Cask at CC Union Station

[MeridianFC]

It's a bit of a somber day, but I believe our man was supposed to have a cask tonight outside if it doesn't rain, anyone interested?

[velez03]

Hey Guys...
I hate to dampen the day any more, but the patio is not open tonight so no firkin tonight....The good news is that I now have 4 ready to tap casks so for the next 4 thursdays (when there is not a flash flood warning) I will be out there.
If youre still interested in drinking though...Ive got plenty of my Imperial IPA left as well as an Abbey Pale Ale that I tapped last saturday.

Cheers,
Pete

[MeridianFC]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll try to make it though I need to be careful how I spend my "get of the house free" cards.

K.

[velez03]

Hey guys..
Just wanted to send out a reminder early in the week about this thursday. I will be on the patio with a cask of my Amber ale assuming all goes welll with the weather...hope some of you can make it

Cheers,
Pete

[Katefan00]

I might be able to make it this week.

K.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by velez03
Hey Guys...
I hate to dampen the day any more, but the patio is not open tonight so no firkin tonight....The good news is that I now have 4 ready to tap casks so for the next 4 thursdays (when there is not a flash flood warning) I will be out there.
If youre still interested in drinking though...Ive got plenty of my Imperial IPA left as well as an Abbey Pale Ale that I tapped last saturday.

Cheers,
Pete

Hi Pete, I had a pint of the Imperial IPA inside as I was there before 6PM a couple Thursdays ago. I enjoyed and the same with the pint of Kolsh that came first..

[MeridianFC]

I think I'm going to be able to make it this Thursday as well.

[Katefan00]

Pete, what time do you expect to tap your cask on Thursday, assuming the weather holds?

K.

[velez03]

Hey Everyone...

I swear this cask on the patio will happen..just not this week. Weather aside, I have just been informed that there is a restaurant buyout on thursday night and therefore no patio...BUT I just want to throw this out there...If I picked a day in advance not necessiarily thursday, and not necessarily outside to tap a cask is there enough interest out there to get through 10 gallons of beer? MeridianFC had mentioned some local CAMARA people may be interested in coming and if enough people are interested I will set something up, and if it takes off well enough it could end up being a year round thing....but I dont want to get ahead of myself...lemme know what y'all think..

Cheers,
Pete

[chazwicke]

With enough publicity I'm pretty certain we could get through most of it. I think the Casks at the Reef were usually finished off.
If you post it here, I'll paste your post over on DC beer as well.

[Katefan00]

Depending on the day (Mondays and Fridays generally better for me although I can make others case by case), I can come, and probably bring at least a couple people with me. There were at least two of my coworkers who had been Reef cask regulars who were planning on trying to make it on Thurs.

K.

[Katefan00]

We could get through 10 gallons if we had, basically, 20 people each drinking 5 12-oz. glasses of brew. Not too bad. I'm good for 5, good thing Union Station's close to my house! *burp*

K.

[chazwicke]

I saw your post over at DC beer. I wish all the local area folks would populate both forums. Lots of good information here and there.;)

[MeridianFC]

Pete,

My experience with Reef cask night is that it can be hit or miss as far as finishing the cask. As Kate points out it doesn't take that many people to knock off a firkin but some of it has to do with the night and the beer. Oft times Brian (big man at the Reef) would run some stripe of barleywine or other 8%+ monter aged in wine casks and filtered through pure uranium which made finishing a bit tricky and I say that as someone who thinks 1-2 pints is not even drinking (for the record 3-4 is drinking). Also weather or weird events would sometimes mean a light crowd. You'll take it on the chin some nights but I bet you'd win more than you'd lose.

I think if you make it a regular thing there are enough folks like myself desparate for Real Ale you could make it work. It'll be tricky for me during the Reef's cask season as they do Thursday too, but let's see what you've got going on.

As far as inside or out, I was surprised you were going to do this on the patio as I thought'd it be a bit too hot for cask outside but no matter where you plop it I'll do my share. :D Day of the week is not too big a deal with me. Brian used to do cask on Monday and that made it a rough start to the week, however there was usually nothing going on at the bar that night so it was a reason to go our on a proper school night. Whatever you pick is fine with me.

Brew it and they will come.

Well I will come in any case.

Kelly

[Katefan00]

Yes, in terms of making it into a regular or semiregular event, Meridian is probably right. You may have some nights where you don't finish it off.

