There are 16 craft breweries in Washington, D.C., and it’s home to the largest percentage of Black beer brands in the U.S. So, where does one begin? Kim Bender, Executive Director of the D.C. Brewers Guild, gave us her recommendations for the best brews in town. Her list has something for all types of beer drinkers, but why not try something new?
📜 The Best Lagers:
- Senate Beer by Right Proper – an ancient, local recipe brought back to life by beer historians.
- Grave Shift by Lost Generation – a black lager made with roasted malt
- Rhythm & Beauty by SoulMega – another black lager with plum and toffee notes.
🍊 The Best IPAs:
- Vapor Ringz by Other Half – an oat cream IPA with hints of milk sugar
- Dissent by Red Bear – a hazy IPA with orange and papaya
- Lazy Jane by Bluejacket – a bright fruit-forward double IPA
🍺 The Best Pilsners:
- El Supremo by Dynasty – herbal and citrusy, with a grassy finish.
- Brau Pils by DC Brau – a classic, straightforward, light-bodied pils
- Vienna Lager by Caboose – British malt hops add bread and caramel flavors.
- Coast by Crooked Run – a New Zealand-style pils with lemon-lime hops.
The original Senate Beer bottle label from 1939, made at Heurich House. The same recipe is used for Right Proper’s Senate beer today. (Streets of Washington/Flickr)
🍍 The Best Sour Beers:
- Pineapple & Blood Orange by City-State – fruity, and very sour.
- Volcano Sauce by Aslin – berries with milk sugar & vanilla for creamsicle smoothness.
🌺 The Best “Other” Beers:
- Chamolite by Urban Garden – a funky sour with floral notes.
- Hypebiscus by Sankofa – a pale ale with sour hibiscus.
- Zingabier by Black Viking – a ginger and honey golden ale.
- Silent Neighbor by Atlas – an award-winning stout with rye and molasses.
Learn more from Kim about the crazy history of brewing in D.C., how you can do it yourself, and more local beers you need to try.
