DC/MD/NoVA Beer Updates (2024)

Heavy Seas is just off I-95 (just before getting to the city) as us Diamondback (closer to the tunnels on I-95) and Sapwood Cellars is just off 29 in Columbia (about 2-3 miles west off I-95). Since you will be

 

Since you’re staying in West End, a short pleasant walk through Georgetown will take you to The Sovereign.

 

Ever been to Elder Pine? Looks like it is a bit off the suggested route but my buddy had good things to say about it.

 

Yes I have, numerous times. It is my favorite DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) brewery. It is not hard to get to, but it is in winding country roads, about 30 minutes for me from Arlington, but we’ll worth the drive.

 

My post was cut off! But I meant to say that since you are going to Baltimore Pariah is definitely worth it, 10 minutes from the Inner Harbor.

ps-Since I answered your post, I will add that I did Pariah, Sapwood Cellars and Elder Pine back to back to back, great experiences. And yes, those are the best local breweries imho, of course Other Half is right up there with them, but you mentioned you did not want to visit it, you may want to reconsider. I have been to original OH, expanded OH and the DC OH and they are all awesome in their own different ways.

 

Beer-es' response is spot-on, though I'll make two additional suggestions that I'd only recommend under specific scenarios.

First, if your palate favors Belgian-style beers over all others, I would suggest taking a look at The Sovereign in Georgetown. Note that their offerings are almost exclusively Belgian styles, so, if you like more varied options, this probably won't be your best bet.

Second, if you're going to be spending considerable time in Alexandria and want to stay in that general area, I'd suggest taking a look at Rustico. If you're going to be moving around more, Churchkey and Dominion will probably both be better options.

 

The Brew Shop is right up there with Dominion and it’s closer to DC.

 

Thanks for the suggestions all! Forgot to mention I'll be flying in and won't have a car so I'm mostly confined to where the metro or cabs will take me. Probably city limits.

 

The Brew Shop in Arlington is off Courthouse Metro.

 

Churchkey is great, as is Dominion as suggested previously. Dominion's food is awesome also. Another great option is The Roost with various food options and Shelter's tap list is awesome. And if Belgians (beer not necessarily the people) are your thing, then Sovereign is awesome.

 

Appreciate the help! Looks like Churchkey is hosting a Root & Branch + Veil event on Thursday evening which is perfect so I'll try to stop by there for drafts and dinner and the Sovereign looks pretty good too which I'll slate for my other free day. I may be in the Navy Yard on Saturday, is Bluejacket worth a stop?

 

I stopped at BlueJacket once while down at the Navy Yard, I thought the beers were very solid. Definitely worth a a stop while your down there.

 

If a beer fest is your thing the DC Beer Festival is Saturday at Nationals Parks. Usually not a fan of festivals any longer as it's often a shit show and no one really brings rare / hard to find stuff anymore but I've heard good things about this one in the past (never been myself). The only thing that really sucks is the sessions are only 3 hours each and with that many breweries attending you really have to make a plan of who you're going to try out. But could also be a good thing to keep the show toned down b/c someone who just wants to hammer tasters really has to full bore. https://www.dcbeerfestival.com/

If you do venture to Navy Yard in addition to Bluejacket there's also Solace Outpost and Atlas Brew Works now. I don't see their beers much where I am in Central Va but I've enjoyed most of what I've had of theirs.

I've also heard really good things about Lost Generation which has been open for about a year and a half and located right around where OH and Crooked Run is.

 

I loved New Anthem, but when we visited in Wilmington 2 years ago the Taproom was shockingly empty in the middle of a Friday afternoon. As in we were the only guests. I had an odd feeling about it then, seems it didn't improve.

 

There is also an Atlas Brew brewery and taproom a few buildings over from OH.

 

I too liked all their beers, and agree that they were better than a lot of similar breweries. Having said that, it is a business and there are so many variables that could easily bring a brewery down, sad it was them.

 

I will be in DC in a few weeks, randomly saw R+B at Dominion currently as well. Do they normally get R+B distro or is this a special one-off thing?

Second, probably more stupid question. The first half of my week is at a work conference near the National Harbor. Any beer stops worth knowing about near National Harbor while I'm in that area for a few days? Guessing not given my scanning of the area, but would love to be delighted if I'm missing something.

 

Port City is 5 minutes from the bridge and Aslin is 5 minutes from it. And like someone mentioned before Rustico is a great bar with good food and it’s also 5 minutes from the bridge. All are on the Virginia side of the Woodrow Wilson bridge.

 

Thanks! The back half of my week we're staying in Logan Circle and I've got Aslin DC right by us. Curious is there any major difference between DC and the original location?

 

No they are both the same trash with no QC