Welcome back to The DC Beer Show, your hop-forward source for all things craft beer in the DMV! This episode finds our dynamic crew—Jake, Mike, Brandy, and Jordan—diving headfirst into the fascinating world of hops and modern brewing with special guest Shana Solarte, Marketing Communications Manager at John I. Haas.

Kicking off with the usual “what’s in your glass?” roundtable, the hosts compare notes on a fresh selection of IPAs (with more than one nod to Other Half), a Peabody Heights pilsner, and shout-outs to local beer reps. Brandy brings a little Cinco de Mayo energy, complete with margaritas and hopes for more info on her beer can labels!

The heart of the show belongs to Shana, who joins from Chicago—but don’t worry, her reach into the DC beer scene runs deep. She shares the inside scoop on John I. Haas’ partnership with the Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), an organization supporting scholarships for brewers and distillers of color. Shana explains the creative process behind MJF’s exclusive hop blend, involving sensory panels, blind tastings, and even a bit of Garrett Oliver Jedi mind-trickery. We hear about how the blend gives back—$5 per pound sold goes straight to MJF, supporting the next wave of brewing talent.

The episode shifts gears to demystify the buzz around “flowable hop products.” Shana breaks down what they are (think super-concentrated hop flavor minus the leafy waste), the benefits for brewers (better efficiency, more beer to pour), and how products like Incognito are changing the IPA game—especially with Mosaic fans in the house.

Throughout the show, Shana’s passion for beer education and inclusivity shines. From her Cicerone roots to her time at Dovetail and Omega Yeast, she emphasizes continual learning and translating geeky hop science into language every beer enthusiast can dig.

As always, there’s plenty of DC Beer community spirit. Brandy highlights upcoming local events: the Maryland Craft Beer Festival in Frederick (shoutout to female and non-binary brewers!), a DC Brau beer share, and a full calendar for beer lovers all summer long. Mike gives a special mention to the Arlington Brew Shop beer of the month, a Czech pale lager brewed by Bluejacket, and Jacob reminds us that beer is for everyone (moms very much included).

Grab a hoppy IPA (or your favorite local lager), settle in, and let The DC Beer Show guide you through innovative hop science, the importance of diversity in brewing, and all that’s brewing in our vibrant local beer scene. Cheers!

• Sean Moffitt
• Anthony Scipione
• johnna infanti
• Catherine Ramirez
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam
• Chip
• Tory Roberts
• Steven M Quartell
• Chris DeLoose
• Lauren Cary
• Amy Crone
• Clifton B
• Scott Pavlica
• Greg Antrim
• jeffrey garrison
• Joshua Learn
• Alexis Smith
• Dan Goldbeck
• Anthony Budny
• Greg Parnas
• Frank Chang
• Mikahl Tolton
• Kim Klyberg
• Chris Girardot
• Alyssa
• jeffrey katz
• Andrew MacWilliams
• Jamie Jackson
• Meegan
• Mike Rucki
• Jason Tucker
• Nick Gardner
• Amber Farris
• Sarah Ray
• Peter Jones
• Blue2024
• Brad Stengel
• Matt Winterhalter
• Bill and Karen Butcher
• Jordan Harvey
• Justin Broady
• Stephen Claeys
• Julie Verratti
• DFA Howie Kendrick

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!

• Sean Moffitt
• Anthony Scipione
• johnna infanti
• Catherine Ramirez
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam
• Chip
• Tory Roberts
• Steven M Quartell
• Chris DeLoose
• Lauren Cary
• Amy Crone
• Clifton B
• Scott Pavlica
• Greg Antrim
• jeffrey garrison
• Joshua Learn
• Alexis Smith
• Dan Goldbeck
• Anthony Budny
• Greg Parnas
• Frank Chang
• Mikahl Tolton
• Kim Klyberg
• Chris Girardot
• Alyssa
• jeffrey katz
• Andrew MacWilliams
• Jamie Jackson
• Meegan
• Mike Rucki
• Jason Tucker
• Nick Gardner
• Amber Farris
• Sarah Ray
• Peter Jones
• Blue2024
• Brad Stengel
• Matt Winterhalter
• Bill and Karen Butcher
• Jordan Harvey
• Justin Broady
• Stephen Claeys
• Julie Verratti
• DFA Howie Kendrick

Let's dive into a beer-filled adventure with guests Ben Mullet and Michael Spinello, co-founders of DC's newest brewery, Henceforth. The episode kicks off with the usual friendly banter about what everyone is sipping, featuring an impressive lineup of pints from rich ESBs to crisp pilsners.

Michael and Ben reveal the inspirations behind Henceforth, sharing their journey from ideation to near opening at their unique space on H Street. They discuss the innovative concept of creating a cozy brewpub atmosphere that feels more like a living room than a warehouse, aiming to bring refreshing change to the local beer scene. The episode brims with frothy excitement about traditional beer styles, nonalcoholic offerings, and a plan to engage a broader audience, including those who prefer cocktails or wine.

Our hosts also keep you in the loop with upcoming events like the Maryland Craft Beer Festival and notes on Henceforth's opening timetable. The beer talk is spiced up with a discussion on the challenges of transforming a historical venue into a state-of-the-art brewhouse, and a lighthearted take on frosty descriptions of "microbrews."

One important note: Beginning April 22, 2025, new episodes of The DC Beer Show will air at 2:00 p.m. ET every other Tuesday.

As always, check out @DCBeer on social media for live updates, exciting developments, and some patio-beer escapades. So grab your favorite brew, and listen along for a blend of beer news and hoppily-ever-after tales from the capital's vibrant brew community. Cheers to that!

• Sean Moffitt
• Anthony Scipione
• johnna infanti
• Catherine Ramirez
• Kristin
• Adam Frank
• Steven Lynch
• Jared Prager
• Jeff
• Michael O'Connor
• Favio Garcia
• Josh
• Ellen Daniels
• Juan Deliz
• Mike Lastort
• James Wisnieski
• Brian Minch
• Chris Frome
• Jon Gilgoff
• Sam
• Chip
• Tory Roberts
• Steven M Quartell
• Chris DeLoose
• Lauren Cary
• Amy Crone
• Clifton B
• Scott Pavlica
• Greg Antrim
• jeffrey garrison
• Joshua Learn
• Alexis Smith
• Dan Goldbeck
• Anthony Budny
• Greg Parnas
• Frank Chang
• Mikahl Tolton
• Kim Klyberg
• Chris Girardot
• Alyssa
• jeffrey katz
• Andrew MacWilliams
• Jamie Jackson
• Meegan
• Mike Rucki
• Jason Tucker
• Nick Gardner
• Amber Farris
• Sarah Ray
• Peter Jones
• Blue2024
• Brad Stengel
• Matt Winterhalter
• Bill and Karen Butcher
• Jordan Harvey
• Justin Broady
• Stephen Claeys
• Julie Verratti
• DFA Howie Kendrick