Help me prioritize the best breweries in northern Virginia! We'll be in Alexandria and literally next to Dulles this weekend. Weblike malty, porters, Stouts and BA. Thanks!
Ocelot is a definite on the list. Only have a limited amount of time. So what would you suggest as a second place to check out?
If you have time to drive there (~30 min from Dulles area), Adroit Theory has a lot of BA stouts and other big beers. Given the styles you like, this would be my recommendation for sure. Solace is really close to Ocelot (5 min or less) so it may be worth checking out, not sure what they have on tap now but you can probably check untappd or their website. Old Ox, Lost Rhino (both venues), Beltway and Crooked Run (mostly IPAs and sours) are all pretty close to Dulles, check their tap lists to see what's available. I'm more into hoppy and sour beers so not real sure which of these has better malt forward brews. In Alexandria, I'd hit up Rustico, not a brewery but they have a solid tap list and great food. Port City makes some pretty solid beers so maybe check them out.
Crooked Run had really good tacos, Lost Rhino has ok food (the Retreat has a bigger menu), the others may have food trucks depending on when you go.
For your taste, I'd second Adroit and Crooked Run. Both have all kinds of different things but tend to consistently release sours and barrel aged stuff. I wouldn't hit Solace. Beltway is interesting because it's one of the contract brewers who make Grimm's beers. Depending on which they have available that could go from a good idea to a great idea. They usually have sours available too. I'd really recommend Adroit, Beltway, or Crooked Run for a second stop.
Looks like all four: Ocelot, Adroit, Beltway & Crooked Run DO NOT have food? Or do any have food trucks? We're from Philly/PA/NJ so we are used to either restaurant breweries or just breweries with food trucks. Thanks!
Ocelot has food trucks, you can see which if you visit their website. Crooked Run (Sterling location, closest to Dulles) has a restaurant inside, tacos and other mexican food...it's good. Adroit doesn't have food, not sure about trucks, none when I was there last time. Beltway, not sure, trucks if anything.
Ocelot usually has a food truck on weekends. The new Crooked Run location has really good tacos, I'm not sure about the older location though. Definitely no food at Beltway, I wouldn't recommend going there, its not that fun.
What Brewery would you go more for the food or for both the food and the beer? Ie. We live near Vault Brewing and they usually have one good beer of 6 on tap but the food it great! Thanks!
Well keep in mind that none of them are restaurants with any sort of menu, but in my opinion the tacos at Crooked Run are the best food option, provided you like tacos. The beer there is good too.
Another vote for Adroit! If you like barrel aged beers you can't go wrong there. They have alot of really interesting brews.
All are good suggestions. If you head to Adroit Theory, pick up some BBQ at Monk's BBQ and bring it with you to Adroit. Their BBQ is great. Alternatively, Monk's tends to have a good local tap list where you can sample beers from a few of the breweries mentioned.
i ll add to the votes for crooked run and the tacos they have. as an fyi for people asking about the leesburg crooked run, the same taco place is a block or so away, not in the same building. also the leesburg place is much smaller with fewer taps.
Anytime I go back home I always hit Ocelot! They make good stuff! Only done Tres Gumbas (past Dulles, almost Purceville), and Lost Rhino once each, but they were tasty.
