D.C. Beer Spots

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by Feel_the_Darkness, Jan 10, 2017.

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  1. Feel_the_Darkness

    Feel_the_Darkness Initiate (0) Oct 17, 2012 Virginia

    the old lady and I have to take a weekend trip to D.C. At the end of the month. I've been doing some research and creeping through the other forums for ideas, but looking for some solid recommendations of some places to grab a cold one.

    In particular I've heard there is several really good German style Bier Gardens to seek out and some cask friendly bars I need to stop in at. Any specific recommendations from the D.C. guys? Personal experiences and warnings of typical Yelp over/underhyping are definitely welcome.
     
  2. nimbleprop

    nimbleprop Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2008 District of Columbia

    The beer gardens may have been oversold. Those that come to mind are Dacha in Shaw, Biergartern Haus on H Street NE and Sauf Haus in Dupont. All are good if you want a bit of the overdone DC crowd with expensive liters.

    Cask beers can be found at Churchkey, which has a crazy selection and is probably worth going to (recommend afternoon and not evening). Meridian has a cask system and is always a great spot. Even Big Hunt (criminally underrated) has a pair of casks. Paradiso locations have casks too.
     
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  3. Mongrel

    Mongrel Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2013 Maryland

    Don't skip Right Proper if you're into funky farmhouse stuff.
     
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  4. Feel_the_Darkness

    Feel_the_Darkness Initiate (0) Oct 17, 2012 Virginia

    Sauf Haus was the name id heard prior. The crowds I can do without but I am a German beer guy and corny as it is, enjoy slugging a liter of Helles or Dunkel down outdoors if I can find a decent place.

    Churchkey I've seen mentioned several times. I think that's a definite check on the itinerary now, especially since I just saw a donut bun fried chicken sandwich of theirs on the travel channel. Artery clogging insanity. Must find out how that pairs with a cask ale.

    Big Hunt looks fairly dive-y and more my speed. I just googled it. Reminds me of a local place here in Norfolk, Cogans. I think I'll check that out as well.


    Any really good beer stores/breweries in the Metro area I need to hit? From what I've experienced, the distro in NOVA/DC is much better then down here in Hampton Roads and hoping to find some gems I don't typically get to see. Thanks for the input.
     
  5. RocketFrogDavid

    RocketFrogDavid Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2010 Virginia

    Check out Craft Beer Cellars, on H. St. or Whole Foods P. St. for starters. If you have a car, you can get into Virginia, there are a number of good ones not too far out of the city including Total Wines, you have Arrowine, Craft Beer Shop in Court House, K-1, the Lost Dog Cafes have beer to go and a good selection, and the best is probably Dominion in Falls Church. All of these are inside the Beltway.
     
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  6. zeuiax

    zeuiax Zealot (673) May 1, 2016 New York

    Church Key, Sovereign in Georgetown, Right Proper, Blue Jacket.
     
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  7. grover37

    grover37 Pooh-Bah (1,744) Nov 14, 2007 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah

    Don't expect dive-y beer prices to accompany the filthy bathrooms...
     
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  8. Hatfield_223

    Hatfield_223 Initiate (0) Nov 26, 2013 Virginia

    I saw that show too, but as an FYI Churchkey switched chefs and I don't think that's on the menu anymore. But definitely go anyway, and if you want a donut/chicken sandwich, I heard that Astro Doughnuts makes a good one.

    You might want to check out Bluejacket and The Sovereign too.
     
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  9. Feel_the_Darkness

    Feel_the_Darkness Initiate (0) Oct 17, 2012 Virginia

    Bluejacket has been mentioned several times now. I think I'll replace sauf haus with a visit there, and a stop by Dominion on the way out of town
     
  10. beernuts

    beernuts Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2014 Virginia

    Have fun! I lived in Norfolk until about 3 years ago and have drank many beers in Cogans. I've had fun at the beer gardens up here but the crowds can be a bitch. Having said that, I've only ever gone in the summer, its never even occured to me to go in January (are they even open?). I would not expect crowds to be a problem in the winter.
     
  11. elle_belles17

    elle_belles17 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2016 District of Columbia

    One place I haven't seen mentioned here is Bier Baron in Dupont Circle. Granted, it's certainly not up everybody's alley--it's in a pretty dark basement and has a sort of dive-y feel--but they have a HUGE selection of beers from all over the place and their prices aren't half bad. Maybe it's just because I live close, but I'm a fan.

    That being said, I agree with the other statements that the beer gardens here are overhyped. Sauf Haus is cool, but if you get there after 5:30 you won't be able to move. If you really want a beer garden experience, I'd actually check out Midlands in the Georgia/Petworth area. They have indoor and outdoor sections, and since it's sort of new it doesn't have the following that Sauf Haus/Dacha have. The selection isn't that wide, but what they do have is excellent and you can get everything in liters. Also, I'd definitely check out Bluejacket. Kind of pricey, but I love the vibe.
     
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