Places I Have Visited in Search of Imbibable Bliss
as of December 3, 2011
Top 10 as rated on BeerPal
| Retailer Name | Category | Location | Rating | Date |
| KcLinger's Publik House | Pub | Etters, PA, USA | 4.5 | 9/30/2006 |
| RFD Washington | Pub | Washington, DC, USA | 4.2 | 7/5/2004 |
| Fat Heads Saloon | Pub | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 4 | 1/28/2007 |
| Ricks Wine & Gourmet | Beer Store | Alexandria , VA, USA | 4 | 12/4/2005 |
| Wynkoop Restaurant and Brewpub | Brewery | Denver, CO, USA | 4 | 5/24/2005 |
| KcLinger's Tavern | Pub | Hanover, PA, USA | 4 | 7/18/2004 |
| Swan, The | Pub | Enford, nr Pewsey, Wiltshire, England | 4 | 7/4/2004 |
| Sweetwater Tavern, Centreville | Brewery | Centreville, VA, USA | 3.9 | 1/28/2007 |
| Church Brew Works | Brewery | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 3.9 | 1/28/2007 |
| South Street Brewery | Brewery | Charlottesville, VA, USA | 3.9 | 3/25/2005 |
Comprehensive List of Venues
| Name | Description | First Visited |
| A Taste of India | Cutty Sark district of London, near Greenwich. | 2-Aug-09 |
| Appalachian Brewing Company | Pulled in off the highway for a late lunch and, of course, to sample the brews. Possibly because of the timing of my visit, I didn't have a real great time. Service was extremely slow, and my waiter was not all that up on his beer knowledge. The place is large and open, but because it was so empty in mid-afternoon, it just seemed desolate. Food was pretty average, and I didn't think much of the beer, either. I would be willing to go back again, because they deserve a fair shake and maybe I caught them at a bad time. But really, during a slow time, wouldn't you expect a bit more personal service? My server acted like he was too busy even though he only had 2 tables. | Y |
| Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Alexandria, VA | Ubiquitous. | 11-Nov-09 |
| Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Frederick, MD | Ubiquitous. | 11-Nov-09 |
| Ballard Market | Whole Foods-like store with an awesome beer selection. It's OK to break a 6-er or mix your own. | 20-Nov-05 |
| Barge Inn | This may be the only pub in the town of Honeystreet, Wiltshire, England. Situated right beside the K&O Canal, the Barge Inn caters to campers, hikers, and barge passengers. These days, the barge traffic is mainly vacationers, so the clientele is mainly itinerant tipplers and the kinds of folks who show up just after crop circles mysteriously appear. We stopped in for a refreshing pint after hiking along the canal. | 20-Jun-04 |
| Barley and Hops Grill and Microbrewery | 5473 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704-7275, Phone: 301-668-5555, Fax: 301-668-5550 | Y |
| Beertopia | 600 beers in stock. Omaha | 5-Dec-09 |
| Bilbo Baggins | 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. (703) 683-0300. Great intimate space on the ground floor for quiet conversations and a more open and lively dining room upstairs. Great beer selection. | Y |
| Birchmere | 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA 22305 (703) 549-7500 http://www.birchmere.com/ |
15-Nov-10 |
| Birreria Paradiso | Separate from Pizzeria Paradiso in the same way that ChurchKey
and Birch & Barley are separate. Georgetown 3282 M Street NW
202.337.1245 info@eatyourpizza.com
The basement Birreria is especially nice for enjoying the well-stocked, multi-tap bar. Room for 10 at the bar and 20 at tables. Where Sir Thor got his start. |
Y |
| Bistro du Coin | 1738 Connecticut Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20009 http://bistrotducoin.com/ Tél: 202 234 6969 - Fax: 202 234 6965. Bistrot du Coin opened its doors on Memorial Day of 2000 by Yannis Felix and Michel Verdon. The motto is "French, Fun and Friendly". Bistro means a Neighborhood restaurant where you can eat good food at a fair price. The origin of Bistrot is Russian. In Russian Bistrot means "Quick". That's why a guest can expect to get fast service. The color of a real Bistrot is pale yellow to brown (otherwise known as Bistre) because in French cafes the walls get dirty quickly from nicotine. Bistrot du Coin means a neighborhood Bistrot. Open 7 days a week, 364 days a year. Closed only on Labor day, the first Monday of September. |
Y |
| Blob's Park | http://blobspark.net/Home_Page.php, info@blobspark.net, Phone 410 799-7130, 8024 Max Blob's Park Rd, Jessup, MD 20794. Blob's Park in Jessup, MD, is a fun spot if you are looking for some polka music and German food and drink in a large, fest-test atmosphere. | 4-Dec-10 |
| Blue & Gray Brewing Co | 3321 Dill Smith St., Fredericksburg, VA 22408. (540) 538-2379. www.blueandgraybrewingco.com. Jeff Fitzpatrick | 29-Nov-03 |
| Blue Elephant | Hammersmith | 6-Aug-09 |
| Bogart's Restaurant & Jazz Club | 1903 W. Cary Street ∙ Richmond, VA 23220 ∙ (804) 353-9280 ∙Open 7 Days a Week 11:00am – 2:00am “Live music at Richmond’s best little speakeasy.” | Oct-96 |
| Bookbinder's Restaurant | (Out of business.) Columbia Firehouse Restaurant has opened in its place. |
Y |
| Brasserie 360 | 200 East 60th Street at 3rd Ave, NY, NY 10022, 212-688-8688 Price Range: $$ Moderate Cuisine: American Nouveau, French Profile: With its cheery decor, Brasserie 360 seems like just the thing for somewhat dreary intersection of Third Avenue and 60th Street. A new staircase connects the old ground-floor Yellowfingers space to the old second-story Contrapunto space. |
10-Apr-06 |
| Brasserie Beck | Sir Thor Cheston, formerly of Paradiso, is the Beer
Sommolier. http://www.beckdc.com. A contemporary Belgian Brasserie with an exhibition kitchen, an
oversized bar, and seating for 220 in a soaring urban space. 1101 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005, 202-408-1717. Dinner with Chris. Lunch with Ange. |
3-Jul-08 |
| Brew Moon | Honolulu | 20-Sep-04 |
| Brewer's Art | "The Brewer's Art is in a very old house in an old part of north central downtown. The main floor features a high-bar-stool-bar in front, a velvet-couchy fire-placey sitting room in the middle, and a linen-and-silver and old-estate-auction-furniture-and-statues dining room in the back. The walls are covered with bizarre paintings: the brewer's art. The basement is completely different. Kind of an opium den feel, more eerie and funky. If the main floor attracts philosophers and courtiers, the lower level is the hang out of art students and jazz musicians and kingpins of the underworld. And the beer, brewed on premises in a smallish 15 bbl brewhouse, is inventive and challenging. I remember only 4 or 5 beers available, but all good. It's the kind of place I would pick for a real celebration of beer. They have cuisine alla biere events now and again--I recommend it!" | Y |
