John_Peters

Recipes 

The Saloon on U-Street is located next to Ben's Chili Bowl between 13th and 12th is a must visit pub (its right across the street from the metro station). Great atmosphere (NO TV's and no loud music). The bar has 10 German beers on draft (Incl. Hefeweizen, Helles, Dunkles, Maibock, Oktoberfest, Pils) as well as about 30 different belgian bottles. I've been drinking at this bar once per week ever since I moved to the DC area and I love it.

BTW this it the only place in the USA where you can have Ur-Bock 23 on draft.

If you get tired of the Saloon, you can walk 1 block to the corner of 13th and U and visit Bar Marvin which has about 8-10 belgian brews on tap.

WDC

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+2 maybe 3 to John_Peters' Saloon reccomendation. I would also suggest Brasserie Beck Brasserie Beck, Washington, DC - Robert Wiedmaier for their killer selection of otherwise unavailable Belgian (some great sour beers).

Both those places are a ~25 minute walk from Dupont Circle or a cheap cab ride. If do you go to Pizzaria Paradiso go to the Georgetown location and get a seat at the down-stairs bar.

John_Peters

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I never knew about Brasserie Beck. I need to check it out.

WDC: Have you ever eaten there? IF o is the food any good?

WDC

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I sure have. I stick to the sandwiches and mussels but my friends are very happy when they go in for the entrees. It seems like, in general, the quality of the food in the city is a little lower than its price tag (RFD&Brickskeller) but I'm happy with the ratio at BB. And at the Saloon for that matter.

FYI: I have always needed to wait for a table when I've shown up at prime dinner hour. You could call ahead or just know that you'll drink the first beer standing up.

Same neighborhood: have you checked out Matchbox (wine/cocktails/pizza) down in Chinatown? Usually five or six solid beers on rotation and the pizza is excellent.

John_Peters

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Haven't been to Matchbox yet, but its on the list now. I have a group of friends coming to visit in December, so I'll have to hit that place while they're here.

I usually stick to the U-Street area when I go out, so I don't know much about places around Chinatown.

WDC

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Same problem, different neighborhood. I'm going to have to get up to U street and check out Bar Marvin.

John_Peters

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Marvin is worth a look. The beer is reasonably priced and they have 3 bars (2 upstairs and 1 downstairs), but the place is absolutely packed to the gills on thursday/friday nights. During the summer they have an open air bar on the roof and by about 11:00pm the entire place is standing room only.

kman6234

Recipes 

Just wanted to thank all of you for your recommendations. Unfortunately SWMBO pulled rank and we had to hangout with her family instead of sampling the local brews I'll keep all these in mind for next time I'm in D.C.

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Jane Street Brewhaus
Brew & Food Blog

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"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
-Dave Barry

WDC

Recipes 

Happens to the worst of us. At least there's a new brewery in NYC for you to explore.

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