Second wave of breweries; New from Flying Dog

First, freelance writer Daniel Froms files a story for the Washington Post on the coming second wave of breweries opening in DC, including Low Brau and Hellbander. I've exchanged messages with both, who are currently looking for space in DC to set up shop. Steve Sorrell of Low Brau has German roots that will heavily influence the craft and taste of his line of beers, while ben Evans of Hellbender says they are going to start things off with a Kolsch. On a personal note, I moved here in 2000 and really never thought I'd see the day when DC was drawing influence from the Germans, but it's slowly happening before our eyes.

In another story, Frederick-based Flying Dog will release 20 new brews in 2012. Of particular interest were the facts and figures of the craft beer industry as a whole and in MD:

Flying Dog had an upbeat 2011; overall sales were up 25 percent over 2010 and 60 percent in the Mid-Atlantic. The company produced 85,000 barrels last year up from 78K the year before, said spokeswoman Erin Biles.

Like in the rest of the country, where craft breweries expanded from 1,587 in 2009 to 1,716 in 2010, according to the Brewers Association, the Maryland craft industry grew as well.

One final note, back in the Post story, Neighborhood Restaurant Group's (Churchkey, Rustico, etc) much-ballyhooed brewery appears to be farther off than word of mouth had previously indicated, looking at 2013 But, this is the first I've read of location plans and it sounds like a big place close to Nats Park. Might help turn that into an actual neighborhood eventually.

Trailer #2 - DC Brau delivers

Last week, DC Brau partnered with Pizza Paradiso to cook up bread from spent grain used in the brewing process to provide about 55 loaves of bread for local nonprofit Bread for the City. I rode along as Brandon from DC Brau and Greg, the beer director at Pizza Paradiso, hand delivered the bread.

DC microbreweries rundown

OnTap, a former employer of mine (as a freelancer), provided a rundown of the breweries in the area. Good overview of what's out there and what's coming up.

Headed over to DC Brau shortly to experience their facility tour.

Bizjournals takes a look at DC beer

A new article on DC beer demand and how the crop of new breweries has found a sustainable market for their products. The entire article is behind the subscription wall, so look for it in the print edition next week.

DC's Craft Beer Scene on BeerNationShow

A short video from the BeerNationShow from Feb '11 on DC's craft beer scene, with a stop at Churchkey to speak with Seth and Mike from Lagerheads and one Greg Englert, Beer Director for said bar as part of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group.

One thing I learned: the guys from Victory Brewing in Downington PA used to be regulars at the former Brickskeller. Further reason to loop PA into my project.

Ups and Downs of Running a Brewery

TBD did a short article on running a brewery, talking to the guys at DC Brau about what's great about it and what's not. Woudl have liked to see more about what specifically people romance about when thinking of beer brewing. The customers? The special events? Smelling like yeast all the time?