| Brickskellar | (Out of Business, sold in Dec 2010, renamed Bier Baron.) "Located in the basement of an older brick hotel near Dupont Circle, the aptly named Brickskellar, a.k.a., the Brick, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the widest selection of bottled beers under one roof. Proprietor Dave Alexander keeps his coolers stocked with over 1000 different bottled beers at any time. The local homebrew club, Brewers United for Real Potables (BURP), holds meetings, tastings, and competitions here. This is also the site for the Smithsonian's Philosophy on Tap lecture series. The food is adequate, but nothing to brag about. For great beers AND great food, you'll need to try "BeerGuyDave"'s other establishment, RFD Washington. " | 20-Jun-84 |
| Brouwer's Café | 400 N 35 St, Seattle, WA
98103 In Fremont near 35th
& Phinney. (206) 267-BIER. http://www.brouwerscafe.com/bier.html It's easy to see why my brother practically lives here, this place is great! We sat at the bar, soaked up the atmosphere, and sipped some savory suds. Bartender Julie was a wealth of beer knowledge and just plain fun, and she squared me away with her recommendations (De Dolle, Skagit) from an extensive menu of 50 taps and 100 bottles. Built in a rennovated warehouse, the mood is warm wood, low lighting, open space, and exposed steel beams. Besides the bar stools, there are booths and tables, leather lounge chairs in the parlor, and more intimate seating in the balcony. The music was a funky jazzy mix played over a sweet sound system. The website proclaims this a brewer's paradise, but it's heaven for beer lovers of every level. |
21-Nov-05 |
| Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Times Square | 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, Ph: 212-391-7100, http://www.bubbagump.com/locations/new-york-city/. 30 locations internationally, starting from the first here on Times Square. Felt like we had a window on the world from our 2d floor perch. Fun, family-friendly atmosphere. My 13 yr old loves the movie and had a great time at this place. As for me, I enjoyed a fresh local Brooklyn Winter Ale--best of a very limited beer selection and served by a waiter who was not familiar with beer in general or this ale in particular. | 27-Nov-10 |
| Cannery Row Brewing Co. | Monterey, CA | 19-Jun-11 |
| Capital Ale House, Fredericksburg | 917 Caroline, Fredericksburg. Love the place, and it is where I go when I am looking for extreme or rare beers. Can be noisy in the evening, and the food is mediocre, but they have 60 taps, and none of them are Budmilloors. I don't think they have a childrens' menu. Dropped from S&P because it's a chain. | 28-Aug-11 |
| Capitol City Brewing Company, Arlington | "This is my favorite of (I think 5) Cap City sites. The brewmasters at each location have some freedom on what they brew, and I've always favored the Koelsch here. Plus, the Shirlington Village area of Arlington is basically a pedestrian zone, and you can get a nice table on the sidewalk and watch the world stroll by. Really nice food, too, and reasonably priced." (now brews for all locations) | Y |
| Capitol City Brewing Company, Massachusetts Ave | (Closed 16 Jul 2011) What's interesting about the Cap City Brewing venues (5 in greater Baltimore Washington area) is that they are operated as independent franchises. The head brewer at each location has lattitude about when and what to brew. As a result, they may each have different brews available at any time. That in itself is reason to try them all! The Mass Ave location has the choicest real estate, right across from Union Station near the Capitol in downtown. It has the nicest interior, too. Service is not quite as attentive or polite as in other Cap City venues, and the Kolsch at the Shirlington sight is superior. I definitely recommend Cap City when you are in DC! | Y |
| Captain's Cabin | London. | 20-Jun-04 |
| Castle & Ball | London. | 20-Jun-04 |
| Champp's, Pentagon Row | 1301 S Joyce St, Pentagon Row, Arlington, VA (703) 414-3601. Table in bar area for Happy Hour prices (half-off appetizers and $1-off pints). Waitress brought one person the wrong beer and was not aware of the difference. Sports bar, not a beer bar. | 7-May-07 |
| Church Brew Works | 3525 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15201. 412-688-8200. www.churchbrew.com. I came here for happy hour and stayed for dinner. Had a really nice time sitting at the bar, talking to Joe the barkeep, and chatting with other patrons. It was certainly strange walking into a church to get a beer. It seemed almost sacreligious to open the heavy wooden doors in the narthex and look straight down the aisle to the apse end of the church where, instead of the altar, you see the brew works. The seating area is filled with seats made from the old pews. I took a stool at the bar and ordered the 6-pack sampler for $4.75. Possibly because I was asking so many questions about the beer, or possibly because I was taking copious notes, Joe sent Bryan the brewer and Brant the manager around to say hello, so I got to meet them, too. Other patrons included the curious and the clueless, and plenty of regulars, many with families. "And on the 8th day, man created beer!" Great place. | 6-Nov-06 |
| Churchkey | Greg Engert from Rustico is the award-winning beer director of this trendy bar. 1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202.567.2576 Near the corner of 14th and Rhode Island. Metro: Mt Vernon Square / 7th St / Convention Center. http://www.churchkeydc.com/ At least 50 beers on tap in 7 broad style groups, plus 5 beers on cask, all served in the appropriate vessel and at the ideal temp (42, 48, or 54 deg F). Ten different types of glassware are used. If you wish to indulge a sense of curiosity, 4 oz sampler size glasses are also offered. I have never been there when there wasn't standing room only. Long and narrow, with tables, booths, high tops, bar stools, and lounge chairs in back. Yes, there's also food, but if you want food, dine in the restaurant downstairs. Churchkey is the mother of all beer emporiums. | 31-Oct-09 |
| City Grill | 10701 Balls Ford Rd, Manassas, VA 20109 | 13-Nov-10 |
| Class VI, Carlisle Barracks | Need a military ID to enjoy the limited selection and low, tax-free prices. | 27-Sep-06 |
| Class VI, Fort Belvoir | Need a military ID to enjoy the limited selection and low, tax-free prices. | Y |
| Class VI, Fort Eustis | Need a military ID to enjoy the limited selection and low, tax-free prices. | Y |
| Class VI, Fort Meyer | Need a military ID to enjoy the limited selection and low, tax-free prices. | Y |
| Class VI, NEX Monterey | Naval Postgraduate School | 21-Jun-11 |
| Class VI, Quantico | Need a military ID to enjoy the limited selection and low, tax-free prices. | Y |
| Coastal Extreme Brewing Co. | 307 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI, (401) 849-5232. | Y |
| Cock & Bowl | So, I am sitting outside on the terrace at the Cock & Bowl
in historic Occoquan. Nice music (French and English cabaret and lounge),
perfect weather, song birds, and few bugs (lightning bugs are delightful).
I'm enjoying some moules with spinach and bacon, accompanied by a 750 ml
bottle of McChouffe in the proper glass. Basically, you should be here, too.
