New! Online Ordering Available at All Locations

Call Gaithersburg

MAP

Call Fairfax

MAP

BUY GIFT CARDS
untapped iconWhat's On Tap

Gaithersburg
Fairfax

Dogfish Head Alehouse Falls Church

Fall Brews to Try

by

Fall BrewsThe heat is finally dying down, and cozy fall weather is slowly creeping in to replace it. Take a cue from the temperature, and trade in the refreshing lighter beers of summer for something a little heartier. Here are some of our favorite fall beers to enjoy as the season changes.

Märzen

Märzen is a style of lager that originated in Bavaria and is traditionally brewed in March (Märzen) at a higher alcohol content to store throughout the warmer summer months. It’s still enjoyed during Oktoberfest each year, and now there are many different Märzen-style beers brewed all over the world. Try one that’s full-bodied, with medium alcohol content and a light, malty sweetness.

Pumpkin Ales

No fall beer list would be complete without mentioning the pumpkin ale, a seasonal favorite. Venture beyond some of the sweeter varieties to find an ale that has a full-bodied flavor of its own and doesn’t overwhelm you with pumpkin flavor. Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale is a rich brown brew with subtle notes of brown sugar and pumpkin, plus cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.

Brown Ales

There’s something about a nutty brown ale that pairs perfectly with crisp fall weather. A medium-bodied amber ale with hints of caramel or maple goes down smooth while watching the game, or a more robust dark brown ale with aromas of chocolate or hazelnut is a great complement to a filling fall meal. Try Dogfish Head’s Indian Brown ale for an extra dose of hops and malt.

Stouts

Celebrate stout season when you finally have to cave in and wear a coat. Dark stouts with a dash of coffee or spice should top your list of fall beers to try. They’re a great reward for braving chilly autumn days, and they go well with sweet or savory food.

Imperial IPAs

If you like a beer with a intense flavor (and a little bit of a kick), opt for an imperial IPA. Imperial IPAs are even stronger and hoppier than standard IPAs, and some also add a layer of sweetness. Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA blends a strong malt profile with big, bold hops.

What Are Tasting Notes?

by

drinking craft beerWhen you’re trying a beer for the first time, your senses have a lot to take in. What does it smell like? What does it look like? What do your taste buds experience with that first sip and beyond? What do you like and dislike?

It’s fun – both for craft beer beginners and long-time enthusiasts – to take tasting notes when you drink new beers to record all of these impressions. This action helps you notice a beer’s unique characteristics and hone your palate.

How you decide to keep your tasting notes mostly comes down to personal preference – there’s no wrong way to do it. Some craft beer drinkers keep a list on their smart phones or in a small notebook. Some jot down notes on napkins or receipts as they go. Some even start craft beer blogs to share their discoveries with others.

Here are a few tips as you get started on taking tasting notes. Keep these five characteristics in mind for each beer you taste, and write down brief notes on each category.

1. Appearance

Bring your glass up to eye level. What color is the beer? Is it clear or cloudy? What kind of head retention does it display? What else is noteworthy about its appearance?

Examples of tasting notes:
Amber, hazy, golden, dark brown, foamy, creamy

2. Aroma

Swirl your glass and breathe deeply, getting a good whiff of the beer before you take your first sip. What does the beer smell like? What hops, malt, yeast or other aromatics jump out at you?

Examples of tasting notes:
Chocolaty, floral, spicy, toasted, funky

3. Flavor

Take a sip of the beer and let it warm in your mouth before you swallow. What are your first taste impressions? How does the flavor compare to the aroma? Are there any dominating flavors? Is it balanced?

Examples of tasting notes:
Sweet, smoky, earthy, full-bodied, hoppy

4. Mouthfeel

Take another drink and sit with the flavors that build on your palate. What texture does it have? What sensations are strongest? Is it carbonated? Acidic? Light- or full-bodied?

Examples of tasting notes:
Crisp, smooth, carbonated, flat, watery

5. Overall Impression

Consider the overall tasting experience, and write down your evaluation. What did you enjoy? What did you not? How would you describe this beer to a friend?

Examples of tasting notes:
Well-balanced, refreshing, overly sour, bold, malty

Craft Beer 101: Glassware

by

beer glassJust as there are many different varieties of beers, there are many different types of glasses in which to savor those beers. Pint glasses, tulip glasses, goblets… It might seem overwhelming to have such an array of glassware, but the type of glass you sip out of really does affect the aroma and flavor of the beer (and your enjoyment of it!).

The shape of glassware changes how you experience a beer’s color, smell and taste, plus it can also have an impact on head development and retention. Drinking red wine out of a champagne flute just wouldn’t feel or taste right; in the same way, drinking an imperial stout out of a weizen glass wouldn’t do that beer justice.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most common beer glassware – and some of the beers you can enjoy in them.

Pint Glass

This one should be familiar to you since it’s one of the most common in the United States. The pint glass has an almost cylindrical shape with a wide top. It typically holds 16 ounces (though there is a 20-ounce version) and is versatile to use for many ales, IPAs, stouts and lagers.

Pilsner Glass

This tall, thin, straight glass is designed for pilsners and lighter beers, including light lagers and bocks. It usually holds less liquid than a regular pint glass, and its slim shape has a wider mouth to help maintain the beer’s head.

Weizen Glass

A weizen glass, true to its name, is intended for wheat beers. It has a slender, elegant shape – similar to a pilsner glass – that curves as it reaches the top to retain a substantial foamy head. It generally contains at least a half-liter of beer.

Tulip

A tulip beer glass resembles the flower, with a thin, short stem and a bulb-like body and a curved lip. The tulip glass’ design also cultivates a foamy head and strong aromas. It’s ideal for stronger beers, such as Scotch ales, barleywines and double IPAs.

