Neighborhood Guides August 22, 2019

The Best Breweries in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia

Beer lovers rejoice! September 8-15 is the District’s celebration of the region’s craft beer brewmasters and enthusiasts. Kickoff DC Beer Week with Bluejacket Brewery and the official release of the annual Solidarity brew, a German Kellerbier for 2019. With more than a dozen different events, there’s sure to be something for every beer lover. You can walk off the calories in the DC Beer Week Fun Run try your homebrew skills in this competition, or check out a panel discussion on women in the craft beer industry. The full calendar of events is here. Join on social media with #DCBW2019.

Additionally, Virginia devotes the entire month of August to craft brews in respect to its growing industry. That’s dedication! Join on social media with #VAcraftbeer and #LOVEVA for a chance to win prizes.

With so many excellent regional craft breweries in the Washington, D.C. area, it’s easy to celebrate with good friends at a favorite or new brewery, brewpub or bar. Check out our list of great local breweries—and then hop to it!

Note: Please check each website for individual hours as they may vary.

 


Choose Your Location

 


Right Proper banner

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

RIGHT PROPER BREWING COMPANY

Brookland, NE Production House and Tasting Room | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Shaw BrewPub and Kitchen

Tours Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Reservations not required). Offers flights, glasses, or growlers fills. Does not serve food–outside food allowed. Food trucks/vendors on Saturdays.

 

DC BRAU

East of Brookland, NE | Facebook | Instagram

“Washington DC’s First Packaging Brewery Since 1956.” Trivia Thursdays and Half Priced Pints Fridays. Tours offered Saturdays between 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Kid-friendly. Does not serve food–outside food allowed. Food trucks/vendors on Saturdays.

 

ATLAS BREW WORKS

Ivy City, NE | Facebook | Instagram

Take a tour on Saturdays at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., or 6 p.m. Kid- and dog-friendly. No reservations on Saturdays after 2 p.m. Does not serve food–outside food allowed. Food trucks/vendors on most days.

 

BLUEJACKET BREWERY / ARSENAL RESTAURANT

Navy Yard, SE | Facebook | Instagram

Brewery on site. Restaurant has dinner time hours, lunch during weekdays, and brunch on Sundays. Growler fills not available.

 

HELLBENDER BREWING COMPANY

North Fort Totten, NE | Facebook | Instagram 

Brewery tours on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Does not serve food–outside food allowed. Food trucks/vendors on most Saturdays.

 

3 STARS BREWING COMPANY

Takoma, NE | Facebook | Instagram

Tours Saturdays at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Offers tastings, growler fills, and a homebrew shop.

 


Denizens banner

MARYLAND

 

FLYING DOG BREWERY

Frederick | Facebook | Instagram

Tours offered Thursday through Sunday by reservation only. Offers growler and crowler fills. No one under the age of 21 is permitted. A state driver’s license is required.

 

MONOCACY BREWING

Frederick | Facebook | Instagram

Sells pints, select bottled beer, and growler and crowler fills. Tours offered Saturdays at 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:15 p.m.

 

STREETCAR 82 BREWING

Hyattsville | Facebook | Instagram

New with limited hours – check Facebook for weekly hours.

 

FRANKLIN’S RESTAURANT, BREWERY AND GENERAL STORE

Hyattsville | Facebook

Tastings, pints, and select bottles sold on site. Effort will be made to accommodate tours scheduled in advance. Keg rentals also available.

 

7 LOCKS BREWING

Rockville | Facebook | Instagram

Flights, pints, or growler fills. Happy hour all day Wednesday, trivia Thursday, live music some Saturdays. Dog-friendly on Sundays only. Outside food not allowed, but see food truck schedule on website.

 

DENIZENS BREWING COMPANY

Silver Spring | Facebook | Instagram

Dog-friendly beer garden. Happy hour Tuesdays through Friday, and all day Mondays. Sells food on site. Does not take reservations, but seating space for 400 guests. Children allowed, with exception that the outside seating is 21+ only Fridays and Saturday nights after 8 pm.