Hurry up! 320 Poplar Alley, Occoquan, VA 22125, 703.494.1180, http://www.cockandbowl.com, Michael and Jacquie, les Patrons. Moules de Terre, Prince Edward Island blue mussels with spinach and bacon, and plenty of pepper and garlic. $14 McChouffe unfiltered dark beer is the "Scotch of the Ardennes." Strong fruit flavor and a hint of bitterness. 8% abv. $22.25 |
28-May-10 |
| Coddington Brewing Co. | 210 Coddington Highway, Middletown, RI, (401) 847-6690, www.newport-brewery.com. Came in for dinner and of course had to try the sampler of Coddington's brews. This is a small place, like a house in scale, and very intimate in setting. There were only a few tables, but our party of four was seated quickly and comfortably in pleasant if not luxurious surroundings. Service was polite and efficient, food was decent, and the beer was tasty. Worth a trip. | Y |
| Columbia Firehouse Restaurant, The | Alexandria, on the site of the former Bookbinders, Asaph St. Converted brick firestation offers a variety of seating options: nooks and crannies, small rooms, a long bar, and soaring spaces. | 9-Oct-09 |
| Cork & Bottle | Sand City, CA | 20-Jun-11 |
| Cove, The | While looking for a great spot from which to people-watch and savor a pint, we were drawn to this pub's balcony overlooking Covent Garden. Atmosphere is cozy and busy, decor is a nautical theme, and I even hit my head on a low door jamb--I mean, hatch opening. Great location, good selection of ales, prices are jacked up a bit, service is about what you'd expect with a transient clientele. But for a half hour, it was the finest place on earth. | 20-Jun-04 |
| Crecent Moon | Omaha | 5-Dec-09 |
| Dante's Down the Hatch | 3380 Peachtree NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 266-1600. Dante Stephenson. Fondue joint. | Y |
| DC Brau | DC. Brandon Skall, a wine guy, teamed up with Jeff Hancock, a brewer formerly with Flying Dog. Started brewing 17 Mar 2011 and opened for business on 15 April 2011. Hired Chris in June, a Seibel Institute grad to help with the brewing. | 16-Jul-11 |
| Dogfish Head Ale House, Gaithersburg | 800 W Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD (301) 963-4847 | 11-Oct-09 |
| Dogfish Head Brewery | Milton, DE Sammy Calagione | Y |
| Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats, Rehoboth, DE | "I love this spot for a lot of reasons. It has drawbacks,
yes: it's crowded, the wait staff is overworked, service is slow, prices are
a little high. But! In addition to awesome beer, some brewed right there in
their 5 bbl brew house, you can get superb wood oven baked pizza, outstanding
salads, and great desserts. You might catch brewer / owner Sam Calagione in
his alternate life as a musician. You could possible be tempted by some of
Sam's other beverages (rum and vodka, made on site). It's easy to see why the
local homebrew club meets at DFH B&E, and why I always go there when I'm
in the neighborhood (draw a big circle on the map!). " |
20-Aug-04 |
| Duke's | Honolulu | 20-Sep-04 |
| EatBar | 2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 703-778-9951 http://tallularestaurant.com/barandlounge.htm |
Y |
| Exchange, The | Sports bar, home of the ND of DC club | 31-Oct-09 |
| Fatheads | 1805 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. 412-431-7433. www.fatheads.com. I like this place and if I lived in PGH I'd hang out here. I parked across the street and ambled into the narrow, 2-story storefront for lunch and grabbed a seat in the smoking section because (a) the n-s wait was too long (b) no one was smoking anyway, and (c) the hostess was cute and I lost my mind. So from my vantage point I really had a good view of the operation: long bar with 42 taps, brick walls with large, hand painted beer logos and lables, high ceilings and exposed mechanical systems, tall blackboards with the day's selections, and a second floor shop selling beer to go and t-shirts and stuff. The food was great: huge portions, served quickly, and high quality considering the pub-fare menu. My server, Colecia, was very knowledgeable and helpful. Everywhere was music and laughter, the lunch crowd was fun. "Eat, Drink, Smile." Check it out. | 7-Nov-06 |
| Field, The | 544 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 www.thefield.com (619) 232-9842. Between Market Street and Island Ave in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Proprietors, Daniel & Enda Drayne | 22-Aug-06 |
| Founders Restaurant & Brewing Co. | (Out of business.) (Closed 2002) Alexandria, VA's finest. Problem with the name (see Founders Brewing). Bill Madden moved to Leesburg. Barbara Gerovac moved to California. Now a tappas bar. |
15-Sep-05 |
| Galaxy Hut | i'm a little tiny restaurant and bar in the clarendon section of arlington va. a guy named lary owns me, and he has many wonderful friends who work me. i am open from 5 pm until 2 am daily. i host live music every sunday and monday night. i am small and cozy. i have 20 taps of craft and imported beer you mostly don't see anywhere else, and around 30 bottled beers too. i don't serve liquor, but you don't care. i have pinball, ms. pac man, and galaga/space invaders cocktail arcade tables, a megatouch machine, and a jukebox. my house music and jukebox selections are all hand picked by lary, who is a total music snob and consists mostly of i guess what you'd call indie rock, electronic, and post-punk but labels are totally annoying, right? my food menu is very tasty, extremely vegetarian friendly and available 7 days per week until 11 pm. you have to be at least 21 years old to visit me. i am physically located at 2711 wilson boulevard, arlington va 22201. you can email lary at galaxyhut@gmail.com about stuff. call (703) 525-8646 if you have a quick question for the staff after 5 pm. | 29-Sep-10 |
| Glory Days, Aldie | 42010 Villiage Center Plaza, Aldie, VA 20105 | 13-Nov-10 |
| Glory Days, Dale City | Chain | Y |
| Glory Days, Lorton | Chain | Y |
| Glory Days, Springfield | Chain | Y |
| Golden Rail, The | 29 Old North Plank Road, Newburg, NY 12550 (845) 565-BEER (2337)
http://www.thegoldenrail.com/ Note: "Old" North Plank Road intersects North Plank Road--don't get lost like I did! A little sort of house-sized, barn-shaped building on the edge of town houses the Golden Rail. Around it, the grounds include ample parking, trees, and a kind of concrete pad, which could be used either for cookouts or maybe as a stage for Black Sabbath cover bands. Inside, the place is filled to capacity with foosball tables, pinball machines, and other, similar arcade games. Crowd is mid-twenties, and fairly calm. Barkeeper is untrained, but nice. I didn't drive back and forth on North Plank Road for half an hour for any of these things. No, I came for the local or craft-brewed beer that flows from 10 of the 15 taps in this marvelous little dive. Tommy, the barkeep with a baseball cap screwed on sideways, can't tell you what Ramstein Mai Bock is, or where it's brewed. He can't sell you a flight of tasters. But he can pull a mean pint, and he's got plenty of taphandles from which to choose. Several Brooklyn offerings sell well here, and in addition to the Ramstein, they also offer Golden Rail IPA, voted by Ale Street News one of the top 25 beers in America (well...). It's contract brewed, but Tommy was not sure what that meant, let alone with whom his manager contracts. Never mind, settle in to the Rail's English Pub atmosphere, ignore the couple of mandatory macro taps, and enjoy the local brewer's art. Or, choose from about 60 bottles, including some nice Belgian and German offerings. You might even want to try a house specialty--ice cold Jagermeister! |
22-Jun-05 |
| Gordon Biersch, Washington, DC | This restored bank in downtown Washington, DC, is a wonderful
setting for a classy brewpub. Marble
floors, wrought iron ballusters, a grand staircase, art deco light fixtures,
and Corinthian columns set an elegant tone.
But to my eye, the best part of the environment is the copper tanks on
display behind a glass wall in the far corner. Quite enticing. Conveniently located in the
heart of Washington, DC on F Street in the old Riggs Bank Building, this
architectural beauty displays the traditional elegance of the Capitol. The
restaurant can accommodate 460 guests with additional patio seating
available. Private banquet facilities are also available for 50-60 guests in
the upstairs dining room, with a smaller private room on the main floor
accommodating 30-35 persons. Full-restaurant banquets are also available
seating up to 400 persons. Address: 900 F Street NW Washington, DC 20004 Phone: 202-783-5454 Fax: 202-783-0404 |
Y |
| Grandpa's Growler: Casual Dining and Drinks | Grandpa's Growler: Casual Dining and Drinks. 398 North York St. Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 P: 717.766.0720, F: 717.591.9740. It's not easy to buy beer in Pennsylvania. I wondered all over Mechanicsburg before I found a sign advertising Beer To Go, and another touting Imports and Micros. I ambled in as the local Monday Night Football crowd was settling in with pre-game chicken wings and pitchers of Bud Light. The taps were predominantly unappealing macros, but I did find a couple coolers along a side wall. These contained some interesting imports and micros, along with six packs of the usual suspects. I selected a 4-pack of Sam Smith's Pale and left in time to catch the kickoff back in my hotel. The atmosphere was smoky, noisy, video trivia-y, mullet-y, and a tad too casual for my liking. The old guy (Grandpa?) who rang up my purchase never said one word to me, even after I asked for a business card. The high price of the 4-pack ($12) was insult added to injury. Beware. | 25-Sep-06 |
| Granville Moore's Brickyard | Chimay Happy Hour on Thursdays. 1238 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002. (202) 399-2546 | 18-Nov-11 |
| Growler's of Gaithersburg | 227 East Diamond Ave.
