Cherry Blossom Inspired Beer Now Available at Capitol City Brewing Co.

The beer is a tribute to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs through April 14.

Capitol City Brewing Co., which has a location in Shirlington, is celebrating this region's springtime tradition with a special brew blended with cherries. Kristi Griner, Capitol City’s new director of brewing operations, created the exclusive Sakura Cherry Wheat Ale "to honor the spectacular gift of cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan," according to a news release. The 101st annual Cherry Blossom Festival began Wednesday and runs through April 14. The festival marks Japan's gift of 3,020 cherry trees to Washington in 1912. Many of the trees were planted around the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park and on the White House property. "Sakura" is the Japanese word for cherry blossom. Capital City's…

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Weird Virginia: Sequestration Hits Summer Camp in Reston, a Fruit-Stealing Squirrel in Del Ray, Serial Groping in Springfield and Beer on Wheels Coming to Clarendon

Plus a world-record holder for long legs in Falls Church, suspects steal a table from Dunkin' Donuts in Fairfax City and thieves make off with a washer and dryer in Manassas Park. Yep, weirdness abounds once again this week in the commonwealth.

Editor's Note: Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and D.C., and not a day goes by that something weird isn't happening in at least one of them. Here's a look back at some weird goings on over the past week. --- Why are you so tired this week? We lost an hour last weekend to Daylight Saving Time. But weirdness never sleeps in Virginia, so let's start off with news from Reston and some weird ideas about how to run a government. We've heard of sequestration shutting down White House tours and never mind grown-ups being put on furlough. How about kids? Kids losing their summer camps?  Parents who enrolled their children in Reston Association's Science Camp for the summer were notified Wednesday that the camp has fallen victim to sequestration. …

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Unleashed!

Bells, Balls And Beer

There's always something pet-centric going on around you

There is more to summer than cookouts and fireworks. Did you know June, July, September and August are the four most popular months (in that order) for weddings? And more and more, folks are opting to include favorite pets in their special day. Not a problem, say animal trainers and wedding planners, as long as you plan ahead and keep your pet's needs and safety in mind along with the comfort of your guests. Spay and Neuter Your Pet Have you ever heard the saying, "It takes balls to neuter your dog!"?  Me neither, but it is a true statement. With an estimated 6 million to 8 million homeless dogs and cats entering shelters in the U.S. every year, there is a darn good argument for spaying and neutering your family pet. Spaying and neutering …

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Robert F. Dorr

6:18 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

At the wedding, in addition to a sense of humor, it might be a plan to bring a few plastic bags. A good type of plastic bag is the one in which a once-great newspaper arrives on our driveway every morning. My 65-pound Labrador retriever Autumn, who talks to me when no one else is around, says she wants to try Bowser Beer. She was explaining why when another person came into the room, so she …   more ›

Unleashed!

Protect the Bat Population

Who knew bats played such an important role in real life, not just in Team Edward vs. Team Jacob drama?

While movies, TV shows and books about sexy vampires may be all the rage these days, did you know that real bats, the little flying mammals most people are afraid of, are facing a serious threat in Northern Virginia and across the U.S.? And that, my dear neighbors, poses a huge potential problem to everything from our agricultural industry, to our ecosystem, to your backyard. The good news is Northern Virginia has Leslie Sturges and Bat World NOVA, established in 2001 to promote the conservation and protection of the region's bats and to introduce the wonderful world of bats to the area's children. Located in Annandale, Bat World NOVA promotes bat conservation in the Washington Metropolitan area. And Sturges is "The Bat Lady" of Northern …

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Heidi Weiss

4:49 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012

I know what you mean Linda, I've noticed a distinct decline as well.   more ›

Best Beer Selection in Clarendon, Round 3: Whitlow's on Wilson Wins

Clarendon staple will advance to final competition.

After two highly competitive Readers' Choice rounds to determine who has the best beer selection in Clarendon, readers in Round 3 seemed to be a bit tapped out. Still, we're happy to say local staple Whitlow's on Wilson emerged as the victor in the latest contest. Whitlow's won 36 percent of the vote — coming in just two votes ahead of EatBar. In a few weeks, we'll pit Whitlow's on Wilson against the winners of Round 1 (Mad Rose Tavern) and Round 2 (Lyon Hall) to see who takes home the title — and a framed Patch Readers' Choice winner certificate. Congratulations to all of our winners! Be sure to let them know what you think by leaving a review on Patch Places. And be sure to like Clarendon Patch on Facebook for regular updates and a …

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Readers' Choice: Best Beer Selection in Clarendon, Round 2

Help narrow the list to determine who has the best brews.

It's fitting that a Readers' Choice contest about beer would deserve another round or two. So, we're again asking you to tell us who has the best beer selection in Clarendon — this time, among three different contenders. Mad Rose Tavern won Round 1. In a few weeks, we'll have a third round, and then put the three winners up against one another. Once again, this week's establishments happen to be within walking distance from each other – and the Clarendon Metro. If you're having a hard time making a decision, we've made it easy for you to take a night, hop over to all three and end up close to the train for a safe ride home. By all means, if your favorite isn't included, feel free to add it in the comments section below and help determine …

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Best Beer Selection, Round 1: Readers Choose Mad Rose Tavern

Mad Rose Tavern gets the most votes, positive reviews.

In what turned out to be a highly competitive category, Mad Rose Tavern handily won Round 1 of our best beer selection in Clarendon Readers' Choice contest. Mad Rose Tavern won 111 votes, or 51 percent of those cast, and also received two stellar reader reviews. Reviews are weighted when it comes to picking a winner. The Market Tavern — formerly Harry's Tap Room — had a respectable showing with 40 percent of the vote. American Tap Room received a single vote. Thanks to several reader suggestions, in upcoming weeks we'll hold a second and third round for this category — and then pit the three winners against each other for the Readers' Choice 2012 title. Nearby Patches held their own contests. Ballston-Virginia Square Patch readers chose …

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Readers' Choice: Best Beer Selection in Clarendon, Round 1

Narrowing our focus to start picking the places that are home to the best brews.

So many beers, so little time. In this week's Readers' Choice contest, we're asking you to tell us who has the best beer selection in Clarendon. For your convenience, we've narrowed the list down to three contenders... ...all within walking distance from each other – and the Clarendon Metro. If you're having a hard time making a decision, we've made it easy for you to take a night, hop over to all three and end up close to the train for a safe ride home. By all means, if your favorite isn't included, feel free to add it in the comments section below. And don't stop at our poll: Give your vote weight by adding a rating and review on Patch Places. Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. Friday. Because this poll is not scientific, it's…

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Clarendon Whole Foods Offers Growlers to Go

Whole Foods Market in Clarendon is now offering fresh draft beer to go in 32 and 64oz. glass jugs.

The Whole Foods Market in Clarendon has joined branches in Fair Lakes and Alexandria in offering fresh draft beer to go in 32- and 64-oz glass jugs called growlers. When we stopped by on Jan. 26, four taps were pouring in the northeast corner of the store, near the wine department, dispensing Avery Brown Ale, Gordon (a strong amber ale from Oskar Blues in Colorado), the hoppy Lagunitas IPA and the Austrian import Eggenberg Pils. Growlers themselves cost $3.99 apiece (although you can bring your own if you’ve already bought one from one of the area’s brewpubs or beer bars). A refill for a 64-oz jug costs $8.99 and for a 32-oz bottle, $5.99, regardless of the beer. That’s a special introductory offer and it might change, cautions Justin …

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