 


Port City banner

VIRGINIA

 

PORT CITY BREWING COMPANY

Alexandria | Facebook | Instagram

Tasters, flights, pints, growlers, six-packs, cases and kegs sold on site. Tours Thursdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (private bookings available). Check the website for robust event lineup.

 

CHUBBY SQUIRREL

Fairfax | Facebook | Instagram 

In addition to tasters, pints and food, Chubby Squirrel also serves beers, wines, ciders, and meads from around the region.

 

CABOOSE BREWING COMPANY | Facebook | Instagram

Caboose Tavern – Vienna | Facebook | Instagram
Caboose Commons – Mosaic | Facebook | Instagram

Tours available, keg available for purchase. Also a full-service restaurant serving locally sourced and humanely raised food. Reservations highly recommended for dining. Limited brewery seating. Outdoor patio available, dog-friendly. Check out the newly opened Caboose Commons, located in the Mosaic District!

 

AUDACIOUS ALEWORKS

Falls Church | Facebook | Instagram

Tasting and pints. Games in taproom.

 

ASLIN BEER CO.

Herndon | Facebook | Instagram

Not available for on-site consumption: take away only. Releases 2-4 beers per week and rotating favorites every 6-8 weeks. Can releases begin at Thursdays starting at 3 p.m. and Saturdays starting at 11 a.m. Growler/crowler fills Friday through Sunday during posted hours only.

 

2 SILOS BREWING COMPANY

Manassas | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Opened in 2017 and located on 8-acres, 2 Silos offers food trucks, live music, yard games, and of course, blissful brews. Dog and family-friendly. Open Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

 

HERITAGE BREWING COMPANY

Manassas HQ Tasting Room  Facebook | Instagram

Taste beer and coffee roasted on-site. During the warmer months, you’ll find a BBQ truck on-site on Saturdays.

Arlington Brewpub and Roastery (Clarendon) | Menus

Serving select beers, coffee, and locally sourced food in a “casual rustic American setting.”

 

VANISH FARMWOODS BREWERY

Leesburg | Facebook | Instagram 

Ingredients are locally sourced and you will also find wine, cider, fresh sangria and wine slushies. Children welcome (there’s a playground!). Dogs allowed in some areas. BBQ smoked on-site Saturday and Sunday. Wood-fired pizza available Thursday through Sunday. Burger and Mexican food trucks. Take a river tubing trip down the stunning Shenandoah and Potomac rivers and end the day over at Vanish!

 

CROOKED RUN BREWERY

Facebook | Instagram 

Leesburg location releases at least one can every Friday at 11:30 a.m. Small amount of food offered, outside food allowed. Dogs allowed on patio. |

Sterling location: Taqueria on site. Dogs allowed on patio. Weekend live music.

 

DRAGON HOPS

Purcellville | Facebook | Instagram 

Local sourced hops in Loudoun County. Find happy hour specials on food, drink and growler fills. Some in-house and local food truck food available.

 

OCELOT BREWING COMPANY

Sterling | Facebook | Instagram

Tastings, pints, growler fills, some bottles, and kegs. Reservations accepted Sunday through Thursday (not Friday and Saturday). Informal tours are available upon request. Outside food allowed and occasional food trucks. Children welcome. Dogs allowed outside.

 

BREW REPUBLIC BIERWORKS

Woodbridge | Facebook | Instagram

Get in some tastings, pints, and some bottled varieties, growler fills, and kegs. Tours Saturdays at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Small plate food selection. Happy hour specials and robust event calendar: trivia, tacos, bingo, karaoke, open mic, yoga, game day television viewing, and more to come.  

 


 

If one week dedicated to beer in D.C. is not enough, check out these websites for local Virginia and Maryland beer festivals. Also consider making a special trip to explore Loudoun County’s LoCo Ale Trail, featuring more than 23 craft breweries. In addition, at the rate summer is slipping by, Oktoberfests will be here before you know it!

 


 

Photos (in order of appearance) courtesy of Adobe Stock, Right Proper Brewing Company Facebook, Denizens Brewing Company Facebook, and Port City Brewing Company Facebook