Arlington / Alexandria Virginia recommendations?

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by GuyFawkes, Apr 29, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hullo!

    I'll be in Arlington & Alexandria Virginia next weekend; my hosts are wondering if they can pick up any good local craft beer for my visit, but they aren't really beer drinkers.

    I'm the usual hypeboi loser; I like IPA's, stouts, the occasional wild ale. Who's making the best stuff in this area (that they would be able to get without too much hassle).

    Let me know any recommendations; thanks!!
     
    #1 GuyFawkes, Apr 29, 2021
  2. Griffin2

    Griffin2 Pooh-Bah (2,447) Aug 22, 2014 Virginia
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sorry for the late response. If they want to just pick up beer to go, there are several beer stores in the area. Dominion Wine & Beer in Falls Church, Norm's in Vienna, Black Dog Beer shop in Dunn Loring could all help you out with some local beers.

    Wegman's would be a good grocery store for beer.

    For VA IPA's I recommend Commonwealth, Solace, Vasen, & Aslin should be available at the stores I listed. Even Total Wine should have a pretty good supply.

    I'm not sure what local stouts are out at the moment, but Hardywood makes pretty good ones, in my opinion.

    For some standard stuff, Bingo, Port City & Old Bust Head are pretty good.
     
    #2 Griffin2, Apr 30, 2021
  3. bowery

    bowery Devotee (352) Jul 3, 2014 California
    Trader

    Go to Other Half in DC
     
    #3 bowery, Apr 30, 2021
    JHurley6 and Slack like this.
  4. ArlVABeerGuy

    ArlVABeerGuy Zealot (511) Feb 23, 2012 Virginia
    Trader

    The Brew Shop in Arlington is a great bottle shop and just reopened for in-store shopping. There’s also Department of Beer and Wine in Alexandria near Potomac Yards.
     
    #4 ArlVABeerGuy, May 1, 2021
    GuyFawkes and VABA like this.
  5. joerooster2

    joerooster2 Aspirant (254) Aug 18, 2020 District of Columbia

    If you're wanting to try Aslin (probably the most hyped local), I'd suggest Orange Starfish. IMO, it's their best IPA and probably their best beer. I haven't tried the most recent batch, released 3 days ago. You might need to pick up at the brewery or have it delivered. Aslin also has some high ABV (15%ish) pastry stouts if you're into those, I'm not so can't offer any suggestions. I had their Apizza sour last year and thought it was pretty good, so check that out if you like fruited kettle sours.
     
    #5 joerooster2, May 1, 2021
    GuyFawkes likes this.
  6. VABA

    VABA Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,735) Aug 8, 2015 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah

    Straight from the brewery- Aslin in Alexandria and Other Half, and Right Proper in DC (or if you are going on an outing with them). Available beer on websites and social media, so you can pick your preferences.

    For stores- Dominion, Norms, The Brew Shop, Downtown Crown and K-1. The first four have selections on websites and social media (the last one on Instagram), so you can check and guide your hosts as to what to get (the selections vary widely from the US). Craft beer cella in DC, as well as other places, but they probably would not want to drive to DC.
     
    #6 VABA, May 2, 2021
    ArlVABeerGuy likes this.
  7. Sheppard

    Sheppard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,516) Mar 16, 2013 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What did you end up doing?
     
    #7 Sheppard, May 11, 2021
  8. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Found a wonderful shop in Rosslyn called the Brew Shop that fills crowlers. Since we had two cookouts, this was ideal! The beers I tried (all from VA!), in order of excellence.

    New Anthem Beer Project - The Path I Fear
    This was NOT a crowler, but the only bottle I purchased. It was pure decadance. Coffee, rich vanilla & delicious chocolate, with no booze heat despite it's 12% a.b.v. Might have my fam out there ship me some more!!

    Ocelot Brewing Co. - Above
    VERY nicely done NE IPA. Soft, fruity and real easy to enjoy. I'd definitely seek it out again.

    Commonwealth Brewing Co. - Cheval Au Soleil
    Fruity, slightly clove-y good vibes on this Belgian Witbier. Great daytime sipper.

    Fine Creek Brewing Co. - French Pilsner
    I'm admittedly no expert on the style, but this had nice notes of fresh bread, corn & some mild funk. Another great daytime sipper.

    Ocelot Brewing Co. - Awkward Rhymes
    Got the pastry stout flavors pretty dialed in, but the mouthfeel was a bit too thin for the style, IMO. Still nice.

    Benchtop Brewing Co. - Best Wishes
    Another NE IPA; not bad, by any means, but less dreamy than the Ocelot iteration.

    Tacos from El Paso were a nice treat as well!
    https://elpasomexicanrestaurants.com/
     
    #8 GuyFawkes, May 11, 2021
    Last edited: May 11, 2021
    ArlVABeerGuy and Sheppard like this.
  9. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    ...I missed your recommendation, but you are correct that this place was GREAT!
     
    #9 GuyFawkes, May 11, 2021
    ArlVABeerGuy and Sheppard like this.
  10. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,096) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Minor correction, New Anthem is Wilmington, SC though it just started seeing distro VA over the past few weeks. Glad to hear this one was great. saw it a week or so at my local shop but didn't grab it. Might go back and get it for those cool evenings
     
    #10 TomCat11, May 11, 2021
    Sheppard and GuyFawkes like this.
  11. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ah yes, you are correct.
     
    #11 GuyFawkes, May 11, 2021
  12. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,096) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    By bad.....I meant NC not SC.
     
    #12 TomCat11, May 11, 2021
    Sheppard and GuyFawkes like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.