DC Area Microbrews?
 

I just relocated to DC from PHL and miss all of the fine microbrews from the PHL area. So, instead of being sad about it any longer, I want some suggestions on fantastic local beers that can be found here.

Also, are there any local breweries that offer tours?

Dominion used to have a tour. Decent beer. I kind of like Fordham, which
is brewed in Annapolis.

Capitol City Brewing company makes their own I believe.

This one is closer to Baltimore but still good:

http://www.duclaw.com/ourhistory.asp

Dominion is the local gold standard and is great. They do have a tour, and they are right near Dulles, good stop off for the frequent flier. Check out their Tuppers Hop Pocket, which you'll find in bars and bottles too, as well as their dominion ale, which is everywhere and great.

Dominion has a brewpub outpost at the convention center. And also, if you're transiting at Dulles there's a killer beer bar with a lot of good stuff on tap in the main terminal, just outside security (or it used to be, haven't been in a bit). I can't remember if it's a dominion place too or stocks various beers, I do remember spending a few hours there waiting for a delayed friend and thinking it was great.

Another local fave is Hook & Ladder. You see Foggy Bottom around to but I'm not a big fan.

Capital City is good. Their beers are fresh and they have a nice outdoor seating area (although it has stunk out there the last two times I was there).

Don't forget in DC you've got the Brickskellar restaurant by Dupont Circle that has a huge selection of beers (like 800 or so), and several really good bars in and around Georgetown and Foggy Bottom.

Been to the Brickskellar once already - very impressed by the beer selection there. It has to be one of the largest offerings in the country. I'll probably rely on that place for out of market micro's - and will try to dig up some of the more rare local micro's over time.

Just out of curiosity (as a self-proclaimed beer afficianado myself :)), which micro-brew from Philly are you craving that you can't find in DC?

Be warned that Brickskeller has some of the worst service in DC.

Note that you can now get Bell's everywhere in DC.

I'd also highly recommend a place called Rustico, which has a bar menu of microbrews from around the country. It's on Slaters Lane in north Alexandria between Rte 1 and the GW Parkway.

I just tried a relatively new place tonight for the first time. Called Brasserie Beck at 11th & K Northwest. It is not a microbrewery, but it was sort of an odd beer focused restaurant.

The only way to describe it was that it was like one of the trendy wine bars except with beer. Food was fine and i am not a huge beer drinker so i probably didn't enjoy as much as others, but it was an interesting experience. They had a "beer menu" similar to a wine list that was a small 6 or 7 page book with different types of beer. Mostly seemed to be Belgian beer / French food.

The bar area seemed relatively active for around 7pm on a Wednesday.

They had just opened in April this year.

Anything from the Troegs (based in Harrisburg, PA). I only moved to DC last Friday, so I haven't had much time to really search for it yet...hopefully it's easier to get than I think! Their website indicates they distribute to Maryland and Virginia - so I guess I just need to figure out a place that stocks it.

If you aren't familiar with Troegs, their Dreamweaver Wheat is my favorite...and their seasonal selections are always great choices.

I had Troegs the one and only time I was ever in Harrisburg (2 years ago), but I had the Pilsner. From what I remember it was a pretty good beer. I think the Independance Pub (?) in PHL sells it as well, but I usually go for the milk stout when I'm there.

I lived a couple blocks from Independence Brewpub and enjoyed their great selection of hard to find beers. Gonna miss that place, but some of the suggestions on this thread have been really helpful.

I'm worried about Dominion now that they got bought out by the great evil "like sex in a canoe" American beer company. We'll see if the quality holds up.

The Sweetwater Tavern chain brews their own beers which are generally quite tasty as well.

I would second Sweetwater Tavern and also Gordon Koelsch in Tysons Corner, not sure if GK has an outlet anywhere in or nearer DC than Tysons.