Northern Virginia Magazine's Best Beer 2012

Northern Virginia Magazine: Flip to the last page of the thick beer menu and read about C&B staff faves, like the apple-refreshing, but not glaringly sweet, Canadian Belgian-style Ephemere.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Big hitters out of the West, Oskar Blues and Lagunitas, make appearances on the menu, as well as the ultra-local Blue Mountain Brewery (Afton) and St. George Brewing Company (Hampton).

Northern Virginia Magazine: Flying Dog’s bright & funky farmhouse IPA In De Wildeman, the imperial (code for high alcohol) red, & slightly sweet Tröegs Nugget Nectar & Burning River from Cleveland’s solid brand Great Lakes.

Northern Virginia Magazine: MacDowell leans on the DMV’s craft beers, packing in Lost Rhino, Flying Dog, Port City, Devil’s Backbone and Starr Hill on the taps in this kitchen showroom-turned-nanobrewery.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Rustico can bust out eight different types of vessels for beer, each shaped to promote the best of that brew’s unique style.

Northern Virginia Magazine: The list reads Belgian friendly, with a nod to non-beer drinkers who can get down with the abundantly sweet and lightweight (3.6 percent ABV) Floris Apple.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Hoptails: An “Atypical” Chocolate Martini gains thickness from Green Flash’s Extra Stout Reduction, but smells like dessert from the chocolate bitters. It’s smoky, creamy and easy-drinking.

Northern Virginia Magazine: The nanobrewery is housed in a converted barn that used to support a few farm animals and a peacock. Opened in July 2011, CB already expanded from a half-barrel to a three-and-half barrel system.

Northern Virginia Magazine: By mid-May, the newly-built kitchenette will serve sandwiches, wraps and other healthy fare compared to the normally fried food of brewpubs.

Northern Virginia Magazine: As the only area brewery with a 30-barrel system, Bill Butcher often receives calls from potential brewery entrepreneurs, answering questions and showing his facility.

Northern Virginia Magazine: With the impressive cheese selection, pints of gourmet ice cream, aisles of partywear and smoked proteins—plus the maze of wine—comes a sterling beer selection, including best seller Bell’s Brewery.

Northern Virginia Magazine: The staff picks area, with almost 20 beers rotating weekly, featured Maui Brewing Co.’s CoCoNut Porter, smelling of chocolate at first, and after it warmed, shining with toasted coconut aroma.

Northern Virginia Magazine: The new regulars arrived in LoCo: Rogue, Stone, Dogfish Head and tallboy four-packs of the too-drinkable Old Speckled Hen, plus about 100 other quality beers.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Sea Dog’s Wild Blueberry bursts with a retro Bubblicious gum smell, but tastes springy and a bit fizzy. Rick's will soon sell Abita’s strawberry beer.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: Capitol Kolsh, light, golden German ale.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: Ballston Brown, northern-style English brown.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: 50 CAT IPA, American-style IPA with three varieties of hops.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: Patsy’s Pilsner, named after Patsy Cline, who grew up two blocks away.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: Fred Red, balanced, but malty.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: Pale Ale, smooth malty-body with hoppy finish.

Northern Virginia Magazine: Signature: Kolsh, award-winning, light German golden ale.