Mike remembers years ago when Hellbender was just a new brewery in town. Today, Hellbender is now one of our elders in the DC beer scene as they celebrate their 8th anniversary this weekend. 

We’re jazzed that Hellbender has been around for us all these years, so we have co-founder Ben Evans on the show. Ben and Mike look back on the first story DC Beer wrote on Hellbender’s opening and reflect on where the journey has taken them. Ben shares what the 8th anniversary beer will be and what’s on deck for the anniversary party happening this weekend. One thing is for sure; it’s a party you don’t want to miss. 

In other news, we talk about rice, give details on a new brewery that’s arrived to the DMV, shout out our favorite beers from the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival, and share an upcoming event with our resident favorite beer historian’s (Mike’s) favorite beer historian.  

There are so many events happening this week! Don’t miss them by checking out the DC Beer event calendar here. 

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, and @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

There are many events happening this week! Don’t miss them by checking out the DC Beer event calendar here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

It’s a competitive time to be a brewery, and Hugh Sisson knows this well. Hugh started Heavy Seas Brewing (formerly Clipper City) 27 years ago and has watched the craft beer scene evolve. In this episode, he shares his wisdom and insights on navigating the craft beer market and making the best damn tasting beer you can. 

You might know of Hugh Sisson, but you might not know that the Maryland craft beer scene is flourishing today because of the advocacy Hugh did on behalf of the beer community years ago. Hugh shares with brewers how to navigate this competitive market, if opening a taproom is sustainable, and if it’s worth experimenting with seltzers and cocktails. Jake and Hugh also dive into the news of National Premium returning to Baltimore and discuss controversial issues such as, should breweries produce wacky, dessert stouts?

In other news, we give details on the Lost Generation opening, the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival, and the Mindful Drinking Festival. 

There are so many events happening this week! Don’t miss them by checking out the DC Beer event calendar here. 

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, and @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

There are many events happening this week! Don’t miss them by checking out the DC Beer event calendar here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

We may be recovering from DC’s biggest beer weekend, but we’re gearing up for more festivities. In this episode, we check in with some favorite DC breweries about their recent victories and triumphs.

First, we talk with Daniel Vilarrubi of Atlas Brew Works about their recent bronze medal for best American Pilsner at the Great American Beer Festival and what it means to be a true American-style pilsner. 

Then, we dissect beers with Daniel Terrones of Other Half Brewing DC. Other Half is celebrating their second anniversary, so we talk about the evolution of their lager program and what anniversary beers Other Half will brew for this special celebration.

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, and @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Check out the DC Beer event calendar here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

American Latinos have long been a part of America’s beer history. Today, they’re pushing the beer industry forward with beers brewed with unique ingredients (hello, piloncillo), generations of brewing families, and inclusive taprooms.

Mike got to pick hops with Dr. Theresa McCulla, curator of the American Brewing History Initiative, and heard more stories about the role of American Latinos in our beer history. Dr. McCulla also gave details on an upcoming event at the Smithsonian Museum of American History that will explore the past, present, and future of American Latinos in beer (get your ticket!). Dr. McCulla tells us about the four incredible brewers who will be featuring their beers and gives us glimpses into their diverse stories and how generations of families are a part of their business histories. 

In other news, we come live from the first-time-ever winners of the Battle of the Barrel Aged Beers and give all the exciting previews for beloved Snallygaster 2022!

Get tickets to Last Call: ¡Salud! to American Latinos in Beer!

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Read DC Beer articles here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

In Mike Stein’s stein was Reasonably Corrupt, a Schwarzbier from Great Raft Brewing. So it was only fitting that we talked with former DC resident, DC Beer editor emeritus, and co-founder of Great Raft, Andrew Nations. 

Jake and Andrew talk about why seasonal beers come out earlier and earlier every year, the hectic race breweries must endure to be the first pumpkin beer on the shelves and why that even matters, and which beers Great Rafts has up their sleeve for Snallygaster 2022.

