Saturday 28th of January 2012 05:28:11 PM

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The original Capitol City Brewing opened in downtown Washington in 1992, the first brewpub in DC in over 35 years. As of 2012 there are 2 locations, and the brewing operations have consolidated to the Arlington VA location. Capitol City's standard offering of signature brews include light Capitol Kolsch, malty Amber Waves Red Ale, hoppy Pale Rider Pale Ale, and roasted Prohibition Porter. They also offering rotating seasonals that include richly robust Fuel Coffee Imperial Stout (9.5% abv), absolutely delicious Triple/Double hybrid (8% abv), pumpkin-spiced ale, India Pale Ale, and Belgian-style white ale. The 20 year old downtown Washington location is a renovated Greyhound bus terminal, with tiered architecture, high ceiling and large windows. The brewpub consists of a huge 35-chair copper-top bar, encircled by booth seating. Nice place to stop for a sampler flight of their signature brews, plus a couple seasonals.

Thursday 25th of March 2010 03:51:33 PM

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Stopped in to kill some time before heading to the Brick. The seating area is open & spacious. The beer selection was good. The staff were friendly & pretty attentive. The Capitol Kolsch and the Pale Rider Ale were two of my favorites. The porter wasn't all that IMO. Had the steak & cheese sandwich and that was very good. I don't get into DC that often but if I'm in that area again, I'll stop in.

Friday 8th of May 2009 10:35:26 AM

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Establishment had a spacious, open-air setting. After-work crowd gave it a very frenetic feel, which I'm sure would make a non-happy-hour experience much different.

Did not eat a meal there, but was served some complementary hot pretzels / horseradish with beer. They were quite a nice addition and I would go back to sample food, accordingly.

Beer selection was decent, but only had time to try their IPA: Pale Rider Ale. Very good quality and, again, would come back to try other styles based on the single-beer experience.

Had avoided Capital City for some time, as I recall having a bad light lager experience there several years ago. Glad I overcame my "demons" and gave it a second try!

Tuesday 3rd of March 2009 03:23:44 PM

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This outpost of the Capitol City Brewing Company in Shirlngton, Virginia has just about the finest Pale and IPA brewed locally. Head Brewer Kristi Mathews Griner makes some very appealing Belgian interpretations as well. She is innovative, and not afraid to mix it up with non-traditional ingredients. The place gets very crowded at peak hours, but the service is regularly very attentive. The place is a great deal with happy hour from 4-7 offers 3.75 pints weekdays. Food is quite nice too for a brewpub. There's no button below to select 500+ visits, but I've been coming here regularly since the place opened in August of 1992 and it still has some of the best beer made in D.C..

Saturday 28th of June 2008 07:08:24 PM

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Located in due north of the Metro Center metro stop, several blocks north of the National Mall. There is also a large public parking lot near the area. I've been to the location in Baltimore in the Inner Harbor (now closed), and this one was very similar to that location.

There is a good selection of beers - four regulars then five or six on a rotating release schedule. The Prohibition Porter is great, and the last time I tried fuel it was a good choice for anyone who loves stouts. The staff was friendly and had good knowledge of the beer (such as which beer compares well to Coors Light). The bartender named Mike even topped off my pint glass when I dorked it up and almost knocked the beer over.

There is a nice selection of food, a little better than the usual bar food selection, though a bit pricey (typical these days). In the middle of the place is an oval bar with plenty of seats, surrounded by tables and boothes in the rest of the place.

I've had my eye on this place for quite a while and I'm glad I stopped in. Good food, good beer, good atmosphere, and a good place overall.