DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2023)

Rustico Ballston and High Side Fairfax can give Dominion a good run for their money, though, to be clear, I do not mean to suggest any one of the three is better than the others. Best bet would be to check tap lists before you go.

Rustico Alexandria is no slouch, but my read has long been that NRG gives the Ballston location priority when it comes to allocating scarce kegs.

 

Andy's Pizza at Tyson's Corner is another one with a good tap list.

 

I will be traveling to Rockville MD from Madison WI in mid May for a conference. I try to sample locally made beers and I am posting here for suggestions. I'm a big fan of Bells Two Hearted, Oberon, and well made stouts. I'll try most any beer that tastes like beer. Staying at a Hilton on the Rockville Pike, so anything in the general area would be welcome, Thanks.

 

You will be pretty close (maybe 5-10 min) from the True Respite Brewery. Good selection last time I visited; about 10/12 taps or so. Plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, including a Yard House, if you want more variety.

 

I'm surprised no one has said this yet, but your single best bet will likely be Churchkey if you're going to be in DC.

 

Gilly's has great beer in general (including local options), and is right near there. If you have a car or are willing to Uber north, check out Downtown Crown. Elder Pine offers delivery and might be worth the delivery fee, though Gilly's usually has a few of their cans.

 

Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg is the best bottle shop in MoCo by far — they have a great selection and good tap list. They’re about a 15-minute drive north from Rockville. The one advantage of Gilly’s is that they serve food.

 

The Rockville Pike is next to the Hilton. pretty good bottle shop with a bunch of taps.

 

Thank you all for the responses! I really appreciate it.

if you ever find yourself in Texas, give our local forum a shout and Ill point ya’ll in the right direction.

Cheers!

 

I just posted in the Forest & Main thread, but their beers is now available on draft at some places in DC and NOVA. They are one of the highest quality breweries in PA, they brew excellent English-style beers and Saison. Hopefully you can catch one of their cask beers at a place that have a beer engine.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/forest-main-brewing-2023.672793/#post-7771162

 

Dominion Wine and Beer just got a big drop of Forest & Main cans.

 

Lawson’s Juice Stand ipa at Wegmans in Chantilly in the cooler.

 

I'll add that Gilly's also has a great tap list and selection of made-to-order sandwiches to enjoy with your beers. You can bring in food to the Rockville Pike shop as well to enjoy with their beers on tap.

 

OP has already came and gone.

 

I've read this thread and the last thread for shop recommendations but just to directly ask, what's the best shop in the area for variety? and maybe specifically single can/bottle variety? I feel like a lot of places I pop in have great pack variety but sometimes the dates can be old... very old and their singles are Bud, Bud Light and Bud Ice.

Where is the source? or if I have to make this a journey, where is the silk road? In Annapolis but willing to go any direction 50 miles for a good spot

 

Have you tried Bay Ridge Wines right there in Annapolis yet? It has been a while since my last visit but they had a pretty decent selection at the time.

 

The Brew Shop in Arlington and Dominion in Falls Church are both excellent and have good crowler selections as well.

 

Per their social media, Champion Brewing Company in Charlottesville is closing at the end of the month. Can't say I ever tried any of their beers.

 

RIP Shower beer. I'm pretty sure Champion was also in an "arrangement" with Reason as well. Whether sharing space/facilities/etc. So unsure how Champion closing will affect Reason.