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The Brickskeller

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Sara Bryant
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
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Editor Pick

Where to Go for Beer.. Lots and Lots of Beer

  • April 8, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Lannb26 from St. Louis, Missouri
Where to Go for Beer.. Lots and Lots of Beer

I first visited Brickskeller the spring after my semester abroad in London. With a multi-page beer list of hundreds upon hundreds of beer varieties (http://www.lovethebeer.com/beer-list.html), they have all the tasty foreign brews I had become addicted to - go Schnieder-Weiss. Plus, most of the seating is in a dark homey cellar, which - much like a favorite London spot Cheshire Cheese - speaks directly to my love of cozy nooks. If I had my druthers, every night I've been dragged into the foul stench of Lucky Bar would have been spent at Brickskeller

You can spend a lot during an evening at Brickskeller or a moderate amount. Just depends on whether you are pounding reserve Belgian lambic beers or Strongbows. Actually, don't pound anything at Brickskeller, it's not a pounding place, but you can definitely keep yourself within a reasonable budget, even if you're being adventurous in your choices.

When you are choosing your beer, it's generally a good call to pick one or two back-ups. I'm a creature of habit and they always tend to have my faves. It's not uncommon though for them to run out of some of the more exotic or highly seasonal varieties. That way, when the often surly, but knowledgeable waitress finally flits over to your table and she informs you that, no, you can't have a Samuel Smith's oatmeal stout, you can still shout out another option without incurring her wrath by pondering further the beer book.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays there's often a wait for a table, but never impossible in my experience. Food is pretty standard that I've had - can't beat cheesy fries. If you want a similar place on U Street, the Saloon is an excellent choice - they mainly specialize in Belgian beers and they are very serious about their no standing/no dancing policy. One thing the Saloon has that my beloved Brickskeller doesn't - it's a stones throw from Ben's Chili Bowl. A post drinking half-smoke with chili and cheese - good grief, it's heaven.

From journal Insight from a 4-Year Visitor to Washington, D.C.

The Brickskeller

  • February 23, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by crystalpsmith from Dallas, Texas
Although my review of the Brickskeller Inn wasn't that great—The Brickskeller is a completely different story.

If you are looking for a bar that has character, great beer selection, and decent food—look no further. The bar itself is in the basement of an old building and is really pretty small.

The beer selection is over 1,000. Pretty much anything you could want is offered. The food is great bar food (remember you are in a bar).

I have to say that this is probably the most interesting non- touristy place I've been to in D.C. Prepare yourself to be surrounded by Georgetown students, and feel a cramped, but this is absolutely worth visiting. And while your there, buy a t-shirt!

From journal Backpacking Through Washington DC

Editor Pick

The Brickskeller

  • April 26, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by EdwardAggie98 from Sydney, Australia
Ah, the Brickskeller. You know that Sam Adams commercial where three guys walk into a bar and the hot blonde, slightly-looks-like-Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer bartender thumps down a family Bible-sized menu of all the beers they serve? Yeah, that's the Brickskeller. Minus the vamp-chick leather and pretension.

Brickskeller actually is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for "the most varieties of beer commercially available... has added 1,072 to the list since 1983." You name it, they've probably got it, and they're all listed by country on their menu, which, thankfully, is just the size of a small booklet, not "War and Peace."

A fun game we like to play is to theme our drinking rounds -- this round, we'll drink beer only from former Soviet-block countries, or this round, we'll drink from the Commonwealth, or from countries that begin with a vowel, etc. See, because you have to have some way to introduce order into the chaos.

In addition to ridiculous amounts of beer, Brickskeller also features a so-so wine list (but let's face it, you're not coming here for the wine) and has an excellent selection of single-malt Scotch.

Ambience is casual, like an old drinking club used to be. Get there early on the weekends, as this place gets crowded.

Metro: Dupont Circle (Red line)

Website: http://www.thebrickskeller.com/

From journal My Washington

The Brickskellar

  • July 11, 2000
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Sara Bryant from Washington, District of Columbia
Wherever your from, this beer's for you! Every beer you've ever heard of, and some you never have, no matter where you're from. Dimly lit, and grungy feeling, but damn the beer is good. My friend met her husband here, so who says there's no love in the hops?

From journal The Insider's DC

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