In other news, Mike gives us the rundown of several traditional Oktoberfest beers you’ll find at DC breweries, and the gang lets us in on all the beer events happening in the region. 

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Read DC Beer articles here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

It’s September. Some would say fall has arrived, but that’s up for debate. More importantly, we’ve entered DC’s biggest season for beer. 

DC beer lovers are getting jazzed for one event in particular – Battle of the Barrel-Aged Beers, the event that sets off DC Beer Week. Woop woop! Jake sits down with Colin McDonough of Boundary Stone to hear what the 2022 throwdown holds for our favorite local breweries, and how they will battle and joust to brew the best barrel-aged beer. Colin and Jake also discuss the decrease in beer events in the District, if they will make a comeback, and also dabble on the subject of barrel-aged barleywine. 

In other news, Brandy isn’t quite sure what she was thinking as she is going out of town and missing one of the biggest weekends for DC Beer in September. Jake kindly reminds her of all the fun events she is going to miss and also announces new brewery locations opening up and delicious new beer releases.

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Read DC Beer articles here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

It may be a scary time for breweries in DC right now, with closings and partners parting ways. But one team isn’t afraid. DC, welcome your newest neighborhood brewery, Lost Generation. 

Brandy sits down with co-owners Annie and Jared and lead brewer Cody to hear all about what Lost Generation Brewing has in store for us. They tell us the story behind the name, what beer styles they’ll be focusing on, what they’ll do to make Lost Generation a community-driven, neighborhood staple, and, most importantly, when we’ll be able to taste the goodness of their beer!

In other news, the gang recounts their brewery road trip through Maryland and tells you which beers up north you need to try, they share why the upcoming Megafest is going to be amazing, and they give a sneak peek to upcoming Oktoberfest 2022.

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Read DC Beer articles here. 

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

Brandy was roaming the Maryland Beer Festival when she overheard people raving about an Italian pilsner. She followed them to Landmade Brewing’s tent, the DC Beer Crew tasted the pilsner, and it quickly became the favorite beer of the day. 

Landmade opened six months ago and completely flew under our radar! So today, Brandy sits down with owner Gabe Scott and head brewers Matt and Kyle to hear the story of how these three came together to start Landmade Brewing on a farm in Poolesville. They talk beer porn to us, sharing why Landmade is focused on making amazing lagers, how they dabble in crafting smoked beers, and why local agriculture is so important to the brewery.

In other news, Mike and Brandy share exciting news about Snallygaster (woop woop!) and why you should seek out the brewery tents you’ve never heard of while at festivals.

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

For a lot of us at DC Beer, there’s nothing like finishing up the work week, heading to the local brewery for a fine brown ale, and headbanging to your local favorite heavy metal band. Years ago, the DIY metal scene of DC was looking for a place that metal fans could call home. Where did they find it? DC's beer scene.

The DC Beer ecosystem goes far beyond the brewers and taprooms. In this episode, the DC Beer Crew talks with Metal Chris, founder of DCHeavyMetal.com, to hear the story of how DC breweries became the haven for heavy metal fans to gather under the common love of heavy riffs.  

In other news…well, there’s bad news. But there’s also good news! We share both, tell you which beer events you should hit this next week, and cheers the DC Beer community for all the highs and lows it’s currently experiencing. We’re also joined by beloved Jordan Harvey, DC Beer’s own Man-About-Town, for some fun shenanigans. 

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.

It’s July in DC AKA it’s hot and muggy. So grab your most refreshing beer and slip slowly with us as your neighbors light off their leftover fireworks. In this episode, we’re sharing what beers are quenching our thirst driven by summer’s heat and catching up on the most exciting things that are going down in DC’s beer scene, including a beautiful collaboration between Soul Mega and 3 Stars, the outcome of the MD Craft Brewers Games of 2022, and a sneaky release of the potential date for DC’s favorite beer event!   

Keep up to date with everything happening at DCBeer.com, @DCBeer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected].

Breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and others who want us to announce new releases can provide that information at DC.beer/releases.