Diners looking for novel ways to beat the heat can once again expect Rustico’s brew pops to cool them down. The beer-infused treat is making its way back onto Rustico’s dessert menu this summer, and will be available June 21st through September at the restaurant, located at 827 Slaters Lane in Old Town.

The brainchild of Executive Chef Frank Morales and Beer Director Greg Engert, the icy dessert ruffled the feathers of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) last year. Citing a variety of conflicts, the ABC prohibited Rustico from selling its popular brew pops. Thanks to a bill sponsored by Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria) that amended the ABC’s law on alcohol content in prepared foods, Rustico is able to sell its brew pops once again.
 
“75 years after the end of Prohibition, I am glad that we are finally making reasonable modifications to Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control laws. As long as adults consume responsibly, government should certainly not over-regulate the inclusion of alcohol in food or brew pops for that matter,” said Ebbin, a co-sponsor of the bill. 
 
“We’re ecstatic that Adam and Patsy have made the world safe for frozen beer treats throughout the Old Dominion,” said Michael Babin, owner of Neighborhood Restaurant Group. “We’re immensely impressed with the responsiveness of our representatives to this situation, and are indebted to them for realizing that the powers and duties of the ABC needed to be modernized, and doing something about it.”
 
Priced at $5 a pop, the icy treats, subject to beer availability, come in seven flavors: Framboise, Cherry Kriek, Peche, Cassis, Banana, Plum and the new and improved Chocolate Stout.