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WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Bell’s Hopslam Imperial IPA for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)


WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about The Bruery 9 Ladies Dancing for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)




Beer of the Week: Captain Lawrence Barrel Select Gold Sour Ale
Quick facts on the Captain Lawrence Barrel Select Gold Sour Ale Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing, Elmsford, New York ABV: 6.5 percent Description: This sour beer is more like a wine, having been made in aged oak barrels. Greg’s pairing suggestions: Leftover turkey, stuffing, richer meats, grilled fish, mussels, clams, oysters, fish and chips, fried chicken.WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Captain Lawrence Barrel Select Gold for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)

WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Manor Hill Grisette Farmhouse Ale for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)





WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Modern Times City of the Dead Stout for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)


WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Avery Certatio Equestris Sour Ale for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)

WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Ninkasi N10 Imperial Blended Ale for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)



WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Brasserie Dupont-The Lost Abbey Deux Amis Saison Ale for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)


WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Bluejacket Ocelot Raised On Promises Double IPA


WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Rodenbach Alexander for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)


WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Crooked Stave Serenata Notturna Blueberry for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)






Stillwater Artisanal, various locations. Founded in 2010. Web: stillwater-artisanal.com
Other Half Brewing, Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2014. Web: otherhalfbrewing.com ABV: 4.5% Greg’s pairing suggestions:
Briny seafood, such as oysters on the half shell, sardines and mackerel, as well as shrimp, scallops, salmon and tuna.

Noyaux is a blend of sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 24 months with fresh raspberries and apricot noyaux (pits). Offering a complex bouquet of raspberry fruit, rose petals, toasted almonds, and soft perfume notes, the 2014 Noyaux is ready to drink now, but will reward cellaring in a cool, dark place for several years. ABV: 9.29% Greg’s pairing suggestions: Salmon (smoked or grilled on a cedar plank); rich meats such as lamb, steak and duck; thick cheddar cheese burgers — Photo credit: WTOP/ Brennan Haselton


This Burley red ale uses eight different malts to create complexity with hints of burnt sugar, raisin and a slight touch of smoke. ABV: 8.1% IBUs: 32 Greg’s pairing suggestions: Desserts (creme brûlée, chocolate, pecan pie); chicken wings with bleu cheese; blackened bacon bleu burgers; earthy veggies such as asparagus, artichokes, Brussels sprouts

“Using our Classic Saison recipe as a base framework, our Noble Cuvee Dry Hop Saison features a dry hop addition of traditional European Noble hop varieties for pleasant earthy, herbal and spicy notes balanced by a light body, dry finish and crisp effervescence. Noble Hop varieties used for this release in the past have included German Select, German Tettnang, East Kent Golding, and French Triskel.” Brewery: Blackberry Farm Brewery, Walland, Tennessee. Founded in 2011. www.blackberryfarm.com ABV: 6.2%
IBUs: 35 Greg’s pairing suggestions: herb roasted chicken; sausage platters; hot dogs and burgers; seafood of any kind, “literally everything.”


From The Bruery’s website: Fourthmeal is a hoppy Belgian-style ale that brings aspects of both breweries to the table: fruity, Belgian yeast esters, a crisp, bready backbone, citrus and piney hop characteristics, and a dry, hop-forward finish. Brewery: Fourthmeal is a collaboration between two brewers: – The Bruery, Orange County, California. Founded in 20008. thebruery.com – Maine Beer Co., Freeport, Maine. Founded in 20009. mainebeercompany.com ABV: 5.9% IBU: 60 Greg’s suggested pairings: Mexican dishes such as guacamole, fish tacos, beef burritos, chicken in mole sauce — Photo credit: WTOP/Brennan Haselton



Foods that utilize lemons such as mussels, oysters; roast chicken with green beans or asparagus; lamb chops or other things with “gamey funk.” Photo credit: WTOP/Brennan Haselton

ABV: 10 percent
Original gravity: 1.087
Shelf life: 6 months
Dates available: Winter, seasonal
Available Packages: Draft, 12-ounce cans packaged in six-packs and mini-kegs Greg’s pairing suggestions: Certain savory dishes with nuts; pad thai with peanuts; kung pao chicken; scallops; arugula salad with vinaigrette

Tröegs Nugget Nectar Quick facts on Tröegs Brewing Company’s Tröegs Nugget Nectar: Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania
ABV: 7.5 percent
Description: A blend of fresh hops and an Imperial Amber Ale. According to the brewery’s website, it’s “an explosion of pine, resin and mango.” Greg’s pairing suggestions: Rich barbecue ribs (aim for the ribs with a sweeter sauce; avoid anything too acidic). (Courtesy Tröegs Brewing Company Facebook)
Tröegs Nugget Nectar Going way back to 2012 for this week’s “Best of” Beer of the Week: Tröegs Nugget Nectar. WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about this delicious Pennsylvania craft beer. They also discuss an annual beer phenomenon that, by chance, has just kicked off in Santa Rosa, California. (Courtesy Tröegs Brewing Company Facebook)

Crooked Stave Silly Cybies Quick facts on Crooked Stave’s Silly Cybies: Brewery: Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, Denver
ABV: 9 percent
Description: Belgian-style dark ale aged in oak barrels with raspberries Greg’s pairing suggestions: Barbecue, mixed green salad, steak or duck, goat’s milk or bleu cheese
Crooked Stave Silly Cybies No matter what you call it, there’s nothing “silly” about this potent Colorado brew. WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Crooked Stave Silly Cybies for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)

Lickinghole Creek Bourbon Barrel Three Chopt Tripel Quick Facts on Lickinghole Creek Bourbon Barrel Three Chopt Tripel Brewery: Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, Goochland, Virginia ABV: 11.3 percent Description: According to the brewery’s website, this beer is aged for more than 12 weeks in Kentucky bourbon barrels. It has notes of citrus, lemon-lime, honey and coconut — plus the smooth flavor of bourbon. Greg’s Pairing Suggestions: Anything with garlic, basil, parsley; cheese pizza; classic red sauce spaghetti and meatballs; spicy Thai cuisine. (WTOP/ Brennan Haselton)
Lickinghole Creek Bourbon Barrel Three Chopt Tripel You could be licking your chops after sampling this offering from one of Virginia’s newer craft breweries. WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and Food and Wine Sommelier of the Year Greg Engert to talk about Lickinghole Creek Bourbon Barrel Three Chopt Tripel for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (WTOP/Brennan Haselton)

Bluejacket The Chimmer IPA Quick Facts on Bluejacket’s The Chimmer IPA Brewery: Bluejacket Brewery, Washington, D.C. ABV: 6.6 percent Description: Bluejacket’s website describes this beer as “a complex, fruit-forward and well-rounded IPA.” It possesses hints of cantaloupe and sweet berry and soft resin on the pine. And the name? Well, the brewery explains that comes from Washington Capitals player — and beer geek — Jason Chimera. Greg’s Pairing Suggestions: Anything with limes, shrimp tacos, quesadillas, bacon and eggs, Greek food, such as souvlaki and kebabs, Indian cuisine such as tandoori chicken (WTOP/ Brennan Haselton)
Bluejacket The Chimmer IPA They shoot. They score. WTOP’s Brennan Haselton is joined by Neighborhood Restaurant Group Beer Director and James Beard Award nominee Greg Engert to talk about Bluejacket The Chimmer IPA for the latest edition of WTOP’s Beer of the Week. (Courtesy Brennan Haselton)














































































