Black Dog Beer Shop Update October 22, 2019

It’s been a while since I’ve provided a Black Dog Beer Shop update. This week we are conducting a page-turning with the architect to finalize the store design. We want to ensure we have plenty of cold beer and shelving available! Once we complete the design, we will submit it to the county for approval. Once we are approved, we will start construction, which should take 6-8 weeks. It’s been a long process, but we are getting closer! I started back in January of this year, so it will be almost a full year since the adventure began. Stick with us!

I’ve also identified a Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager, and I am excited for you all to meet them. They both have extensive beer knowledge and will be instrumental as we grow. We’ll be looking to hire Beer Sales Associates in the coming months, so stay tuned! We are looking for people who are passionate about beer and want to continue to learn. If you are looking for any job, it’s probably not for you.

I attended Snallygaster this year, and it was pretty awesome. Splurging for the VIP tickets got me in about two hours early, and it was worth it. Several of the more rare offerings were gone before general admission gates opened. It was also perfect weather for the fest with overcast skies and cold weather. Gates opened for VIP at noon, but I was a little late because my dog decided to lock himself in the apartment using the deadbolt. There were several great breweries from all over the country, including local favorites like Aslin. I was trying to hit them all, but cooler heads prevailed, especially since Bluejacket was handing out pint-sized cans. If you didn’t know, Snallygaster is a mythical beast from Maryland dating back to the 18th century. Theodore Roosevelt proposed a hunt against a Snallygaster once.

I conducted one of my interviews as the Aslin Beer Company in Alexandria. It’s a neat little place off of Van Dorn Street in an industrial park. They have an upstairs area that feels like a living room with couches and chairs. I don’t know their art designer is, but they have a relaxed vibe, and I picked up a shirt and some beers. This weekend, the Store Manager and I are headed to Ono Brewing out in Chantilly to check out some of their beers. Hopefully, the next update will include more good news! Meanwhile, checkout out the list of beers we are likely to feature.