Brothers to Open Craft Brewery This Fall Near Shirlington

PHOTOS: One of the owners, Mike Katrivanos, checks out the brewery before it’s completed; it’s expected to open sometime this fall.

______________

A local Northern Virginia family is opening a brewery this fall called New District Brewing Company in Arlington, near Shirlington Village, according to the owners.

Former local Virginia rockers Mike and Steve Katrivanos (their band was called Sematic), along with their father, Harry, and a longtime family friend, make up the ownership group. Mike and Steve, who grew up in Oakton, will look to show their love of music in the brewery project, they said.

New District will produce high quality beers that use the finest local and imported ingredients, according to the owners. The craft brewery will include a tasting room, feature on-premises sales and sell its beer to local retailers.

Located at 2709 Oakland St., New District is the first package brewery to open in Arlington since 1916, the owners say. Mike Katrivanos began brewing about seven years ago, and started to follow his dream of opening a brewery in Arlington two years ago.

The brothers’ father Harry, an Alexandria native, now helps his two sons by managing the new businesses’ finances, Steve said. Family is very important to them, as is being a part of the local community, Steve noted. Mike volunteers in his spare time as a mentor/big brother in the Northern Virginia area.

It is the brewery’s goal to become an active part of the Arlington community, and have an impact on the world around them through community events, Steve says.

The 11,000-square foot brewery will be located right next to the Shirlington Dog Park and the WO&D bike trail. It will be open for all--including bicyclists, dog lovers (and their dogs at times) and for innovative events. There is limited parking in front, but there is plenty of parking at the dog park, and also next the baseball field within very close walking distance.