Local brewery Atlas Brew Works feels pinch of government shutdown
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - A brewery in Washington D.C. is unable to sell some of its newest IPA brew due to problem brought about by the government shutdown.
FOX 5's Bob Barnard visited Atlas Brew Works in Northeast D.C. where CEO Justin Cox explained the situation. Cox said the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approves labels that his company needs to use on their products before they can be distributed. Cox said a particular beer called, "The Precious One," which is a seasonal IPA produced by his brewery, only received TTB label approval for the cans. The kegs, he said, have not received federal approval because of the shutdown.
Cox said the brewery is allowed to sell cans of "The Precious One" in all of their markets but the kegs can only be sold within the District because they lack federal approval.
There is potential that some of the beer could expire before it receives approval, Cox says. "We're hoping that doesn't happen and the government will open back up and we'll get our approval before the expiration date of the beer, he said. "In the meantime, we have the beer available here in our tap room. it will start hitting bars and restaurants in D.C. this week."
Cox has also put his support behind Pay It Furloughed, a program that allows you to buy a beer for a furloughed federal worker. "It won't necessarily help you make your mortgage payment unfortunately," Cox said, "but hopefully it will help ease the tension for at least the time of a beer or two."