On Sunday I met my editor in Brookland, after stopping into Right Proper Brookland. I didn’t get a chance to pop into the freshly-opened Right Proper Kitchen, but for anyone who has been, you know this space is going gangbusters. What was the former Brookland Pint space is a thriving kitchen for the homegrown brewery. Erika Goedrich, former owner of DC’s Craft Beer Cellar, is managing and the neighborhood is better because of it.
Right Proper Brookland wasn’t open yet, as I was in well before noon, but Zeke’s Coffee was pouring and I bought a bag of Yirgacheffe. Fifteen years ago it was a rare Sunday where I’d be able to buy a pound of well-roasted, well-made, DC coffee on a Sunday.
When I got to my editor’s house we discussed all things beer and turned our attention to how things have changed in the last decade-plus that we’ve been writing and providing coverage for DC Beer. As journalist Dave Infante has been writing, there’s a bit of a shakeup in the middle tier. Distributors who’ve long been distributing in DC are getting bought and sold. And we’ll have more on that in the not-too-distant future. But in the meantime, some of our favorite beverage directors, and managers of some of the best bottle shops in the District remain without knowing who’s going to be responsible for carrying their portfolios. Again, more on that at a later date.
When I left his house, after having popped into Right Proper, I drove by the now-shuttered Public Option, that wonderfully homey DC bar/brewpub that felt as much a living room as a bar. Save of course for the live music where you’d be lucky to have as many talented musicians who played there in your living room. Years ago, my Lost Lagers colleague, Peter Jones, won the best homebrew at the DC State Fair and as a result, we got to scale up his recipe at the Public Option. It was a real treat and an experience I’m sad homebrewers won’t be able to enjoy today.
What was once DC’s smallest brewery, the Public Option was a great tribute to all things public. It’s now surrounded by high rises and various tall buildings though the mural outside still stands outbound on Rhode Island Avenue. But the closure of the Public Option as DC’s smallest has yielded a new smallest-brewery in DC. That title belongs to Urban Garden Brewing, whose five barrel system is the smallest in DC. There is technically a smaller system at Aslin, whose 14th St. NW DC outpost has a one barrel system, though we’ve never seen it in use. And Urban Garden is actually brewing in the District, whereas again, neither my editor nor I have ever seen Aslin use their DC kit.
If you’re able to, go check out Urban Garden Brewing’s opening Saturday, May 23, 2026. Tickets can be purchased here. For a first taste of UGB before they open to the public, buy a ticket. Brewer Favio Garcia, recently brewed Lotus Flower Bomb with longtime brewer and UGB co-owner Eamoni Collier. We can’t wait to try.
When I drove downhill from Right Proper I remember how frequently I used to pop into Atlas Brew Works, on West Virginia Avenue. Sadly, Atlas is no longer there. But happily, their new brewery in the Bridge District in Anacostia was recently awarded the gold medal at the World Beer Cup in the American Pilsener category. We recently had owner Justin Cox, and director of brewing operations Daniel Villarubi on the podcast. But I would be remiss not to mention Atlas’ head of quality control and assurance, Sean Palmateer. To quote Michael Lilli, of Krebs Brewing and Prairie Artisan Ales, “We have a lab guy, right? And man, where would be without him? You know, and you forget about him until he saves the day, right? But that’s a huge deal.”
As I passed what was once the home of Atlas on West Virginia, I trekked through Ivy City, the neighborhood home to DC’s biggest brewer, Other Half. Not too-long ago, Other Half began popping up in northern Virginia grocery stores. Somewhat ironically, Other Half comes to northern Virginia by way of Virginia Eagle, most famously known as the Anheuser Busch distributor. Whereas Solace, Other Half, and Aslin are sold in a supermarket, at 3713 Langston Blvd., Arlington, VA 22207, only Aslin has a sign in front of it that warns consumers “contains alcohol” in front of an endcap of their Orange Starfish.
From Ivy City I crossed Florida Avenue. Had I continued straight I would have been a few blocks from Lost Generation Brewery, another newer-brewer who, like Right Proper Kitchen, is currently operating at a good clip and firing on all cylinders. Owners Anne Choe and Jared Pulliam are known for their hospitality and have been brewing some excellent beers. Fear not, we’re seeing more Lost Generation beer in Northern Virginia, and Maryland isn’t getting left out. The brewery is self-distributing to Downtown Crown in Montgomery County and we highly recommend seeking them out, dear reader, as we know many of you live in Maryland.
Passing Florida Ave made me reminisce on the days of ANXO Cider, whose first home was on Florida Ave. Today you’ll find them up in the Brightwood neighborhood on Kennedy Street. Their flagship, Cidre Blanc, is arguably better today than it’s been in the last decade. Their specialty ciders are particularly tasty these days. And though 10 years ago they were on Florida Avenue, they did not have an ANXO Zapiain collaborative cider which retails for $13.99 a bottle at their DC HQ.
Heading southeast I got to Pennsylvania Avenue, I decided to pop into the Roost and Shelter to visit Kurt Secrest. He had not one, but four Czech beers on draft, all from Pivovar Antoš. All of the beers were good, and some were great. I’ll let you be the judge. Though fair warning, some of the four kegs were quite low when I visited.
One fascinating tidbit Secrest shared with me was that the best-selling beers over the course of the weekend were cask. Specifically, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on cask.
And so while I’m sad to miss ANXO on Florida Ave, I’m glad I can get up to Kennedy Street to go see them. Likewise, Atlas leaving West Virginia Ave is a bummer, but I’m grateful they’re a short trip away in Anacostia. Right Proper leaving Shaw was sad, but Urban Garden and Eamoni Collier becoming the first Black woman-owned brick and mortar in DC history is massive. I’m sad City-State Brewing isn’t brewing anymore, but thrilled they’re another outlet for draft beer from some great breweries like Jailbreak and Red Bear.