But as a friend of mine (and Reef regular) pointed out, you not only are selling multiple pints from the firkin, you're also selling food to go with it, possibly other drinks, and you're making the beer aficionado community very happy with your brewpub. Not to mention the fact that the same folks who will happily show up for cask will probably sometimes come back when there's no cask. So even if you lose on a cask sometimes, it's a great loss leader.

K.

[fretlessman71]

Wow... by Meridian's definition, I don't drink! ;)

[chazwicke]

Lightweight!;)

[chazwicke]

The DC area has a huge interest in real ale. Publicity, publicity, publicity. Take a look at the thread with the discussion of hosting a real ale festival.

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?threadid=7623

[MeridianFC]

I'm just trying to remember who all does cask in the area. Is this current to the best of everyone's knowledge:

DC
RFD (1-2 casks on depending)
Brickskeller (hasn't been online the last two times I was there)
District Chophouse (bourbon stout always on, sometimes a second cask)
John Haravards (1 cask usually on)
the Reef (Thursdays fall-spring; can be sporadic)
Franklins (Friday's only)
Cap City - Union Station (when Pete's good and ready) ;)

MD
Rock Bottom - Bethesda (one beer engine)
Wharf Rat - both locations (3 on, actually tank conditioned)
Max's on Broadway (2 usually on)
Sean Bolans (Thursday only)

VA
Old Dominion Brewery (one beer engine)

Regional (MD/DC/VA/PA) brewers that make cask not listed above:

Victory
Clay Pipe
Clipper City
Dogfish Head
Yards

As always check first as the nature of cask means it might run out or not be ready.

[Katefan00]

I don't think I've ever seen cask at Brickskeller. Hmm.

[MeridianFC]

They've had it before and they've two beer engines there now but since they've re-opened the upstairs I'm unaware of them having offered cask.

[chazwicke]

They have three beer engines upstairs but Dave told me they blew up. Hope they are now fixed.

[Katefan00]

Yikes. That would explain it. I always wondered why they had those unused taps down at the end of the bar even after they expanded their lineup.

K.

[MeridianFC]

How do you blow up a beer engine?

[chazwicke]

Ask Dave:D . I think some sort of gasket or part blew. He was having trouble getting the part. He was telling me the story at the Maytag tasting.

[Fritz_Hahn]

Thoroughbred's in Leesburg has a beer engine. I really enjoyed the Paddock Pale Ale.

Also, Vermillion in Old Town offers real ale (gravity pour) one Thursday a month. It was from Chophouse last time around.

[Katefan00]

Well, since no cask tonight at CC, I think I might finally make it out to RFD for the first time. Looking forward to it. Anybody know what their tap list is at the moment?

K.

[Fritz_Hahn]

Don't think there's a cask at RFD at the moment. I was there on Tuesday night and the Scottish ale had gone well off, and there's wasn't anything else being primed.

They did have some terrific Stone/Russian River leftovers, though, inc. a nice Pliney the Elder.

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by Fritz_Hahn
ale had gone well off

I have definitely been served some vinegar at RFD before.

[Katefan00]

Well, no matter -- I'll look forward to whatever they've got up on tap. The Russian River stuff, if they have any left, will definitely be on my list.

I was at Cafe Berlin last night and had a blast. I love their little bar and the owner, Irene, is so nice. Yesterday was the cafe's 20-year anniversary. I mostly drank draft Kostritzer but decided to switch for a change. I had a glass of Weihenstephan Weiss on draft for the first time, and it was REALLY good. I think it might even eclipse -- or definitely place a close second -- to my current fave, the Wurzburger hefe.

K.

[MeridianFC]

I really love Cafe Berlin, even though it can be a bit pricey.

[chazwicke]

I posted Dave Alexander's latest news in the Brickskeller thread this morning. I think he has some interesting drafts at the Brick.

[Katefan00]

Yeah, their prices are a little high. But its' so close to the Senate, they can get away with it, and the food's pretty good considering. I usually don't eat there though, I generally just go to the bar because it's so cozy (and close to my apartment).

K.

[Katefan00]

Finally got to RFD last night. It wasn't what I was anticipating, space-wise. It felt like I was in a gigantic deli restaurant (or a Don Pablo's or something), not a true bar.