Goblet

A goblet (or a chalice) adds some visual drama to the beer drinking experience. It has a big, bold profile, with a thick stem and a wide, deep bowl; it may even contain a decorative gold or silver rim. Heavier, maltier beers are often served in goblets; for example, Belgian-style ales.

Stange Glass

The stange glass is a tall, straight and slender glass. It’s perhaps the most unassuming in appearance of all the beer glasses, but it’s perfect to bring out subtle and delicate flavors. It’s used for beers ranging from German kölsch to fruity lambics.

Nucleated Glass

nucleated glassGlassware that is nucleated is meant to enhance the IPA drinking experience. Basically, the bottom of the glass is etched, usually with a logo (like ours). This etching excites the bubbles and produces a more stable head.

Take home your own glass and show off your Dogfish Head support. Mugs, pint glasses, and snifters are available for sale with our logo at each alehouse. Look out for limited edition glasses at our events and limited time orders like our 20th Anniversary glass and Punkin Ale Pints.

Touchdown! Pigskin and Pints!

by

beerandwingsfootballblog Beer, rivalry, team colors, and finger licking good food. That’s football season! And it is here at Dogfish Head Alehouse.

Hosting a football party leaves little time for actually watching the game. Ditch the cooking and cleanup and come to your local alehouse.

Falls Church

If you are in our neighborhood, you’ve got plenty to look forward to! All day Sunday, and Monday and Thursday nights you can watch the games and dig in on wings and beer. Our “Pick 2 for $22” includes a choice of two buckets with beer n wings or beer n ribs. Our buckets of beer include four bottles per bucket, mix and match 60 Min IPA, Namaste, Indian Brown Ale, Tweason, and 90 Min IPA (*limit two 90 Min IPA per bucket). Then decide if you want one pound of wings or two pounds of ribs.

Lineup:
September 10th, 17th, 21st, 24th, 27th, 28th @ 7pm
September 20th @1pm
October 1st, 5th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 19th, 22nd, 26th, 29th @7pm
October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th @1pm

Fairfax

Brand new patio HD TVs are here! What better way to dig in on burgers and beers? We will be featuring food specials like the Roethlisburger and The Boston Burger when New England takes on Pittsburgh, September 10th. Then enjoy Big Dogs on September 24th when Washington takes on New York. We will have Happy Hour on the Patio from 4-7pm.
Thinking about a Sunday game? September 13th, be here by kickoff! Happy Hour from 1-7pm is not something you will want to miss.

Lineup:
Thursday September 10th & 24th
Sunday September 13th

Get your jersey on and get your game day face on! Ready, set, Hut!

A Punkin Chunkin Past

by

punkin ale We have officially kicked off a new season. The calendar may say that fall begins in a few weeks, but our Punkin Ale release was an unofficial welcome to football, changing leaves, and cooler days (or so we hope).

What’s the deal with Punkin? Well, it’s our pumpkin beer (makes sense, right?) Pumpkin beer is a concoction of pumpkin mash, puree, or flavoring, by brewer’s choice. Popular spices are then added for hints of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, or cloves. In the end, you get a mild, typically not bitter, and malty brew.

Our version, Punkin Ale, has been a Dogfish Head favorite since…well before Dogfish Head! This off centered, full bodied brown ale came to be in 1994 during a Punkin Chunkin Recipe Contest. Six months before the brewery was set to open, our seasonal ale took first prize!

Indeed, it’s everything you would expect in a fall beer. With smooth hints of brown sugar and pumpkin meat, it’s the perfect beer to enjoy while kicking back at a bonfire, during a game, or at one of our alehouses!

If you are stopping in for a pint, order up the turkey sandwich! This brew and turkey make for a great pairing. However, Punkin Ale is usually gone by Thanksgiving so take a growler to make it last.

Looking for events to give Punkin a try:

Check out our events calendar for football schedules and specials at Fairfax and Falls Church. On the 15th, support a fundraiser by dining in at any of the alehouses. Each will have a special fundraiser with prizes and raffles. 15% of ALL proceeds on that day will go to the cause they are supporting so come on out for a pint of Punkin (or Chunkin)!

Punkin Ale Returns!

by

It’s getting to be thatpunkin ale release time of year when everything turns…to pumpkin! Our seasonal friend, Punkin Ale is making its way back to our taps and we are celebrating! For us, this favorite brew announces the end of summer and the approach of fall.

So what’s the deal with Punkin? Straight from the brewery: “We describe it as a full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. We brew our Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices.”

Sounds great, right? Loyal fans agree. As we get into a cooler season, this beer keeps things warm without being too heavy.
“In fact, Punkin Ale made its debut as it claimed first prize in the 1994 Punkin Chunkin Recipe Contest. Yes, that was a full 6 months before we even opened our doors for business!”
Get in on the festivities at Falls Church, Gaithersburg, or Fairfax…

Fairfax

Join us in Fairfax for live music, games, an outdoor grill and bar, and face painting on Saturday. On Sunday, we keep the party going! And finally, we are showing Monday who’s boss with a Fairfax Pint Night (so make sure you come out for your free Punkin pint glass!) Be sure to pick up a Punkin Ale growler when you stop in!

Gaithersburg

Saturday is the big day! Gaithersburg fans won’t want to miss a day of live music including local favorite, Bad Influence who will be on stage at 10pm. And don’t forget to come early for a pig roast, free face painting, cornhole, and bear pong.

Falls Church

Did you happen to miss Pint Night and Ladies Night?! Be here on Saturday for the release of Punkin Ale featuring food and drinks specials all day like Punkin Flan!

Get ready… It’s going to be an off-center, beer-tastic weekend!