Dec. 4 | 1996 | Hysteria Brewing

Why We Picked It: I love to pick up some local brews straight from the brewery. Hysteria is about 10 mins from the house and American IPAs may still be my favorite among all the growing beer styles out there.

What Hysteria Says About It: We wanted to throw it back to what got us into craft beer in the first place...nice, clean West Coast IPA's. This beer is perfect for drinking with anything, including as you cry by yourself about life. 

Style:  IPA - American

ABV:  6.5%

IBU: 66 

Website: https://www.hysteriabrewing.com/ 

To Better Know A Brewery: It started with a single batch and grew from there. Our passion or "uncontrollable excitement" for crafting beer that's not afraid to be beer. Three friends who more or less fancied themselves mad scientists were playing off of the inventors that came before them, so often thought of as mad for their ideas.

We've set out to create an environment drawing on the innovative, collaborative, and community driven atmosphere that makes craft beer so special. We believe a business can be a valuable part of the community and aim to elevate the lives of our patrons, offering a welcoming, (pet) friendly and encouraging taproom experience. We aim to collaborate with our friends and neighbors in the DMV area to create a truly unique product distinct to the place we call home. 

We strive to make bold, flavorful beers with an eye on the ever evolving techniques that make brewing today so great, and are committed to continual experimentation. 

HEAVILY COMMITTED PEOPLE.

INSANELY FULL FLAVORED BEER.

Dec. 3 | Early to Rise | Monument City Brewing

Why We Picked It: Beer for breakfast again. Sure. Also, a new style from a Baltimore favorite of mine (I recommend the 51 Rye). Monument also had an appearance in 24DOB 2018 with its Pagoda Pale Ale, which received mostly middling reviews and discussion of John Quincy Adams and pay phones near the Baltimore Pagoda.

What Monument Says About It: Not a damn thing. Seriously, there are only 68 total Untapped rankings and no mention of it on the website. Even Beer Advocate doesn't mention it! I don't know if we should be excited or terrified of that fact.

Style: Stout - Coffee  

ABV: 6%

IBU: N/A 

Website:  www.monumentcitybrewing.com 

To Better Know A Brewery: Founded by brothers, Ken and Matt Praay, Monument City Brewing was born while on a transformative hike along the Appalachian Trail.  The two brothers, already homebrewers, traded stories about their favorite craft beers and beers they had created. Upon their return, they set out to create a family-owned brewery making world-class craft beer for their community. Today, Monument City Brewing produces some of the finest ales and lagers Maryland has to offer.

Dec. 2 | Operation Breakfast | Flying Dog

Why We Picked It: Flying Dog usually makes an appearance and a strong breakfast stout was a bit new to us. 

What Flying Dog Says About It:  You woke up at noon and the motel breakfast buffet is already over. But don’t cry into your bacon just yet, this beer is packed with everything you missed. We gave ourselves a singular mission— brew a stout with all the roasted malt flavor you expect from a waffle maker, plus the huge coffee and vanilla flavor of a cafe latte. Well, mission accomplished. Trust us, it’s the best thing to happen since toasted sliced bread. So keep your PJs on, get a few extra hours of sleep, and set your alarm for happy hour. Operation Breakfast has arrived.

Style: Stout - Coffee

ABV: 9.1%

IBU: N/A 

Website: https://www.flyingdog.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: A physicist with degrees from the California Institute of Technology and the Carnegie Institute of Technology who had previously co-founded the Aspen Center for Physics in 1962, George Stranahan left an associate professorship at Michigan State University in 1972 to assume ownership of the Flying Dog Ranch in Woody Creek, Colorado. Eight years later, he made his first foray into the restaurant business, opening the Woody Creek Tavern in nearby Woody Creek, Colorado. It became notable for its association with journalist and Woody Creek resident, Hunter S. Thompson, who frequented the establishment on a near-nightly basis for late lunches when in town. Thompson and Stranahan (who previously served as Thompson's landlord) had enjoyed a close friendship since the late 1960s. In 1990, Stranahan and co-founding partner, Richard McIntyre, opened the Flying Dog Brewpub in Aspen. It was the first brewery to open in Aspen in over 100 years, and was one of the first brewpubs in the Rocky Mountain region.^[3]

Dec. 1 | Sacred Table | Silver Branch Brewing

Why We Picked It: Recommended by Jeremy and Bill, we discovered Silver Branch over the summer as Squeeqie Master was one of many sours/goses we tried. This is a completely different direction with a hoppy Belgian. Color us intrigued by a strong local brewery to kick things off.

What Silver Branch Says About It: Incredibly flavorful abbey ale inspired by the everyday beers enjoyed by Trappist monks. Soft golden color and an intense, spicy Belgian yeast profile. All the character of a hop-forward, yeast-driven Belgian ale without the higher alcohol.

Style: Pale Belgian

ABV: 5.3%

IBU:  N/A

Website: https://www.silverbranchbrewing.com/ 

To Better Know A Brewery: Silver Branch Brewing Company is a production brewery and taproom located in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring immediately adjacent to the Silver Spring red line metro stop. Silver Branch was founded by Christian Layke and Brett A. Robison in January 2017. As long-time beer lovers with an appreciation for the four major brewing cultures, they will brew and serve excellent beer inspired by European and American beer traditions. Silver Branch’s beers will be multi-dimensional so that the last sip of your last beer is as pleasing as the first sip of your first beer.

