Back for the third year in a row is a DC Beer Week collaboration beer under the name Solidarity. This year's edition was brewed at DC Brau, as was last year's IPA-dubbed-English-Style-Summer-Ale.

The brew will be released at a DC Beer Week flagship event at Gordon Biersch in Chinatown on Thursday, August 21. Along with getting a taste of the Solidarity, attendees will enjoy appetizers along with tastings by all of the 10 breweries participating at this event and will receive DC Beer Week glassware.You can get your tickets for $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 

This year's collaboration is in the vein of the hottest style in craft brewing right now: a pared down in terms of gravity, but still extremely hoppy, IPA. With a malt bill of Canadian 2-Row, CaraPils, wheat, and oats, the beer should have a nice mouthfeel for being only 4.5%. Generously hopped with Cascade, Amarillo, Mosaic, Zythos, Chinook, Centennial hops, the beer comes in at 45 IBUs, which is quite high for such a low alcohol beer.

30 BBLs of this beer will make the rounds to all the participating DC Beer Week bar partners, according to DC Brau CEO Brandon Skall. Other area breweries and brewpubs have brewed their own version of this recipe that will be served at their respective locations. This riffing on the initial recipe is something that dates back to the first Solidarity Ale from two years ago, when a number of breweries made their interpretation on a saison that was then threaded together by District Chophouse brewer Barrett Lauer.

Here are the tasting notes from DC Brau:

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This is a very hop-forward Session IPA boasting a first-wort hop addition which adds a soft bitterness to the pallet. The beer also received 2 separate 22lbs Dry hop additions of Cascade, Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo. Initial aroma has a mango-like, sharp earthy aroma with subtle papaya and a tropical citrus character. The mouthfeel is light and refreshing with a moderate bitterness followed by a prominent hop slickness on the mid to rear pallet. The finish is a pleasant grass-like pine note that feels like it lingers just the right amount of time.

In an effort to show camaraderie, area brewers contributed ingredients for the brew. Caboose Brewing (soon to open in Vienna) contributed Zythos hops, The Brewer's Art contributed Cascade hops, Capitol City Brewing Company contributed Chinook hops, and the District Chophouse contributed oat malt. Other breweries who were on-hand to participate in the brew day included Atlas Brew Works, Mad Fox Brewing Co, 3 Stars Brewing Company, Gordon Biersch, Devils Backbone Brewing, and more!
 
Be on the lookout for the Solidarity Beer, one of just a few DC Beer Week traditions, around town during DC Beer Week!