250 Years of Beers

WHEN 

2026 America 250

WHERE

Dacha Shaw and Navy Yard

ABOUT

Before there was a country, there was beer. From colonial taverns to modern taprooms, America’s story has always been poured by the pint. 

To commemorate the 250th year of the United States, we're taking a tour of beer through the 50 states. Each month we'll feature a beer from 3-5 states in chronological order of when they entered the union. We'll feature craft breweries from across the country as well as some America's most American beer makers. From revolution to refreshment, learn a little bit about our history with us, and take a journey across time and states.

MARCH

9. New Hampshire (1788) | Featured Beer : Cisco Whale's Tale Pale Ale (Originated in Mass)

Cisco Brewers originated on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, in 1995 (some sources note early brewing activity in 1992). Founded by Randy and Wendy Hudson, it started as a craft brewery located near Cisco Beach.

Cisco Brewers operated a pub and brewery location in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, located at the Pease International Tradeport. However, this location officially closed in late 2024/early 2025. While the taproom/pub service stopped, the facility was recently upgraded for production purposes.

10. Virginia (1788) | Featured Beer : Port City Downright Pilsner

Beer Fact: Downright Pils is a Czech pilsner, which is the original pilsner style developed in 1842. By 1900, and still today, Pilsner is the most consumed beer style in the world. Czech pilsneres use Saaz hops, and are less bitter, with a smoother mouthfeel, than their German counterparts. 

State Fact: In 1607, the first ever "Help Wanted" ad was posted in the American continent, searching for a skilled brewer for the colonists' new settlement. 

Also, in 1991, Virginia had one brewery. Now there are over 200.

11. New York (1789) | Featured Beer : Thin Man Minkey Boodle (Raspberry Sour)

Beer Fact: In 2023, Thin Man brewed an exclusive version of Minkey Boodle for Dacha, a peach-raspberry edition called Minkey Lizzy :)

State Fact: From the 1840s to the 1880s, New York was the leading producer of hops in the US. But due to westward expansion, it was discovered that the Pacific Northwest's climate was the best in the country for growing hops, and New York's hop-growing industry all but disappeared by Prohibition.

12. North Carolina (1789) | Featured Beer : Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA

Beer Fact: Pernicious is a West Coast IPA, with tons of piney and citrusy hop flavors and aromas, and a good punch of bitterness. Bitterness is measured on a scale called IBUs (0-100). Zero would mean no bitterness at all, and 100 is where your taste buds basically tap out. For context, a helles is around 20, a pilsner around 40, a pale ale 50-60, and this IPA is 70. We'll learn more about this later. 

State Fact: The first breweries in NC were on Roanoke Island in 1585. Today, Asheville is one of the major hubs of craft beer in the United States.

All visiting beers available at Dacha Shaw throughout February, while supplies last!