Port City Brewing Keeps Growing

Bill Butcher is a busy man these days. With his Port City Brewing products available in more than 180 restaurants and 280 retailers in Virginia, the District and now Maryland, he’s doing all he can to keep up with demand.

When he ventured into brewing more than a year ago, Butcher, a longtime Alexandrian, knew there was a pent up demand for local brew. After all, the Washington region was one of very few in the country without its own local brewery.

“I figured everyone would try [our beer] once because we’re local, but we had to be world class for people to come back,” he said.

People have been coming back. Butcher said about 6,000 tours of the facility have been made since it opened in February. Customers routinely drop in each week to refill their growlers with one of the brewery’s four offerings, plus a seasonal Oktoberfest.

With demand increasing, Butcher is planning on adding more tanks next year. He said current sales are at about a 60-40 split between kegs and bottles.

U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th) made a visit to the Port City Brewing facility on Wheeler Avenue earlier this week to talk with Butcher, tour the brewery and even grab a taste.

The two discussed brewery operations and business, including the Small Brew Act (H.R. 1236), which would provide a reduced rate of excise tax on small beer producers. Moran recently signed on as a cosponsor.

The Port City Brewing tasting room, located at 3950 Wheeler Avenue, is open Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

Public tours of the facility (no reservations required) begin at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The cost is $5 and includes a tasting glass and a full tasting.

Port City beer is available on tap in Del Ray at , and . It is available for purchase at and and in Arlandria at .

The brew is also available at numerous Old Town restaurants and retailers, including Pizzeria Paradiso, , , and .