Top of the Hops: The Saloon

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Benjamin Franklin made a lot of memorable statements throughout his life, but there is something about this gem that seems to stick with you. It's probably the truth in it. Despite that little hiccup in the '20s, alcohol has always held a place in American society, and while wine is nice, and spirits certainly have their purpose, I feel that in the pantheon of beverages beer is tough to beat. It can be refreshing. It can be complex. It's great with lunch, dinner, and every once in a while even breakfast. Above all else though, it's great with friends. That said, "Top of the Hops" is a celebration of all things beer. Be it a particular brewery thats caught our attention, or an area bar that sets itself apart from the rest, you can be sure that if you find it here its worth a look. Or rather a sip.

The first such establishment that is without a doubt worth a visit is U Street's The Saloon. Located almost directly across the street from the U St. Metro stop, this homey little tavern trades the high-energy atmosphere found in many of the area's bars in favor of one much much more relaxed, and in my opinion, much more enjoyable. The absence of any ambient music or flashing televisions leaves a refreshingly calm aura about the place, and that, along with The Saloon's communal seating, open the door to great conversation; something that goes with beer like bread with butter, but is an increasing rarity in today's bar culture.


The bar itself is great and all, but its The Saloon's selection that really seals the deal. With an incredible selection of top quality draughts, and an even more impressive bottle menu of hard-to-find European imports, The Saloon boasts if not one of the city's most extensive beer list, than certainly one of its finest. I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my favorite beers, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel, on the menu, and that was on the tame end of things. So whether you are a fan of the stoutest stouts, or only drink the palest of ales, I would be very impressed if you didn't discover something new and delicious to try.

The beers are roughly in the $10/per neighborhood, so its not the cheapest place to grab a pint, but you definitely get what you pay for. You can get a bottle of Heineken anywhere, but if you're looking for something new this weekend, swing on over to The Saloon. It's worth the trip.