Washington, DC, the lovely capital of the United States of America. A city rich in history, dominated by landmarks of noteworthy attention: The Capitol Building, White House, Smithsonian Institution, Washington Monument, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and The Brewmaster’s Castle.

The Brewmaster’s Castle is the nickname bestowed upon America’s most intact late-Victorian house, The Christian Heurich House Museum, affectionately referred to as Heurich Mansion. This distinguished landmark was constructed in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, an affluent and vibrant residential center during the latter part of the 19th century.

Christian Heurich, a successful businessman and visionary, was a man of complex aptitudes. He had emigrated from Germany, became an American citizen, and set out to build a dream through a combination of old-world brewing and real estate development. His forward-thinking outlook resulted in the construction of the Heurich Mansion, built between 1892 and 1894.

The mansion, constructed of reinforced steel and poured concrete, was Washington’s first fireproof home. The engineering style was a state-of-the-art construction idea at the time, and included such unique amenities as indoor plumbing, a central vacuum system, circulating hot water heat, an elevator, gasoliers and electric communications system.

This impressive thirty-one room home is a dignified treasure, built in the Richardsonian Romanesque Style of architecture. It is a Category Two Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, and boasts 15 fireplaces, none of which were ever used, to ensure the absolute safety of the home against fire.

The rooms are resplendent with carvings, hand painted ceilings, and rooms adorned with sumptuous furnishings and Heurich family heirlooms. In addition, reports of unexplained, paranormal activity embellish the history of the opulent mansion. Perhaps it is the ghost of Christian Heurich himself, managing business affairs from the other side of nature!

At 102, Christian Heurich held the distinguished honor of being renowned as the world’s oldest brewer, managing the brewing business until his death in 1945. Through his visionary genius, he became the most successful and largest brewer in Washington, DC within the short span of 10 years. Between 1894-1895 he built a third brewery, the first fireproof brewery in the nation, in the Foggy Bottom section of the city.

The refined, award-winning Foggy Bottom Lager was the initial offering that sprung from The Olde Heurich Brewing Company. It is a classic merging of old world traditionalist style of Maerzen beer with the techniques of modern brewing. This is a creamy, darker brew, filled with the refined flavors of old-world hops and choice malt.

For a matchless “Celebration of Hops,” Foggy Bottom Ale has become the first member of this elegant family of beers. Its light body and aromatic spiciness glaze the tongue, while a creamy smoothness completes the finish.

Both of these fine brews are a lasting tribute to a man of astounding greatness.