Quenching Washington, D.C.’s Thirst One Post at a Time:
It’s time for the latest edition of the D.C. Booze News, bringing you all of the need to know details about what’s good to drink, and where you can do it. Let’s get started.
Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner Wine Tasting Events – Starting October 7th
The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner is hosting a series of wine tastings on select Tuesdays this fall. Dates include today, October 7th, followed by October 21st and November 4th. The focus of each will be a different region, beginning with Provence, followed by Spain and finally Rhone Valley wines.
From 6-7pm at the Entyse Wine Bar you can grab a cheese board with five paired wines for $22, inviting you to see the world with a sip. You can also order your wines to go, and get 10% off when you buy a mix-and-match case.
701 Restaurant Offering Global Wine Passport Program – Every Friday
701 Restaurant is also encouraging you to think global as you try some wine. They’re offering an ongoing series of Wine Passport Fridays, with half-price wine flights and glasses, lasting every Friday from 5:30-7pm.
Throughout October Spanish wines will be showcased, with each month taking you to a different country or region. Flights that typically cost $30 are available for just $15 during the promotion.
DC Brau Dinner at Dino’s Grotto – October 8th
Dino’s keeps on churning out the special dinners and events. On October 8th, they’re showcasing a special 4-course, 4-beer dinner with DC Brau, including a staggered seating throughout the evening.
It’s a great deal, costing either $37.50 or $47 depending on time, and you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of great food and drink.
Maker’s Mark Dinner at Boss Shepherd’s – October 9th
Recently we’ve been talking about whiskey dinners in Washington, D.C., and the trend is continuing this Thursday, October 9th at 6:30pm at Boss Shepherd’s. Executive Chef Jeremy Waybright is offering a three-course autumnal menu, with a Maker’s Mark brand ambassador pouring three corresponding drinks. Tickets are $59 per person.
New Fall Cocktail Lineup at Park Hyatt Washington – Starting October 15th
Park Hyatt is unleashing a new lineup of three seasonal fall cocktails beginning on October 15th. The lineup includes, Smoke on the River, Copper Fox Virginia Rye, Lapsang Souchong tea, lemon, and yellow chartreuse; Red October, house made beet shrub, rye, and lemon; and Pomme Pom, Gosling’s spiced rum, Calvados Daron, pear, lemon, pomegranate, and Luxardo soaked lemon.
If you wait to visit until November or December, then from 2-5pm every Friday-Sunday, you can also try a complimentary holiday snack and refreshment.
Port City Releasing New Limited Edition Black IPA – Starting October 17th
Port City Brewing Company is debuting their new Long Black Veil, a black IPA, on Friday, October 17th. It will be available at Port City’s tasting room, along with select restaurants and bars on draft.
The Long Black Veil, named in homage of the tale of a veiled female stranger who arrived in Alexandria in the early 1800s, rumored to be either Napoleon Bonaparte, smuggled out of exile and dressed in drag, or the daughter of then Vice President Aaron Burr, Theodosia Burr Alston.
The beer itself, made for the true hop-head, is jet black in color with a crema-like head. Port City uses generous amounts of dark malt for balance alongside the hop character. This beer has a bitterness of 65 IBU and is brewed to 6.8% alcohol by volume.
Catoctin Creek Cask Proof Release – October 19th
Catoctin Creek is releasing the latest version of their Roundstone Rye Cask Proof. This expression, bottled at 59.8% ABV, was finished in a red wine Bordeaux barrel which previously aged Catoctin’s 1757 Virginia Brandy. There are only 283 bottles available. VIP members get access on October 19th, and the general public will have to wait until November 1st.
If you’re thinking about that VIP membership but aren’t sure if you should make the leap, then consider this. VIP members also get access to a special free tasting event on the 19th, the same day of the Cask Proof release. This is no ordinary tasting event — you’ll get to crack open a still-sealed, 100 year old bottle of whiskey.
The whiskey is called “Bridgewater Rye Whiskey”, distilled in 1906 at the Eagle Distillery in Stanley, KY, and bottled in bond in 1914. This 8 year old spirit (sitting for an extra 100 years atop of that) is still sealed with its tax stamp.
It gets cracked, shared and finished on that night only, for free, but only for VIP members. It was gifted anonymously.
DC Beerathon – November 8th
Get ready for all the beer you can handle with the DC Beerathon on Saturday, November 8th. For $55, you’ll get access to a self-guided, 12-hour long beer tour, lasting from 11am-11:30 pm, and taking you to up to 26 bars, for up to 26 12-ounce beers. Think you can handle it?
Registration lasts from11-3 at James Hoban’s or Black Jack. Music, food specials, and surely plenty of rowdiness will ensue.
DC Craft Beer Festival – Winter Harvest – November 22nd
If you’ve recovered in the two weeks following the DC Beerathon, then perhaps you can muster up the energy and courage to do it all over again, at the DC Craft Beer Festival – Winter Harvest, on Saturday, November 22nd.
Here, you’ll get access to over 150 craft beers from roughly 75 breweries, with a focus on limited editions and seasonal releases.
Choose between an afternoon or evening session lasting about 2.5 hours. So if the aptly named Beerathon is indeed a marathon, this one’s a sprint. You’ll likely be equally toast at the end of either. Tickets start at $45.
