September/October is always a busy time for a beer writer. Always.IMG_1135

This week alone there’s a lot happening. Tonight, for instance, if you’re willing to take a short drive down to DC and hit Churchkey, the DC craft beer destination is hosting an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of the Mid-Atlantic’s long-time staples of the craft beer industry. From the Churchkey website –

DOMINION BREWING COMPANY 25TH ANNIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA: “THE DREAM” DC DEBUT, TOTAL TAP TAKEOVER FROM DOMINION BREWERS PAST & PRESENT + MEET FOUNDER JERRY BAILEY! WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT 6 PM Join us as we celebrate 25 years of beer from Dominion Brewing! This anniversary party will also mark the DC debut of their new 25th Anniversary Black India Pale Lager, The Dream. And we’ll have a special guest of honor in the house: Dominion Brewing Company Founder Jerry Bailey himself! In addition to the lineup of Dominion drafts, we’ll be turning the taps over to 7 brew-eries who’ve inspired, created, supported and drank with Dominion including Lost Rhino Brewing Co., Old Ox Brewing, Victory Brewing Co., Starr Hill Brewing Co., Lagunitas Brewing Co., Bell’s Brew-ery, and Mad Fox Brewing Co.

Casey Hollingsworth over at Dominion added that Brewer’s Art recently was added to the tap list for the event, as well.

And for those of you unfamiliar with the history, yes, Old Dominion/Fordham (Coastal Brewing) is independently owned. AB/InBev divested themselves of the brewery which they briefly owned just before their purchase of Goose Island in Chicago.

If you can’t make it out to DC tonight, Madrones is advertising the following for tomorrow and Friday:

September Tap Takeovers at Madrones
Breckenridge and Jailbreak Breweries
Breckenridge Tap Takeover – September 18th, 6PM
Join us for some rare brews!  Autumn, Regal Pils, Lucky U,  IPA 471 will be on tap.
Jailbreak First Release – September 19th, 6PM
On tap: Big Punisher, Welcome to Scoville, Feed the Monkey and Made Wit Basil.

And all this is just the tip of the iceberg. This weekend is the Maryland Brewer’s Harvest in Baltimore (complete with the announcement of the winners of the Maryland Comptroller’s Cup Competition for the title of Best Beer in Maryland), as is the DuClaw Real Ale Festival in Bel Air – a beer fest that always provides an opportunity to enjoy cask conditioned beers that you won’t find anywhere else.

The Autumn celebration of Maryland beer/craft beer is followed next weekend by the Maryland Microbreweries Festival in Union Mills, Frederick Oktoberfest, Lovettsville Oktoberfest. All fine festivals as well.

Next week, I talk Frederick County’s Amber Waves, Dominion’s Cheesetoberfest (coming up on October 4).

Until then, be well and drink good beer.

Slainte.