View Full Version : carless in DC
hominid
10-20-2005, 12:43 AM
Here's the deal: My conference is at the Convention Center, but I'll be staying at the Comfort Inn Tysons Corner, on Spring Hill Road in Vienna. My plan is to hit at least one brewpub within walking/Metro distance of the center and then find my way back to the hotel. I won't have a car. So, anybody have any strategies, tips or warnings for navigating? Am I screwed? Is there any decent beer near my hotel? I know there's good beer in DC, I just need to know if I can get there (and back) from here.
HogieWan
10-20-2005, 08:17 AM
DC's metro system is nice. you don't ned a car to get round in that city.
neelyjr1
10-20-2005, 08:19 AM
I think you have a few options if you want to get into town. First off, some hotels provide shuttles to the metro, you would be off of the orange line or blue line I think. If you can get to the metro, you are in pretty good shape for the city, with several options including Brickskeller, Regional Food and Drink, or Capitol City Brewing Company. If you can't get a shuttle to the metro, there is the option of taking a bus or cab to the metro. I have included some websites that may help your planning, including the metro website, Brickskeller, RFD, and Cap City. Anyone else have any suggestions? I am not too familar with the Tysons Area and what is out there.
http://www.wmata.com/default.cfm
http://www.capcitybrew.com/
http://www.thebrickskeller.com/
http://www.rfdwashington.com/
Hope this helps some.
gallowd7
10-20-2005, 08:32 AM
I'll chime in briefly until the big boys start replying. The area around the MCI center is loaded, you can find endless info by searching here. MCI is about 5 blocks(?) south of the Convention center, don't know if I'd walk. Metro station under the building for an easy getaway.
karzar5
10-20-2005, 09:09 AM
Not too familiar with the Vienna area where you're staying, but Gordon Biersch just opened up in Tyson's Corner. You might be able to catch a short cab ride there.
You'll be able to hit RFD and District Chophouse within walking distance of the Convention Center (and Matchbox if you actually want to get something to eat and still have a decent draft; avoid the food at RFD at all costs). Cap City at Union Station is a short Red Line Metro ride away. You could even hit Brickskeller on the way back (Red Line to Farragut North, Orange/Blue to Farragut West, about a 15 minute walk from either). You'll want the Orange back out to Vienna to get anywhere near Tysons. That area is a nightmare for public transportation IMHO, but there are bus options available. Getting a cab should also be pretty easy to get you back to your hotel. I guess it all depends on how much time you want to spend exploring.
MeridianFC
10-20-2005, 10:40 AM
Man you are staying hell and gone from the city. That said, as noted above, there's good drinking a short walk from the convention center and the Metro makes it easy to get anywhere around town.
chazwicke
10-20-2005, 11:59 AM
The closest you are going to get to good beer in Tysons is the new Gordon Biersh in the Tysons Corner Mall. It has only been open less than a month and I have not yet been there. You are also reasonably close to Sweetwater Tavern in Merrifield which has decent, if mainstream, beers and very good food. The Vienna Inn on Maple Avenue in Vienna is a dive with famous chili dogs and offers a decent selection of beers. Plus in Vienna you have Norm's Beer and Wine and Whole Foods for beer shopping. If you do take the metro downtown, Ballston along the way has a Rock Bottom. Downtown You have RFD, Gordon Biersch, and the District Chophouse and Brewery all very close to the DC Convention Center and Cap City New York Avenue is a few blocks away as well. The best Metro stop for the Brickskeller is Dupont Circle Station on the Red Line.
Originally posted by chazwicke
The best Metro stop for the Brickskeller is Dupont Circle Station on the Red Line.
Cripes, I must have had Farragut on the brain! And I've even lived 3 blocks from the Dupont Metro for 3 years and can't get that right :D
chazwicke
10-20-2005, 03:58 PM
I was over that way yesterday. Loaning some stuff to the Wilson House for its Brewing and Prohibition exhibit that opens next week. Also stopped by the Heurich house to check on thier exhibit. Their part will be delayed until mid November. But we will loan breweriana to that one as well.
hominid
10-20-2005, 05:57 PM
Much appreciate all the help, guys. I'm looking forward to it.
One thing, though: In checking out the posts, it seems like the only must-have brew in DC is the bourbon stout at Chophouse. Gotta be more, right?
MeridianFC
10-21-2005, 10:33 AM
Add to that:
Tupper's Hop Pocket
Tupper's Hop Pocket Pils
Plus any of the Dogfish Head beer's you can find around town.
and it's not strictly a local specialty but I really favor the Schwartzbier at Gordon Biersch.
threecb
10-21-2005, 11:50 AM
Originally posted by MeridianFC
and it's not strictly a local specialty but I really favor the Schwartzbier at Gordon Biersch.
Ditto that. I liked Gordon Biersch in general when I was there. Easy to hit both GB and the Chophouse in one evening. Only a couple of blocks apart.
hominid
10-21-2005, 11:54 AM
Old Dominion looks like a good place. The Google map suggests it's not too far from Vienna. Would it be reasonable to brave public transportation out there? A taxi seems like it'd be awfully expensive.
