I'll be travelling to DC at the end of this month and am considering making a pit stop along the way at a kick ass brewery. I'll be taking I 70 the majority if the way and don't really want to go too far out of my way (it's a long drive already). I'd appreciate any input on breweries that generally have a good 'bottles to go' selection and aren't distributed to Indiana. Also, I'll be staying in the Adams morgan area and would love recommendations on a good bottle shop to hit while there. Thanks for any input you can give!
Which part of Indiana? We make a trip out that way once a year. If you're going via Columbus, Columbus Brewing and Jackie O's (are they open after the fire?) are good options. There's a large Whole Foods in Columbus (Dublin) with solid bottle options and good stuff on draft. I'm thinking that is your route? In case you're headed more north of there... If you're traveling anywhere near Akron, Hoppin Frog and Thirsty Dog are your best options. If you're anywhere up close to Cleveland, the Brew Kettle and Fatheads are good options. And if you're going anywhere close to Three Floyds in Munster,Indiana, stop there. One Trick Pony in Lansing, IL and 18th Street Brewing in Gary, IN are also fantastic. Oh wait, you're coming from Indiana? Flying Dog in Frederick, MD wold be another option. There's also some smaller places in the Frederick area. Search the BA site.
Should have been more specific I guess. I'll be leaving from indianapolis and was thinking more about breweries farther east. I've considered stopping at Columbus brewing but I've had their stuff before and wanted to consider other options.
Check out DC Brau and Right Proper in DC. Not too familiar with what you'd pass between Indiana and DC.
If you're taking I-70 the whole way, Flying Dog in Frederick MD is for you. Frederick MD is the cross-roads of I-70 and I-270 which is the highway you'll want to take to get into DC, and Flying Dog is just minutes off of either I-70 or I-270.
Bring some Sun King with you, and of course 3 Floyds, and arrange some trades, or peace offerings. Adams Morgan has tons of bars and not far from bottle shops. I think your bet would be the Whole Foods on P. St. it's not in Adams Morgan, but not far. Bars. Smoke & Barrel, Black Squirrel, Jack Rose (more whisky). Glen's Garden Market has $4 pints and local stuff on tap. Right Proper should be a must on your trip.
Oh, and while staying in Adams Morgan, hit up the Black Squirrel. Great beer bar! Also, Metro Wine and Sprits, located at 1726 Columbia Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20009 (very, very close to the Adams Morgan neighborhood) has a pretty decent bottle selection (as least they have in the past). I've even seen BCBS there on occasion. Not this year mind you, but in 2013.