• Gaithersburg, Md •
301-519-9400 info@growlersbrew.com • www.growlersofgaithersburg.com The brew pub is in the heart of Old Town Gaithersburg, across from the old locomotive. Parking is plentiful. The brick exterior of the century-old building has a shiny coat of paint. Tall glass storefront windows, tin ceiling tiles, and an old-time bar give the place a saloon feel. I was pleased to see 8 taps and a beer engine. After a painfully slow start, service improved to satisfactory. The food was served quickly and exceeded expectations: the chori-burger was, indeed, rare, the pickles had a tasty cinnamon sauce, and the sweet potato fries were perfect. The beers were fine--adventurous in scope and craftsmanlike in execution. I watched sports on large screen TVs, but there are plenty of other diversions to enjoy: bands, comedy nights, etc. Growlers has a mug club for regular patrons. It's definitely worth dropping in Growlers when you are near Gaithersburg. |
23-Oct-11 |
| Growler's Pub | St Louis http://www.saucemagazine.com/growlerspub/ Creve Coeur 763 Old Ballas, 432-3110 Hall of Foam Royal Order of the Tasters |
Y |
| Hard Times Café, Woodbridge, VA | Scott Honeycutt - General Manager. 14389 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22193. 703-492-2950. Randy is the resident Beer Geek and genius behind packing 24 taps into what would otherwise be just another chili and beer joint-slash-pool hall. With at least 2 Belgians and at least a dozen local micros on tap, this is a slice of heaven in the neighborhood. Randy organizes 3 tastings per year: Spring, summer, and winter. He gets craft brewers from the region to talk about their products and then he conducts blind tastings for big prizes. Oh, and the chili is great. | 9-May-05 |
| Hawk 'n' Dove | Penn Ave, Wash, DC. Closed Oct 2011. | Y |
| Hawthorne Inn, The | In the Heart of Downtown Labadie 123 Front St. Labadie, MO 636 451 0004 |
25-Aug-06 |
| Heartland Brewery & Chophouse | Times Square, 127 W. 43rd St., 646.366.0235 | 27-Sep-10 |
| Heartland Brewery & Rotisserie | 350 5th Ave at 34th St, heartlandbrewery.com, 212-563-3433. Five locations in NYC. The one I visited is called Heartland Brewery & Rotisserie. To enter the restaurant, we had to break through the line of people waiting to get into the Empire State Building. Enjoyed the beers, and the atmosphere was nice, but the food was marginal, and the service, sad to say, was abysmal. | 9-Apr-06 |
| Hog's Breath | Carmel | 23-Jun-11 |
| Huber Haus | Omaha | 5-Dec-09 |
| Hy-Vee, Norfolk, NE | Paul Ignowski | 24-Jul-09 |
| Irelands Four Courts | 2051 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201, USA (703) 525-3600 http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com/ Irish pub: "The Home of Irish Hospitality." |
Y |
| John Harvards Brew House, DC | John Harvard's Brew House · Website · (202) 783-2739 1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW · Washington, DC |
Y |
| John's Pizzeria, Downtown | Bleecker Street Location Address: 831 3rd Avenue (51st/52nd Sts) Phone: 212-980-4315 Subway: 6 to 51st St; E/V to 53rd/Lex Whole pies only http://gonyc.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gonyc&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnspizzerianyc.com John's is, of course, a branch of John's of Bleecker Street, the historic pizzeria where the high quality is matched by the grumpiness of the service, illustrated by the brusque ''No Slices'' sign. No slices here, either, but service is pleasant, and of the three branches of John's in Manhattan, this one comes closest to matching the original's pizza. The beauty of John's pizza ($11 for a large plain) is its simplicity, unmarred by excess or exaggeration. The crust is thin and faintly smoky, just crisp enough to offer a delicate crunch, while the other ingredients are fine: creamy mozzarella, slightly spicy tomato sauce, crumbled fennel sausage from Faicco Pork Store in the Village. |
10-Apr-06 |
| John's Pizzeria, Midtown | 260 West 44th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues off Times
Square ) 212-391-7560 Midtown. Of all the new restaurants in the Times Square area, John's makes me the happiest. And best of all you don't have to wait for a seat as you do at John's downtown. |
12-Oct-09 |
| Jolly Roger Tap Room | A dozen tables off the street in a brightly lit room. Cheerful servers and happy patrons. In keeping with the pirate theme, there's a treasure map painted on the floor and pirate flags hanging in strategic locations. | 24-Nov-05 |
| KcLinger's Publick House | 895 Old Trail Road, Etters, PA 17319. | 29-Sep-06 |
| KcLingers Tavern | 304 Poplar St, Hanover, PA 17331. "You gotta love this place! Little out of the way, doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is well worth a road trip. I think they have about 50 different beers on tap, all totalled. There's at least 35 taps in the tavern, plus 30 on the first floor of the Pub, and another 25 in the lower level of the Pub. Then there's the bottles!! I had dinner and a couple pints while traveling between Northern Virginia and Central Pennsylvannia. I want to go back when I can stay longer (and drink more!). " | Y |
| Lee's Retreat | Adjacent to Blue & Gray brewery in Fredericksburg. Our choice for the inaugural S&P SIG session. Nice place, off to a good start. Decor is dark earth tones, brick and wood with high ceilings. Expect 4-5 Blue & Gray beers on tap: standards like American Pale, Red Ale, and Stout, seasonals like Oktoberfest, and perhaps a barrel aged imperial stout. Great value on good food, with a surprisingly varied and interesting menu. Food is a little higher crust. Well done, maybe not your kids' favorite. Service was cheerful and efficient. I had a 10 oz snifter of the 12 year imperial stout for $7 and a steak sandwich for $7. | 9-Oct-10 |
| Lennie's | Bloomington, IN's finest. Best part of this place was that it is within knee-walking distance from the dorm I stayed in during Walden's summer session. The food is fine, and the beers are quite good. I had plenty of options in Bloomy, and I was fortunate that my favorite was also the closest. | 20-Jul-02 |
| Lone Star Beverages | Address: 3065 N. Josey Ln #62, Carrollton, TX 75007. Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight, Sat 9am-1am, Sun 12pm-Midnight. (972) 395-0240. http://www.lonestarbeverages.com/. Located in the southwest corner of the Frankford-Josey intersection in Carrollton, Lone Star is a gleemingly new, brightly-lit strip mall storefront beer and wine shop. The management team are very welcoming and friendly. Floor space is split evenly between beer and wine. Two aisles of standard-run beers are on display, mostly in cases. The mix your own 6-er price is $8, which is steep given the mass-produced offerings. They use ratebeer shelf-talkers to help educate customers. This store's gems (see website) are stored in The Beer Cave, a 8 x 8 walk-in refrigerator with racks of bomber bottles, seasonal mixed case offerings, and specialty sixers. I was able to find a decent selection of imported and domestic beers from Belgium, Germany, Colorado, Missouri, California, Delaware, Washington, Oregon. And I got a 5% discount just because it was my first visit and I went straight to the cave. Check it out. | 21-Nov-07 |
| Mad Fox Brewery | 444 West Broad Street Suite I, Falls Church, VA 22046. There are entrances on West Broad Street / Route 7 and Pennsylvania Avenue to our free underground 326-space parking garage. (703) 942-6840. Easy to get to, plentiful parking, attentive waitstaff, good food, and very good beer in a family-friendly brewpub. Our waiter was not a beer expert. In fact, he got our beer order wrong and did not know how to distinguish between the different beers in the flight. The food was tasty, but clearly there are some timing issues. Ask about the stealth beer! | 22-Aug-10 |
