Production Breweries
Baying Hound Aleworks
Paul Rhinehart’s brewery puts out 22-ounce bombers of its
flagship, Lord Wimsey’s Mild Pale Ale, and seasonals such as Long Snout
Stout. You can find bottles on area shelves, but the best tastes come
straight from the tiny brewery’s tanks. 1108 Taft St., Rockville;
301-637-9322.
Chocolate City Beer
Hit this draft-only Brookland brewery on Saturdays for growler
fill-ups and food-truck lunches. Look for seasonal releases such as this
summer’s First Coast Bohemian Pils. 2801 Eighth St., NE;
202-351-6197.
DC Brau Brewing Company
Cans of hop-heavy Public, Corruption, and Citizen ales are the
pride of locavores, for whom the tasting room is a hot spot on Saturday
afternoons. 3178-B Bladensburg Rd., NE; 202-621-8890.
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
Former Old Dominion brewers Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia’s
standouts, such as New River Pale Ale, shine next to the kitchen’s
sausages and barbecue-chicken nachos. 21730 Red Rum Dr., Ashburn;
571-291-2083.
Port City Brewing Company
This operation’s award-winning brews are widely available.
Optimal Wit and Monumental IPA are solid year-round offerings, but watch
for creative limited releases. 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria;
703-797-2739.
3 Stars Brewing Company
Some of the area’s most creative beers—Southern Belle and
Pandemic Porter are good bets—are made at this warehouse, also the site of
DC’s only homebrew shop. 6400 Chillum Pl., NW; 202-670-0333.
Brew Pubs
Capitol City Brewing Company
The suds at these veteran spots have been overshadowed by
trendier beers, but brewer Kristi Mathews Griner is working to change that
with creations such as her Ryedonkulous Imperial IPA. 1100 New York Ave.,
NW, 202-628-2222; 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington, 703-578-3888.
District ChopHouse & Brewery
A tourist destination is an unexpected place to find beer gems,
but Barrett Lauer’s Bourbon Stout and rotating brewer’s-choice taps are
just that. Try them at the weekday happy hour. 509 Seventh St., NW;
202-347-3434.
Franklins
Mike Roy’s passion for beer is evident in the never-ending
experiments he churns out. Particularly exciting are his IPAs and sour
ales—and the kitchen’s gargantuan sandwiches. 5121 Baltimore Ave.,
Hyattsville; 301-927-2740.
Gordon Biersch
This California chain just opened a fifth Washington
location—near Nationals Park—featuring its mild, German-influenced lagers
and ales. Penn Quarter, 202-783-5454; Navy Yard, 202-484-2739; Tysons,
703-388-5454; Rockville, 301-340-7159; Annapolis,
410-266-5965.
Mad Fox Brewing Company
Bill Madden’s brewpub showcases his talents with cask ales, but
he and brewer Charlie Buettner master a wide range, from delicate Kölsches
to hard-hitting double IPAs. 444 W. Broad St., Suite I, Falls Church;
703-942-6840.
Restaurants
Birch & Barley/ChurchKey
Beer director Greg Engert attends to every detail, from food
pairings to temperature and glassware, making this a prime place to learn.
Just be glad you don’t have to memorize the 120-page staff manual. 1337
14th St., NW; 202-567-2576.
The Black Squirrel
In the gastropub, poutine and burgers go nicely with
the expertly curated bottle list and rotating taps, which often include
rarities from North Carolina and Florida. 2427 18th St., NW;
202-232-1011.
Fire Works
These pizzerias’ suds collections are as impressive as the
five-ton ovens. Take home a bottle for 25 percent off or, in Arlington,
fill a growler from a favorite tap. 2350 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington,
703-527-8700; 201 Harrison St., SE, Leesburg, 703-779-8400.
Galaxy Hut and Spacebar
At this Clarendon music venue and Falls Church grilled-cheese
bar, look for plenty of beers on the hoppy side and from Virginia. 2711
Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-525-8646; 709 W. Broad St., Falls Church;
703-992-0777.
Meridian Pint
This Columbia Heights standby focuses on American brews, and
cellarman Tim Prendergast’s cheese-pairing events are especially good.
3400 11th St., NW; 202-588-1075.
Pizzeria Paradiso
Bar manager Greg Jasgur’s finds from cult breweries plus
half-price happy hours make these pizza joints beer-geek favorites. Dupont
Circle, 202-223-1245; Georgetown, 202-337-1245; Alexandria,
703-837-1245.
Quarry House Tavern
The best beer selection in the Maryland suburbs, as well as
great burgers and tater tots, can be found at this hideaway. 8401 Georgia
Ave., Silver Spring; 301-587-8350.
Rustico
Both locations feature lengthy lists curated by Greg Engert.
Monthly tappings and glassware giveaways keep things fun. 827 Slaters La.,
Alexandria, 703-224-5051; 4075 Wilson Blvd., Arlington,
571-384-1820.
Smoke & Barrel
This barbecue joint boasts more than 20 drafts plus 30 cans,
and the downstairs bar is a good spot to catch a game or play skeeball.
2471 18th St., NW; 202-319-9353.
