Taking advantage of cultural offerings is one of many perks of living in the DC-metro area, and recently, those cultural offerings have included local beer, spirits, and food, an added bonus.
SMITHSONIAN at 8: A Toast to D.C., took place last month at the Carnegie Library, home to the Historical Society of Washington, DC. Atlas, DC Brau, and Port City poured for the crowd, while New Columbia Distillers and Catoctin Creek Distilling Company mixed cocktails for those who prefer spirits. Being able to imbibe while viewing exhibits made for an interesting experience; the Historical Society was prepared, with materials on the history of brewing in the District, as well as prohibition. Historical Society staff and Smithsonian Associates were on hand to chat and answer questions, as were brewery and distillery representatives from all but Atlas. Being about to talk DC beer history with a librarian, drinking a DC Brau Public Pale Ale while discussing Heurich's Senate beer – the first of the new wave of breweries to open along with the last to close before then – was pretty cool.
Here is the schedule for the next few SMITHSONIAN at 8 events, and when beer is a featured component, we'll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, keep an eye out for other Smithsonian events, such as American History (After Hours), which featured Bluejacket and our very own Mike Stein earlier in the year.
The author attended this event as a non-paying member of the media.
