Even if Frederick Beer Week isn’t going full steam, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have a busy and vibrant behind-the-scenes life in the local brewing industry. Those that read this column regularly already know about the upcoming beer dinner at Barley and Hops to be held on October 17, but this Saturday Flying Dog is hosting the Local Riot. A few of the details of that, if you are wondering…

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Join the movement to support local creativity on Saturday, October 5. From noon to 5 pm, we’ll have artisans of all kinds on the brewery lawn, including:

GoFish Seafood Truck
Carnivore BBQ
Rappahannock River Oysters
The Common Market Co-op
Distillery Lane Ciderworks
Sculptor Chris Cooley (yes, that Chris Cooley)
Artist Goodloe Byron
We’ll also have the premiere of our October Brewhouse Rarities release, Orchard Ale, along with live music by Heavy Lights, Safety Meeting, and Katie Powderly and the Unconditional Lovers.

And up the street at Monocacy, they recently welcomed a new member of the team. Jessica Dixon, a California native has joined the Monocacy Brewing Company team as the company’s new cellar technician. With a certificate in brewing technology from the renowned Siebel Institute, Dixon’s gig with MBC is her first after a career as a photographer. Like many other professionals in the industry, Jessica first took the plunge into zymurgy as a homebrewer starting in 2010. “This is my first real job in a brewery and I’m excited to be a part of one that’s growing fast, and to have the opportunity to work with such knowledgeable brewers,” said Dixon.

And speaking of homebrewing, Flying Dog is releasing the homebrew kits for their popular Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout, but more importantly, they’re taking care of the folks here, at home. For those of you deemed “non-essential” by the tossers in Congress, Flying Dog has you taken care of. Starting today and running through the weekend, Flying Dog is holding tours just for the furloughed government employees. For details, click here.

Apples to Apples…well, this week’s Tapped and Uncapped…

If you’ve been paying attention, I’m sure you’ve noticed a number of trends in the past couple of years – everything IPA (cascadian, India Pale Lager, IIPA, etc), session beers are popular now, more breweries are doing farmhouse ales, and there has certainly been an increase in the number of places producing some fine hard ciders. Ciders are an interesting creature. Maybe a little more like wine than beer – sweet or dry, but always fruity. I like cider.

Last night I had me some Doc’s Draft Original Hard Cider. It was just a little bit on the other side of sweet, without being too much so – it’s not cloying in any way. After a long day of physical labor, it was just the sort of lightly sweet, refreshing sort of drink one often craves. It is certainly worth the purchase of a bomber at your local purveyor of fine fermented drinks.

And that’s the news from Lake Ale-be-yum where the ales are complex, the lagers are tasty, and Belgians are strong.

Until next week, be well and drink good beer.

Slainte.