| Mad Hatter Ale & Pie Co | London. | 20-Jun-04 |
| Manayunk Brewery | 4120 Main St. On the river. Largest outdoor Deck in the city. Great service. Great Food. Very good beer. | 28-Jul-10 |
| Maritime Pacific's Jolly Roger Taproom | Not surprisingly, Maritime Pacific's Jolly Roger Taproom, 1514 NW Leary Way, offers its dozen or so brews in a nautical atmosphere. Order up the beer-battered catfish, then check the "X" that marks the spot under your chair for buried treasure! | Y |
| Market Cross Pub | Carlisle, PA | Y |
| Marquess of Anglesey | London. | 20-Jun-04 |
| Marriott Crystal Gateway | Chain hotel bar serving uninspired beer selection. | 2-Nov-09 |
| Max & Joe's Belgian Beer Tavern | Omaha | 5-Dec-09 |
| McMenamin's Dad Watson's Brewpub | One of several McMenamin's pubs in the greater Seattle area. I took my family to Dad Watson's and caught a few sharp looks from my wife because of the laid back (Well, I liked it.) | 21-Nov-05 |
| Mechanicsburg Beverage Distributors (Drive Through) | Mechanicsburg Beverage Distributors (Drive Through) North York St (Rte 114) at Allen, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Well, can someone please explain Pennsylvania's beer laws to me? Or maybe let me explain why a beer hunter has a hard time in this state. See, beer is a good thing. Good beer is a really good thing. Variety is also good. A wide variety of really good beer is a really very good thing, for which people will pay money. This isn't rocket science. In this town, a beer hunter can only buy retail beer in a tavern (see Grandpa's Growler). This outfit is a wholesaler, and the concept is that one drives in through a garage door, stops in the middle of a warhouse, and places an order for cases (no six packs and definitely no singles). The warehouseman fills your order and collects your payment. You never even leave your car. Then you just drive on out. Selection was nothing out of the ordinary. Some east coast micros, a very few imports, mostly macros. What a concept. | 26-Sep-06 |
| Mike's American Grill | Mike's American Grill (703) 644-7100 6210 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22150 Cross Streets: Between VA-789 and Cumberland Ave greatamericanrestaurants.com |
Y |
| Mojitos Bar & Grill | 251 W. Lee Hwy #157, Warrenton, VA 20186 | 13-Nov-10 |
| Monk's Café & Beer Emporium | Philly's Phinest. | 13-Apr-06 |
| Moon Under Water | "We visited Moon Under Water in Soho on 23 Jun 2004. We picked this pub because it's listed in the Good Beer Guide and close to the theaters. I enjoyed a couple of pints of cask-conditioned ale with dinner before a play. The selection was great: 7 taps. Food was simple and fine, service pleasant and fairly quick. Not a place to linger, but a good enough place to get a quick meal and a couple great beers." | 23-Jun-04 |
| Moose McGillicutty's | Honolulu | 20-Sep-04 |
| National's Stadium | Watched the Nats beat the Mets with Mark. | 3-Jul-10 |
| Old Dominion Brewing Co. | (Out of business. Closed, Bought 2009 by
Coastal Brewing, moved to Delaware.) 44633 Guiliford Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147. (703) 724-9100. I have seen this place grow up a lot over the past few years. The best things about it keep getting better. Fortunately, they have not tracked the rise and fall of nearby World Com / MCI or AOL / Time / Warner, but instead have followed the rise and rise of rich and growing Loudon County. Near Dulles Int'l Airport, the Dulles Expo Center, and the National Conference Center, this little brewpub that could has a large and growing local fan base. With 30 offerings including seasonals tracking the brewers calendar, there's always something good on tap. Dominion hosts an annual and well-regarded brew festival, though I fear it is getting too big now. The brewery tours are the best I've seen: lots of personal attention to the guests, plenty of interaction with the staff, a real clean and smoothly running operation with 60 tanks, and plenty of free beer at the end. The pub is fun and lively, though 170 seats seems a bit small for the crowd and the white walls, large posters, shiny surfaces, and bright lights are a little to "techno" in decor for my taste. But I do like the big, U-shaped bar with 20 taps, and the decent pub fare. Whenever I pick up a guest at the airport, whenever I attend a conference at the NCC, whenever I hit the boat show at the Expo, whenever I just feel like a good time, Dominion is always right! |
28-Jun-03 |
| Old Salem Grill | 8366 West Main St., Marshall, VA 20115 | 13-Nov-10 |
| O'Malley's Pub | 540 Welt St, Weston, MO 816-640-5235 http://www.westonirish.com/home.html. "Located in the underground cellars of the Weston Brewing Company, O'Malley's Pub is without doubt one of the most unique pubs in all of America. With live Irish music every weekend, the three vaulted rooms provide a lively yet intimate atmosphere." Food selection is limited to a few Irish-flavored pub-grub staples like corned beef and cabbage. The beverage selection slants to Irish whiskey and mixed drinks. Even the beer list favors beer blends (both beer & beer varieties (black & tan) and beer & juice concoctions (snakebite, etc.)). I would prefer a variety of craft brewed beers over such novelties. The taps feature too many macros for my liking. Even Smithwicks, Harp, and Guinness are a tad predictable, yes? However, considering the source and the market (small Midwestern town), and the fact that other establishments have failed to capitalize on the location, I'd have to agree with the stay alive business plan. Here's hoping that enough enlightened rogues demand better beers, and that O'Malley's rises to meet that market! Leave the BMC to all the others, please. Best time to visit is for the live Irish music, when the little caverns rock! | Y |
| On the Border, Princeton | Mexican Grill and Cantina | 26-Jul-10 |
| Open City | Calvert St Café | Y |
| Pat O'Brien's | Been to Nawlins 3 times and 3 times I've been to Pat O'Brien's. It's one of those touch-stone establishments. Another is Cafe Du Monde for Chicory Coffee and beignets, but I digress... Pat O'Brien's is full of the Old New Orleans charm. The atmosphere is darkly festive, with torch-lit brick walls, slate floors, and dark wood. As you move into the central, open air patio, you see the main attraction: the flaming fountain. Forget the beers and have a Hurricane or two. You'll be back! | 28-Mar-81 |
| Pizza Port, Solana Beach | Right off historic Highway 101 north of La Jolla between Del Mar and Encinidas in the village of Solana Beach. One of the Best US Brewpubs, according to E. Harold "Howie" Corbin III, DC Beerian's self-proclaimed pickiest reviewer. | 19-Aug-06 |
| Pizzeria Orso, Falls Church | 4 taps and 6 or 8 bottles. I enjoyed a Southern Tier IPA with my cappricciosa. | 19-Mar-11 |
| Pizzeria Paradiso, Alexandria | 124 King Street. Opened in Nov 2010. Maxwell is the manager. | 19-Nov-10 |
| Pizzeria Paradiso, Dupont Circle | Dupont Circle 2029 P Street NW 202.223.1245 info@eatyourpizza.com | Y |
| Pizzeria Paradiso, Georgetown | Georgetown 3282 M Street NW 202.337.1245 info@eatyourpizza.com More dining room than the DuPont Circle restaurant and the basement Birreria is especially nice for enjoying the well-stocked, multi-tap bar. |
Y |
| Port City Brewing | Bill Butcher, 43, a wine guy, teamed up with Jonathan Reeves, brewer. 3950 Wheeler Avenue. Alexandria, VA 22304, (703) 732-9836. | 18-Feb-11 |
| Porter's | England | 20-Jun-04 |
| Post No Bills | 600 Ortiz Ave Sand City, CA 93955. GM is Paul Tye. | 23-Jun-11 |
