Bardo Brewpub, the open air bar on Bladensburg Road NE that has become a popular spot to catch an outdoor movie, play cornhole, or sit and drink beer while your dog roams around the 15,000 square-foot lot, will be pouring an ultra rare beer next weekend.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m., Bardo will tap a 14-year-old keg of White Lightnin’, brewed at the brewpub’s original location in Arlington. The barleywine-style ale won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1994. The keg that will be served is from a batch brewed in 1999 that was stored by a “loyal patron” who never found the right tapping system for it.

The vintage White Lightnin’ will be the resurrected brewpub’s first “house” brew served at the new location. When fully up and running, Bardo will have over 20 of their own beers on tap, including several from the original line of brews, two walls of serve-yourself taps, a 500-seat beer garden, and eventually a distillery.

The chance to taste this decade-old beer does not come cheap. Perhaps in an effort to continue raising funds for its custom-designed self-serve tap system, Bardo will charge $45 for one pour and a commemorative glass. The keg has approximately 200 glasses, so owners Bill and Andrew Stewart suggest getting there early.

Up for the investment but worried about the cooler weather? Don’t be. When it rains, they string up a tarp. When it’s cold, they light the fire pits. Plus, the aged White Lightnin’ is believed to be around 13-percent alcohol, so it should help keep you warm.

Bardo Brewpub, 1200 Bladensburg Rd., NE

Photos courtesy of Bardo Brewpub