washington d.c areas best beer bars/breweries???

[sundontlie]

rather than spend all day searching the web, can you guys give me some ideas for some top Washington D.C area breweries and/or beer bars? i will be visiting Dogfish or course... how about Chaz - dont you own a brewpub in the area? if you guys can shoot me a few quick ideas it would be great, i will have the lady with me so keep in mind a nice atmosphere and good food or live entertainment would be desired as well...
thanks!
i have been to a million great places, but never ventured into the D.C area before so i figured i would cheat and just ask you guys here...

[MeridianFC]

This needs some updating (missing Bierria Paradiso, Temperance Hall, and whatever the new Leesburg joint is called)

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6639

[Beefsteak]

Dominion Brewpub:

http://www.olddominion.com/

Sweetwater Tavern:

http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/mainpage/sweetwater-chooser.htm

Both in the DC suburbs, not actually in DC itself.

[sundontlie]

thanks a lot! plenty of info here to start with.. i'll pick 2 or 3 out of these and hit some good museums and landmarks and make a weekend out of it...

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
and whatever the new Leesburg joint is called)

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Vintage 50 so far.



Maybe Rustico in Alexandria.


As far as ownership in a brewpub....you'll have to talk to my partner Meridian;)

[MeridianFC]

The Human Head has a very exclusive clientele.

[Gordonstoun]

I'm partial to the Gordon Biersch brewpub. They make an excellent weizen (in fact, the best American weizen I've found...tastes authentically Bavarian), and an equally excellent Kolsch (which, unfortunately, is seasonal [October]). GB has become the only place I'll drink in DC! (Caution....the food here is rather heavy, and served in gigantic portions. If you plan to dine there, you should split your meal with another person. Portions are typically more than enough for two people.)

The Brickskeller has an excellent selection, but prices are outrageously inflated. Don't plan on drinking there unless you are doing it on a lobbyist's expense account...
:rolleyes:

[Gordonstoun]

Originally posted by sundontlie
thanks a lot! plenty of info here to start with.. i'll pick 2 or 3 out of these and hit some good museums and landmarks and make a weekend out of it...

The Gordon Biersch brewpub is right across the street from the Spy Museum!:)

[chazwicke]

And just up the block from District Chophouse and also near RFD.;)