But the beer was outstanding. I can overlook the warehouse-deli feel for that kind of beer. All they had left of the Russian River was the Damnation -- put away a few goblets of that in short order; very good. I also had a glass of Stone Ruination; it was fine, but too bitter an IPA for me. I'd go back for the Damnation alone, too bad they don't keep it on regularly. Victory Hopdevil also predictably good on tap (first time I've had it on tap).

K.

[MeridianFC]

If it wasn't for the very good beer at RFD I'd never bother. Admittedly I say this about a lot of places. The atmosphere does really blow but I can't blame Dave for trying to make a buck in the MCI's backyard. Still I never feel comfortable hanging out there and I've had some of the worst service you can imagine on several occasions.

[chazwicke]

But the Brick is a classic place

[MeridianFC]

Are we on for Thursday Pete?

[Fritz_Hahn]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
If it wasn't for the very good beer at RFD I'd never bother. ... Still I never feel comfortable hanging out there and I've had some of the worst service you can imagine on several occasions.

That's why I have a simple rule: Sit at the bar. If I can't do that -- and the bartenders there are worth getting to know -- then I'll usually turn around and go elsewhere. I have friends who like going there in groups, but I can't tolerate the slow, often erratic service.

[velez03]

Hey guys..
Sorry about the late post but I wanted to make sure that some giant party wasnt going to sneak up on me....so..at the risk of inadvertantly calling on a hurricane....I will say that Ill be out on our patio with a cask of beer thursday evening....despite all the inconsistancies, I really hope some of you can make it!

Cheers
Pete

[chazwicke]

What are you going to serve?

[MeridianFC]

I can be there around 6:30-7pm will you still be serving then?

[Katefan00]

I can make it later in the evening. Definitely not before 7 and possibly not before 8. How long will you be there?

K.

[Derekt2]

Don't think there's a cask at RFD at the moment. I was there on Tuesday night and the Scottish ale had gone well off, and there's wasn't anything else being primed.

Hmm, this is not something I'm happy to see. My wife and I were there the Saturday before your experience and I drank a pint of the same off Scottish ale (absolutely dead flat and oxidized beyond recognition). I wrote a note to Dave the very next day pointing out it was not saleable and yet it seems to still have been on line some three days later. That's not good!

[velez03]

I will be serving a dryhopped (in the cask) version of my Amber Ale(Amber Waves Ale for those of you who have been here). I will be out there from at least 6 to 8, but last time I stayed until it was gone which is probably what I will do this time as well.

Pete

[MeridianFC]

Zimbo! I'm in like Flynn.

[MeridianFC]

Nice night (thanks for the beer Pete!).

There was some problem with the first fikin, I believe the hops clogged the hop filter on the tap, and in an attempt to rescue said vessel it exploded hops out of the bung. Luckily there was a second firkin on hand which poured fine. $2.50 per pint and you got to keep the etched Cap City glass. Unbeatable deal. The weather actually wasn't that bad on the patio, the breeze making it even pleasant at times.

The brew was the Amber Waves dry hopped with.......cripes and I can't remember maybe Progress? Anyhow the beer poured cloudy, though given that the firkin can't be stillaged on the patio, I've no problem with this. The brew was in fact (murky) amber with a nice hop nose. A bracing though not unpleasant hop bitterness right in the front. The first few pints were on the cold side, though given the heat and the serving conditions this, again, is no problem. As the beer warmed up a bit it became very nice indeed with the malt being given plenty of play. Mr. Velez guessed the abv to be around 5.2-5.3%. It was a very fortifying beer, definiteyly in the strong bitter category as far as strength and in firmly in the American camp as far as bitterness.

The pints seemed to be selling at a pretty good clip thought he firkin was still full when I left around 8pm.

Saw Fritz there did anybody else show up?

[Katefan00]

Unfortunately, my fickle mistress the United States Congress kept me working until about 10:30. maybe next time, damn it! I'm sorry I missed this one.

K.

[chazwicke]

Wanted to very much but had prior obligations. DAMN OFFICE MOVE!!!

What is up next Pete?

[velez03]

Thanks for the glowing review Meridian...Im sorry to hear that silly things like work kept some of you from attending, but rest assured that there is more to come....
yeah...the first cask was a little over hopped and a little over carbonated as well and she blew up on me when I tried to adjust the tap and continued to spew hops for the next several minutes..and yes they were Progress.
Next week will be another dry hopped Amber, and the following week will either be my Irish Red or Pale Ale..

