Top 5 Spots for Barbecue and Brews in D.C.
It’s summer in D.C. and the livin’ is easy. One of the best parts of summer is all the al fresco eating and drinking to be done, and barbecue is a perennial summer favorite. Here’s our roundup of the best places to get your barbecue fix with great drinks.
Garden District: Perpetually packed since opening day, this seasonal beer garden is a paradise of all things smoked, battered, and fried. Pair your pulled pork or juicy brisket with fried pickles and an ice cold German wheat, like the Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier. (1801 14th St NW; no phone)
Smoke & Barrel: This Adam’s Morgan haunt is guided by the all-important three B’s: Beer, Bourbon, and Barbecue. And they’re serious about all three--in addition to the top-notch smoked meats and their famous “hog wings,” they boast a dedicated spirits list with classic cocktails and rare, single-barrel whiskeys in addition to a draught list that’s updated daily. (2471 18th St NW; 202-319-9353)
Hill Country Barbecue Market: Even Southerners say that Hill Country has some of the absolute best barbecue around. Your best bet is The Pitmaster—a quarter pound of lean brisket, one pork rib, one hot link and a quarter chicken. And you can get drafts or cans of Texas Shinerbock for $6 or $20 pitchers. (410 Seventh Street NW; 202-556-2050)
Kangaroo Boxing Club: If you were hoping for some barbecued ‘roo, sadly your best bet is still a trip Down Under. But KBC has a consistently good mix of beers, both local and Midwestern, rye flights, and house cocktails like Grandpa’s Revenge (Old Grand Dad bourbon & homemade tonic) to accompany a small but surprisingly delicious barbecue menu, featuring house-made dry rubs and thin-cut pastrami with beer-caraway mustard. (3410 11th St NW; 202-505-4522)
Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company: Rocklands (several locations) consistently ranks at the top of DC BBQ lists, and is best known for their wood-only smoker which produces mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone cuts of meat. Each location serves beer & wine, but their Alexandria location is a hop, skip, and jump from Port City Brewing. We recommend getting your ribs fix, then heading over to Port City’s tasting room to sip on their Monumental IPA (6.3%) and summer brew, Derecho Common (4.8%). (25 S Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA; 703-778-9663)
Photo via Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
