For beer aficionados and casual sippers alike, the "Beer
Drinkers Route" immerses you in Washington, D.C.'s thriving
craft beer culture, blending historic brewing heritage with
modern taprooms, trails, and tours. This multi-day itinerary
starts with a nod to D.C.'s brewing past at the Heurich House
Museum, visits key breweries like DC Brau, Red Bear, and Right
Proper, follows the Metropolitan Beer Trail for a bike-friendly
exploration, incorporates guided experiences via City Brew
Tours, and ends with extensive sampling at ChurchKey. Note:
Capitol City Brewing Company, a longtime staple, permanently
closed in August 2025 after 33 years—consider substituting with
nearby Atlas Brew Works (Ivy City) or another trail stop for
similar pub vibes. As of November 2025, expect seasonal fall
beers like pumpkin ales, Märzens, and hearty stouts at many
spots, with cooler weather ideal for indoor tastings or outdoor
biergartens bundled up. Spread over 3-4 days (total ~15-20
hours), use Metro (Red/Green lines for northeast spots), bikes
via Capital Bikeshare for the trail, or rideshares. Budget
$100-200 per person daily for tastings, tours, and snacks; most
venues are 21+ (ID required). Pro tips: Download the Untappd app
for logging beers, and check for November events like trivia or
holiday releases—D.C.'s scene emphasizes local ingredients and
inclusivity.
Organized geographically, starting northwest and
heading east/northeast.
Begin with beer history before diving into extensive sampling. 4-6
hours; Metro Orange/Blue to Dupont Circle.
Heurich House Museum
and 1921 Biergarten: A Toast to D.C.'s Brewing Legacy
At 1307 New
Hampshire Ave NW, this Gilded Age mansion was home to Christian Heurich,
D.C.'s longest-running brewer (pre-Prohibition). Now a museum, it
revives his Senate Beer recipe on-site.
Hours: Museum tours Thu-Sat
at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. (reserve via heurichhouse.org; $10
suggested donation, limited to 8 people). Biergarten: Wed-Fri 4-8 p.m.,
Sat 12-8 p.m., Sun 12-6 p.m. (garden open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in
November).
What to Expect: Guided 1-hour tours explore opulent rooms,
brewing artifacts, and immigrant stories—perfect for history buffs. In
the biergarten, sample Senate Beer (a crisp lager) or seasonal revivals
like fall bocks; food trucks or snacks available. November pairings:
Warm up with hearty German-style beers amid autumn foliage.
Tips:
Book tours early; biergarten is pet-friendly and cozy with heaters.
Allow 2 hours total—combine with nearby walks.
15-minute walk
to...
ChurchKey: Ultimate Beer Sampling Haven
At 1337 14th St NW,
this acclaimed bar boasts 50+ drafts, 500+ bottles, and rare casks in a
sleek loft space.
Hours: Mon-Wed 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Thu-Fri 4 p.m.-2
a.m., Sat noon-2 a.m., Sun noon-1 a.m.
Beer Selection and November
Highlights: Curated by beer director Greg Engert, expect flights of
IPAs, sours, and imports; November features like Fonta Flora's Estate
Saison 2025 or holiday advent boxes. Pair with bar snacks like tater
tots or charcuterie ($10-20). Seasonal: Try warming porters or
barrel-aged stouts.
Tips: No reservations; arrive early for seats. $5
drafts Sundays 6-10 p.m. Allow 2 hours for sampling—overwhelming in the
best way.
Head to industrial areas for production-focused tastings. 5-7 hours;
Metro Red to Rhode Island Ave, then walk/bus.
DC Brau: Pioneering
D.C. Craft Brewery
At 3178 Bladensburg Rd NE, D.C.'s first modern
production brewery (since 2011) offers award-winning cans like The
Public pale ale.
Hours: Taproom Wed-Thu 4-9 p.m., Fri 3-10 p.m., Sat
noon-10 p.m., Sun noon-8 p.m. (check dcbrau.com for updates).
What to
Expect: Free self-guided views of brewing ops; tastings ($5-8 pours) in
a mural-filled space with outdoor garden. November: Sample fall releases
like pumpkin or spiced ales; occasional events. Tours available on
request.
Tips: Food trucks often on-site; pet- and family-friendly
outdoors. Allow 2 hours—great for cans to go.
20-minute
drive/Metro (Green to NoMa) to...
Red Bear Brewing Co.: Inclusive and
Fun Vibes
At 209 M St NE, this queer-owned brewery emphasizes
community with games and events.
Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.,
Fri 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m., Sat 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (kitchen
closes earlier).
What to Expect: 20+ taps of house beers like IPAs
and sours; November events include trivia (Mondays 7 p.m.), drag bingo
(Tuesdays), and mixers. Full menu with pub grub ($10-20); spacious with
board games. Seasonal pairings: Cozy up with stouts during cooler
evenings.
Tips: Book groups 3 weeks ahead; inclusive space with
non-alcoholic options. Allow 2-3 hours—lively atmosphere.
Explore via bike or tour for a dynamic day. 6-8 hours; Start at NoMa
(Metro Red/Green).
Metropolitan Beer Trail: Bike-and-Brew Path
This 5-mile trail along the Metropolitan Branch Trail connects NoMa to
Brookland, featuring 11 bars/breweries like Red Bear and Right Proper
Brookland.
Details: Free digital passport via nomabid.org for stamps
and prizes; bikeable or walkable, with maps highlighting stops.
November: Crisp air perfect for pedaling; sample fall beers at each.
What to Expect: Casual hopping—start at Red Bear, head north to Metrobar
or Lost Generation.
Tips: Rent bikes ($8/hour); allow 4 hours. Safe
for groups.
Key stop on trail...
Right Proper Brewing Company:
Yeast-Driven Innovation
Visit Shaw (624 T St NW) or Brookland (920
Girard St NE); new Eckington location opens late 2025.
Hours (Shaw):
Mon-Thu 4-9 p.m., Fri-Sat noon-11 p.m., Sun noon-9 p.m. Brookland:
Mon-Thu 4-9 p.m., Fri-Sat noon-9 p.m., Sun noon-7 p.m.
What to
Expect: Wild-fermented sours and IPAs; Shaw has full kitchen (cheeses,
pizzas $10-20). November: Happy hours with seasonal releases like
harvest ales.
Tips: Shaw for food, Brookland for production views.
Allow 2 hours.
For guided ease...
City Brew Tours:
All-Inclusive Brewery Hopping
Various tours visiting 3-4 spots like
DC Brau or Right Proper.
Schedule: Signature Tour Fri-Sun ~12:45 p.m.
or 5:30 p.m. (3.5-5 hours, $99-119 including 12-16 samples, snacks,
transport). Walking options available.
What to Expect:
Behind-the-scenes, pairings; November themes may include fall brews.
Tips: Book via citybrewtours.com; great for groups.