Thanks for the continued interest, and Im sure that eventually we'll all be having a pint together

Cheers!
Pete

[HogieWan]

cask-conditioned irish red [drools] mmmm

[MeridianFC]

Pete, how'd the wit brew go?

[velez03]

I had to postpone the wit brew to next week...monday or tuesday depending on whether I have to filter a batch of Kolsch...so I tapped a batch of Hefeweizen on friday instead...Ill let you know how the brew goes when I get to do it

Pete

[chazwicke]

Hey Pete, do you sell sixtels or 1/6 kegs of your brews? Do you know if Shirlington does?

[velez03]

Hey guys....

If this break in the weather that we are supposed to get tomorrow acutally happens...Ill be on the patio with another cask of amber. I am pulling off a cask of Irisih Red today for next week, and I am brewing a stout tomorrow that I will cask sometime late next week....
Chaz..to answer your question...Yes...Shirlington sells 1/6 BBL and 1/2 BBL kegs of all their beer....but if you want a keg (especially if it is a specialty beer) you should call ahead...Speaking of Shirlington...they just recently brewed the 1000th batch of beer for that brewery and to mark the occasion they made it a batch of Double Amber Waves Ale...which I have been assured a cask of. And there will be a tapping party at the Shirlington Restaurant sometime in mid to late August...I will pass on the details when I have them, but if any of you are local to the shirlington area I highly suggest you try to make it...
Thats about it for now...hope to see some of you on Thursday

Cheers
Pete

[MeridianFC]

Unfortunately I can't make tomorrow as I'll be at the DC United v. Chelsea match. This match is at FedEx Field owing to the poor condition of RFK's pitch, so I'm sure I'll be faced with crap choice and high prices.

[velez03]

On Thursday, August 25 I will have a cask of Double Amber Waves ale at CC Union Station....if it looks like it is going to be bad weather on that day I will probably try to move it inside because I want to make this a hard date so that people can plan to come...and on the 24th of August will be the tapping party for the tap version of this big beer in the brewers room at Shirlington....from 5 to 7 you can get $2.50 pints of the double amber and/or pints of a well aged Wee Heavy cask...if you guys have any other questions about this..feel free to give me a call or the shirlington brewery

Cheers
Pete

[Soontobepcv]

I thought the AW was great, probably the tastiest beer I've ever had...

Pete, you asked about the DC beer list:

DC-Beer@brauhaus.org
http://www.brauhaus.org/mailman/listinfo/dc-beer

[chazwicke]

Welcome to the board Soon! Yet another Mid Atlanticer and a Virginian to boot. It seems our numbers are steadily growing.

[HogieWan]

Chaz, are you handing out flyers?

[chazwicke]

No but I certainly do promote our site and DC beer by word of mouth when ever I can. I think I'll be posting both links in future issues of newsletters of beer related clubs that I am in as well. The Mid Atlantic has a large and knowlegable beer community. The more of us that can come together in centrallized forum the better information we can share.

[HogieWan]

I've mentioned the site to some folks in the homebrew club, but no one has showed up yet.

[velez03]

Hey all....
just wanted to let you know what is going to be on tap this thursday (as always weather permitting) on the patio at CC Union Station....
Last week's cask night went very well and I was able to finish the entire cask within 2 hours...so if this week goes as well I will tap a second one....
The first one will be a cask version of my Pale Ale and should that kick in reasonable time I will tap an Irish Red cask. Both were pulled early last week and have been in the cooler since friday, and I want to remind you all about the cask of Double Amber Waves that I will be getting from Shirlington that I will tap on August 25th....and that one I am planning on tapping inside if the weather is no good...see you all soon

Cheers!
Pete

[MeridianFC]

[mr. burns]

Excellent

[/mr. burns]

[Soontobepcv]

Originally posted by velez03
Hey all....

and I want to remind you all about the cask of Double Amber Waves that I will be getting from Shirlington that I will tap on August 25th....and that one I am planning on tapping inside if the weather is no good...see you all soon

Cheers!
Pete

How exactly will it be different than the AW you served last week?

[HogieWan]

double - meaning double the malt and double the hops in the same cask.

[velez03]

Yep

[velez03]

Originally posted by Soontobepcv
How exactly will it be different than the AW you served last week?

The double amber is going to be a big beer, probably in the neighborhood of 8 - 9% abv with about twice the hops, and this one is going to be dryhopped in the fermenter so it will have a more prominent floral nose

[HogieWan]

velez - what's the difference between priming a cask and say a corny keg? What other special considerations are there in caring for the cask?

