Reef cask discontinued......

[MeridianFC]

........for the summer (well immediately). It'll be back in a more limited form in the fall, probably once a month instead of once a week. Whilst I was doing my part (the 8th pint is for the team man.....) I think Brian was really taking a beating on the cost, even the domestics, of the firkins. He's still going to do it, just not as often.

So RFD leads the DC cask charge with Franklins still doing their Friday routine and Rock Bottom having one or two offerings.

[studentofbeer]

that's too bad. as i contemplate where to move, with DC being an option, your weekly cask ale trips sort of enticed me. nonetheless, still sounds like a good city for beer.

[Theakston]

Originally posted by studentofbeer
that's too bad. as i contemplate where to move, with DC being an option, your weekly cask ale trips sort of enticed me. nonetheless, still sounds like a good city for beer.

But Baltimore is better. Shame it's just too far to drive from DC after a few ales.

[MeridianFC]

Let me tell you about the wonders of the MARC/Amtrak combo. I've taken to visiting a friend who lives up there in Federal Hill. If you catch the rush hour MARC ($10 one way, about as cheap as a 2 zone cab ride in DC w/ tip) you can get off 3 blocks from the Wharf Rat. Get your mind right there and the city opens up for you. You're a quick cab hop (you could theoretically walk) to Brewers Art, or head over to Federal Hill, it's a straight shot to DeGroen's/BBC, well you get the idea.

You have to take Amtrak back to DC (I think it's $14 one way bought on the train) and they only run once and hour but the last week night one runs at either 12:40 or 1:40. Not ideal but I've made it work for me. Remember many Baltimore bars have take away which if one was of a mind could make for an interesting train ride back.............not that I've done that.....ahem.......too often.

DC is a good beer town, heck maybe even a very good beer town, but it used to be outstanding. The ABC in DC isn't doing anyone any favors and there are far too many bars that play this song:

Bud
Bud Lite
Sierra Nevada
Guinness
Some other Macro

or

Miller
Miller Lite
Sam Adams
Bass
Some stripe of cider

or

Bud
Coors Lite
Widmer
Killians

lather, rinse, repeat.

There aren't enough true neighborhood bars/locals owing to the licesning/ANC issues. The beer bars are maybe to specialized and we don't have a true DC brewery (Dominion, God bless 'em are close). The brewpubs are all chains, though Cap City is a local chain.

[chazwicke]

Sorry to hear about the Reef. You certainly did your part to keep that cask night going.

[chazwicke]

Does the Bricks still do a cask in the upstairs bar on Saturday nights?

[MeridianFC]

I don't know I haven't been to the Brick in a coon's age. I'll have to check it and out and report back.

[Theakston]

Originally posted by MeridianFC

You have to take Amtrak back to DC (I think it's $14 one way bought on the train) and they only run once and hour but the last week night one runs at either 12:40 or 1:40. Not ideal but I've made it work for me. Remember many Baltimore bars have take away which if one was of a mind could make for an interesting train ride back.............not that I've done that.....ahem.......too often.


Just out of interest. If I were to fall asleep on the train, what part of the USA would I be likely to wake up in?

(as someone who has rudely awakened at the English coast after a night out in Central London one too many times)

[MeridianFC]

Oh, I know where you're coming from (how in the big man's name did I end up in Gaithersburg?).

The two late trains terminate at Union Station, Washington DC. I think the much later ones (post 4am) might continue down the coast. Just in case one "fell asleep" after necking several pints of "Ozzy" or "Ressurection".