| Pub @ Brother's Encore, The | Do not even think about it. My neighborhood may have many fine qualities, but sadly, a decent pub is still not one of them--despite this recent attempt to fill the void. I was excited when a little Irish Pub sign appeared, swinging in the strip mall breeze near Casa del Foam. I sang "Oh, Danny Boy!" as I ordered up a Guinness with lusty eagerness. But my hopes were dashed, and then beat down and stomped upon when, 10 minutes later, my young and untrained waitress returned with a mug, yes, a MUG of a dark substance which might possibly have been stout, or maybe root beer, but I couldn't tell because (a) "someone" poured it in the back room, out of my sight, (b) there was no head, but lots of big, gassy bubbles, and (c) the mug had not only been thoughtfully stored in the freezer, but even better, it had been put in the freezer wet, thus producing that wonderful frosty slush that BMC lovers love so well. I did not wait around for the ice to melt and for the substance in my mug to reach cellar temperature. I did not ask my waitress for any kind of explanation. I just put my money down and sadly, slowly walked away. | Y |
| Public House No. 7 Tap Room & English Pub | 6315 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044 | 703-942-6383 | http://publichouseno7.com/ On Route 7 in the 7 Corners area of Falls Church, Virginia. General Manager Patrick Blakely will tap a fresh firkin of Loose Cannon Hop3 IPA, especially prepared for him, with locally-grown hops, by the Heavy Seas Brewing Company of Baltimore, Maryland. Met owner Mark and bartender Dennis and patron Moira. Mark is a hip Brit from the North Country who wears a hoop earring and drives a nice Jag. TWA #17 was a nice tribute to MJ with Steak & Stout Pie and all the Cask-Conditioned Loose Cannon we could drink. | 31-Mar-11 |
| QFC (Quality Food Centers) | Value grocery chain with a decent beer selection and a liberal policy toward mixing sixpacks. No mark-up off the six-pack price. | 18-Nov-05 |
| Ram's Head Tavern, Annapolis | I go for the Fordham's beers and the nice Bier Garten, but inside seating is also nice. You can also see some great concerts here in their 200-seat venue, and they offer a package deal: free parking, dinner, the show, and an after-show beer. Service can be spotty, but if your waiter gets swamped, others pitch in. Selection is great--Six regular Fordham beers plus rotating seasonals and guest taps, and a good selection of international bottles. Much more than pub fare on the menu, all excellent. The prices are reasonable for downtown, historic Annapolis. This is well worth the visit! | Y |
| Ray's Boathouse and Café | 6049 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107-2690. www.rays.com. Boathouse Restaurant: 206-789-3770. Café: 206-789-0094. | 24-Nov-05 |
| RFD Washington | "My favorite bar in the world: prime location, outstanding beverage selection, great food and service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Here's the story: Brickskellar proprietor Dave Alexander wasn't satisfied with merely having the biggest selection of bottled beers on the planet. He wanted a venue for his wife Diane's creative talent in the kitchen (she's a French-trained chef) and a place to focus on pairing regional food and drink. So they acquired a bar on 7th Street, with two kitchens, front and back dining rooms, and a central outdoor "beer garden" courtyard. Here is where Cusine ala Biere events are held. Also, the Smithsonian holds its annual Beer Gazetteer in RFD's back room. The Lupulin Slam was invented here (East Coast barely beat the West Coast in the inaugural event.) RFD Washington is your favorite pub, sports bar, beer garden, and restaurant rolled into one!" | 7-Jul-03 |
| Rick's Boatyard Café | Lunch with Mary | 17-Jul-10 |
| Rick's Wine & Gourmet | Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. New home of FoamDome's "Phone Home!" Kick a Killer Case Club! You know how you walk in to most wine shops on Saturday and you see all the wine tastings going on and you ask yourself, "Self ('cause that's what you call yourself), why don't I ever see anybody hosting a [b]beer[/b] tasting? If I ran this place, I'd let people try some of these yummy beers!" Well, ponder no longer. Get yourself over to Rick's on Saturdays for the tastiest tastings in town. Selection is outstanding for such a small place. In fact, because it's sorta small, they have to focus on quality. But equally impressive is the value, as they offer much better pricing than other specialty stores. The thing that really puts Rick above all others, though, is service. The crew at Rick's understands craft brewed beer, and the search for brewed Nirvana. Our mixed case club has found a new home in a beer-lover's haven. | 4-Dec-05 |
| River Street Ale House | 1575 River Road, Pittston. Bit of a dive, but Sandi said it was cool so I figured i'd try it. Not a brewpub. Philly Cheese steak was OK. Beers good, service pretty good. | 24-Jul-10 |
| Rock Bottom, Denver | Rock Bottom Brewery 1001 16th Street Denver, CO 80265 (303) 534-7616 This is the original in the popular and rapidly growing Rock Bottom chain. |
26-Oct-04 |
| Rock Bottom, Minneapolis Airport | Dinner at the airport while making a connection. | 21-Jul-10 |
| Rock Bottom, Omaha | Omaha | 3-Dec-09 |
| Rock N Roll Hotel | Rock N Roll Hotel – Washington, 1353 H Street NE, Washington, DC, USA 20002, (202) 388-ROCK, http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com | 2-Dec-11 |
| Rose & Crown, The | England | 20-Jun-04 |
| Rustico Restaurant and Bar, Alexandria | 827 Slaters Lane, Alex, VA 22314, 703.224.5051, www.rusticorestaurant.com. Took my California cousin here for a taste of DC. Billed as a neighborhood pub, all I can say is, "I am ready to move to this neighborhood!" Brick building on a corner lot with an inviting entry. The hostess stand is covered in bottle caps (which gives me a few ideas for what to do with some of mine). The first thing you notice is the floor to ceiling mosaic comprised of bright bits of ceramic and glass arranged to look like a sunny day. 30 taps, about 300 bottles, great food, and knowledgeable staff. Kegs include at least one cask (Victory Hop Devil was offered on this occasion). They only serve the featured beer in imperial pint glasses, but 20, 16 and 10 oz glasses are available for the other selections. The food is top-notch. I've been back twice and always had cheerful and courteous service. Highly recommended! | 4-Aug-06 |
| Salt Creek Grille, Princeton | One Rockingham Row, Princeton, NJ 08540. 609-419-4200. Dinner with Prof Spencer | 11-Jan-07 |
| San Luis Valley Brewing Co | www.slvbrewco.com, 631 Main, Alamosa, CO 81101, 719-587-BEER. Nice venue. Decent food. Sub-par beer. Lack of competition and a depressed economy do not bode well for this place. | 10-Jun-09 |
| Schlafly Tap Room, The | 2100 Locust Street, St Louis, MO 63103. (314) 241-BEER. I visited the Tap Room for the second time during a Dec 2004 visit to St Louis. As it happened, they were celebrating their 13th Anniversary. I noticed that their 15bbl brewhouse had been fairly productive during that time, since Batch 2954 was in production. So, they are cranking out around 225-230 batches of lager, heifeweizen, pilsner, stout, and pale ale per year. Atmosphere is brewpub casual in the bar area, comfy if a little sparse in the upstairs overflow area, and decent in the restaurant portion. The not intolerable wait for our food was mitigated by a flight of 6 samples of good to very good beer. The food is just average, with a very mediocre salad balanced by a nice beer cheese soup. Our waitress was not too up on beer knowledge, but was otherwise pleasant. I will keep returning, but my eyes are open and looking for options. The Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust Street, offers a wide range of food, from white cheddar and beer soup with a shot of pale ale to an indescribably delicious sticky toffee pudding. Built in 1902, the brewery's buildings once housed printing presses. | 20-Dec-04 |
