Home Brewers, More Local Producers Join Brewer’s Ball

Beer lovers: keep those stretchy pants handy.

The 13th Annual Beer Institute Brewer’s Ball is headed back to the National Building Museum March 4 for another evening of barley- and hops appreciation.

Nearly four dozen breweries have signed on to participate in the charity event — a portion of the proceeds flow through to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation — including longstanding supporters Flying Dog Brewery and Port City Brewing Company. New recruits include Heroic Aleworks, Manor Hill Brewing and O’Connor Brewing Co. They’ll be joined by first-time food vendors Capital Crab Company, The Grilled Oyster Co., and Ivy City Smokehouse.

Purcellville, Va., neighbors Adroit Theory Brewing Company and Belly Love Brewing have for the second year collaborated on a commemorative beer. “Passion for Brooke” is an Imperial IPA that’s thrice been dry hopped and is spiked with passion fruit.

Another twist: a handful of homebrewers (four to be exact) have been invited to showcase their wares alongside established exhibitors for the first time ever.

Tickets to the homegrown get-together start at $150 per person ($80 of which is tax deductible).