Aslin Beer Company
257 Sunset Park Dr., Herndon; 703-787-5766
A cardboard robot overlooks this small-batch brewery’s lively, if cramped, tasting room, a half block off the W&OD bike trail. Ten taps rotate frequently and can run dry by week’s end. The place is known for using fruit in many of its beers, including in some of its New England–style IPAs. Acoustic acts play most Fridays.
Don’t miss: Berliner Weisse with passionfruit; Master of Karate Imperial IPA.
Where to find it: Brewery only.
Atlas Brew Works
2052 West Virginia Ave., NE; 202-832-0420
Six-packs of year-round offerings such as District Common are widely available, but visit this eco-friendly brewery’s spacious taproom—open daily—for 16 beers, including Dan Vilarrubi’s small-batch barrel beers and experimental brews. A bonus on the third Sunday of every month: open bluegrass jam sessions.
Don’t miss: Rowdy Rye; NSFW Imperial Black IPA.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Crooked Run Brewing
205 Harrison St., SE, Leesburg; 571-918-4446
The wide variety of brews in this quaint space in downtown Lees-burg, off the W&OD trail, includes interesting hybrid styles and some unusual beer ingredients (cucumber and mint; cherry and cayenne). Seating in the cozy interior and on the small patio is limited, and there are no reservations, but you can visit the tasting room five days a week. Don’t forget to say hi to brewery dogs Teddy and Logan.
Don’t miss: Supernatural Hibiscus Saison; Biscotti Stout.
Where to find it: Sporadically in liquor stores, restaurants, and bars in Virginia.
Denizens Brewing Company
1115 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring; 301-557-9818
There are three separate spaces—an upstairs taproom, a downstairs lounge, and a 200-seat beer garden—to enjoy Jeff Ramirez’s tasty beers. Hoppy seasonal brews and darker barrel-aged beers are standouts that work well with the seasonal, shareable dishes. Deejays spin every weekend, and bands play several times a month.
Don’t miss: Whodunnit? Sour Red Saison; Born Bohemian Czech-Style Pilsner.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, restaurants, and bars in DC and Maryland.
Jailbreak Brewing Company
9445 Washington Blvd. N., Laurel; 443-345-9699
The modern concrete-and-wood taproom has a U-shaped bar with an expansive view of the brewhouse. There’s plenty of room for small and large groups, who park at tables or couches to watch sports and drink from up to 12 beers on tap, some made with such ingredients as basil, carrots, or honeydew.
Don’t miss: Dusk ’Till Dawn Imperial Espresso Stout; Van Dammit Belgian-Style Dark Ale.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in Maryland, Virginia, and DC.
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
21730 Red Rum Dr., Ashburn, 571-291-2083 (brewery/tasting room); 22885 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn, 703-327-0311 (restaurant)
The brewery’s lively, rambling tasting room is home to a rotating list of 15 beers, including barrel-aged brews poured only there plus live music Friday and Saturday night. At Brambleton Plaza, a full-scale restaurant serves a slew of burgers, sandwiches, and bar snacks.
Don’t miss: My Imaginary Girlfriend IPA; Meridian Kölsch.
Where to find it: Liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Old Bust Head Brewing Company
7134 Farm Station Rd., Warrenton; 540-347-4777
The tasting hall and production brewery, in warehouses formerly used as secret military listening posts, pour 11 year-round beers and nine seasonal and limited releases. Events run from the expected (cornhole tournaments and yoga) to the offbeat (a petting zoo with baby animals), and bands play every Saturday night. Brewmaster Charles Kling sometimes leads bike rides from the brewery.
Don’t miss: Covert h’Ops Black IPA; Caramel Macchiato Stout.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in DC and Virginia.
Old Ox Brewery
44652 Guilford Dr., Ashburn; 703-729-8375
The production brewery, right on the W&OD bike trail, can be hard to find but is worth a visit for friendly service, up to eight beers on tap, and sports-related events (including runs with the Trottin’ Oxen running club). One-off Wednesdays feature experimental suds and remakes of old brews.
Don’t miss: Black Ox Rye Porter; Alpha Ox Session IPA.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, restaurants, and bars in DC and Virginia.
Port City Brewing Company
3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria; 703-797-2739
Jonathan Reeves’s expertly executed beers are the perfect quenchers after a brewery-hosted bike ride. (It’s right near the Holmes Run trail.) Or just hang out and play video games in the tasting room. Take note of the brewery’s wall of awards, which it has been racking up since it debuted. Open bluegrass jams are the first Sunday of each month.
Don’t miss: Porter; Maniacal Double IPA.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
3 Stars Brewing Company
6400 Chillum Pl., NW; 202-670-0333
This warehouse is the site of DC’s only homebrew shop and a tasting room that pours an impressive variety, from 3-percent-alcohol sours to punch-packing imperial porters. Events range from belly-dancing classes to barbecues.
Don’t miss: Above the Clouds Farmhouse Pale Ale; Madness Old Ale.
Where to find it: Grocery and liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Waredaca Brewing Company
4017 Damascus Rd., Laytonsville; 301-774-2337
On a working horse farm at the former site of the Washington Recreation Day Camp (hence the name—Wa-Re-Da-Ca), this farm brewery is a terrific place to while away a sunny afternoon. Sample seven on-tap beers at picnic tables overlooking a lake and surrounding trails. Acoustic acts play every other Saturday night.
Don’t miss: White Flag Belgian Wit; Reveille Coffee Stout.
Where to find it: Bars, restaurants, and farmers markets in Maryland.
This article appears in our August 2016 issue of Washingtonian.
