Washington DC
From 50-tap temples to neighborhood breweries, the 13 spots every beer lover visits.
Logan Circle · $$$
The definitive DC craft beer bar. 550 beers available, 50 draft lines rotating constantly. ChurchKey's beer program is obsessive. Come for the IPAs, stay for the Belgian imports and rare kegs. Best on Thursday evenings when the beer crowd rolls in.
Shaw · $$
DC's beloved neighborhood brewery. Right Proper makes excellent IPAs and sessionable pale ales that locals return for weekly. The food menu is the best of any brewpub in the city. Go on Saturday afternoon for the full experience. For a farm-to-table take on DC craft beer, also see Bidwell at Union Market.
Navy Yard · $$$
20,000 square feet of brewing innovation. Bluejacket's experimental program produces everything from traditional German lagers to avant-garde sours. The space is an industrial masterpiece. Visit Wednesday through Saturday when the kitchen is open.
Northeast DC · $$
DC's first production brewery since Prohibition brought craft back to the city. DC Brau's lineup is approachable and well-executed, from their flagship Corruption IPA to seasonal releases. The taproom attracts a genuine crowd of neighborhood regulars.
Ivy City · $$
Community-focused brewery and taproom in Ivy City's emerging beer district. Atlas runs a tight ship with seasonal specialties and a rotating cast of guest brews. The outdoor beer garden is perfect for Sunday afternoons with friends.
NoMa · $$
An LGBTQ owned NoMa taproom with 24 tap lines and house beers brewed on site. The cavernous 7,000 square foot room runs from clean lagers to hop forward ales, with guest pours and cider rounding out the board. Long communal tables and a welcoming crowd make it a natural group spot a block from the NoMa Gallaudet Metro.
Petworth · $$
Belgian-influenced brewing house with experimental batches that push boundaries. Three Stars treats beer as art, rotating their lineup frequently. Visit on Friday when the space is most lively, or quiet Tuesday evenings if you want to talk beer with the brewers.
Silver Spring · $$
Just across the DC line in Silver Spring, Denizens runs an exceptional sour program. Their tart and funky brews are unlike anything else in the region. Wednesday through Friday are the best times to visit when house sours are freshest.
Multiple locations · $$
Bottle shop plus taproom hybrid that specializes in rare finds. HalfTime's inventory rotates constantly with hard-to-find imports and limited releases. The staff knows beer intimately. Go for specific hunting missions or Friday afternoon browsing.
H Street · $$
American craft spirits and beer meet at this lively corner bar. Hops and Shine takes both seriously, with thoughtful selections and knowledgeable bartenders. The cocktails are excellent too. Visit Thursday through Saturday for the full H Street energy.
Columbia Heights · $$
24 craft taps and an excellent burger menu that matches the beer selection. Meridian Pint attracts serious beer people without the pretension. The space is bright and welcoming. Go on Thursday or Friday when regulars fill the bar.
Shaw · $$
Outdoor biergarten with German-style approach to DC craft favorites. Dacha features hearty food and a relaxed vibe that encourages lingering. The communal tables foster conversation. Visit on warm evenings for the best experience.
Capitol Hill · $$
Neighborhood craft beer haven with rotating guest taps. Lost and Found feels like your local should, unpretentious and focused on quality. The bartenders are passionate about beer education. Go Tuesday through Thursday for a quieter experience.
The craft beer epicenter. ChurchKey's 50 taps and 550-beer menu set the standard here. Logan Circle attracts beer pilgrims from across the region.
Neighborhood brewery heartland. Right Proper and Dacha anchor the area, while smaller spots offer experimental releases. Shaw is where locals actually drink.
Industrial brewing district. Bluejacket's experimental program and Atlas's community focus define the area. Go for serious beer, stay for the atmosphere.
Emerging craft scene. Hops and Shine and Meridian Pint represent the new generation of beer bars. Both neighborhoods are becoming destinations in their own right.
Washington DC's craft beer renaissance started just 15 years ago. Before Right Proper and DC Brau opened, the city had zero production breweries. Today, more than 12 breweries operate within city limits, with another dozen in the surrounding region.
The four-step process our editors use to evaluate craft beer. Learn to taste what brewers intended.
Why funky, tart beers became mainstream. A look at the brewers leading the sour revolution.
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DC's beloved neighborhood brewery. Right Proper makes excellent IPAs and sessionable pale ales that locals return for weekly. The food menu is the best of any brewpub in the city. Go on Saturday afternoon for the full experience. For a farm-to-table take on DC craft beer, also see Bidwell at Union Market.
20,000 square feet of brewing innovation. Bluejacket's experimental program produces everything from traditional German lagers to avant-garde sours. The space is an industrial masterpiece. Visit Wednesday through Saturday when the kitchen is open.
DC's first production brewery since Prohibition brought craft back to the city. DC Brau's lineup is approachable and well-executed, from their flagship Corruption IPA to seasonal releases. The taproom attracts a genuine crowd of neighborhood regulars.
Independent editorial, 3,600+ bars across 72 cities, rigorously tested.
Looking beyond Washington Dc? See our guide to the best craft beer bars worldwide, or compare craft beer bars city by city. Or find craft beer bars near you.