As you may have guessed from the headline, we have a theme this week: changes. The industry is changing. The market is changing. The people craft beer is meant for and the people who make it are changing. It’s been documented before, but this week brought a renewed focus onto an industry that is morphing into something different than it was 10 years ago.
First, before we get into the local stuff, I have to give a shoutout to a legend in the online and offline beer communities. I mention both because I would be remiss in leaving out the influence he has had in both places in different ways. Jeremy Danner has officially called it quits at Boulevard, ending a years-long memorable run.
I first met him in DC at a Savor week Boulevard tap takeover at GBD (RIP) and later caught up with him again last year at Smoke and Barrel for another, where he brought the whalez as well as some of the taproom-only specials. Bill Debaun conducted a funny interview with him on the occasion. His combination of wit and experience attracted a lot of industry members to him, and they showed their respect in their messages to him about his inspiration as to how to be an ambassador for beer. Enjoy your time with family, Danner, and I speak for everyone when I say I hope the next step is bigger and better.
Following recent hate crimes in DC, local LGBTQ leaders, along with Elanor Holmes-Norton, had a wide-ranging conversation at Red Bear Brewing in NoMa.
12 Virginia laws that related to alcohol will change next week, including the much-hated law banning the promotion of happy hours. See the full list here. The Supreme Court also handed Total Wine and other out-of-state liquor sellers a win, with a recent ruling.
Speaking of Virginia, Arrowine beer and wine seller Nick Anderson has a column in Arlnow you should be reading. This week is about lactose, which is apparently something you can find in literally any beer style these days. You should also sign up for his beer newsletter, and anything else there that may tickle you.
And, while we’re on the subject of changing laws, there is a panel discussion on five years of self-distribution in Montgomery County, Maryland on July 1 at Republic in Takoma, where you can also help them celebrate their RAMMY win for Beer Program of the Year. (Not to rain on a parade, as Republic is a fine bar, but I must reup this Mike Stein piece from May on the RAMMYs issues)
It’s summer and you probably want to take in the extremely high humidity… sorry, the really nice weather on a rooftop somewhere. Preferably with a fan and maybe some flowers and, of course, a cold beer or three. Here are some places where you can do those things from Barred in DC.
It’s July and that means Draft Picks. Don’t get left out.
Heurich House and DC Beer’s own Mike Stein brought back a classic beer.
DC Beer spoke with Barrett Tillamn of Dallas’ BlackMan Brewing on how to get better with age. Bryan Roth talks about the evolution of the craft beer industry and its current trendy foray into non-beer and flood of juicy, NEIPA. Josh Noel also talks about the industry trend of beer releases, how they’ve gone awry, and what the next step for the industry might be.
You know the industry is changing when Lawsons, one of the leaders in New England style IPA, is touting its low-calorie options.
Also, in terms of bringing newer drinkers into the fray, the folks at Beer Kulture have been doing work lately.
Vote for who you think has the best looking branding amongst DC-area breweries here.
If you’re a fan of beer and anime (I am… yeah, I know) Robin LeBlanc teases an upcoming article on beer appearances. Also, she wrote about the BrewDog Pink IPA lawsuit, yet another ham-fisted marketing opportunity from that brewery.
For those who haven’t obtained the Untappd badge with it included, you’re in luck. Bud Platty has made a return. For those who like drinking it, please email me, I want to know you exist.
Brewers are experimenting with using a fungus used in shochu and soy sauce brewing to more quickly sour beers.
To combat fascists in an annual march, a German town bought and drank all the beer.
Finally, the monks of St. Sixtus Abbey are going digital to combat gray market sales of their heralded Westvleteren Trappist beers.
The Void will return, Dannerless and changed. It’ll be here for the next group of beery folks looking to drink in online. You can count on it.
