SHAW: HalfSmoke Unveils Its Beverage Lineup: Local Craft Beers, Keg Cocktails, Wines On Tap, Plus Adult Milkshakes

Owner Andre McCain has unveiled the new beverage program at HalfSmoke, the 100-seatfast casual restaurant known for its gourmet, house-made sausages, which opened October 4^th in the Shaw neighborhood.  The list of tempting libations is being seasonally developed by Beverage Director Mick Matricciano, co-founder of Cannonborough Beverage Company, and Zoe Feldman, who are consulting for the restaurant.  Guests can anticipate a rotating selection of local craft draft beers, fine keg wines and cocktails, along with an imaginative selection of adult “boozy” milkshakes.  

 “Our focus with the beverages at HalfSmoke centers around freshness and flavor,” said Matricciano.   “By pouring our cocktails on draft, we’re able to work with fresh, unique ingredients, and balance every drink with precision.  You get limited flavor by muddling.  Batching and kegging deepens the flavor by giving the ingredients time to fully integrate. It also means guests can order and receive a craft cocktail as quickly as they would receive a beer.”

Photo Credit Elena Besser

HalfSmoke’s craft cocktail program, which was inspired by DC’s political culture, features a rotating list of four house-made, specialty cocktails available on draft.  Craft cocktails are priced at $8 each, and can also be ordered as a flight of four 4-ounce pours for $20.  Current offerings include:

• Elder Statesman, apple, fall spice, smoked honey and bourbon
• The Rumsfeld, charred pineapple, hibiscus cordial and light rum
• Summer Recess, ginger, cranberry and vodka
• Balance of Power, kiwi, lime, mint and tequila

Photo Credit Elena Besser

HalfSmoke’s 16-seat bar also boasts an extensive selection of local craft beers available on draft.  Draft Beers are priced from $7 to $10 each, and can also be ordered as a flight of four 5-ounce pours for $12.  A few highlights include:

• Flying Dog Brewery Numero Uno
• Right Proper Brewing Company’s Seasonal
• DC Brau Brewing Co’s Brau Pils;
• 3 Stars Brewing Company’s Above The Clouds

Photo Credit Elena Besser

HalfSmoke also features four wines on tap.  Wines by the glass are price at $7 to $8 each, and can also be ordered as a flight of four 4.5-ounce pours for $16.  Current offerings include:

• Prosecco
• Sparkling Rose
• Merlot/Cabernet Blend
• Pinot Gris

The bar program at HalfSmoke also offers a selection of milkshakes that can be ordered with or without alcohol.  Each milkshake is named after a specific hip-hop lyric, keeping with the playful theme of the restaurant.  Milkshakes are priced at $10 each, or $13 with a shot of alcohol.  Guests can add marshmallow vodka or bourbon to any milkshakes for an alcoholic treat.  Current offerings include:

• Milky Cereal: then there was Pebbles (times was rough), named after LL Cool J’s Milky Cereal and made from a combination of vanilla ice cream, vanilla frosting, Fruity Pebbles dust rim roll, whipped cream and Fruit Loops, topped with a Rice Crispy Treat
• The Method: even caramel sundaes is getting touches, from Raekwon’s Ice Cream and made from a combination of chocolate ice cream, chocolate frosting, mini chocolate chip rim roll, caramel sauce, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles, topped with a chocolate chip cookie
• Beyon-Shake: It feel like rollin dice (seven twice, seven twice), from Beyoncé’s 7/11 and made from a combination of strawberry ice cream, vanilla frosting, rainbow sprinkle rim roll, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, glitter and a sour rope, garnished with a giant Pixie Stix.

Non-alcoholic beverages including craft sugar cane soda, house-made seasonal lemonade and teas, and ready to drink juices, sparking water and cold brew coffee are also available for $3. (All prices are subject to change)

 

HalfSmoke is located at

651 Florida Avenue NW

202.330.6395  or  www.halfsmoke.com