Washington, DC

What better way to beat the Monday blues than reminisce about a convivial weekend of beer tasting?

On Saturday, our buds Justin and Teri came over to sample two of our bottles and one of their parting gifts from SAVOR:

• Pursuit of Hoppiness, an Imperial Red from Grand Teton Brewing Co. in Idaho
• Black Moon IPA, an American Black Ale from Rock Art Brewery in Vermont
• SAVOR Flowers, a collaboration beer brewed by Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company and Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head

Kelly and I liked the black IPA best but SAVOR Flowers was the most discussed. According to Beer Advocate's style guide it is a Scottish Gruitt / Ancient Herbed Ale which has been said to stimulate the mind, create euphoria, and enhance sexual drive. I will agree to the first two but don't feel comfortable commenting on the third.

The next portion of our evening took place in Northeast, DC beginning at The Red and The Black, a dive bar with a little goth and some Syfy (yes, Mega Python vs. Gatoroid was on TV and the patrons were cheering). It's a strange mix but they have a good beer selection - although no taps! Our choices:

• The Public, a Pale Ale from the capital's own DC Brau for Kelly
• Fat Dog, an Imperial Oatmeal Stout from Stoudt's in Pennsylvania for me
• Lake Erie Monster (the last 2 bottles, lucky bastards), a Double IPA from Great Lakes in Ohio for Justin and Teri

The final leg of our journey was only 0.2 miles farther down H Street: Biergarten Haus. Our previous visit occurred during September's H Street Festival, an eclectic annual event showcasing arts and entertainment - including DC Rollergirls arm wrestling - and the mood Saturday night was just as boisterous.

We spent an hour in the upstairs bar before grabbing a bench on the patio, right in front of live music. We made new friends and even bumped into a mutual acquaintance, Matt, who works at Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria (to be reviewed at a later date!) So our beer worlds collided but we went all German:

• Hofbrau Dunkel Weizen (the seasonal) and Hofbrau Original Lager for Kelly
• Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier and Hofbrau Original Lager for me
• Köstritzer Schwarzbier and Paulaner Premium Pils for Justin
• Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse and Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier for Teri

Prost! (Sept. 2010)

I've never had the pleasure of traveling to Deutschland but Kelly spent 3 weeks there during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and vouched for Biergarten Haus' authenticity.

Of course the main drawback is its location. If you're not driving (parking and valet service ARE available) you're fairly limited to bus, H Street Shuttle or taxi. Is it worth the haul? YES...at least once to toss back a liter, nosh on a wurst platter, and see what the hubbub is about.