Yesterday I spent a rainy Saturday testing the various features of
#theCompassApp Winery, Brewery, & Distillery Locator by visiting three Washington D.C. breweries. My first stop was into the far reaches of Northeast Washington to
DC Brau Brewing - the District's first production brewery since the mid-1950s. The brewery was started by Brandon Skall and Jeff Hancock from 2009 - 2011 and the pair had to assist the local gov't in drafting new legislation to allow beer consumers to taste at the brewery and fill growlers. By now they are well known for their canned portfolio - The Public™ Pale Ale, The Citizen™ Belgian Ale, and The Corruption™ IPA.
Today #theCompass navigated me to the back of the shopping center where a eased into the last parking spot. After entering the brewery and receiving my 4 free drink coupons, I discovered why the lack of parking - the brewery was packed. Visitors were tasting in the front room, the side area, and even in the packaging area - tasting and listening to music piped through large speakers. I quickly grabbed a sample of their Exaltation Holiday Ale and joined a brewery tour - learning about their history, process, production levels, and murals coating the brewery's interior. What a cool place to spend an afternoon - particularly when getting one of the last pours of their Pauncy Stout™. I had to share the good news via our social media channels using #theCompass' share functionality - allowing me to seemliness check on via Foursquare and share on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
From DC Brau, the application navigated me easily a few miles to
Chocolate City Beer, a much smaller establishment but equally hospitable. This brewery was started by Jay Irizarry and Ben Matz and is located close to Catholic University. In fact, the building once hosted the stone making equipment that created the
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America). Now most Catholics like a good beer and Chocolate City offers a few from their every day lineup of Cornerstone Copper Ale, Big Chair IPA, and Cerveza Nacionale (black lager). My favorites were The Big Chair - named for the District's own monument in Anacostia - that delivers a smooth refreshing finish for an IPA and the Mister Mayer Second Term Imperial Stout. This latter is named after former mayor Marian Berry and is fermented with Marion Berries (a blackberry developed by the USDA ARS breeding program in cooperation with Oregon State University). The is a really nice beer - chocolate notes mingle with a sour ale-ish finish - and don't worry if a few berries make it into your pour. That's by intent.
Unfortunately I couldn't visit longer being on a tight schedule and thus parked the car at work and used a cab for my last stop:
Bluejacket Brewery. And a cab or Metro is highly recommended for this stop; there's a lot to sample - talking about over 20 beers on tap - all produced in house. And they are good; Beer Director Greg Engert and Brewmaster Megan Parisi must work long hours keeping the brewery supplied because once again - this brewery was packed - two to three deep at the bar and all tables filled. And this was four in the afternoon - evenings must be even crazier. But don't let the lines prevent a visit - the beer and breadth of their portfolio is worth it.
Want a pale ale or pilsner, no problem; English bitter, Imperial IPA, Porter, Stout, Hefeweizen, Biere de Garde, Kolsch, Dunkelweizen, Barleywine - all on the menu. My favorite was the Mexican Radio, a chocolate stout laced with spicy peppers and believe me it's like sinking your teeth into a gourmet chocolate bar of the same nature. I can't wait for baseball season, with the brewery two blocks from Nationals Stadium - good baseball and beer -> what's not to like.
Cheers to the DC brew scene. Next on the agenda -
3 Stars Brewing Company,
Atlas Brew Works, and
Right Proper Brewing Company.
Regardless if you are a Washington Nationals regular or visiting from out of town, there are plenty of craft beer options inside and surrounding Nationals Park in Southeast Washington. Outside the stadium, check out Bluejacket Brewery or Gordon Biersch Brewery for your pre or post game celebrations. Bluejacket has a rotating tab of at least twenty home grown beers - checkout the sour Sideshow or Pyro; chocolate-spicy Mexican Radio; or the super strong Belgian Quad Cashmere. At Gordon Biersch, I usually stick to the Hefeweizen or Czech Pilsner.
For an expanded national craft beer selection, hit the Red Porch at the main entrance in the outfield. This restaurant has taps from Flying Dog Brewery, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Allagash Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Starr Hill Brewing, and many more. Diners get a nice view of the stadium. #GoNats. 
