No, not from Rock Bottom but a brewpub is a place that makes its own beers and the ones listed, like Freddy's don't.

How are the previous not brewpubs? And yeah, RockBottom would not be my first choice for the OP's H? Is this someone from RockBottom posting?

Yeah, I have never been impressed with the beers in Rock Bottom. You would be better off in Freddy's for the beer list, even though it isn't a brew pub.

Anonymous wrote:I know this was probably a Christmas gift but none of the suggestions is a brewpub. Rock Creek Brewery in Bethesda has some decent beer, there is a Dogfish in Gaithersburg that is quite nice (food is good) and then Growlers in Gaithersburg is my favorite of the local brewpubs. More of a locals place with good beer and decent food.

I think you meant Rock Bottom. It's a perfectly fine place, esp. to watch a football game or something, but I wouldn't consider it a special place to take a beer enthusiast

I know this was probably a Christmas gift but none of the suggestions is a brewpub. Rock Creek Brewery in Bethesda has some decent beer, there is a Dogfish in Gaithersburg that is quite nice (food is good) and then Growlers in Gaithersburg is my favorite of the local brewpubs. More of a locals place with good beer and decent food.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We're in Chevy Chase, so I'm probably going to go with one of the upper NW or close-in MoCo suggestions, but they all sound tempting. Maybe we'll take an expedition to some of the farther-flung destinations.

Franklin's in Historic Hyattsville

If you are in NoVa both Mad Fox and Dogfish Head have good food and decent beers. Casual atmosphere, and nice beer samplers to drink.

Does church key still have those same awful crowds? I would not take him there, but the attached restaurant birch & barley might be perfect. Brasserie beck if he likes Belgian. And ripple is probably my favorite restaurant in dc, but birch & barley would be more beer-oriented.

Freddy's in Bethesda has a great beer list. The Mussel Bar has a lot of (expensive) Belgian beers, as does Brasserie Beck (I like BB but not MB).

Black squirrel is a new one for me, but church key I can endorse. Church key can be a bit younger though (25-45 is the range I would guess 90% of patrons are in)

If in Mont Co try Food and Wine in Bethesda. Age range there is about 35 - 60. Very good beer selection (50-75 choices). Burgers are great there, but the rest of the menu is just ok.

Just went to Proof in Chinatown last night, and they had a very interesting and diverse beer list. Not more than about 25 - 30 options, but all very unique.

Ripple in Cleveland park also has a small (10 - 20) but impressive list. They have great wine and charcuterie too.

Black Squirrel

Church Key

Yes, OP, please provide a location

Does location matter?

DH loves beer, so I'd like to get him a gift certificate or a coupon (issued by me) for a night out at a place with a good selection of beers. We're in our early 50s, though -- so we'd prefer a place that's not too frat-bro-ish (for that I can ask our oldest, who just turned 21)! TIA for all suggestions!