Hellbender Brewing Company

"Hellbender grabs attention for their sustainability-forward beer production, but it's their Fort Totten tasting room that keeps people coming back. The super casual space regularly fills all of its seats thanks to a full calendar of live music, open mics, and trivia. They make their beers using a mash filter, so their hazy IPAs and German-style Kosch ales have rich, full flavor profiles. There's even a refreshing citrus housemade NA seltzer for anyone not drinking. If you get hungry, the rotating food trucks serve everything from pizza to Korean BBQ." - madeline weinfield

"Hellbender grabs attention for their sustainability-forward beer production, but it's their Fort Totten tasting room that keeps people coming back. The super casual space regularly fills all of its seats thanks to a full calendar of live music, open mics, and trivia. They make their beers using a mash filter, so their hazy IPAs and German-style Kosch ales have rich, full flavor profiles. There's even a refreshing citrus housemade NA seltzer for anyone not drinking. If you get hungry, the rotating food trucks serve everything from pizza to Korean BBQ." - Madeline Weinfield

"Hellbender takes its name from the endangered aquatic salamander. It also helped inspire the brewery toward conservation through its use of a Meura mash filter, which improves brewing efficiency by using less energy. The Ignite IPA and Bare Bones Kolsch are both mainstays in the tasting room. Events include open mic nights, trivia, and food pop-ups from locals like Bun’d Up and Cider BBQ. Tours are on hold for now, but customers can still enjoy pints on the patio with a dozen drafts to choose from." - Travis Mitchell, Tierney Plumb

"Hellbender keeps the beer flowing through curbside pickup Wednesday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. It’s also teaming with Timber Pizza to serve takeout pies on weekends. Try some Ignite IPA, Red Line ale, or other canned or draft choices." - Travis Mitchell

"A new beer hall from D.C.’s 3 Stars Brewing Company is expected open next to its original space in Takoma, Washington City Paper reports. Founders Mike McGarvey and Dave Coleman signed a deal a year ago to take over the vacant church space neighboring its debut brewery, tasting room, and home brew retail shop. Coleman tells WCP the new addition will look like “traditional German beer hall with an urban feel” thanks to graffiti painted by local artist. There will be 30 taps, communal wood tables, and a selection of live music. Its sour beer-production facility will live in the back, stocked with about 150 barrels. Since opening in 2012, the brewing team has released over 40 different distinctive beers with flagships that include a Peppercorn Saison and potent Pandemic Imperial Porter. Instead of inviting food trucks into the space, a small kitchen is expected to offer meats, cheeses, sausages, and sandwiches. WCP reports that Coleman is connecting with culinary contacts at Chiko and Taco Bamba to potentially host week-long pop-ups." - Tierney Plumb