Beer Selection That’s Not the Brickskeller’s

DC’s Brickskeller still has the area’s biggest selection of international beers. But if you’re looking for an atmosphere more civilized than the smoky, dungeonlike Brick, cross the bridge to Rustico (827 Slaters La., Alexandria; 703-224-5051; rusticorestaurant.com). The spiffy pizza bistro offers 250 brews, including Abita and Allagash on tap, plus tasting flights and a raft of surprisingly good beer cocktails. You can get bottles and six-packs to go, but the overstuffed chairs by the fireplace might lull you into sticking around.