I'll be spending the holidays in hot spot Purcellville, Virg. Any recommendations for D.C.-area and Virginia spots would be mucho appreciated. Been to Church Key once before and that's about it. Thanks!
There are a ton of threads for DC and the immediate area, but I'll bite on Loudoun County: You can form something of a loop with MacDowell Brew Kitchen, Crooked Run Brewing*, Barnhouse Brewery**, Mad Horse Brewpub*, and Corcoran Brewery***. * Multiple bad experiences with the beer at these places ** Interesting location at some guy's home, good beer but open only one weekend per month, not yet announced for Dec. *** Corcoran is soon to move to Purcelville, where Adroit Theory will soon open as well Magnolias in Purcellville is a nice restaurant with good food and drafts.
Thanks for the Loudoun tips! That Purcellville/Leesburg area is basically what I was needing help on ...
Everything he said, plus Fireworks Pizza, Tuscarora Mill and Leesburg Beer Company in Leesburg (about 8 miles down the road from Purcellville). Those 3 are in the same basic downtown area as MacDowell Brew Kitchen (my usual go-to) and Crooked Run. Lost Rhino is a bit further out in Ashburn but could be worth a stop as well.
I've had four beers from CR - two badly flawed to my palate and heavily phenolic, another just a little off, and another that was just fine. I don't want to badmouth the place and wouldn't say to avoid checking it out, as the owner seems genuinely into the craft and has a brewing philosophy that appeals to me, but I won't make the effort to go back out there anytime soon. Admirably, he posted to his blog awhile back that he'd recognized and taken steps to remedy the QC issues (that was between my two visits). It'd be nice to see them succeed in the long run. Will also mention Lost Rhino in Ashburn, not too far out from Purcellville - commercial park location, but I've always found the beer to be consistently good.
are you looking for local NoVa breweries and their own crafts or NoVa brewpubs that carry top-rated beers from all over the country?
I'll second Lost Rhino, and if you're already in the area stop by Alamo Drafthouse. Even if you're not seeing a movie they usually have some great stuff on tap in their bar.
when in the DC area the wife and I like to go to DFH Alehouse, we typically go to the location in Falls Church, excellent food, service and staff ( and mighty good beer)
