So my bro is coming into town and I want to do a lil brewery tour. What do you guys suggest? I want to go to DC Brau but it is so inaccessible by public transit. I was thinking Right Proper, Blue Jacket, and some others. My bro is a sour/wild ale head. Thanks!
If you have a car DC Brau isn't very painful to get to (on the weekend). I lived in Shirlington and it took me ~20 minutes to get there. I visited regularly. 395 up through DC east to 295-N was the best way by far rather than hitting New York in the city.
Right Proper and Bluejacket are your only real options for sours/wilds, as far as breweries in the city. I guess 3 Stars has Cognitive Dissonance now (a rye berliner) but ... meh.
Right Proper and Bluejacket will be your best bet if you want the type of styles your bro is into. And honestly, those are the only solid breweries in DC anyway. He will love Right Proper. Don't go anywhere near Bluejacket on Nats gamedays. Place is a f'ing zoo. You aren't going to miss anything by skipping DC Brau, unless they have Solar Abyss or OTWOA. You could try Hellbender as well, but I've never been there. Completely skip 3 Stars. Just hit up Churchkey after Right Proper and Bluejacket
Pro Tip, if you know you are going on game day, make a reservation for a table, and not worry about fighting a crowd at the bar. I've done this on a couple of occasions and have always had excellent service.
@LanguedocRocks @dhartogs Does it get busy at Bluejacket even if the Nationals are playing away and not at home? I'll be down in a week or so, and the day I'm going there is an away game at 7:05.
No, it's just right by the stadium so everyone goes there before and after the games. I don't think there are even TVs so its not like its a sports bar where people go to watch the game.
Depending on the time you get there, it can get crowded. Good tip from @dhartogs. Just go to their website and make a reservation. There are TV's btw. Just not in the dining area.
It can, there are actually 3 TVs behind the bar so it does attract a bit of a crowd for big events (playoff hockey etc.) but is a far far cry from a sports bar. You can make a reservation just to be safe, but if you get there and it's dead, ask if it's OK to sit at the bar instead if that is your preference.
I'd worry more about Right Proper being a clusterfuck. I've only gone there at nights on the weekend, but it's been an f'ing madhouse every time. I'd recommend going there right when they open if you go on a weekday (5pm), or go early afternoon on the weekend. Head over to Bluejacket after. Bluejacket also sells bottles, so bring a backpack if your bro wants to take home some beer.
The only time I went to Right Proper, it was a Saturday late afternoon and yes, it was a clusterfuck.
