As someone who is actually from the MD/DC/VA area (there are so few these days), there really aren't that many great breweries in the state. It is odd that a town like Fredrick has 3 different places. It is actually a great little town and if for some reason you have to live in the MD/DC/VA area, I highly suggest you check this town out. That is about all that the DC area has that is good for beer plus Hook & Ladder and maybe Shenandoah (but they are closing?) , and calling Fredrick the DC area is a stretch.
Grown up in Virginia all my life (McLean), just moved to Germantown, work in D.C. and my sister has lived in Frederick for 10 years. I think you maybe referring to just the dc metro area as not having good breweries? Cause there are a lot of brewpubs/beer serving establishments. Virginia had Old Dominion for years (recently partnered/bought by Fordham and Reside in Delaware) ad still has a tap house in ashburn, There is a new brewery -
Port City, in Alexandria. There are brewpubs like
Capitol City and
Rock Bottom also Dogfish Head Ale Houses. Lets move to Maryland for breweries now - Flying Dog (Frederick), Clipper City (formerly heavy seas in Baltimore), DuClaw, Fordham started as a brewpub in Annapolis, Ram's Head Tavern I beleive. Brewpubs are around Maryland as well, been to Pratt St Alehouse in Baltimore. MD has rock bottom chains and Barley and Hops is one in Frederick the OP didn't mention. Also, what DC lacks in Breweries, they do have a decent amount of restaurants/bars that provide a solid beer list: Biergarten Haus, Bier Baron, RFD, Churchkey etc.
So I would respectfully disagree that
That is about all that the DC area has that is good for beer plus
I will note that things have expanded the past 5-10 years. Port city started in the past like 6 months i think.
I will agree that Frederick is Great! And I am glad they have the beer presence that they do. Having breweries in local cities is great! I will probably try and visit this new place in Frederick, thanks for the heads up Fusorfodder