Hey everyone. I'm driving from Auburn, AL to Reston, VA for a friend's wedding. I was hoping to get some recommendations for breweries or brewpubs along the route or in nothern Virginia or DC. I've already explored most of Atlanta but anything north of that I'm unfamiliar with. I've created a google map that anyone can edit. My planned route is on there. I would really appreciate if you would add any good spots to the map or any replies. Thanks! -Mark
I would swerve a little east in NC to hit Winston-Salem and Foothills Brewing. Also, I would venture off 81 in VA, go east about 20 miles on I-64 and hit Blue Mountain Brewery and Devil's Backbone Brewing on the Brew Ridge Trail in Nelson County.
Definatley hit up Mad Fox in Falls Church, VA. There is also another Dogfish Head ale house within 5 miles and a Sweetwater within 10 miles. I would choose Rock Bottom over Cap City. In DC there is the Chop House otherwise all of the breweries are open on Saturdays for limited hours like DC BRAU and Chocolate City. But there are a ton of great beer bars Church Key probably tops the list. I hope you are going through Ashville, NC because I hear there are a ton of breweries there.
Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria is nothing special brewery tourwise but is a fun way to sample an excellent up-and-comer when you're up here. The DFHA in Falls Church is great but I hear mixed-to-poor reviews of the Fairfax location all the time. I cannot stand Mad Fox to any extent whatsoever. If you must patronize them, remember to form lifelong perceptions of all yankees by the few minutes you spend there. In town, Churchkey may dominate the local beerbar scene, but if you have the time, its siblings in the Rustico chain, Lyon Hall in Clarendon for European imports, and Pizzeria Paradiso (see eatyourpizza.com for the current draft list at 3 locations: Dupont, Georgetown, and Alexandria, ) are also good choices. There are probably another dozen places rocking great draft/bottle lists that might scratch an itch for you depending on your preferences, including Black Squirrel, Galaxy Hut, Meridian Pint, and RFD, amongst others.
Why would you not recommend Mad Fox? I have no emotional ties I just do not fully understand your explanation. I assume you mean atmosphere or the crowd. Just want to get the full story because it sounds like you have had a bad experiance there.
