Denizens Southside Rye IPA
Where in Town: Denizens Brewing Co., 1115 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring
Price: $6.50/16 oz.
Das Bier Ist Hier
Denizens Brewing Co., the D.C. area’s latest suds spot, opened last week in Silver Spring. The beer is solid (more on that below), but just as exciting is the 150-seat Bavarian-style beer garden, complete with tables and benches imported from Germany. Thanks to a new Maryland law the owners helped get on the books, Denizens pours full pints, as opposed to only small samples, and is open late—until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. (A similar pint law just went into effect in D.C., but District breweries must close by 9 p.m.) Denizens’ bar also stocks wine and beer from other breweries, and by next month, the kitchen will be grilling up small dishes from the folks behind the BBQ Bus food truck. Wunderbar!
South to Mouth Resuscitation
Denizens’ first offering is a rye India pale ale called Southside, a nod to the brewery’s lower downtown location. Its caramel malt aromas are followed by a bouquet of citrusy American hops—Nugget, Cascade, Chinook, Azacca, and Amarillo—that yield bursts of grapefruit and orange flavors. A small amount of rye sharpens the beer’s fruity character and dry, bitter finish. At 7.2 percent alcohol, Southside is full-bodied but balanced. Denizens will eventually pour five drafts, including a Bohemian pilsner and a Belgian-style tripel. In the meantime, try its extra special bitter, another refreshing ale well-suited for outdoor drinking.
Photo by Tammy Tuck