It still feels weird to think we’ve been selling craft beer and beverages in Durham for 10 years now. We have found ourselves laughing about how it simultaneously feels like it can’t possibly have been that long, while also feeling like life before The Glass Jug is a distant memory.
But, alas, September 2024 marks 10 years since our we opened our doors in September 2014.
Before I tell you about all of the fun celebrations and new beer releases we have planned, I first want to acknowledge and thank all of the people who have helped get us to this monumental milestone. From our family who believed in us - a couple of 25 year olds with no real experience - when we told them about this crazy idea…and then drove to Durham to help paint walls, assemble shelves, and literally anything else we needed, to our friends and neighbors who have been our biggest advocates and word-of-mouth marketing team in the community, to all of the amazing industry folks who have shared beer and knowledge with us along the way, and all of the breweries (and meaderies) who brought their first wholesale products to debut on our shelves when we, ourselves, were just a new little mom-and-pop bottle shop.
And, most of all, to all of our guests. We love this community. And, while we (Katy and Chris) aren’t in the taprooms as much these days - thanks in large part to the arrival of our two amazing kids, and because of the amazing team we have in place at both locations - we are constantly humbled at your ongoing support of our business. We quite literally would not be here without you. Whether you’ve been a longtime Glass Jug patron, or if you just recently stumbled upon our little brewery and bottle shop, we are truly appreciative that you have chosen to spend your time and money with us.
So, let’s party!
10th Anniversary Events
This year, we are celebrating our Anniversary for a full 10 days. We’re co-opting Labor Day weekend and making it part of the fun. Then, we’re continuing the party through the following Saturday, September 7th for our 10th Annual Oktoberfest at the RTP location!
Cellar Beer Release: Torque
On Thursday, August 29th, we’re starting things off by re-releasing one of our favorite small-batch beers that we’ve been holding in the cellar. Torque is a red wine barrel-aged Berliner Weisse that was featured at the NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting and we’ll be taping the last remaining keg of this phenomenally complex and delicate beer at the RTP location only on Thursday, 8/29! (RSVP on Facebook)
Labor Day Lagers & Lemonade
Both our Downtown Durham and RTP locations are hosting our first ever “Lagers & Lemonade” for Labor Day weekend, from Friday through Monday, where we’ll have lager pitchers for just $18, plus lemonade shandies & slushies will be pouring. We’ll even be offering Pink Lemonade Jello Shots while supplies last! The Downtown Durham taproom is opening two hours early (at 12pm) on Labor Day Monday in case you need to get an early start to your day off! (RSVP on Facebook)
10th Anniversary Beer Release: Tenth Parsec
Each year, we brew a unique sour beer that we ferment in stainless, then transfer into two neutral oak barrels (originally sourced from Fair Game Beverage Co in Pittsboro) where it undergoes a secondary fermentation with our house mixed culture of wild yeast and bacteria. It rests for nearly a year before we then select a fruit that compliments the beer, allowing it to undergo a terciary fermentation on the fruit before it is bottled and kegged.
On Tuesday, September 3rd, we’re excited to debut Tenth Parsec, the latest iteration of our ongoing mixed culture sour beer project. A golden sour ale aged in neutral oak with apricots, whis beer is the perfect combo of tart, funky, fruity, and bright. A limited number of 500ml bottles will be available for purchase at each taproom, and we’ll be putting it on draft while supplies last. (RSVP on Facebook)
Special Trivia & Music Bingo
Each of our taproom locations are also putting a unique 10th-anniversary spin on our regular weekly events. At the Downtown Durham taproom, Tuesday’s music bingo will feature a throwback “Best of 2014” round in honor of our opening year (RSVP). And, at RTP on Wednesday, Pickle and crew are hosting a special trivia night that will include a round of Glass Jug trivia questions (RSVP).
Glass Jug Staff Beer Release: Batch 303 IPA
Back in July, our entire team took part in a fun excercise and learning experience. We pulled out 10 different varieties of hops and everyone had the opportunity to partake in some hop rubbing to release the aromatics of each hop varietal. They then took notes on each hop and ranked their top three favorites. We combined the scores and brewed a West Coast IPA utilizing the two hops that scored the most points - Citra & Ekuanot.
Batch 303 will be a draft-only release that hits the taps at both taproom locations on Wednesday, September 4th. It’s a bold West Coast IPA that was designed to really showcase these hops and all of the fruity aromatics they bring to the beer (RSVP).
Cellar Beer Release: Affogato Deviation
Our Deviation series of imperial stouts have become a much sought-after tradition, particularly the annual barrel-aged versions. Last year, we released BBA Affogato Deviation, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout designed to bring the flavors of the Italian dessert. Brewed with coffee beans from Black & White Roasters, then amped up with vanilla and soft serve powder, this decadent and luxurious imperial stout is one of our highest-rated beers.
While we are now sold out of bottles and the beer hasn’t been seen on draft for some time, we saved two kegs so that we could release this perfectly-aged stout as part of our anniversary celebrations. Look for it to hit the taps at both taproom locations on Thursday, September 5th (RSVP).
Stand-Up Comedy & Live Music at Durham Central Park
We’ll enter into our 10th-anniversary weekend with live entertainment at RTP and at Durham Central Park - both 100% free to attend on Friday, September 6th.
Join us in the beer garden at RTP at 8 PM for our monthly Stand-Up Comedy Showcase featuring short sets by some of the best comedians in the Triangle. Or, bring a lawn chair out to Durham Central Park for the monthly PLAYlist Concert featuring Sierra Green & The Giants, whose music is an incredible New Orleans blend of soul, blues, & R&B (more info).
10th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration
The week culminates with our 10th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration in the beer garden at RTP on Saturday, September 7th from 2-10 PM. This year, we’re extending the event by bringing in DJ Gummy from 2-5, followed by the Little German Band & Dancers from 5-9 PM. We’ll have stein hoisting, food trucks, soft pretzels, and - of course - commemorative 1L boot glassware. If you purchase the commemorative glass (which includes a fill of a Glass Jug lager), you can enjoy refills of lagers and hefeweizen for only $10 each all day (RSVP on Facebook).
