After years of eluding me, I finally visited Birch & Barley as well as the award-winning craft beer bar, Churchkey. Churchkey is one of the top 100 craft beer bars in the U.S., well-known for its 5 casks, 50 taps, and 500 bottles (555). Birch and Barley is its spectacular companion restaurant.

The family spent a long weekend visiting my brother, who recently moved to the Kalorama neighborhood in Washington, DC. It was fun, with visits to Adam’s Morgan, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Asian Art, and Birch & Barley plus Churchkey.

Birch & Barley is located at 1337 14th Street NW Washington, DC, just a few blocks from Logan Circle. The well-known Churchkey is upstairs. Greg Engert, co-owner of Blue Jacket and beer director of both Churchkey and Birch & Barley, oversees the impressive beer selection at these sister establishments.

When entering Birch & Barley, it takes a while for your eyes to adjust to the dim light. In fact, it is so dark, I used the light on my phone to read the extensive beer list. You can find both local and exotic craft beers. Our knowledgeable waiter helped select a beer to pair with my dinner – half Rohan duck. I chose Andy’s Gooseater from Gänstaller Bräu, an outstanding chocolaty doppelbock. HINT: share the half Rohan duck, it is more than enough for two.

To wrap up the dinner, I chose Baby Steps from Definitive Brewing for my dessert. This sweet chocolate stout is quite sweet, tasting of coconut and chocolate. I loved it!

No craft beer enthusiasts in the DC region should wait as long as I did to experience Churchkey or Birch & Barley. It is Max’s on steroids, fitting the DC vibe.

Cheers!

Warren