Dec. 7 | Banana Bread Beer | Eagle Brewery

 

Why We Picked It: One of the goals for 24 days of beer is to try things you would never otherwise try. This one fits perfectly in that description. This is also our only import with the brewery based in Bedford, United Kingdom.

What Eagle Says About It: Long ago, ale was known as 'liquid bread'. ... Fairtrade bananas to awaken the senses with a seriously fruity, rich, yet surprisingly versatile Banana Bread Beer.

Style: Fruit beer

ABV: 5.2%

IBU: 18

Website: https://eaglebrewery.co.uk/.uk/

To Better Know A Brewery: The eagle has been associated with the town of Bedford for centuries, but you will notice there’s a difference in the way the Eagle Brewery represents its bird, it looks to the left, we believe this represents the company’s unique point of view. To this day, Eagle Brewery embraces different perspectives. It means that while others may move cautiously, we soar fearlessly. Like the eagle that looks over our brewery, we take a different view.

Dec. 6 | Mosaic Splendor | Manor Hill Brewing

Why We Picked It:  I used to be pretty cool on Manor Hill (not a fan of the Grisette), but Jeremy and Bill had me give them a second look this summer with the blonde ale and then I finally visited the farm this summer. I've completely flipped and my favorite brewery to visit around here (except maybe Red Shedman).

What Manor Hill Says About It: The next in our Splendor Series, Mosaic Splendor pours a hazy gold color with a big white head. With an abundance of sweet tropical papaya, guava, and mango fruit flavors, this beer packs a punchy bitterness combined with tropical citrus aromas and a lingering fruity finish. 

Style:  Double IPA

ABV:  8.3%

IBU:  N/A

Website: https://www.manorhillbrewing.com/

 

To Better Know A Brewery: Located on the Marriner Family’s 54-acre working farm in Ellicott City, Manor Hill Farm is home to Manor Hill Brewing… Howard County’s first, and Maryland’s largest, farm brewery. Our head brewer uses high quality seasonal ingredients to craft hand-made beers from original and unique recipes. The result is aromatic, hop forward farmhouse style beers.

Dec. 5 | Eruption | Union Brewing

 

Why We Picked It: I pre-ordered this one when seeing a case at Maple Lawn as soon as I saw Union and double IPA (my fav style). 

What Union Says About It: The arena is oversold. The band is in the middle of a blistering set. Malt, Water, and Yeast take a break and head backstage while Hops lights another cig and sits on an amp under the spotlight. With a quick puff and the flash of a smile, the Eruption begins. Waves of flavor pour over the crowd — Pear, melon, tropical pineapple, and white grape build to a maddening crescendo followed in quick succession by black tea and a honey-like sweetness. The bombast and indulgence come to a slow lava-like ooze that sticks to the palate with a gentle, soft body as the band returns to the stage.

Style: Double IPA

ABV: 7.6%

IBU: 30

Website: https://www.unioncraftbrewing.com

To Better Know A Brewery: Beer is the union of water, barley, hops and yeast. A brewery is the union of beer, its brewers and the community it serves. Beer Unites! is not just a tagline, it’s the underlying philosophy of everything we believe in as a business. Good beer brings good people together for good times—and good works.

Located within the Union Collective business hub in the Medfield neighborhood of Baltimore, MD, Union Craft Brewing makes great beer and great company. With reverence for tradition and place, we brew beers that unite old and new ideas, the science and craft of brewing, and boldness and balance of flavor.

Founded in the fall of 2011 by Kevin Blodger, Adam Benesch and Jon Zerivitz, brewing operations officially began in the spring of 2012 with the installation of a 20 barrel brewhouse and the initial launch of Duckpin Pale Ale.

After 5 years, UNION moved their production plant and tap room up the road to a 148,000 sq ft, former Sears warehouse that now houses the Union Collective of small, local manufacturers and Earth Treks Climbing gym.

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.