Top of the Hops: RFD Washington

In the wide world of beer, there are a handful of arguments that will never die. American microbrew innovation or European tradition, IPAs or Stouts, the list goes on and on. One truth universally accepted as such however is the superiority of beer straight from the tap over that found in it's bottled brothers. Yes, when it comes to beer, freshness is king.

That said though, your average bar offers roughly only a half-dozen draughts, one or two of which are usually of the mass-market (bud, coors, miller) variety. So while there may be a bump in quality, more often than not, the variety is decidedly lacking. Unfortunate? Yes, but thus is life - life without Regional Food and Drink Washington that is. Located in Chinatown, at 810 7th Street, Regional Food and Drink (known better as RFD) boasts the largest tap list in the district. The younger sister-establishment to the storied Brickskeller, in addition to their formidable stable of draughts, RFD also offers a solid dinner / snack menu (the majority of which is cooked A La Biere) and a rather gaudy selection of bottles to boot. Suffice it to say, these people like their beer.


When I was there last week, I enjoyed a glass of Leffe Bruin, a phenomenal Belgian brown ale, and a bottle of Baltica #6, a Russian porter with an incredibly unique aftertaste. The beauty of RFD is the freedom from limitation though, so if you find yourself in the neighborhood, drop by and discover something new. If you're not exactly a big beer person, or just can't seem to make up your mind, than the knowledgeable waitstaff are always glad to help you out with a suggestion.

If you are looking for good beer in the city, than look no further than RFD.

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.