| Schneiders of Capitol Hill | http://www.cellar.com/ | Y |
| Selin's Grove Brewery | Selin's Grove, PA. Basement bar is cool. I had a chipotle turkey wrap with apple slaw, a 4 x 4 oz sampler, and a gallon of water. So nice! Sara is efficient but lacks people skills. Would have preferred Brett. | 23-Jul-10 |
| Serious Pizza | 2807 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226, Neighborhood: Deep Ellum, (214) 761-9999, www.seriouspizza.net | 22-Nov-11 |
| Shenandoah Brewing Company and BoP | (Closed June 2011--possibly being revived?) 652 South Pickett
Street Alexandria, VA 22304 USA 703-823-9508 http://www.shenandoahbrewing.com/ Anning and Laura Smith run a brewery, brew-pub, and the only brew-on-premises place for miles around. |
1-Jun-01 |
| Sine Irish Pub | Sine Irish Pub 1301 South Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 PHONE: (703) 415-4420 Sine Irish Pub, situated in Arlington's Pentagon Row complex, is an outpost of the popular Richmond hangout of the same name. Sine (pronounced shin-ay) means "This is it." This brewpub has the features to support such a claim: great location on the Metro (Blue line, Pentagon City); a solid beer selection with 15 taps; rich decor and three levels of comfortable seating; a large fireplace in the rear; and an interesting menu featuring an eclectic mix of traditional Irish and modern American fare. There are so many things I like about this place. Take the beer selection for starters: Beamish Irish Stout and Newcastle Brown Ale, along with the usual Guinness, Smithwick's, Bass and Harp. And the food: it ranges from the predictable (shepherd's pie, fish & chips) to the sublime (mahi mahi with red pepper, shrimp and grits in a creme sauce, or pecan-encrusted chicken breast). And then there's the classy decor (high ceilings, wood, brick, stone, and dark earth tones. No gaudy Irish beer ads!) The seating options are great, everything from patio to fireside to barside to private booths to benches. The service is uniformly comodius, even during the busiest of times. So, regardless of your mood, Sine is the place to go and have a pint and read, talk, or catch some live Irish music by the fireplace. |
Y |
| Smith Commons | Coming soon (Dec 21). 1245 H St. NE. Opening at 5:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday, the menu will feature internationally-inspired comfort food and an extensive list of craft beers, fine wine and unique cocktails. Belgian-trained chefs, 40 beers to be offered (draft and bottle, some permanent and others seasonal). http://www.smithcommonsdc.com/ | 18-Nov-11 |
| South Street Brewing | 106 South Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902, just off downtown mall. 434-293-6550. I could get comfortable at a place like South Street. Fantastic food, knowledgeable wait-staff, brewers with an attitude, great crowd (even though UVa lost the basketball game to Maryland, the post-game crowd was, if not raucous, at least festive.) And the beer! Inventive recipies, intriguing names, beguiling flavors. They tap a keg or cask every Monday at South Street. Be there! | 19-Feb-05 |
| St. George Brewing Company | Hampton, Virginia: @StGeorgeBrewery 204 Challenger Way, Hampton, VA 23666. (757) 865-7781. It's a lot of fun to visit with local brewers when you're traveling. Brewers are some of the most interesting people you'll meet, and by and large, they love to show you around. St. George features a small-scale brewhouse focusing on British-style ales. As I was passing through Hampton, I called the brewery on a whim. Got directions and an invitation to stop by for a tour. Found the brewery easily, and walked on in. Got a personal tour, conducted by the owner / president and retired Air Force officer Bill Spence. After answering a few hundred questions, Bill took me into the bar / tasting room, where we settled in for a small sample. It was a pleasant hour of beer education and camaraderie. | 2-Aug-04 |
| Starr Hill Restaurant and Brewery | Crozet, Virginia: @StarrHill 709 West Main St,
Charlottesville, VA 22903, between
downtown mall and UVa campus. 434-977-0017. A good brewpub, featuring live
music on Thurs nights. Has the feel of a college hang out, except in place of
cheap swill you can get well-crafted and reasonably priced award-winning
brew. I liked the comfortable atmosphere, and the food was, if not
remarkable, at least enjoyable. I was not overly impressed with the beer--the
best beer I tried at Starr Hill was not made by Starr Hill. However, I give
them credit for bracketing their house-brewed options with Amstel Light (if
you must serve light lager at all, I guess this is a decent choice) and on
the heavy side, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot--obviously going for the power drinker.
Knowledge of beer and brewing is apparently not a requirement to serve the
stuff at Starr Hill, as our server really struggled to come up with a
description of barleywine. Live music on Thurs nights--great time to
visit! With a music hall located on the second floor, Starr Hill Restaurant and Brewery, 709 West Main Street, is a one-stop venue for live music, tasty food, and award-winning beers. The brewmaster’s beer and food pairings include Amber Ale with a grilled pork chop. Mark Thompson, brewer. |
18-Feb-05 |
| Steamer's Seafood Café | Had my first Pike's Pale here. | 24-Nov-05 |
| Sun Inn | England | 20-Jun-04 |
| Swan, The | "Looks like an old, thatched-roof house from the outside. Has a smoky, oak beam and fireplace living room feel on the inside. The remarkable thing about this pub is that the local folks own it as a co-op. According to Steve, an Enford resident and Swan regular, the pub once was a tied house for a regional brewery. When the brewery decided to close the pub and sell the property as a house, the local folks pooled their money and ransomed their beloved pub. You won't find a more pleasant place to quaff a few of Wiltshire's many fine ales. " | 18-Jun-04 |
| Sweetwater Tavern, Centreville | 14250 Sweetwater Lane, Centreville, VA 20121 703-449-1100. www.greatamericanrestaurants.com. Nick Funnell, brewmeister, Jonathan Reeves, Greg Gerovac, brewers. About 35 beers on the menu, 5 of which are on tap at any given time. A flight of five 8 oz pilsner glasses is only $7. Great food. I had the cajun trout and loved it. The beef tips are also recommended. Great southwestern atmosphere: wide-open dining space, earth-tone decor, cowboy themed art and slogans. "It's never too late to be a cowboy", and "Life ain't certain, ride your best horse first." Service was outstanding, from the moment we walked in the front door, we were in good hands: courteous, cheerful, knowledgeable, and attentive. I got a kick out of the beer names: Buffalo's Tooth Old Ale; Kokepelli IPA; Flying Armadillo Porter; Roadkill Barleywine; Crazy Jackass Ale; and Ghost Town Pumpkin Ale were among favorites. Music complemented the atmosphere. One of the Best US Brewpubs, according to E. Harold "Howie" Corbin III, DC Beerian's self-proclaimed pickiest reviewer. "Gotta support the home team," he added. | 25-Jul-06 |
| Tavern on the Green | Central Park | 10-Apr-06 |
| Terrapin Brewing Co | 265 Newton Bridge Rd, Athens, GA (706) 549-3377. Tours 5:30-7:30 | 4-Apr-09 |
| Thalia | http://www.restaurantthalia.com/. Just missed the dollar oysters but had the stout anyway with some polenta and mushrooms with trouffle sauce. | 27-Sep-10 |
| Times Square Brewing | Times Square | 10-Apr-06 |
| Titchfield Mill, The | England | 9-Aug-09 |
| Total Wine & More, Fredericksburg | Fredericksburg, VA | Y |
| Total Wine & More, Manassas | Manassas, VA. | Y |