Originally posted by hominid
Old Dominion looks like a good place. The Google map suggests it's not too far from Vienna. Would it be reasonable to brave public transportation out there? A taxi seems like it'd be awfully expensive.
I could be dead wrong, but I'm not sure you could get public transportation to the OD brewery/restaurant. It literally is in the middle on a non-descript suburban business park. If there is transportation there it is lmost likely very limited.
MeridianFC
10-21-2005, 02:40 PM
Old Dominion is smack dab in the middle of nowhere. Maybe you could parachute out of one of the planes on approach to Dulles, but that's about it.
Insidious Rex
10-21-2005, 02:56 PM
Theyd probably be impressed enough to give you a free growler for doing that. Which you could drink until the TSA got there.
hominid
10-21-2005, 03:26 PM
I'd do a lot for a good beer, but jumping out of an airliner ... I dunno. Just how good is Tupper's Hop Pocket?
threecb
10-21-2005, 03:54 PM
Originally posted by hominid
I'd do a lot for a good beer, but jumping out of an airliner ... I dunno. Just how good is Tupper's Hop Pocket?
very.
(IMHO)
The good news is that you can find Tupper's on tap in many places in D.C. (including RFD).
Wit Memo Jeff
10-22-2005, 06:19 PM
Originally posted by TedE
The good news is that you can find Tupper's on tap in many places in D.C. (including RFD).
I was at RFD on Friday 10/21 and they didn't have Tuppers' on draft, or any Dominion products. What a disappointment. The beer of a fine local brewery not available on draft at the bar with DC's largest draft selection.
I'd like to see Tuppers' on draft at more places, especially the pilsner.
chazwicke
10-23-2005, 05:54 PM
Old Dominion is about 10 -15 minutes from my house. They have a decent pub there with a good selection of the beers that they produce on tap. And they even have cask offerings. You'll likely find Both Tuppers and the New River PA as well as the Oak Barrel Stout on tap there. Plus many of the usual Dominion suspects.
hominid
11-08-2005, 06:02 PM
A quick assessment after my whirlwind pass through DC: It's a mediocre beer town. I found some nice beers (ChopHouse bourbon stout, Tupper's Hop Pocket), but the city lacks what I'd consider a first-rate brewpub. Capital City and ChopHouse were okay, but beyond the bourbon stout there didn't seem to be anything exceptional -- or even rise above "pretty good," for that matter.
RFD had a good selection of drafts (at yikes, $5.50 a pint!) and the Brickskeller was indeed mind-blowing, but as a homebrewer and beer geek I'm looking for local beer with character. Just didn't see it. And that's too bad; DC's big, sophisticated and wealthy enough to support a brewpub that puts the beer first. It doesn't have to be Portland or Seattle or even Cleveland (all hail Great Lakes Brewing!), but the nation's capital clearly deserves better beer.
MeridianFC
11-09-2005, 12:11 PM
I think you're right. DC has always been a good place to get good beer from elsewhere but I don't think we've put our best foot foward. Yet.
Now when Chaz & Meridian's Human Head Cask House opens up..........................
threecb
11-09-2005, 12:45 PM
Originally posted by MeridianFC
Now when Chaz & Meridian's Human Head Cask House opens up..........................
What? You've given in on the whole "Bag of Hammers" thing!?!?
MeridianFC
11-09-2005, 01:20 PM
The Bag of Hammers is solely authentic German lagers now.
:D
chazwicke
11-09-2005, 02:12 PM
There are a few brewers outside of DC proper who do make some more adventuresome brews. The downtown brewers make some precision examples of certain styles but they are usually the ones that are designed for wider appeal. They might not be the typical "In your face or double imperial" beers but they are generally well made. I think many are trying to bring in the widest ranging audience from the usual import drinkers to the Sam Adams crowd. And don't forget Chophouse, John Harvards and Gordon Biersh are chain brewpubs whose brewers are usually allowed a special brew here or there. And Cap City is another smaller chain. All make some excellent beers and some that would satisfy a broader crowd. Outside of DC proper you tend to get a bit more individualism.
hominid
11-09-2005, 02:38 PM
Right. I like the term "adventuresome."
I didn't mean to imply the beer at the chains was bad; most were solid examples of their style. But I would have loved to have visited Franklins, Old Dominion or even some of the Baltimore brewpubs.
Out here most of the brewpubs are privately owned, and their brewers frequently push the envelope. I've been lucky to have lived in some fine beer towns -- Portland, Santa Rosa (mmm, Russian River), even here (two good places) -- so I've been spoiled.
hominid
11-09-2005, 02:42 PM
Oh, and it didn't help that I'd been to Great Lakes Brewing (twice) less than a month before. A nearly perfect brewpub experience. Beervana. I still dream of that place.
chazwicke
11-09-2005, 02:46 PM
Baltimore is a GREAT beer town. I miss DeGroens though.
chazwicke
11-09-2005, 02:47 PM
Originally posted by MeridianFC
Now when Chaz & Meridian's Human Head Cask House opens up..........................
I wondering when we should tell them.;)
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