Believe it or not, Washington, D.C.’s craft beer scene hasn’t garnered the same national attention that some nearby cities have earned over the past decade. Despite being home to some of the oldest established craft beer brands on the East Coast and myriad up-and-coming craft beer makers, DC breweries for the most part remain a local secret. Sorry, DC folks, but we’re about to blow the lid.
DC breweries continue to grow in number and quality. Some large craft beer brands have even chosen The District as a new home for expansion taprooms (we’ll get to that later), cementing DC’s status as a craft beer hub.
We’re breaking down 10 of our favorite breweries in DC, with a few breweries in NoVa and Southern Maryland sprinkled in. From the best brewery for variety to the best taproom near Nationals Park and everything in between, here are the 10 best DC breweries to grab a pint.
Jump to:
Best Brewery in Downtown D.C.
Best Brewery Near Nationals Park
Best Sustainable Craft Beer Bar
Best Brewery in Alexandria
Best Brewery in Arlington
Best Brewery with Food
Best Brewery for Limited Release Beer
Best Dog-friendly Brewery
Best Cider House in D.C.
Best Brewery for Variety
Other Breweries and Craft Beer Bars in the D.C. Area
D.C. Brewery Map
1. Red Bear Brewing Co.
Best Brewery in Downtown D.C.
When Red Bear Brewing Co. searched for a D.C. home in 2017 it was all about location, location, location; and sure enough this brewery found the perfect spot in the hip neighborhood of NoMa (North of Massachusetts Ave). With its convenient location, a lineup of flavorful, house-made beers, and a calendar full of fun events, Red Bear is a must visit on any D.C. itinerary.
209 M St. NE, D.C. | www.redbear.beer
2. Atlas Brew Works
Best Brewery Near Nationals Park
Nationals Park is one of the best ballparks in America and a Washington Nationals game is definitely worth your time. If you want to enjoy some great beer before the first pitch, look no further than Atlas Brew Works in the Navy Yards neighborhood.
Atlas Brew Works is one of the best breweries in DC for variety. The DC brewery (with two locations) consistently offers a massive selection of fine craft beers, running the gamut from session ales to Bavarian beers.
1201 Half St. SE, D.C. | www.atlasbrewworks.com
Read also: 11 Best Bars Near Capital One Arena
3. Brookland Pint
Best Sustainable Craft Beer Bar
Enjoy a pint or two at Brookland Pint knowing that this craft beer bar operates with a commitment to environmental sustainability. They rely on windmill energy, composting, locally sourced ingredients, and serve up mostly draft American beer to reduce their impact on the environment. It’s a business worth supporting if you find yourself in D.C.’s vibrant Brookland neighborhood.
716 Monroe St. NE, D.C. | www.brooklandpint.com
4. Port City Brewing Co.
Best Brewery in Alexandria
Located just a couple miles outside of Old Town Alexandria, Port City Brewing Co. offers up their tried and true flagship beers on draft as well as a rotating list of incredible seasonal and specialty beers. Named “Small Brewery of the Year” in 2015 by the Great American Beer Festival, Port City is a fantastic place to bring your dogs, your kids, and your appetite for delicious beer and local food truck fare!
3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria| www.portcitybrewing.com
5. The Board Room Game Bar and Brewery
Best Brewery in Arlington
With award winning brews, a library of board games, and weekly events, The Board Room is a great brewery for adding some fun into your D.C. trip! Located in the Clarendon neighborhood, the Arlington location offers a spacious seating area for guests to enjoy food, trivia, and craft beer. What can we say? Their brewery game is strong.
925 N. Garfield St., Arlington| www.theboardroomva.com
6. District ChopHouse and Brewery
Best Brewery with Food
With so many brewpubs in D.C., what makes District ChopHouse stand out? Many things, really. It is the oldest, continually operating brewpub in D.C., the restaurant is in an old school, converted bank, oh—and their menu offers an array of mouthwatering seafood and steak options! While deciding on what to order, guests can enjoy a pint or two of District ChopHouse’s handcrafted lagers and ales.
509 7th St., DC | www.districtchophouse.com
7. Right Proper Brewing Co.
Best Brewery for Limited Release Beer
There is something special about sipping on a limited release beer. It’s exclusive, it’s a brief window of opportunity to enjoy a unique craft beer. In addition to their popular flagstaff lineup, Right Proper Brewing Co. gets creative with their seasonal and limited release beers. Be sure to visit Right Proper and check their special brews into Untappd!
920 Girard St. NE, DC| www.rightproperbrewing.com
8. Other Half Brewing Co.
Best Dog-Friendly Brewery
Born in Brooklyn, Other Half opened its spacious Ivy City location in 2020 and is a great place for lovers of dogs and IPAs. They have over a dozen IPAs on tap sure to impress any IPA expert. Plus, while many DC breweries allow dogs on the patio, Other Half welcomes all well-behaved dogs inside and outside making this the perfect place to bring your best friend.
1401 Okie St. NE, DC | www.otherhalfbrewing.com
9. Supreme Core Cider
Best Cider House in D.C.
Thought this was only a craft brewery list? Supreme Core Cider deserves a mention and a visit because it is not an ordinary cider house serving overly sweet ciders. Much like the craft breweries in D.C., Supreme Core Cider pushes the boundaries of innovation, and it uses locally sourced ingredients to create dry, unfiltered ciders that any craft beer drinker will appreciate.
2400 T St. NE, DC | www.district-cider.com
10. DC Brau Brewing Co.
Best Brewery for Variety
Since 2011, DC Brau Brewing Co. has brewed up some of The District’s finest beers. DC Brau is one of the oldest and most established DC breweries, and that’s not by accident. Craft beer fans continue to flock to the DC Brau to drink from its wide menu of award-winning beers.
IPAs account for some of DC Brau’s most popular beers. No surprise there. DC Brau makes a highly-rated Imperial IPA, and its Joint Resolution Hazy IPA is one of the most drank beers around town.
But if you’re hunting down DC’s most popular craft beer, the brewery’s Brau Pils may come out on top. It’s light, crisp, flavorful and appropriately bitter, making it a perfect beer for the muggiest of DC’s hot summer days.
3178-B Bladensburg Road NE, D.C. | www.dcbrau.com
OTHER BREWERIES AND CRAFT BEER BARS IN THE DC AREA
Aslin Beer Co.
Bluejacket Brewery
City-State Brewery
Denizens Brewing Co.
Hops N Shine
New District Brewing Co.
The Sovereign
Street Car 82 Brewing Co.