Washington DC has gone from being one of the most ‘bland’ cities on the East Coast to becoming one of the hottest. There are taprooms galore, from the best-known taprooms of DC Brau and Atlas Brew Works to the experimental small batch brews from the other Right Proper Brewing Company and Other Half Brewing. This diversity is what attracts people to the District, and many people make an afternoon of it, stopping at a brewery before arriving at the main event.
Once you’ve made all your arrangements, the key decision is the venue you select to make the occasion complete, which is just as crucial as the perfect pint to kick things off. So why not customize an event bar list to celebrate your city when you are planning an event in the District? The key to an unforgettable spread lies in the thoughtful cocktail pairing of those local drinks with the menu that you’ve ordered for catering.
Why Beer Pairing Deserves a Seat at the Table
There’s been a long tradition of pairing wine and food, but beer is by far the more flexible partner. With a variety of flavors ranging from crisp and citrus to dark and roasty, it will go with nearly any food. Bitterness and carbonation help wash away the rich and fatty notes on the palate, while many wines can’t do the same after each sip.
A well-thought-out beer pairing for an event host also has a narrative to tell. Offering local DC brews is a sign of community pride and a conversation starter. It can turn the bar into a major part of the event instead of it being an afterthought. The best caterers in washington dc understand this and will happily build a menu around the beers you love, or recommend pairings that elevate every course.
Light Lagers and Pilsners With Starters
Keep the event off to a fast and courteous beginning. Local beers (such as DC Brau and Port City across the river in Alexandria) are light, refreshing, and not too strong. They are excellent as a side item for a lighter appetiser like bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, fresh salads, or light cheese boards. These beers will work well as crowd beers, too. Not all of them are hopheads, and a good, well-balanced lager will be easy for the more playful imbiber. Serve them at a cocktail hour, ice-cold, and you’ll create an atmosphere for a relaxing and pleasant evening.
Rusty’s With Cool and Fresh Flavours, and With Bitter and Hoppy Dishes
They’re a perfect choice in big flavors, and there are some great IPAs to be found in the DC area and right here in DC. A local IPA with its hoppy and citrusy character is very balanced against the spicy wings, as well as barbecue, tacos, and well-seasoned grilled meat. The key is balance. A spicy and rich food will taste even hotter with a hoppy beer, so be sure to balance more mellow IPAs with spicy food! If you’re heading to the pub for a less full-bodied beer, then the Session IPA will have all the aromatic flavor without the boozer.
Amber Ales and Browns With Hearty Mains
With dinner parties gone big, don’t forget about maltier beers. The amber, brown, and red ales lend caramel and toasty notes, lending themselves to a roasted meat, braised short rib, mushroom dish, or aged cheese. Combinations of these pairings are some of the most versatile combinations available and may be used for various applications. Add to this the desire to enjoy your meal around the table for a longer time and more comfortably: there is nothing better than to share the meal with an amber ale and a carving station, making your guests feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Stouts and Porters with Dessert
Never pay attention to the Hazy beer when sweetness comes! Dark, roasty stouts and porters – a rather chocolaty, coffey and toffey sort of roast – are wonderful to drink with dessert. Finish with a local stout bar, a chocolate torte (bread pudding), or one of our coffee-flavored items – all rich and luxurious. A fruited sour or even saison might work well with a creamy dessert, and can be a palate cleanser for the lighter end. Your guests will also not soon forget that you had a well-thought-out event, as these fun styles will also round out your beer programme.
Collaborating with your caterer to create the programme
The best combinations are achieved through collaboration. Let your catering team know your ideas for beer, and they will create a dish that highlights each beer. A good caterer will consider the flavor combinations throughout the menu, not just from dish to dish, and assist with the coordination of things such as service temperature, glassware, and pacing. You might try giving them a mini flight or a pairing time during the event. A brief description of each table, along with the beer and why it complements the course, is added for guests, but for an instance of intentionality. It makes eating dinner fun and demonstrates the breadth of the local DC beer scene.
Raise a Glass to Local Flavor
Serving local DC beers with grains and a catered meal is one of the simplest ways to make an event truly “of this city. Even if you start with the crisp pilsner in your first sip or finish with a velvety stout, good food complements everything, and the breweries are what make the District the District. Coordinate with your caterer, add a nod to these roots in craft beers, and your next event will be one your guests will cherish for years after.
