What DC Brau does

DC Brau is a craft brewery and beverage production company operating as DC Brau Brewing LLC, founded in 2011 by Brandon Skall and Jeff Hancock in Washington, DC. The company operates a 48,500+ sq ft production brewery and taproom in Northeast DC (3178-B Bladensburg Rd NE), built around a GEA brewhouse with stated 45,000+ annual barrel capacity and an on-site quality assurance laboratory. Since its founding on Tax Day 2011, DC Brau has become the first manufacturing brewery in modern-day Washington, DC, producing over 130,000 barrels cumulatively across 200+ unique brews and earning 100+ industry awards including a 2023 World Beer Cup Gold for Penn Quarter Porter.

The product portfolio includes flagship beers (The Corruption IPA, Joint Resolution Hazy IPA, The Public Pale Ale, Brau Pils, The Imperial Double IPA, In Session Session IPA, Penn Quarter Porter), seasonal releases (Dueling Grounds Vienna Lager launched April 2025, On the Wings of Armageddon Double IPA), and a first-in-the-District hard seltzer line. DC Brau generates revenue across five streams: (1) direct-to-consumer sales via taproom and Square e-commerce storefront with curbside pickup; (2) wholesale distribution to retailers, bars, and restaurants across the DMV, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts; (3) B2B contract brewing services for other beverage brands utilizing excess capacity, including TTB compliance and label design; (4) private events accommodating up to 800+ attendees; and (5) branded merchandise. Customer segments include craft beer enthusiasts, on-premise taproom visitors, and emerging beverage brands seeking production partnerships. Marketing is community-centric, leveraging 16+ nonprofit partnerships, weekly recurring events (trivia, live music, half-price pint nights), food pop-ups (Pizza Paradiso), and historically-themed product collaborations (Colmar Manor).

Name

DC Brau

Legal name

DC Brau Brewing LLC

Website

https://dcbrau.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DC Brau is a craft brewery founded in 2011 in Washington, DC, producing award-winning flagship beers, hard seltzers, and seasonal releases while operating a taproom, multi-state wholesale distribution (DMV, PA, MA), and contract brewing services for other beverage brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcoholic Beverage Contract Manufacturing / Co-packing (Brew, Distill, Bottle, Can) (CRADAIAI), Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Alcoholic Beverage Brand Owners & Holding Companies (Multi-category Portfolios) (CRADAIAL)

Keywords

• Craft beer production
• Contract brewing services
• Taproom and events
• Craft hard seltzers
• Wholesale beer distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Direct Beer Sales: Direct sales of canned and bottled craft beers to consumers through the taproom, e-commerce storefront, and curbside pickup. Also sells draft beer on-site.
2. Contract Brewing Services: Provides brewing, packaging, and labeling services to other brands. Facility offers over 45k annual barrel capacity with batch sizes starting at 16 BBLs per SKU. Includes TTB coordination and label design services.
3. Distribution Sales: Wholesale distribution of packaged beers to retailers, bars, and restaurants throughout the DMV, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and beyond.
4. Taproom and Events: Revenue from on-site taproom sales, private event bookings (weddings, birthdays, corporate events), and food pop-up partnerships.
5. Merchandise and Shop: Sale of branded merchandise, apparel, and accessories through their online Square storefront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

DC Brau is a craft brewery that produces and sells an award-winning portfolio of canned, bottled, and draft craft beers (IPAs, Pale Ale, Pilsner, Porter, Hazy IPA, Double IPA, Session IPA, seasonal and special releases) along with a line of hard seltzers through its own taproom, e-commerce storefront, and wholesale distribution. Beyond its own branded products, the brewery offers contract brewing services to other beverage brands using its GEA brewhouse and on-site quality lab, and also hosts private events such as weddings and corporate gatherings.

