beer | ALXnow

Alexandria’s Port City Brewing Co., Mieza Blendery win top awards at Great American Beer Fest

Published October 14, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria’s Bill Butcher, owner of the Port City Brewing Co., took home a gold medal in the Vienna lager category at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado (via Bill Butcher/Facebook)

Port City Brewing Co. has done it again.

Fresh off their bronze medal-winning performance at the 2026 Virginia Craft Brewers Cup in August, the Alexandria-based brewery at 3950 Wheeler Avenue won gold for their Oktoberfest Vienna Lager at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival. The festival was held Oct. 10-11 and featured distinct beers from 1,300 breweries from across the country. Port City won gold in the Vienna-Style Lager category over silver medalist DC Brau Brewing Co and bronze medalist Almanac Beer Co.

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Crooked Run Fermentation opening taproom in Del Ray Aug. 28

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

Crooked Run Brewery and Taproom is opening Aug. 28, 2026, at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new brewery taproom is opening at the end of the month on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.

Crooked Run Fermentation plans to open its taproom at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue on Aug. 28 after a three-month interior renovation. Co-owner Lee Rogan tells ALXnow that a grand opening and ribbon cutting will happen sometime next month.

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Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2026 at 11:45AM

The third annual Port to Port Beer Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 (via Port City Brewing Company)

For those pursuing hoppiness this weekend, look no further than the Port City Brewing Company’s third annual Port to Port Beer Festival on Saturday (Aug. 8).

From noon to 4 p.m., more than 20 breweries from across the country are bringing their best brews for the festival at Port City (3950 Wheeler Avenue). Tickets cost $60 and get you a bottomless five-ounce glass for unlimited pours, access to outdoor yard games and music from a DJ.

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Crooked Run Fermentation plans to open Del Ray taproom later in 2026

By Emily Leayman

Published May 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

Crooked Run Fermentation's future location in Del Ray (via Crooked Run Fermentation/Facebook)

Northern Virginia brewery Crooked Run Fermentation is planning to expand its footprint with a new location in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood.

After filing for a Virginia ABC permit earlier this year, the brewery confirmed it is planning a Crooked Run Brewery Taproom at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue, the former location of Dolce & Bean. Crooked Run Fermentation, founded in Leesburg in 2013, also has a production facility and taproom in Sterling and a location at D.C.’s Union Market.

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Ribbon cuttings planned at fitness studio, beer and wine shop in Del Ray this month

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Department of Beer and Wine has moved to 2805 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Instagram)

Two local businesses in Del Ray plan to cut the ribbon on their spaces later this month, celebrating new spots that have opened over the past few months.

The Del Ray Business Association will host ribbon cuttings at Lifestyle & Performance Fitness (202 E. Custis Avenue) and the Department of Beer and Wine (2805 Mount Vernon Avenue) on Saturday, May 16.

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Annual ALX Craft Beer Festival coming to Atlas Brew Works this month

By Katie Taranto

Published May 5, 2026 at 11:50AM | Updated May 5, 2026 at 1:04PM

Atlas Brew Works beer (courtesy of Atlas Brew Works)

Several regional breweries will come together later this month for the annual ALX Craft Beer Festival, offering a taste of their signature brews.

The festival will feature a variety of ale, lager, pilsner and other beers from local makers, including host Atlas Brew Works. The festival is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Atlas Alexandria Brewery & Tap Room at 2429 Mandeville Lane.

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Landlord drops lawsuit against Del Ray beer garden owners

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2026 at 3:15PM | Updated March 13, 2026 at 5:34PM

The Garden at 1503 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

The landlords of a popular beer garden in Del Ray have dropped their eviction lawsuit against their tenants.

Despite the win, Jeremy Barber and Justus Frank, the owners of The Garden (1503 Mount Vernon Avenue), are still suing their landlords at Twenty-Third Street Corridor LLC, and plan to go back to Alexandria Circuit Court in October.

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Port City Brewing Company will celebrate 15 years with new release, weekend festivities

By James Cullum

Published February 3, 2026 at 9:30AM

Port City Brewing Company (courtesy of Port City Brewing Company)

Port City Brewing Company is doing something special this weekend for its 15th anniversary.

The brewery and tasting room at 3950 Wheeler Avenue will host a two-day release party for its new Golden Rum Barrel-Aged Colossal Anniversary Ale, with “familiar notes of toffee, dried dark fruit, and subtle hop balance paired perfectively with the sweet vanilla, coconut, honey, and molasses flavors of the rum.”

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Oktoberfest events planned across Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 15, 2025 at 10:45AM

Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

Get your Bavarian hats ready, because Oktoberfest is coming to Alexandria this month.

The annual folk festival celebrating German culture, food and beer, starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 20) with a 5K and 10K run at Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Avenue). The event wraps up at 8:30 p.m., and proceeds benefit NoVA Rugby.

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Aslin Beer Co. to celebrate 10th anniversary with party at its West End tap room

By James Cullum

Published August 18, 2025 at 10:30AM

Asline Beer Co. is celebrating its 10th anniversary at its tap room (847 South Pickett Street) on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

Aslin Beer Company (847 S. Pickett Street) is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 27, with live music, comedians, food, and beer.

“It’s been 10 weird, wild, and unforgettable years, and we’re throwing a proper party to celebrate,” Aslin Beer Co. said in its event listing. “You already know we’re brewing up something special for the occasion. Come thirsty. Come hungry. Bring the fam. Stay for the chaos. Thanks for being part of the ride. Let’s celebrate ten years the only way we know how.”

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Atlas Brew Works wins RAMMYS Award for ‘Beer Program of the Year’

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2025 at 1:30PM | Updated August 5, 2025 at 2:25PM

Beer at Atlas Brew Works (photo via Atlas Brew Works/Facebook)

Atlas Brew Works, which opened a taproom in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood last year, was awarded this year’s RAMMYS Award for Beer Program of the Year on Sunday, August 3.

Atlas Brew Works (2425 Mandeville Lane) was one of three businesses in Alexandria up for regional awards from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), along with Andy’s Pizza (107 N. Fayette Street) and Josephine (109 S. St. Asaph Street).