GOOD NEWS FOR BETHESDA BEER LOVERS (PHOTO)

I have two updates of interest to beer lovers in Bethesda:

As of July 1, you can now legally purchase growlers of beer at Bradley Food and Beverage in the Bradley Shopping Center.

And, for beer aficionados who like to buy local, Justin McInerny, owner of Capital Beer and Wine on Norfolk Avenue, says he expects their first order of DC Brau to arrive next Thursday, July 11.

Capital Beer and Wine is at 7903 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Parking tip: Lot 8 is right around the corner on St. Elmo Avenue.

FREE WINE TASTING IN BETHESDA TONIGHT

SAMPLE 4

FRENCH WINES,

LEARN FROM

THE EXPERTS

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Enjoy a free French wine tasting tonight from 5:30-8:00 PM, at Capital Beer and Wine in downtown Bethesda.

Stepane Defot of Z Wine Gallery Imports will discuss and pour 4 wines, which will also be sold at a special discount, should you wish to buy after you try.

Two whites and two reds will be sampled:

Domaine de Laxe Blanc is from the Cotes de Gascon region of France.  With tropical, citrus, and grass flavors, it is perfect with chicken or seafood.

Domaine de Varoux Bourgogne Chardonnay comes to us from the Burgundy region.  This white has a more noticeable acidity, with notes of citrus and peach.  Try pairing this with lobster, grouper, flounder or cod.

Domaine Boudau Clot del Pila is from the Cotes du Rossillon region.  A blend of Syrah and Grenache, the dark fruit flavor and slight hint of pepper might be worth trying with sausage.

Chateau Fourcas Dupre is a product of Listrac.  If you like a suggestion of smoke and coffee with your dark fruit wine, this goes as well with burgers, steak and spaghetti as it does with a bachelor's can of beef stew.

Expand your wine knowledge tonight - for free! - at Capital Beer and Wine.

Capital Beer and Wine, 7903 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda.

(Parking hint:  Try the small Lot 8 around the corner on St. Elmo, between Norfolk and Woodmont Avenues, if space is available)

FREE WINE TASTING TONIGHT IN BETHESDA

TRY

2  SARDINIAN REDS

AND

2 SICILIAN WHITES

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Enjoy a FREE Italian wine tasting tonight at Capital Beer and Wine, from 5:30-8:00 PM.

CBW promises a sample of two Sicilian white wines, and two Sardinian reds.  However, they did not specify which Winebow-distributed wines they would be.

So rather than guess, here are 4 wines offered by Winebow.

SICILIAN WHITES

TASCA D'ALMERITA, REGALEALI BIANCO SICILIA IGT (2009)

What will you notice in this dry white wine?  A definitive fruit flavor, with hints of apples, peaches, pears and citrus fruit.

Pair this with grilled calamari, sushi, or a salumi and cheese board.

TASCA D'ALMERITA, CHARDONNAY SICILIA IGT (2010)

An acidic white with plenty of sweetness, and hints of fruit and white chocolate.

Perfect with salmon.

SARDINIAN REDS

ARGIOLAS, KOREM ISOLA DEI NURAGHI IGT (2008)

Winebow describes this red wine as "voluptuous" and "exotic."  Among the aromas of berries, smoke, chocolate and spice is a hint of leather.

This pairs well with pork ribs and lamb chops.

ARGIOLAS, IS SOLINAS ISOLA DEI NURAGHI IGT (2007)

An earthy, smoky ruby red, with "violet tinges."  Expect a flavor of spice and black fruit.

Try this with grilled hamburgers or sausage.

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Capital Beer and Wine, 7903 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda.

BOULEVARD BREWING CO. IN BETHESDA?

WE'RE NOT IN

KANSAS CITY

ANYMORE

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Kansas City-based Boulevard Brewing Co. beers have arrived on the East Coast in recent weeks for the first time.  The Midwestern favorite is sending some of its best Smokestack Series bottles our way, and Capital Beer and Wine has The Sixth Glass and Dark Truth Stout in stock - while they last!

Dark Truth Stout is an Imperial stout Boulevard describes aptly as "black liquid gold."  Its flavor promises hints of espresso, roasted fig and creme brulee.

Even more intriguing is the Hans Christian Anderson-inspired The Sixth Glass.  (Who said beer wasn't educational?  Now you'll want to read HCA's classic, "The Watchman of the Tower," to fully appreciate this bottle).  What would go better with a good book on an autumn evening than this Belgian dark strong ale?  Its malty flavor comes off sweet, with a scent of dark fruit and caramel.  Try it with a selection of cheddar, Gouda, and Havarti cheeses, and finish with a chocolate dessert.

Stop by Capital Beer and Wine on Norfolk Avenue, and try a rare "import" from the great state of Missouri tonight.

FREE WINE TASTING

IN BETHESDA

TONIGHT

Is Merlot an old favorite for you? Tonight you can try 2 new Merlots from unusual regions at Capital Beer and Wine.

From 5:30-7:30 tonight, sample the French and Italian entries and declare a winner.

Mas de Tourelles Merlot comes to Bethesda from France's Languedoc region. Unoaked, with hints of blackberries and black cherries, CBW's expert says it pairs well with burgers, steaks and pizza.

In this corner, is Falesco Merlot by Riccardo Cotarella from the Umbria region of Italia. Riccardo recommends pairing this dark and fruity Merlot with lamb, beef or just about anything you're cooking on the grill this spring.

Thursday night shouldn't be boring! So expand your wine expertise at Capital Beer and Wine tonight, and as always, the bottles sampled will be available at a discount tonight only!

Capital Beer and Wine, 7903 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda. 301-656-8855.

FREE SPANISH WINE

TASTING IN

BETHESDA TONIGHT

Stop by Capital Beer and Wine on Norfolk Avenue between 5:30-7:30 tonight to sample two wines from Spain.

The first is Jorge Ordonez Botani Moscatel, an off dry white wine from Spain's southern Sierras de Malaga region. CBW's expert says its fruity yet slightly acidic flavor pairs well with sushi, ceviche and Thai food.

For the red fan, try Venus La Universal "Mas Sorrer" from the Monsant region near the French border. You may say, "mas," after sampling its hints of mocha, black plum, black cherries, and smoke, which pair well with all things on the grill. CBW says it is particularly good with grilled lamb burgers and sausage.

Both wines are $2 off today, if your sampling inclines you to make a purchase.

So take a short trip to Spain after work tonight at Capital Beer and Wine.

FREE ITALIAN WINE

TASTING TODAY

IN BETHESDA

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

More Italian wines to try in downtown Bethesda - the great news is that these are different from the ones poured at Cesco last night. So even if you tried the 10 wines at Cesco, these are two you didn't.

The best news? This tasting is FREE!!

Capital Beer and Wine will offer samples of two Italian wines today from 5:30-7:30 PM.

The first is a Ca'Stella Pinot Grigio, from Friuli in northeast Italy. CBW says it "has light, slightly tart fruit flavors of lemons and peaches," and pairs well with linguini and clams or chicken with mustard sauce.

Second is a red, Montaribaldi's Dolcetto D'Alba "Vagnona," from Italy's northwest Piedmont region. Its low acidity and "rich flavors of ripe red raspberries" make it an ideal companion for beef, sausage, pasta or stews.

Stop by today for the free tasting, or any day for more great wine advice at Capital Beer and Wine.

7903 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda. 301-656-8855.