Note: We are adding daily polls this year, but please continue to leave comments below.

Welcome to the 24 Days of Beer - 2020 Holiday Edition

 

Like winning a leg lamp, few things stir the excitement for the holidays like receiving your case of beer for the 24 Days of Beer. Well, that day has arrived. 

As always, the rules are simple, yet majestic. We have assigned a different beer for each of the 24 days from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24. Plus, a special bonus day (own purchase) if you'd like to join in the fun (more below).

Below you will discover the 2020 list, which is the usual mix unique local brews and beloved holiday styles and a few surprises. The Day 1 beer - Silver Branch Sacred Table -- Tuesday around noon and each day there after. As always, please comment as you are able and share your thoughts on each beer.

Just remember, with each beer and each comment, you are one step closer to the end of 2020 and what must be better times to come (right).

Financials: Many of you have already paid (and thank you). If you haven't, please send $63.04 to me via Venmo, PayPal, or these things called cash or check. Seems a weird way to pay for things. You might as well offer an ox and some chickens.

Date	Beer	Brewery	Style / ABV / IBUs
12/1	Sacred Table	Silver Branch	Pale Belgian / 5.3% / N/A
12/2	Operation Breakfast	Flying Dog	Stout - Coffee / 9.1% / N/A
12/3	Early to Rise	Monument	Stout - Coffee / 6% / N/A
12/4	1996	Hysteria	IPA - American / 6.5% / 66
12/5	Eruption	Union	Double IPA / 7.6% / 30
12/6	Mosaic Splendor	Manor Hill	Double IPA / 8.3% / N/A
12/7	Banana Bread Beer	Eagle	Fruit Beer / 5.3% / 18
12/8	Black Chocolate Stout	Brooklyn	Stout - Russian Imperial /10% / 51
12/9	Sweet Baby Java	DuClaw	Porter - Coffee / 6.2% / 53
12/10	Diamonds Are Forever	3 Stars	Pale Ale - New England / 4.5% / N/A
12/11	Siren Noire	Heavy Seas	Stout - Imperial/Double / 9.5% / 19
12/12	Dragon's Milk	New Holland	Stout - Imperial/Double / 11% / 30
12/13	Steady Hoist	Black Flag	Lager - Dark / 5.2% / 15
12/14	K Kapowski Amber Ale	Black Flag	Lager - Amber / 4.8% / 20
12/15	Van Dammit	Jailbreak	Belgian Strong Dark Ale / 9% / 27
12/16	Troegenator	Troegs	Bock - Doublebock / 8.2% / 25
12/17	Tank 7	Boulevard	Farmhouse Ale - Saison /8.5% / 38
12/18	Holiday Ale	Two Roads	Farmhouse Ale / 7.3% / N/A
12/19	Chirtmas Ale	Bells	Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy / 7.5% / N/A
12/20	Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (2020)	Anchor Steam	Winter Warmer / 7% / 40
12/21	2XMas	Southern Tier	Winter Warmer / 8% / 40
12/22	Christmas Ale	Great Lakes	Winter Ale / 7.5% / 30
12/23	Merry Monkey	Victory	Belgian Strong Golden Ale / 10% / 35
12/24	Mad Elf	Troegs	Belgian Strong Dark Ale / 11% / 15
12/25+	BONUS: Celebration	Sierra Nevada	IPA - American / 6.8% / 65

Motivated by a purchasing error, we are also adding a bonus day for Sierra Celebration on Dec. 25. The beer has been part of every 24 Days in its vaunted history. Some of us old timers couldn't let it go. So if you are motivated, please go out and buy yourself some Celebration and join us. Or just jump on the blog and let us know what you are having on the 25th.

Day 24 | August 2 | Avery Brewing Hazyish IPA

Why We Picked It: It has to end some time (or so I have been led to believe). Avery is a solid brewery (of not local) and this seems like a chance to try a new hazy (and they can all be so different). Plus, 7 percent so we can finish with a bang.

What Avery Says About It:  A juicy and hazy India Pale Ale with low bitterness, an expressive aroma of four different hop varieties, and a creamy mouthfeel. We wouldn't be Avery Brewing if we didn't put our own stamp on the juicy and hazy IPA style. We took all that is great in a hazy IPA; low bitterness paired with the powerful and juicy aroma of hops, and the silky sensation of the liquid, but brewed for excellent shelf stability and consistency from batch to batch.

ABV: 7%

IBU: 30

Website: https://www.averybrewing.com/

More from Avery About The Founder:  This is the type of videos you get to make about yourself when you start a generally successful brewery

https://vimeo.com/223182780

Day 23 | August 1 | Troegs Brewery Haze Charmer Hazy Pale Ale

Why We Picked It: Back-to-back Troegs? Why not. Plus, hazies are all the rage (or at least they were a few weeks ago). Breweries are soon off to the next thing.

What Troegs Says About It:  Haze Charmer emerges from a soft, swirling cloud of oats and unmalted wheat. Vigorous dry-hopping adds a second phase of haze, propping up the oils of El Dorado and Citra hops. Each sip delivers notes of juicy pineapple, fresh grapefruit and candied peach balanced by a hint of white pine and low bitterness. A soft, juicy and hazy pale ale, Haze Charmer is here to cast its spell on you.

We taste: juicy pineapple, fresh grapefruit, candied peach, hint of white pine

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: No

Website: https://troegs.com/ 

More from Troegs About Field Study:  https://vimeo.com/416526462