It doesn’t happen very often, when you travel across country to drink a beer that’s being brewed with choice hops from your own backyard. Well, that’s what happened with I ventured into the Capitol City Brewing Company in Washington, DC. Located in the heart of the downtown, this is also known as your typical tourist trap of a restaurant/bar.
Highlighted as a seasonal brew, the Amber Waves Ale drew me in thanks to the Northwest connection described on the menu:
An American amber ale with loads of American aroma hops from the famed Yakima Valley on the west coast and a healthy malt bill to support them. Initially bitter and finally sweet. Winner: Bronze Medal 2002, Gold Medal 2005, Silver Medal 2006 Great American Beer Festival.
Now, Washington State is the largest supplier of hops in the United States so I’m thinking the Amber Waves Ale is going to taste like some of the great ambers I get out in Seattle. Unfortunately not. Initially bitter is the biggest understatement on the menu, the bitterness fucks you up! I had to do a double-take and look at the taps to make sure the douchebag bartender didn’t accidentally serve me up the Pale Rider IPA or the E.S.B. I was hoping that “finally sweet” part would finally kick in, but it didn’t…I think the bitter took the sweet out back and kicked its ass, never to be seen from again.
Overall, it was a disappointing experience, it was my one beer I was looking to enjoy on my lunch break from work and it was awful. No wonder the beer hasn’t been able to get back to its 2002 form, and I’m guessing their going to blow it again at the Great American Beer Festival this year too. In fact, the only good thing about the Amber Waves Ale is the t-shirt.
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Who is the guy with the shit-eating grin sitting in the background?
I found that picture online, but he is obviously a douche.