The US capital of Washington in the District of Columbia is a vibrant city with almost countless places to grab a beer. DC is the home go-go music, mumbo sauce and many great breweries and tap houses to keep your thirst quenched. Whether you’re looking for a boozy brunch or a few cold beers while you watch some sports, there’s something for everyone.
The City of Washington, DC
The area in and around Washington, DC was inhabited by native people long before the city was established in 1790. Along the Anacostia and Potomac river were first nations settlements of the Patawomeck, Doeg, Piscataway, Algonquian and Nacotchtank people. These people lived in the productive lands around the waters and wetlands of the present day city. Unfortunately, like so many other indigenous people in America and beyond, populations were decimated by disease, genocide and forced removal.
The city of Washington in the District of Columbia was created as part of the Constitution of the United States of America. A capital was chosen that would be close to agricultural and slave interests of the Southern states as well as the trade centres of the northern states. It was decided that the capital should not be built within an existing state, but rather remain somewhat autonomous (a controversial choice to this day). The result was a planned city that holds the seat of power of the United States of America.
DC is sandwiched between the states of Maryland and Virginia. Urban sprawl and extension of the Metro rail network means that some areas of Maryland and Virginia are essentially suburbs of DC. Many people commute from these quieter neighbourhoods into the District each day to work. This loose association of suburbs and towns surrounding the city itself is referred to as the DMV (i.e. District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia).
Beer in DC
Like many US cities, DC and the DMV boast a huge range of beers. With over 1,300 bars in DC alone, there are plenty of great places to have a drink. The city has a great range of places serving hyper local craft beer, beer from across America, Europe and beyond. There are some great breweries around the DMV including DC Brau Brewing Company, City-State Brewing, and Atlas Brew Works (to name a few). Below we’ll explore some of my personal favourite bars in the District and surrounds.
Coming up a dark set of stairs from the vibrant 14th street, you’ll find ChurchKey. There’s plenty of seating either at the long bar or at booths where you can park yourself and sample their extensive and seasonal tap list. The vibe is relaxed – a great place to catch up with friends or watch some baseball with a quiet pint. The last time I went I had some great beers, but the standout for me was the Different Scenery Hazy IPA brewed by Bluejacket in Washington DC. I also really enjoyed the Watermelon Girlfriend which was a fruited sour ale from Prairie brewery in Louisiana. The food here is good (not great) and has all the American classics like burgers, grilled cheese and wings.
Not too much further down 14th Street is the Aslin Beer Co. This venue is a great outdoor space that showcases the beers from Aslin’s brewing operation in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s one of their five locations across the DMV and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Seating over 200, this bar is busy, loud and has a great mix of people. I really enjoyed the Esperante Efresca watermelon lager. This beer was tangy, dry and ultimately refreshing – perfect for a humid DC summer night.
Wonderland Ballroom is probably my favourite bar in Washington, DC. Located on Kenyon Street in NW, this bar caters mainly to locals and has all the popular DC breweries on tap. Wonderland is a bit of a dive bar and has a lot of character. They do great food (including their iconic weekend brunch) and have cool outdoor seating. My favourite thing to drink here is one of the beer and shot combos where you pay a few bucks to have an American macro brew with some cheap whisky or tequila.
If you don’t mind drinking somewhere that caters more to tourists, I highly recommend Nick’s Riverside Grill. Sitting on the banks of the mighty Potomac river in Georgetown, this bar is a great place to escape the bustle of the city. My favourite place to sit is the outdoor bar which looks straight out onto the river. Here they have some of the DC staple brews (Atlas and DC Brau) and also the standard American macros on tap. I enjoyed a Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Ale which is always best served with a slice of orange – perfect for a hot day on the river.
A quick Metro ride from the city centre of DC you’ll find the Courthaus Social in Arlington, Virginia. This bar caters mostly to young professionals who commute into Washington, DC to work in government, consulting and other related industries. They’ve got a pretty extensive tap list and the food is great (I can definitely recommend the Social Nachos). Here I tried the Pine-hop-le Hazy IPA from Evolution Craft Brewing in nearby Maryland. This beer was fruity, smooth and gassed with nitrogen – a little different to what I would usually choose but very tasty!
A short drive to Vienna, Virginia you’ll find the Hawk and Griffin. This pub is owned by a Brit and he has set it up to feel like an authentic English pub. This bar is great because it doesn’t feel like a “British themed” bar – it truly feels like you are sitting in a pub in the UK. Everything from the Decor to the food to the beer reminds you of a classic British boozer. They have some great, rotating British lagers and ales (hand pumped and draft) and a bunch of other beer and cider in bottles and cans. They also have an ale (Yorkshire Bitter) and a Lager brewed especially for their pub. Both of these beers are tasty and local, but I never go past an Old Speckled Hen off the tap.
The Caboose Brewing Company & Tavern is a working brewery in Vienna, Virginia. Indoor seating is split across two levels and there’s a bit of outdoor seating too. A great nature trail runs alongside this brewery so it’s perfect if you want to burn off a few pints of your favourite beer. I love the mid strength Boose Light Lager which is refreshing at 3.6% ABV.
Whether you’re drinking in Washington, DC or the surrounding suburbs of Virginia or Maryland, you are sure to find some great brews. The US has a thriving beer scene and the Nation’s capital is no exception. DC can be hot and sticky in the summer – the perfect weather for enjoying a cold beer.
Cheers!
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