Calvert Woodley Catalog 2025 - Flipbook - Page 37
Successful Brewers Need to Be Nimble
But then … the Pandemic pivot. As restaurants had to shutter briefly, then
focus on distanced customers, outdoor dining and takeout, Denizens was able
to adapt. It slowly shifted its focus to production brewing to the point that now
75 percent of their products are sold outside their brewpub/taproom. The
Silver Spring location closed in 2023 as the location’s lease was about to expire.
“As we’ve matured as a company, we’ve become more focused on what
works for our brand,” Julie said. “We’re trying to be more creative. We focus on
our core brands for distribution, but at the restaurant, we are constantly trying
new things.”
A recent visit to Denizens showed their regular lineup supplemented with
offerings such as Island Time Wit with coconut and lime and Cool Hand Cuke
Saison featuring cucumbers. These small-batch offerings rotate regularly and
won’t hit distribution channels. They also produce one-off special
collaborations with outlets such as Hill East Burger and Maryland Meadworks.
On the other hand, a special brew developed with Riverdale Park’s standout
BBQ restaurant 2fifty BBQ, All American Lager, is available outside the two
establishments (see sidebar below).
“We’re confident in our abilities and we put out the same quality we always
have,” Jeff said.
Julie pointed out that we seem to be at an inflection point for local craft
brewing.
“We need to get people excited about supporting craft beer again,” she said.
“It’s the local breweries that are providing jobs and making local product.”
Denizens Beers at
Calvert Woodley
✦ Big Red Norm Red Ale (seasonal)
✦ Southside West Coast-Style IPA
✦ Born Bohemian Pils
✦ Third Party Belgian-Style Tripel
✦ Animal Hazy IPA
✦ Cool Breeze Oatmeal Stout
✦ Hike the Alps Lager Series
✦ All American Lager (collab. w/ 2fifty
BBQ)
All Denizens beers sale priced during CW’s
Fall Sale
What’s More All American than BBQ & Beer?
2fifty BBQ, the DMV’s top-rated barbeque
restaurant according to many sources, including
The Washington Post, was looking for a new beer
to serve as a house beer alongside its Pitmaster
Vienna-Style Lager made for them by Streetcar
82 Brewing Co. of Hyattsville, MD.
“We’ve had a house beer since 2022 designed
specifically for our food,” said Debby Portillo, who
co-owns 2fifty with her husband and pitmaster
Fernando Gonzalez. She noted that a second
beer was needed because Streetcar 82 had a hard
time keeping up with demand. Working with
Denizens head brewer Jeff Ramirez, they
considered an IPA but settled on a crisp, all-malt
American Lager. “Our food is very rich and it
needs a light beer to cut through.”
After initially agreeing to make just one batch
for their Riverdale Park and Mount Vernon DC restaurants, All American Lager proved popular enough to go into regular
production. The brew is now on its fourth batch after being introduced in March 2025 and is available at other venues
such as Calvert Woodley and Denizens’ taproom.
All American Lager is true to its name, featuring Northstar Pilsner malt from Minnesota, Adeena hops from
Washington’s Yakima Valley, yeast from Jasper Yeast of Sterling, VA, and, of course, local water — all 100 percent of
American origin. Except for the aluminum cans it is packaged in, it is tariff-proof!
If you are looking for a crisp, light and food-friendly brew, look no further. And maybe, just maybe, it could be the
official beer of our nation’s semiquincentennial, also known as its 250th — or is that 2fifty-eth? — birthday in 2026!
CA LV E R T W O O D L E Y
2 0 2 5 F A L L S A L E — 35
