Beltway Beer

I had today off, and naturally was looking for ways to misspend my time. I’d decided that I need to get outside of DC proper and explore good beer in the surrounding area, so I asked the good people on the DC Beer mailing list for suggestions and was gratified to get a deluge of responses. But the one that was most appealing to me (and also one of the most frequently-mentioned) was a place in Alexandria, Virginia called Rustico.

It’s in an area that’s a bit isolated, and parking was pretty meh, but what else is new. The inside isn’t what I’m really used to — WAY too much light and metal structures, drinking is supposed to happen in a cramped, windowless brick building built in 1920 — but the beer selection more than made up for it. They had more than 30 beers on tap and every one of them was a solid craft or import beer choice.

My first choice was Eggenberg’s “Naturtrüb” (which I think literally means “natural unfiltered”), which was listed on Rustico’s menu as exclusively offered there. Lightly hazy, drinkable beer that’s a natural choice on a hot day. I’m told that zwickelbiers are rarely imported to the United States because it has a shorter shelf life than other kinds of beers, so it was a treat (also my first time trying the style).

I also had a Poperings Hommel Ale, mostly because I’ve never seen anything classed as a “Belgian IPA.” I enjoyed it, not quite what I was expecting (Michael Jackson seemed to have enjoyed it, link here.

They also had a great “imperial Oktoberfest” on cask from Baltimore’s Clipper City brewing, called “Prosit!” It was a hefty 9% ABV and quite heavy-bodied, but tasted great fresh from a cask. I had one other beer, Victory’s Donnybrook Stout, which I had mostly as a curiosity, because it was 3.7% alcohol (roughly the amount you find in your average Miller Lite — stouts are rarely that light).

I was extremely impressed by the beer selection, but didn’t really dig the building so much. Rustico is owned by the same people who are opening Churchkey in Logan Circle, which will feature even more craft beers (selected by the same guy who manages Rustico’s beer).

The winners have been announced for the annual Great American Beer Fest, and there are some great choices in here (as well as some local folks who should get props). Highlights:

The first place winner for the “Coffee Flavored Beer” category was Arlington’s Rock Bottom Brewery, for its “Dude! Where’s my Vespa?”

Delaware’s Dogfish Head, which exults in weird and exotic beers, took first and second place in the “Specialty Beer” category, for “Chateau Jiahu,” a beer based on the chemical properties found on preserved pottery jars found in the Neolithic village of Jiahu, in northern China (fermented rice, honey and fruit), and “Palo Santo Marron.”

Frederick, Maryland-based Flying Dog Brewery took home the gold in the category of “Aged Beers” for its Horn Dog Vintage 2007, in the category of Marzens for its “Dogtoberfest,” and in the category of Imperial Stouts for its “Gonzo Imperial Porter.”

I also have to mention the habitually underrated St. Arnold’s Brewing in my hometown of Houston, which took first place in the category of Munich-style Helles, for its “Saint Arnold Summer Pils,” as well as Pennsylvania’s Troegs, which took home the gold in the Bock category for its very excellent “Troegenator.”