By DCBeer Contributor Aaron Morrissey. Find more of his stylings on Twitter at @amorrissey.
Sure, it's been an awful year for Washingtonian sports teams. But at least fans of one of those teams, D.C. United, can close out the year with some exciting beer-related news.
Earlier this week, United and DC Brau announced that their popular collaboration, The Tradition, would be available in limited edition 12-ounce cans next spring. The Tradition, a 5% golden ale brewed with Fuggle and Cascade hops, had only been available on tap at official D.C. United bar partners during 2013 — but now, supporters will be able to bring cans of the brew home and to the traditional fan tailgate before each home game in Lot 8 outside RFK Stadium.
“I’m just so excited to tailgate with cans of The Tradition,” said DC Brau CEO Brandon Skall. “Truly something any United fan can be proud of."
Much like the name of the beer — The Tradition was hand-picked by United players from a range of names suggested by fans — the design of the beer's can will be a crowd-sourced effort. Brau and United are allowing United fans to vote on one of three proposed designs of the can, each of which features an adaptation of United's club crest and a team fixture list.
DCBeer.com contributors were deadlocked on a recommendation — we have a feeling it'll be a tight contest, so be sure to lodge your selection.
The voting closes on December 20, and the winning design will be released in February. Cans of The Tradition will be available at select bars and restaurants around D.C., at the Black-and-Red’s home opener at RFK Stadium on March 8, as well as at DC Brau's brewery, which offers canned product, merchandise and glassware for sale everyday during normal hours of operation.
Such an anticipated craft re-release will no doubt help this city's soccer-crazy populace to get over the fact that the team only won three MLS games in 34 attempts over the last calendar year. Get to voting!