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by HogieWan
velez - what's the difference between priming a cask and say a corny keg? What other special considerations are there in caring for the cask?

None, per se. I use .3 oz. dry weight of dextrose per gallon and get very nice results. This, btw, is the same amount I use for kellarbier (Sticke vom Fass) and others as well.

[velez03]

Originally posted by HogieWan
What other special considerations are there in caring for the cask?

THe only special considerations with a cask are making sure it is fined appropriately to ensure a relatively bright beer and that it is stored properly (and for a long enough period of time) so that the coagulated solids drop out and are settled below the tap...the priming requirements are the same for corny keg and cask though I would probably use more in a cask as it is about twice the volume of the average corny keg

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by velez03
THe only special considerations with a cask are making sure it is fined appropriately to ensure a relatively bright beer and that it is stored properly (and for a long enough period of time) so that the coagulated solids drop out and are settled below the tap...the priming requirements are the same for corny keg and cask though I would probably use more in a cask as it is about twice the volume of the average corny keg

But not twice as much as bulk priming is relative to the total volume. The larger the volume the smaller the incremental volume needed to accomplish the same thing. But don't ask me how much as it has been years since I primed a real cask.

[Soontobepcv]

Oh no - that tapping will be the same night as the Brew at the Zoo. Choices, choices...

[chazwicke]

It's good to be a beer geek in our area.:D

[velez03]

Hey Everyone...

Just a heads up that if the patio is closed tonight due to weather I will be moving the cask inside in the interest of keeping some regularity to this event...remember the cask is going to be Pale Ale, then Irish Red if the pale kicks early...hope you can make it..


Cheers
Pete

[MeridianFC]

I'll be there with bells on, not Larry Bell's mind.

[chazwicke]

I'm supping at the beach. I'll make one soon.

[MeridianFC]

Well it was a good news, bad news, good news, bad news kind of night. I didn't get there till close to 7pm and the second firkin (second firkin!) kicked literally right before my turn in line. Luckily Pete had a back up firkin of Biere de Garde from the Shirlington location. Unluckily Pete had a back up firkin of Biere de Garde from the Shirlington location. At 7.3% or so it put a powerful hurtin' on this here boy. It was a tasty brew but a bit much for the weather IMHO. I'm taking things a bit slow this morning.

So three firkins drained to the bone on the night, unreal. Had a nice chat with Pete was very tolerent of my drunken questions.

[fretlessman71]

Well, he ought to be after serving you a 7.3 all night! Yikes! Just one of those would... well, maybe half... zzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

[threecb]

Wow, 3 killed! Great turnout. Hopefully that'll help keep 'em happenning.

Pete, way better turnout than you expected?

[chazwicke]

I'll get there too. I was there one Thursday but it was early before Pete set up outside. I did have the Imperial IPA and got to keep the glass.

I was at DFH Milton brewery today to pick up a sixtel and take the tour. It was crowded. Sam was there today and he gave part of the presentation.

[velez03]

Originally posted by threecb
Wow, 3 killed! Great turnout. Hopefully that'll help keep 'em happenning.

Pete, way better turnout than you expected?

Much better turn out than I expected...and yes..they will keep happening...this week's cask is going to be my oatmeal stout...I know a stout in 100 degree heat sounds like a bit much..but it is the only beer that was ripe for casking, but Ive got a couple more that will be ready next week and Ill keep you all posted of the casks that I have conditioning..thats it for now..drink up...Ill make more


Cheers
Pete

[fretlessman71]

Actually, it sounds heavenly... buying my plane tickets as we speak. :)

[velez03]

Hey everyone...
Just wanted to send out a reminder about tomorrow night. I will have a cask of my Oatmeal Stout..the only problem this week is that I only have ONE cask...so I am going to wait to tap it until 6 so that people have time to get here from work and that maybe it will last a little longer...next week's cask, for those of you filling your calenders, is going to be a cask of my Wit..this beer is a little off traditional Wits in that I used Lavender in place of Corriander and I also threw some lemon zest in the cask...it'll be interesting if nothing else...hope yall can make it

Cheers
Pete

[MeridianFC]

I'll be up in Charm City tomorrow but I'll be back for the Wit.

[chazwicke]

We expect a full report from the SPBW meeting. I'm sending out my application today.