| Total Wine & More, Springfield | Scott Keys is the manager of the Springfield, VA store and his helpful personality and deep knowledge of beer and wine set the tone for this wonderful warehouse. I fell for this place hard. It's like a toy store for adults. You walk in the door, and it's like a Home Depot with shelves going back as far as the eye can see, all stocked with beer, beer, and more beer. Oh, yeah, if you look to your left, there's also some wine. So follow me to the right and the wild and wonderful world of beer, including a great selection of singles from around the world. TW&M was the first home of FoamDome's "Phone Home!" Kick a Killer Case Club. In fact, the high prices for singles was really the spark that ignited the club. They have generic six pack carriers, and you can cruise the lineup of singles from round the world for your own custom gift-pack. They have weekly wine tastings, but no beer tastings. | 1-Aug-00 |
| Trapeeze | Washington & Hull, Athens | 4-Apr-09 |
| Triumph Brewing Company, New Hope | 400 Union Square, New Hope, Pennsylvania. | 30-Jul-10 |
| Triumph Brewing Company, Princeton | 138 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA, (609) 924-7855,
http://www.triumphbrew.com Dear Mr. Doane, We can offer brewery tours to groups by pre-arrangement, or semi-spontaneously on Saturday afternoons at one and three o'clock. In either case a call ahead (609-924-7855) will smooth the way. Tom Stevenson, Brewer, Triumph Brewing Company of Princeton, 609-924-3643, Tstevenson@triumphbrew.com Cool website. Tom, the brewer, answered my email about tours and gave me some info about the beers, which set a positive tone from jump. Entering off Nassau street, across from the university, one descends a long, black ramp, down a level at wheelchair slope. Brightly colored posters and framed newsclips adorn the walls. I like the logo and the t-shirts the staff wear. All the staff seemed pleasant, playful, and fairly knowledgeable. I was shown a nice, relatively quiet table in a side alcove after scoping out the balcony overlooking the long bar and the booths in the back. The shape of the space is interesting and varied, and the walls are covered with locally made art. The low lighting, soft music, and comfy furniture are suitable for a conversation or a quiet read. One detractor--the floor was filthy, to the extent that it caught my eye and is worth mentioning. The food menu looks good, but the quality is so-so, and the presentation is poor. What does it say when the best item on your sandwich platter is the pickle? The kettle chips were greasy, the panini was not pressed and the contents were swimming in mayo. Beers were much better. They've garnered a couple GABF medals, and growlers are available. The Bitter is nice. Check it out. |
10-Jan-07 |
| Tryst Coffeehouse * Bar * Lounge | Tryst Coffeehouse * Bar * Lounge 2459 18th Street NW . Washington, DC 20009 202-232-5500 http://www.trystdc.com/ |
18-Apr-10 |
| Tunnicliff's Tavern | 12-Nov-11 | |
| Turf, The | Oxford, England. | 10-Aug-09 |
| Tuscarora Mill American Restaurant and Café | Tuscarora Mill, 203 Harrison St, Leesburg, VA 20175-3702. (703) 771-9300. Tuskies is built into an old mill, so you get lots of level changes, nooks & crannies, and interesting views. You can find an open table for 8 or a really private table for 2--or anything in-between. The atmosphere is crystal, linen, china, and silver--but not stuffy in the least. Casual class. The service is great and so's the food. The beer scene is outstanding, not so much from the selection as from the attitude. There are only about a half dozen taps and a couple dozen bottles available, but Tuskies also attracts some of the biggest names in brewing for beer tastings, beer and food pairing seminars, and cuisine ala biere dinners. | 30-Dec-04 |
| U Fleků | Pivovar a Restaurace "U Fleků" Křemencova 11 Praha 1 110 00 +420 224 934 019-20 500+ years of awesome black beer! We were in Prague for the marathon in May 2000. What better way to cool your heels and restore your carbs than sitting in the walled and ivy-covered beer garden in the old part of the city, surrounded by international clientele, and enjoying the pleasures of the brewer's art. Exceptional beer and food, gracious hospitality, reasonable prices, even impromptu singing of various national anthems and folk songs! |
20-May-00 |
| Upstream Brewing Company, Legacy | Legacy at 171th & Center, Omaha | 5-Dec-09 |
| Upstream Brewing Company, Old Market | 402-344-0200. Located in Omaha’s Old Market district, Upstream Brewing Company, 514 South 11th Street, occupies a renovated turn-of-the-century firehouse. Its award-winning beers are paired with dishes such as beer-braised pot roast and blonde ale soup. Zac is the brewer. Tracy, my server, was nice and knowledgeable. Nice remodel job. Beautiful 15 bbl brewhouse on display. | 23-Jul-09 |
| Vincenzo's | Old Market, Omaha. Cousin's Reunion | 17-Jul-10 |
| Virginia Brewing Co | King Street, Old Town, Alexandria. Bought by Bill Madden in 2000 and converted to Founders for a couple years. | Y |
| VRG Vintage 50 Restaurant and Brew Lounge | Vintage 50 is the flagship of the Vintage Restaurant Group. 50 Catoctin Cir. NE #100, Leesburg, VA, Phone: (703) 777-2169. http://www.vintage50.com/. After Cap City and Founders, and before Mad Fox. Bill Madden's upscale restaurant, brewery, and beer lounge. Brew Master Kristi Mathews Griner graduated from Hops to join the V50 crew. The brewpub uses a 10 barrel brewhouse. | 8-Oct-11 |
| Wegman's, Fairfax | Wegmans - Fairfax - www.wegmans.com 11620 Monument Dr, Fairfax - (703) 653-1600 "Possibly the best pizza in fairfax." |
Y |
| Wegman's, Woodbridge | Wegmans - www.wegmans.com 14801 Dining Way, Woodbridge - (703) 763-5500 |
Y |
| Whole Foods Market, Clarendon | Across from Galaxy Hut. The Detour keg kicked, so the barmaid referred me to the Whole Foods across the street. Nice! | 29-Sep-10 |
| Whole Foods Market, Fairfax | Chain | Y |
| Whole Foods Market, Old Town Alex | Chain. Jim Dorsch is the beer expert here. | Y |
| Williamsburg Brewing Co | Williamsburg, VA. Hugh Burns | 5-Feb-02 |
| World Market, Alexandria | 5954 Kingstowne Towne Center Alexandria, VA 22315 USA (703) 922-9500 http://www.costplus.com/index.htm The advantage of shopping here for your fine beverages goes beyond the fact that the buyers focus on the world's best brews and offer them for sale at very reasonable prices--which in and of itself is a great reason to shop here! But consider this--after loading up your cart with outstanding beers, you can then select some fine chocolate, coffee, wine, and cheese. You can't get it all here, but you can get the best here. |
25-Mar-05 |
| Wynkoop Restaurant and Brewpub | Wynkoop Brewing Company, 1634 18th Street, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 297-2700 Colorado’s oldest brewpub, Wynkoop Brewing Company was founded in 1988 by John Hickenlooper, who is credited with helping to revitalize lower downtown Denver. In 2003 he was elected mayor of Denver. Wynkoop is located across from Union Station in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) section of Denver. The renovated 19th Century three-story brick building features tin ceiling tiles on the oaky-smoky first floor. There’s a theater in the basement, and a dozen 750 gal fermenters. Upstairs, they have a dozen pool tables and a half dozen TVs tuned to sports events in the third floor bar. 20 oz pints were only $3, and a set of 5 oz samplers was only a buck apiece for all 12. Knowledgeable staff, nice music, could talk and enjoy the brew. After he finished his shift, our waiter went upstairs for a pint with friends. That’s a powerful endorsement. |
24-Oct-04 |
| Zocalo Grill | 2444 San Diego Ave, Old Town San Diego. California cuisine. | 21-Aug-06 |