DC Brau is undoubtedly one of the mainstay brewers in the nation’s Capitol, available throughout the region and inspiring much of the craft beer growth that has occurred over the past few years. Its name recognition is paramount and its beers are more than familiar, even to the backseat craft beer drinker. Surprisingly, the brewery is only turning six years old this spring, but it’s celebrating in a big way.

Coinciding with the Craft Brewers Conference, DC Brau has developed six special-release collaboration beers — to be released Tuesday, April 11 at a tap takeover — with brewers across the country. They’ll also be co-hosting a heavy metal concert with BARONESS at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday, April 13.

(To those avid Wikipedia fans, yes, DC Brau was established in 2009 but did not send its first beers to market until 2011.)

The (free!) tap takeover kicks off at 5 p.m. at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Adam’s Morgan, a well-known bar with a large whiskey selection, great bar food and a seasonal tiki bar. This is a bit of a hike from the Convention Center, where CBC will be located, but in an area near a ton of fun establishments.

Here’s the line up of collaborations, straight from the press release DC Brau issued:

Yonder Cities – Brewed with Union Craft Brewing (Baltimore, MD)

This Belgian farmhouse IPA exclusively uses Citra and Simcoe Hops, and will be available in cans designed by Matt Leunig (scrapedknee.com).

Conflict of Interest – Brewed with Melvin Brewing (Alpine, WY)

The 7.5% ABV Imperial Pilsner is brewed with traditional German hops with an emphasis on aroma contributed by German Saphir hops. It will be available in cans designed by Mike Van Hall (opprobriations.com).

American Pale Ale – Brewed with Hop Head Farms & Firestone Walker (MI)

This yet-to-be-named beer is a straight-forward American Pale Ale showcasing domestic hop varieties that were grown in Michigan at Hop Head Farms. This beer will showcase new aroma varieties, Cashmere and Grungeist, which (as rumor has it) could be the next “big aroma varieties” for the U.S. and European markets. This beer will only be available on draft.

Cross Eyed Cat in the Meow Box – Brewed with 2SP Brewing (Aston, PA)

This German-inspired IPA used locally-grown spelt and malted rye supplied by Deer Creek Malthouse. In addition to locally grown malt, we used locally grown Cascade, Chinook and Comet hops in the whirlpool for added hop aroma. This beer is basically a hoppy German-Style Maibock, which was brewed under the watchful (cross)eye of their brewery’s cat. This beer will only be available on draft.

Alt By Myself – Brewed at Stone Brewing World Gardens & Bistro, Liberty Station (San Diego, CA)

This German-style Altbeir was brewed using one type of Munich malt for the base malt of the beer in conjunction with German hop varieties, Hallertau Blanc and Hüll Melon, which are very unconventional in this style of beer. This beer will only be available on draft.

Rally Cry – Brewed with Atlas Brew Works (Washington, DC)

Brewed in partnership with REI, proceeds from this locally made session IPA will be donated to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (www.waba.org).

Here are the details on the 9:30 Club event; the venue is also a mainstay in the DC entertainment scene, so if you’re in town for the week, it’s worth a trip.

DC Brau has big plans in store for the next few years, including dramatically increasing its production with a new brewhouse. Keep your eyes on this one, even six years later.

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