Brickskellar - This place is world famous for its outrageous collection of beers (the beer menu is a novella) and it also makes a mighty fine burger - called the BrickBurger.  You can also play games upstairs - board games and organized card games.  A fun place.  1523 22nd Street, NW, (202) 293-1885

Capitol City Brewing - It's a chain restaurant, but a good microbrewery nonetheless.  And the food is pretty good - try the chicken pot pie, yum!  1100 New York Avenue, NW, (202) 628-2222, also on Capitol Hill next to Union Station, Massachusetts Avenue, (202)842-2337

Bardo Rodeo - fun, lots of beer, usually lots of people.  Open Saturday - Wednesday for dinner, Thursday and Friday open for lunch too.  Live music evenings.  2000 Wilson Boulevard,  Arlington, VA (703)527-9399

The Virginia Beverage Company - This microbrewery brews up great tasting beer (about 1500 barrels a year) as well as four different kinds of sodas.  They also offer 15 limited production estate wines by the glass and bottle, a vast collection of Ports and Sherries, as well as the most extensive offering of single-malt scotch, single barrel bourbons, small-batch bourbons, cognac and cordials in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  All this, and good food too!  Moderately priced.   607 King Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA  (703)684-5397