Our Inspiration

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. has been the center of American power since the first days of the fledgling democracy. The White House, the United States Capitol Building and the Supreme Court are all located in downtown Washington, D.C. K Street runs just north of these historic buildings and the National Mall. Although the term “K Street” is now synonymous with lobbying firms and advocacy groups, most of the major lobbyists have moved out of the neighborhood and into other areas.

Lobbying firms and advocacy groups have shaped policies and laws in the United States to tremendous effect. Almost no facet of society hasn’t been touched by laws and policies created and influenced by lobbying firms, including the beer industry.

At Consulate Brewing Company, we believe that democracies function best when all citizens are engaged in local, state and national government. Open dialogue, honest expression and a willingness to compromise is vital to maintaining our democratic freedoms.

The Style

American Pilsner

The first Pilsner was brewed in the Czech Republic in the mid-1800s. The lager-style beer was nothing new, but the Pilsner was the first pale lager brewed. Ales had been brewed in the region for nearly a thousand years, but these were prone to spoilage. Lagers were popular in Germany, but they were dark. The first Czech pilsner was unlike anything ever seen before. It was light and clear. It became immediately popular in Prague and quickly spread to Vienna and Paris before eventually spreading across Europe. Germany, the original influence and inspiration, began brewing these light lagers in the 1870s.

The style has withstood the test of time and has been copied over the centuries with very little deviation from the original recipe. Although there are many variations, the style almost always contains light malt and Noble hop varieties and is brewed using very soft water.

As German immigrants came to the United States, they brought with them the process and recipes, but adapted to source local ingredients, creating the first American-style pilsner. Our K Street Pilsner is brewed in this style, true to the original recipe of the first Czech lager but brewed using local American ingredients. It a refreshing, light beer with moderate hop aroma and clean character.