(Bill O'Leary/The Post)
Breweries that offer beer to go
Fritz Hahn | Updated 11/30/2011
Growlers have long been a fixture at brewpubs, which almost never commercially release beers outside their own bars. But you can also go to most local breweries and get fresh beer from a tap for far less than you're paying for a pint at local pubs. Here's a quick guide to filling growlers on the burgeoning local brewery scene.
Chocolate City Beer
Washington, DC
The brewery is open Saturdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m. for growler fills ($16, or $10 if you bring your own growler) and hourly tours. But you'll have to wait for tastings: There's no bar on site, and the brewery doesn't yet have a "tasting license" to offer flights of all of its beers, but it is in the process of acquiring it.
DC Brau Brewery
Washington, DC
The pioneering D.C. brewery is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, with tours at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.. If you're over 21, you can sample all of the beers on tap -- usually three or four -- to decide which you want to bring home. Buying a growler and getting it filled costs $16; the price is $10 per fill if you bring your own. There's usually a line to get in. While you're waiting, look for eats from food trucks or other local vendors like 13th Street Meats or Dangerously Delicious Pies.
Flying Dog Brewery
Frederick, MD
Stop by on Thursdays between 3 and 8 p.m. and you'll pay $8 for a growler of any of the basic Flying Dog beers, $13 for the "higher-octane brews" and $18 for limited-time-only ales. (Flying Dog logo growlers are an extra $5.) You can also purchase a growler fill after the brewery tours on Friday (4 and 6:30 p.m.) or Saturday (noon and 2:30 p.m.).
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
Ashburn, VA
Run by brewers from the Old Dominion Brewing Company, Lost Rhino boasts the longest hours of any local brewery. Between noon and 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday you can sample the New River Pale Ale or a seasonal beer. Most growlers cost $8 per fill; strong and seasonal beers cost more. A new growler will set you back $10 for a screwtop model or $20 for a fancy swing-top version.
Port City Brewing Company
Alexandria, VA
Visit the tasting room to fill growlers or buy bottles on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tours of the large production brewery, led by Port City owner Bill Butcher or one of his brewers, are offered at 12:30, 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and take about 20 minutes. The $5 tour charge includes four tickets for drinks, which you can try in the multi-tap tasting room. A new 64-ounce growler filled with beer costs $15, and a fill (or refill) costs $10.
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