{"id":23692,"date":"2014-08-10T11:19:00","date_gmt":"2014-08-10T15:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yurasko.net\/wfy\/?p=23692"},"modified":"2014-08-10T11:19:00","modified_gmt":"2014-08-10T15:19:00","slug":"summer-beltwayland-and-beyond-beer-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yurasko.net\/wfy\/2014\/08\/summer-beltwayland-and-beyond-beer-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer BeltwayLand and beyond beer update"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s Craft Beer Month in Virginia. D.C Craft Beer week starts on August 17<\/a> (The Post<\/em>) and the CityPaper<\/em> has the Beer Issue<\/a> out. Follow @dcbeerweek<\/a> for more or visit dcbeerweek.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Remember two years ago when a massive storm that crossed half the continent knocked power out for many of us for several days? Port City responded to the lack of electricity by hastily putting together Derecho Common<\/a>. Thankfully, Alexandria hasn’t had any extensive power outages since then, but they have made Derecho Common a summer tradition. It turns out they’ll give you taste if you buy one of their cycling jerseys too. That is, if is still available. I have had a couple of Derechos and I’m saving at least two for when a friend returns from overseas. Well, maybe.<\/p>\n

MEANWHILE, IN THE DISTRICT<\/strong><\/p>\n

District breweries are now allowed to sell pints<\/a> thanks to a new law. That’s already legal in Virginia and even the nanny-state of Maryland. Not that Virginia is perfect as we’ll see later.<\/p>\n

SPEAKING OF BUYING PINTS AT BREWERIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

The industry’s growth was strengthened by state legislation in 2012, when the state changed a provision governing on-site consumption at brewery tasting rooms, allowing the sale of pints of beer rather than just tasting samples.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That legislation, which D.C. just caught up on, has seen significant impacts across Virginia in Loudoun County in particular:<\/p>\n

Since the law was revised, the craft beer industry in Virginia has seen 75 percent growth in the number of breweries, driving a statewide economic impact of $623 million, according to Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, a group composed of small, independent breweries in the commonwealth. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The whole story: ‘A rising tide’ of craft breweries in Loudoun and beyond<\/a> – The Post<\/em><\/p>\n

Bill Butcher<\/strong> of Port City is quoted in the Virginia Business<\/em> cover story, The business of beer<\/a> which also details what 2012 SB 604 has done for beer in the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

A few more details: Virginia’s local craft beer industry on the rise<\/a> (The Daily Press<\/em>, Newport News) <\/p>\n

This growth can’t be sustainable, but it’ll be fun when it’s going on and hopefully, the good beers will survive through consolidation.<\/p>\n

\n

@doubleuefwhy<\/a> A dozen breweries in Loudoun alone by year\u2019s end. Perhaps there\u2019s something to this \u201ccraft beer bubble\u201d concept after all\u2026<\/p>\n

— Mark P. (@map408psu) July 26, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n