60,000 barrels for domestic brewers producing fewer than 2 million barrels annually. It also cut rates for breweries producing more than 2 million barrels annually and foreign importers. This tax cut was in effect from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2020. Katie and Richard discussed the wide-ranging benefits of the excise tax cuts since the o

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 WinesEric 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 continu

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 SceneDCBG 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 AdvocacyDCBG had one major legislative “win” in 2019.

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 TrueEarl, 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 al

DC Beer’s Richard and Adam visit Reckless Ale Works in Columbia, Maryland to talk about the brewery’s emergence onto the Maryland beer scene and how it is promoting its “reckless” brand.A Maryland Brewery on the Rise The story of Reckless Ale Works starts with its owner, Adam Carton, a former two time NCAA gymnastics champion and seven-time all-American athlete. After his gymnastic days, Adam went into the restaurant business. In 1996, he opened Frisco Tap House in Columbia, Maryland. Twenty years later, he opened Reckless Ale Works next door as a spin-off to Frisco’s brewing operations.Another key figure in Reckless Ale Works is Brewmaster Tim Mason. Tim has a long history of brewing, having previously worked for Magic Hat Brewing Company in Vermont and then Lagunitas Brewing Company and Revolution Brewing in Chicago. He eventually moved back to the East Coast to be closer to family and to join the Reckless Ale Works team.Another key figure is Brewery Manager Zach Price. Zach and Tim work closely together to

DC Beer’s Richard and Mike speak with Elliott Johnson and Jahi Wartts of Soul Mega, one of the newest breweries in DC. Elliott and Jahi talk about the philosophy behind their company and their grassroots efforts to promote the Soul Mega brand.The Embodiment of GreatnessElliott and Jahi met through work about ten years ago. Both novice homebrewers at the time, they quickly began trading beers, then collaborating on brews, and finally scaling operations. After receiving positive feedback from a number of friends, they began making plans to establish their own brewery.When Elliott and Jahi started their brewery last year, they chose the name “Soul Mega,” which means “the embodiment of something great.” Indeed, they see Soul Mega not only as a brewery but as a lifestyle brand. Both co-founders embody this philosophy in their operations, as each uses his unique strengths to help bring excellent beer to the customer. Building Relationships Directly with DC CustomersElliott and Jahi have been working at the grassroo

DC Beer’s Richard and Adam sit down with Richard Cauble and Brent Turner to talk about Midnight Run Brewing in Frederick, Maryland.Humble Beginnings in Richard’s GarageRichard and Brent are family friends who began brewing together in Richard’s garage about seven years ago. Over time, their homebrewing operations expanded in scale and frequency. As garage space dwindled, they started looking to relocate.The first major breakthrough for Richard and Brent occurred four years ago when they obtained a permit from the Brewers Association of Maryland to provide beer samples at the Maryland Craft Beer Festival. After receiving enthusiastic feedback from festival beer drinkers, they decided it was time to move operations into a new facility.Expanding Into an “Overgrown Homebrew System”Richard and Brent opened Midnight Run Brewing in Federick, Maryland in late 2017. The brewery’s name is a tribute to their late nights of brewing and bottling beer in Richard’s garage. They describe their brewhouse as an “overgrown home

Richard teams up with DC Beer contributors Jacob Berg and Michael Stein to look back at the 2019 DC-area craft brewing scene and to speculate what’s to come in 2020. They say goodbye to a few cherished DC beer establishments, while also sharing optimistic outlooks for the continued growth of craft brewing in the region. Casualties and Opportunities of the Changing DC Beer Market2019 witnessed the closing of Meridian Pint and Mad Fox. These two brewpubs, which relied heavily upon “beer events” to generate revenue, struggled to compete against the influx of local craft breweries.At the same time, there were a number of craft brewery openings in DC including Red Bear, Astro Lab, Valor, Silver Branch, Sapwood, which are already producing high-quality brews. Established breweries like District ChopHouse, Churchkey, The Sovereign, and DC Brau continue to make great beers. The DC Beer team has also noticed that several breweries are beginning to produce more low-ABV/low-calorie beers (and even some Hard Seltzers) in

DC Beer’s Richard is joined by Drew McCormick, Executive Beverage Director at Pizzeria Paradiso, which is a top restaurant in the DC with five locations in the DMV area. Drew talks about her beer program at Pizzeria Paradiso and her efforts to support the local community.Drew’s Evolving Role in the Pizzeria Paradiso Beer ProgramOriginally from Maine, Drew has worked with Pizzeria Paradiso for seven years. She began as a server and worked her way up the ranks to her current position as Executive Beverage Director. She is responsible for coordinating the beverage options across all five locations, constantly seeking to provide customers with a balanced selection of craft beer. Drew is building upon a rich beer legacy at Pizzeria Paradiso, which opened its first bar in the basement of its Georgetown location in the 1990s. Today, Pizzeria Paradiso has a dynamic beer program, with a diverse offering of beers from both inside and outside the DC area. Each location offers a unique drink list consisting of at least a

