D.C. Beer Week Spills Over Into Northern Virginia

Sunday is the kickoff for DC Beer Week 2011 (Aug. 14-21), jumpstarting a week of tastings, dinners, tap takeovers and other beer events in The District, with the excitement spilling across the Potomac into Northern Virginia.

The week of beer happenings begins with a yacht cruise down the Potomac this Sunday. Boarding the Odyssey at the Southwest Waterfront will be 24 craft brewers (at press time), including New Belgium and Elysian Brewing Companies, who are just entering the area. Click here for an up-to-date lineup.

Tickets - $85 for general admission, $200 for VIP admission - will entitle the holders to unlimited beer samplings, a dinner buffet, DJ, dancing and breathtaking views of the river at dusk. Check for ticket availability athttp://dcbeerweek.net/dcbwcruise.

The cruise is only the beginning. “Things have really taken off this year compared to last,” said Teddy Folkman, founder of DC Beer Week and executive chef/owner of Granville Moore’s in DC. “Last year we had just over 60 events and this time we are at nearly 150.”

Both  in Falls Church and Lyon Hall in Clarendon are getting in on the action.  “Last year I felt a bit upset that Mad Fox was not included in the official DC Beer Week roster,” said Bill Madden, master brewer at the Mad Fox brewpub in Falls Church. “We support the concept of a DC Metro Beer week, and feel that including Northern Virginia participation in the official game plan simply provides for more fun, more opportunities,” he said. “Not being officially included is short sighted, but be sure, Northern Virginia is still in the mix.”

Madden was referring to “Kill the Keg,” to take place at the brewpub Wednesday, Aug. 17 beginning at 6 p.m. Mad Fox will host three new local breweries that have opened in the last year: DC Brau in northeast DC, Lost Rhino in Ashburn, Va, and Port City in Alexandria, Va. In the spirit of friendly competition, they are going to see whose keg gets killed first, with the winner being crowned "King of DC Beer" for the day. Enjoy growlers and pints of: DC Brau Porter; Lost Rhino New River Pale Ale, Port City Monumental IPA, and Mad Fox Orange Whip IPA. More information is at the Mad Fox Events Page.

But you won’t find Mad Fox’s beer blast listed on the DC Beer Week website. “I lived for a long time in Northern Virginia and it kind of hits me in the pit of the stomach not to officially include them in DC Beer Week,” said Folkman. “But where would we stop? ... Arlington, Alexandria, then Gathersburg, and before you know it, Charlottesville, would be wanting to join in. We just had to draw the line and make it a strictly DC limited event,” he said.

Folkman seems equally decisive about plans for DC Beer Week 2012. “We are planning on making it a 501(c)3 event and changing the website to DCBEERWEEK.org next year with any leftover proceeds going to area charities,” he said. He also talked about including the Mid-Atlantic Brew Festival (MAC Fest), which this year is slated for October 15 in DC (the same day as Rustico’s annual Oktoberfest block party in Alexandria, Va).

“Charlie Adler, who is the promoter behind MAC Fest, is a good friend and we have been thrashing around the idea of starting the week with a bang up event like the Odyssey cruise and then ending it with a no-holds-barred beer festival like MAC,” Folkman added.

In addition, you won’t want to miss the firkin or two of Mad Fox’s famous Wee Heavy that brewer Charlie Buettner will bring to Cask Night at the District ChopHouse on Thursday, August 18. Starting at 6 p.m., the event will feature British-style cask-conditioned ales from District ChopHouse brewer Barrett Lauer and ten guest breweries. Your $40 ticket includes hors d'oeuvres and a souvenir glass. Reservations can be made by calling Suellen at 202-347-1922. For more details, visithttp://www.districtchophouse.com/view/special-events/index.html.

In the meantime, Lyon Hall in Clarendon is not letting any grass grow under its feet. They’re hosting an old-school family cookout with Lagunitas on Sunday, Aug. 14 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with tickets costing $40 (tax and gratuity included). The menu includes three type of sausages, plenty of sides, and a table of pies, paired with three Lagunitas beers in a keepsake glass.  

In addition, on Wednesday, Aug. 17, Lyon Hall will host an Allagash pint night. from 5 p.m. until they run out. They plan to tap rare and special kegs on their patio, including Allagash’s collaboration with Belgian brewery De Proef. Patrons will receive keepsake glasses. Follow beer director David McGregor on Twitter @davidlyonhall for Lyon Hall beer updates and events.

You can’t fence in beer. Northern Virginia residents are destined to have as merry a time as the District’s citizens during DC Beer Week.