14 Years of DC Brau

Pour yourself a crispy lager and settle in for a festive episode of The DC Beer Show! This week, hosts Michael Stein and Jordan Harvey raise a glass to 14 years of DC Brau with special guests Brandon Skall (CEO and cofounder) and Alex Spencer (head brewer). The convo kicks off with springtime vibes—think Star Wars Day, Cinco de Mayo, and the promise of patio beers—before diving headlong into DC Brau’s big news: Dueling Grounds Vienna Lager has officially joined their flagship lineup.

Brandon and Alex give us the behind-the-scenes scoop: Dueling Grounds is malty, bready, and steeped in DC history—even its name is inspired by the legendary Bladensburg Dueling Grounds just down the road from the brewery. The episode raises a pint to the challenges DC Brau has faced, from navigating quirky DC laws ("no tasting beer at a brewery?!"—thankfully, that's ancient history) to surviving the pandemic’s shakeup of local hospitality.

Listeners also get a look at shifting beer trends. Alex talks the rise (and recent wane) of hazy IPAs, the triumphant comeback of “beer-flavored beer” (hello, lagers!), and how DC Brau is meeting demand with new releases like the ever-popular Old Time and the returning Keller Pils and Space Reaper for the hopheads out there.

The episode touches on brewery collaboration, the realities of a shrinking beer market, and DC Brau’s efforts to keep the spirit of community alive through contract brewing for smaller brands. With the local hospitality scene still in recovery, the message is clear: support your favorite bars and eateries, because their survival helps breweries (and your pint) too.

Rounding things out, the hosts tease some tart surprises: golden funk sour fans, rejoice—there's more barreled magic aging away for future taps. Plus, upcoming beer shares and ways to connect with the DC Beer crew both on-site at Brau and online through Patreon.

If you’re curious about the past, present, and future of DC craft beer—and thirsty for a few history tidbits alongside your toasty Vienna lager—this episode is one you won’t want to miss. So grab your favorite local pour, follow along for event highlights, and raise a toast to 14 years of “DC’s Beer.”

Cheers to supporting local, drinking responsibly, and keeping those brewing duels friendly!

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