DC Beer’s Adam and Richard visit Brendan and Bailey O’Leary and Kenny Allen in Montgomery County to talk about their up-and-coming brewery True Respite Brewing Company.A Long, Fraught Road to the Opening of True RespiteBrendan and Bailey began drawing up business plans for True Respite in 2014 while living in Colorado. When searching for a brewery location, they found that Montgomery County was a perfect spot: a “beer friendly” local government; few existing breweries; and close to family. Soon after, they met Kenny, a local brewer who was eager to join forces. Like many beer entrepreneurs, however, Brendan and Bailey had initial difficulties finding the right location for True Respite. Finally, in April 2018, just as they were planning to abandon their business plan, they found a willing landlord in an office park in Derwood, Maryland. A Growing Brewery with a Commitment to SustainabilityLess than two years later, True Respite is increasing production and expanding distribution. It employs a Blichmann 3.5-ba

DC Beer’s Richard and Adam sit down with Jon Zerivitz and Kevin Blodger of Union Craft Brewing in Baltimore, Maryland to discuss how their brewery has become a pillar of their neighborhood over the past eight years. Simple, Good Beer for Baltimore Jon, Kevin, and their business partner, Adam Benesch, founded Union Craft Brewing in 2011 with the vision of making good craft beer for the enjoyment of local Baltimore residents. It was the first new brewery built in Baltimore in 30 years. Kevin, the Director of Brewing Operations, brought a simple concept to Union Craft Brewing: make good quality beer that anyone can appreciate. Today, Union Craft Brewing offers a wide variety of beers, with Kevin encouraging his staff to experiment with new, innovative brews.Many Union Craft Brewing beers are creatively named after Baltimore-area landmarks. Some popular names include Blackwing (a tribute to local sports teams Ravens and Orioles--both black-winged birds) and Anthem (invoking Francis Scott Key’s penning of The Star

DC Beer’s Richard sits down with Julie Verratti of Denizens Brewing Co. and Mike Stein of DC Beer and Lost Lagers to talk about the upcoming release of a new American-style bock beer called Bock to the Future.An 80-Year Old BrewBock to the Future is the result of a collaboration between Mike Stein and Denizens’ Chief Beer Officer, Jeff Ramirez, as part of the DC Beer’s 10 Beers for 10 Years series. The inspiration for this beer came from the archival collection of American brewer Walter Voigt, which is located within the National Museum of American History’s Archives. Voigt, who studied brewing at the famous Siebel Institute Of Technology in Chicago, left behind a recipe for an American-style bock last brewed in the 1930s. Mike and Jeff resurrected this recipe and began to brew Bock to the Future in September.A New Take on the American BockThis Voigt-inspired beer is a craft American-style bock brewed with a combination of pale malt, crystal malt, black malt, and rice; an Andechs yeast from Jasper Yeast; and

DC Beer’s Richard sits down with Jamaal Lemon and Myron “Shep” Jenkins to talk about their journey from beer novices to hosts of the podcast Help the Pour.The Early Beer DaysOriginally from Charleston, South Carolina, Jamaal and Shep are longtime friends living in the DC area who share two passions: beer and travel. Several years ago, they began a travel blog called the Wayfarer Study that chronicled their travels to European cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Rome. Later, they expanded their blog by creating a Youtube channel called One Beer, in which they reviewed a new international beer every episode. In a creative twist, they also named a music album that reminded them of each beer. Drink It InternshipIn 2016, Jamaal and Shep beat out thousands of competitors for the World of Beer’s summer-long “Drink It Internship.” This program sent them around the world to drink beer and promote World of Beer events on social media. Some highlights of the internship included running a Chicago Beer mile, camping out

DC Beer Show hosts Adam and Richard travel to Alexandria, Virginia to visit with John Gartner, Sales Director, and Adam Reza, Lead Brewer of Port City Brewing. Port City Brewing opened its doors in 2011 and is the oldest package brewery in the DC Metro area. They just won their 11th Great American Beer Festival (GABF) medal earlier this month for their German Pilsner. Brewing Abilities and BackgroundsAdam and Richard talk to the Port City Brewing guys about their six flagship beers and how they focus on keeping a great quality of beer while also improving at the same time. John and Adam touch on how some of their top beers came about and the story behind the Optimal Whit flagship beer.Port City has a secret weapon that they utilize when making their beers. John and Adam explain the invention - the Hopzooka - that the brewery owner, Jonathan Reeves, came up with. They explain how it affects the dry hops that are added and how it makes the end result better. Catch up on all the DC Beer Show episodes here, and s