What's going on BA's? I'll be in Gaithersburg with the wife in April and was wondering if you all could help us out? I checked "Places" and saw that there are only 3 breweries in the area. I've been to the Dogfish Head Alehouse and a bottle shop nearby in a strip mall by Ruth's Chris. I'll be there for about a week and will have access to a car but would prefer to keep the drive to an hour (2 hours round trip) if possible. I'm probably going to be visiting Georgetown, DC, and nearby areas. Thanks in advance!
One of the best bottle shops in the area is located in Gaithersburg and called Downtown Crown Wine and Beer. They also have a decent tap list usually with several local beers and serve pints and growlers. Regarding breweries, here are the best ones in the area Aslin (specializes in NE IPAs, but call ahead when you are here because they sell out of the good stuff fast) Ocelot (specializes in West Coast IPAs) Right Proper (located in DC) Bluejacket (pretty good beers, but better if you consider it just a brewpub that happens to brew) Union Brewing (look for Double Duckpin, great IPA) Best beer bars (all in downtown DC) Churchkey (pretty amazing selection) Sovereign (focus on Belgian beers but ridiculous bottle list including Cantillon and Westy 12) Meridian Pint Any specific styles you like best?
Awesome, thanks dukieox! I think Downtown Crown Wine & Beer is the bottle shop I visited during my last visit to MD. Being that my wife and I are southern california locals within walking distance to bottle logic and noble ale works, we're really into IPA's as well as stouts and sours (also local to The Bruery).
Downtown Crown is the best shop near you, but it is worth the drive to go into DC to Calvert Woodley or Rodmans to check out the selections there. Both shops are just over the DC line, prices are usually much better than in MD, and they carry different breweries than what is available in MD. Also add Pizza Paradiso to your list for bars to visit. All 3 locations have great tap and bottle lists, good pizza, and the Georgetown location is only a block from the Sovereign.
I'll be in DC so i'll take note of those two shops, and we'll definitely hit up Pizza Paradiso as well. Thanks so much polopaul20
Good points from Polopaul too. Really jealous of where you're from! DC's beer scene is definitely trending up and I hope you have fun here but it will be tough to compete with FO and the days of the week from Bruery. Regarding your favorite styles, here are a few locals to keep your eye out for: IPAs: - Any IPA from Aslin or Ocelot although I am partial to Aslin - You can look out for On the Wings of Armaggedon from DC Brau. It's one of the more popular IPAs from around here. They usually have it for sale at the brewery which is driveable (in NE DC) - Double Duckpin from Union Stouts: - Mexican Radio and BA Mexican Radio from Bluejacket (spiced stout with chilli peppers). If you like BA Mexican Radio I have some of their Double Barrel if you want to trade or something (I work in Gaithersburg). - The Deceiver from Aslin - Sunday Morning Stout (this is a PA brewery so not DC, but they don't distribute to CA and this stout is on equal footing with KBS so worth a look. Bottle shops should still have it in April I believe) Sours: - Unfortunately nobody is really doing any amazing sours in DC yet. Ocelot and Bluejacket do some but they aren't as good as what you can get back home - Sovereign has some JK and Grimm stuff that are worth trying if you haven't had them before Have fun!
Yeah from what I've gathered so far and from my experience in MD last year, the craft movement doesn't seem to be as big as it is in Southern California. This list should keep us plenty busy though and we'll definitely be on the lookout for Sunday Morning Stout and On the Wings of Armaggedon. Thanks again dukieox! P.S. I don't think I'll be bringing any beers with me this time but if you're ever interested in a trade sometime in the future, hit me up! I'm within 5 minutes driving distance to Bottle Logic, Noble, Backstreet Brewery, Bruery, Bootleggers, and I work near Barley Forge