Product overview

DC Brau is a craft brewery founded in 2011 as the first packaging brewery in Washington DC since 1956. The brewery operates a portfolio of flagship beers including The Corruption (IPA), Joint Resolution (Hazy IPA), The Public (Pale Ale), Brau Pils (German-style Pilsner), The Imperial (Double IPA), In Session (Session IPA), and Penn Quarter Porter (Robust Porter), complemented by seasonal and special releases such as Dueling Grounds Vienna Lager and On the Wings of Armageddon. The company also produces a line of hard seltzers marketed as 'First-in-the-District' craft beverages featuring unique flavors. Beyond its own beer production, DC Brau offers contract brewing services leveraging its 45k+ annual barrel GEA brewhouse capacity and provides private event hosting facilities accommodating groups up to 800+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Corruption (IPA) Flagship India Pale Ale, one of DC Brau's award-winning core craft beers sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• Joint Resolution (Hazy IPA) Flagship hazy India Pale Ale featuring juicy, tropical hop characteristics, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• The Public (Pale Ale) Flagship American Pale Ale, an approachable balanced craft beer sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• Brau Pils (German-style Pilsner) Flagship German-style Pilsner showcasing traditional European brewing techniques, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• The Imperial (Double IPA) Flagship Double India Pale Ale with elevated hop and alcohol content, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• In Session (Session IPA) Lower-alcohol session India Pale Ale designed for extended drinking occasions, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• Penn Quarter Porter (Robust Porter) Flagship robust porter with rich dark malt character and multiple international award recognitions, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• On the Wings of Armageddon (Double IPA) Award-winning Double India Pale Ale highly recognized in competitions, sold seasonally via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• El Hefe Wheat beer with hefeweizen characteristics, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• The Citizen Core craft beer offering in the DC Brau lineup, sold via taproom, e-commerce, and distribution.
• Dueling Grounds Vienna Lager Vienna-style lager at 5% ABV featuring rich malt character with toasted bread crust, brown sugar, and toffee notes, balanced with peppery hop spice; inspired by the historic Colmar Manor dueling grounds.
• Hard Seltzers (First-in-the-District) Line of craft hard seltzers in unique flavors including Key Lime Pie, Passionfruit Orange Guava (POG), Black Cherry, Orange Crush, Mango, Grapefruit Crush, and Peach Melon Crush.
• Contract Brewing Services B2B service providing brewing, packaging, and labeling to other beverage brands at DC Brau's 45k+ annual barrel capacity facility, including TTB coordination and label design, with batch sizes starting at 16 BBLs per SKU across alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer, seltzer, cider, and malt/sugar-based beverages.
• Private Events Event space rental service hosting weddings, birthdays, and corporate events at the DC Brau brewery with capacity ranging from small groups up to 800+ attendees in private rooms or full brewery rental.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bread for the CitycoreOthersCommunity partner organization that aligns with DC Brau's company core values of supporting local community. Focus of their giving program.
• Humane Rescue AlliancecoreOthersCommunity partner organization that aligns with DC Brau's company core values of supporting local community.
• DC Brewers GuildcoreOthersLocal guild representing craft breweries in DC, supporting the local brewing community and culture.
• Congressional CemeteryminorOthersHistorical preservation partner that aligns with DC Brau's focus on celebrating local history and DC culture.
• Capital Hill Arts WorkshopminorOthersArts organization partner supporting DC culture and creative community.
• Blade FoundationminorOthersNon-profit foundation partner supporting the local LGBTQ+ and journalism community.
• Think Local FirstminorOthersOrganization promoting local business support in DC.
• American Poetry MuseumminorOthersCultural institution partner celebrating DC arts and literature.
• Rhode Island AvenueminorOthersMain Street program partner supporting local neighborhood development.
• SMYALminorOthersYouth services organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth in DC.
• RAMWminorOthersRestaurant Association of Metro Washington - industry association partner.
• Heurich HouseminorOthersHistorical house museum dedicated to DC brewing history and Christian Heurich, the last brewer before DC Brau.
• Greater DC Diaper BankminorOthersNon-profit organization partner supporting families in need.
• Hill CenterminorOthersCommunity organization partner at historic Hill Center in Capitol Hill.
• DC Public LibraryminorOthersPublic library foundation partner supporting literacy and community education.
• DC Preservation LeagueminorOthersHistoric preservation organization partner supporting DC's architectural and cultural heritage.
• Colmar ManorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColmar Manor partnered with DC Brau for the Dueling Grounds Vienna Lager launch, a beer inspired by the local dueling grounds history. Mayor Monica Casañas participated in the special release event on April 11th, 2025. This partnership celebrates the town's rich history and unique story.
• Pizza ParadisominorOthersFeatured food pop-up partner at DC Brau taproom, available Thursday-Saturday evenings (4-9PM Thursday-Friday, 3-9PM Saturday).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Port City Brewing Company: Alexandria, VA-based craft brewery of comparable size, distributing throughout the DMV with a tasting room and wholesale model similar to DC Brau. Direct competitor for on-premise handles and retail shelf space in the same metropolitan region.
• Heavy Seas Beer: Baltimore, MD craft brewery with multi-state Mid-Atlantic distribution, a taproom, and contract brewing services through its Clipper City brewery. Closely comparable footprint (MD/PA/MA reach), capacity scale, and contract manufacturing offering.
• 3 Stars Brewing Company: DC-based craft brewery operating a similar production brewery + tasting room model, distributing in the DMV. Direct head-to-head competitor in on-premise accounts within Washington DC proper.
• Right Proper Brewing Company: Washington DC brewpub and production brewery with taproom locations and DMV distribution. Competes for the same local craft enthusiast consumer and on-premise placements as DC Brau.
• Denizens Brewing Company: Silver Spring, MD craft brewery with taproom and Mid-Atlantic distribution. Comparable size and product mix (IPAs, pales, seasonal releases) competing for the same regional accounts.
• Bluejacket: Washington DC brewery and restaurant operating from a large production facility at the Navy Yard. Overlapping product line and direct competitor for at-premise draft handles in DC.
• Troegs Independent Brewing: Hershey, PA craft brewery with regional Mid-Atlantic and Northeast distribution and tasting room. Comparable scale, similar packaging/distribution model, and overlapping distribution states (PA, MD/VA).
• Harpoon Brewery: Boston, MA craft brewery with taproom and broad New England distribution. Overlapping Massachusetts wholesale footprint and similar owner-operator heritage.
• Weyerbacher Brewing Company: Easton, PA craft brewery distributing in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast with comparable production scale and tasting room operations. Overlapping PA distribution and similar award-winning portfolio positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Beer Company: Public craft beverage major (Samuel Adams, Truly, Twisted Tea) with national distribution and broad DTC offerings including taprooms. Establishes the scale and margin benchmark DC Brau would need to compete against as it grows distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dcbrau
• Facebookm.facebook.com/profile.php?id=169584949768435
• Instagraminstagram.com/dcbrau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DC Brau