[Katefan00]

I may be able to make it tonight, depending on the whims of my editors.

K.

[chazwicke]

I'll probably not make it tonight. I was out fairly late (for me) at Wolf Trap last night.

[chazwicke]

Pete, will you be attending the Cap City Shirlington 1000 brew bash on the 24th?

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?threadid=7994

[velez03]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chazwicke
[B]Pete, will you be attending the Cap City Shirlington 1000 brew bash on the 24th?

Yep...and I will also have a cask of the Double Amber the following day

[TedE]

I'm going to do my best to be there on Thursday (after having forcibly missed the previous firkin HHs) with my buddy down from B'more. A Wit might be spot on if this weather keeps up ...

[velez03]

Just sending out a reminder about this weeks cask...it is going to be the Lavender Wit...(I am not sure Im calling it that..maybe you can help me think of a name after you taste it)....
Tomorrow is actually supposed to be nonoffensive weather wise so I expect this cask to go pretty fast, and (just as last week) this is my only one. I plan on tapping it b/w 5:30 and 6...see yall there!

Pete

[MeridianFC]

Did anybody go last night? I was stuck at work till the point I figured the cask would be gone.

[chazwicke]

I got stuck running errands. Which included visiting Jim Dorsch and picking up a case each of Coniston Bluebird and Old Man that he had ordered for me.

[neelyjr1]

I didn't get a chance to go this week, but I am looking foward to next week.

[Derekt2]

I got stuck running errands. Which included visiting Jim Dorsch and picking up a case each of Coniston Bluebird and Old Man that he had ordered for me.

Chaz,

I don't know what you do but I don't care -- I want your job. Anyone who has enough time and money to travel all over the US and the world drinking beer and buying collectibles, not to mention special ordering cases of premium beer, garners my attention. If you won't give up your job for me, how about adopting me?

[chazwicke]

I'm a figurehead.:D

[Theakston]

Originally posted by velez03
I want to remind you all about the cask of Double Amber Waves that I will be getting from Shirlington that I will tap on August 25th....and that one I am planning on tapping inside if the weather is no good...see you all soon

Cheers!
Pete

This still on?

Anyone going to be there?

We're planning on it (missed getting tickets for the zoo). Looks like great weather too!

[neelyjr1]

Yeah, I was planning on coming, although I am a little confused about the date. Is it tomorrow or Thursday?-

[Soontobepcv]

The cask at Shirlington is tomorrow night, and the event at the zoo is Thursday...

I'm looking foward to both.

[neelyjr1]

Alright then I will most certianly be at the CC tomorrow night, although I didn't get a chance to get tickets for the zoo, so hopefully next year.

[chazwicke]

THe 1000th batch party at Cap City SHIRLINGTON is WEDNESDAY 24th.

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?threadid=7994

The cask at Cap City UNION STATION is THURSDAY 25th.

I'm hoping to get to the Shirlington bash tomorrow evening. Anyone else?

[Theakston]

Originally posted by Soontobepcv
The cask at Shirlington is tomorrow night, and the event at the zoo is Thursday...

I'm looking foward to both.
But the Cask at CC by Union Station is Thursday isn't it?
That's what I was planning on......may stop in to Shirlington on Wednesday too.

[Theakston]

OK Chaz you beat me to it. Thanks for the clarification. We'll be at the Thursday Cask at Union City Capitol Zoo on Station Hill then. See you there!

[chazwicke]

I'm gonna try to get to Shirlington tomorrow. Trying to line up a driver.

[Soontobepcv]

Though I thought that only the event at Shirlington has the special brew of Bill Madden's, as well as certain free appetizers...

Shirlington is a cool area, worth the trip at least to check it out for the first time.

[chazwicke]

Yes. Thursdays at Union Station, Brewer Pete Velez, opens a cask or two on the patio. Nothing is free there except maybe a glass. This is a regular Thursday event. The Shirlington event is only a one time deal.

[velez03]

Hey All....
It appears that there is/was some confusion of the events happening at various capcities over the next couple of days....
It also seems that you have hammered out the dates for the events properly (Wed 8/24 = Shirlington, Thur 8/25 = Capitol Hill), but just to make sure everyone knows what there getting or missing at the locations...heres the deal(s)
Tonight 8/24 at CapCity Shirlington:
6pm - 8pm you get
- free apps
- free samples of the Double D (Amber) cask
- free samples of an 18 month old, Bill Madden Wee Heavy cask
- A special tapping of a 2 year old SlobberKnocker Barley Wine (only about 6 or so gallons to go round so you may have to ask about it)
- The draft version of the Double D will be available at the bar for the regular HH price of $2.50

Tomorrow 8/25 at CapCIty Union Station
5:30 - the cask:runs dry
- 2.50 pints of the Double D cask in a fancy, keepsake, gotta have one, Cap City etched pint glass....

