Say no to dyed green beer and yes to local brews for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
By Natalie Manitius
Capitol City Brewing Company | Shirlington
Starting Friday, Capitol City will begin tapping 15-barrel batch of both Irish Red and Irish Dry Stout. The Irish Red contains a “low hop aroma [that] permits hints of caramel and roast from the malt to shine through,” says Brewmaster Kristi Griner, while the stout boasts a prominent roast barley aroma. A limited batch of bourbon barrel aged imperial coffee stout, called the Bourbon Barrel Fuel, will be available Saturday morning until the one-keg batch runs out. Irish-themed food includes shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage and potato and leek soup.
Mad Fox Brewing Company | Falls Church
Sunday’s tapping begins at 1 p.m. and includes Rock Star Irish Red Ale, a malt-driven low hop red ale, along with the St. James Irish Dry Stout, a roasty malt-driven beer. Music will start at 2 p.m., courtesy of the Justin Trawick Band. Irish food will also be available.
Old Bust Head Brewing Company | Vint Hill
After a few weeks of test batches, Old Bust Head uses the number one drinking holiday in the United States (or so says an email blast) to officially open. Beers include an English pale ale, an IPA and a porter. Food is courtesy of Warrenton‘s Covert Cafe and there will also be goats. To play with, not to eat.
Heritage Brewing Company | Manassas
Saturday’s all day celebration runs from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. The line-up includes the release of an experimental batch of Smoked Lager along with The Battle of White Marsh, a 9.5 percent Belgian spice ale. New Loudoun-based food company Chef Beckles will be serving several types of burgers: shrimp, lamb, bison, brisket and portabello.
