Exploring the Brewmaster’s Castle
The front hall of the Heurich House. Photo by Pat Padua. Courtesy of the Heurich House Museum.
I recently wrote an article for a local blog about one of the more unique beer events in DC. Earlier this year, the Heurich House Museum began pairing historical tours with monthly beer tastings. This programming is unique because of its ability to juxtapose the historical brewing industry of the DC area with the new one.
The museum preserves the Victorian home of Christian Heurich, owner of the Heurich Brewing Company. When the brewery shut in 1956, it was the last operating brewery in DC until new craft breweries began to open in the district two years ago. Actively running the brewery until his death at 102, Heurich was apparently the world’s oldest brewer.
The conservatory at the Heurich House. Photo by Pat Padua. Courtesy of the Heurich House Museum.
According to the museum, the house is the most intact Victorian home in the country, was the city’s first fire-proof house, and was very modern for its time. I found the tour both fascinating and revealing of the culture at the time.
For me, this site is a hidden gem of DC beer appreciation. I recommend it to anyone interested in local beer or local history. The History and Hops beer events occur every third Thursday. The next one is tomorrow, with Heavy Seas Brewing Company.