The bigger bash is obviously at Shirlington, but if you cant make it to the zoo and or you just cant get enough of the Double D cask..please stop on by and its worth noting that the casks of the Double D were pulled out of the fermenter before being dry hopped and each cask was dry hopped individually and differently I will be there tonight and obviously tomorrow as well...hope to see you there!!

Cheers
Pete

[Soontobepcv]

No free glass tonight? Bah - I demand my money back!

Oh wait, it's free? Cool.

[Theakston]

Will definitely make it tonight. warm a cask up for me!

[velez03]

Hey All...its your friendly neighborhood brewer reminding you of this thursday's cask night at CapCity Union Station....unless we get clobbered by the reminants of Katrina...Ill be on the paito with a cask of Amber Waves....If the paito is closed I will probably not move it inside and just save it for next week...thanks to you all for the continued interest!

Cheers
Pete

[velez03]

Hey Everyone...
This Thursday's cask is going to be a dry hopped pale ale. For those of you who were able to make it a few weeks ago when I went through 3 casks this was the first cask I tapped...its a much smoother version than what is always on tap inside the restaurant and the dry hops in the cask lend to a really nice aroma....
Its worth noting that the HH at CapCity (all of them) has changed, but this promotion remains as it was...$2.50 pints from the time its tapped until its kicked with a sweet logo pint glass...woohoo!!
Hope to see some of you there!

Cheers,
Pete

[MeridianFC]

I'd love to be there but I'll be down in South Carolina. Yee haw!

[Soontobepcv]

Wait - what happened to the happy hour?

[velez03]

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up about the casks for the next couple weeks....
This week I will have a cask of the Oktoberfest...I will be tapping the draft version early next week (prob. Tuesday).
Next week...there will not be a cask night as I will be in Colorado for GABF...If you can make it I highly recommend making it out this Thursday for the Ofest cask...this beer promises to be a good one....Cheers guys!

Pete

[MeridianFC]

Thanks for the heads up. I have to work until 9pm so I doubt I'll be able to make it.

K.

[HogieWan]

I get off at 5, but I don't think I'll make it in time.;)

[Katefan00]

I may be able to come, depending on work. WIll try anyway.

K

[velez03]

Beginning last week I have been putting the remainder of the cask on tap inside the restaurant...there is still incentive to show up early though as the price jumps all the way up to $3.00 a pint once inside and no free pint glass....
So for those of you who cant make it while Im here but still would come by for a pint later on, you could even call the restaurant (202-842-2337) to see if the cask is still going before coming in...after all work is no reason to miss out on good beer!

Cheers!
Pete

[velez03]

THis week's cask is going to be a Coffee Stout....
The last time I brewed the oatmeal stout I primed a cask with molassas and racked one off and it came out really nice...this time I racked off 2 and put coarsely ground French Vanilla coffee beans in one of them as much as I would love to sit on it for a while I am just really anxious to try it....

Cheers
Pete

[chazwicke]

What are you bringing to the Shirlington fest?

[velez03]

Thats a really good question..I am not sure if I am legally allowed to bring anything because while there is no charge per pour of beers, there is an admission fee for those wanting to drink so I think that the undoubtedly clear, concise, and easy to understand liquor laws may prohibit me from bringing a beer into VA...though I will check....I do know, however, that the Shirlington brewery will have Kolsch, Oktoberfest, and Amber (2005 GABF Gold) on tap at the festival.

[velez03]

Hey All...
I was just informed that someone called and asked if the cask night was on for tonight and they were told no....That is incorrect...it IS on just so long as the rain holds off long enough for me to tap it outside, get a pint, then move it inside...should the rain hold off all night..I will move the cask inside at 8 and it will be served until its gone, or we close...if anyone has any questions feel free to call the restaurant and ask for me

Cheers!
Pete

[TedE]

I think we will actually be abel to make it out tonight. Finally! But knowing my luck the heavens will open up the minute I step on the premises. Shooting for as close to 6:00 as I can.