The Quest for the Holy Grain - Best Beer Retailers
Virginia

 

 

Red, White & Bleu
127 South Washington Street  
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 533-9463

Red, White & Bleu is tucked back inside a leafy nook just off of the Falls Church main drag of Broad Street. In order to find it, you'll probably have to be seeking it, but if you're a Questor, it would be a good idea if you did.
Red, White & Bleu offers well over 600 different brands of beer, the vast majority being craft and imports. All of the beers are singles, making it superb for Questing, including 12-oz. bottles, cans, and bombers.
The staff was extremely helpful, and there is off-street parking.

 

Westover Market
5863 N. Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22205
703-536-5040

Located in the Westover section of bustling Arlington County, Westover Market is just what a neighborhood needs. There is free parking out front, fresh produce, a butcher shop, and deli. Oh yes...beer. Lots of it. The claim to have a great Wall of Beer, but it actually appeared to be 2 1/2 walls! They feature six-packs, singles, bombers, and also offer kegs. Most of the selections are American microbrews, but they also have imports. All-in-all they sell about 1.000 different kinds of beer. They were just putting the finishing touches on their outdoor beer garden, which should be opening July, 2011.
Westover should be able to fulfill all your beer needs, but just in case the beer garden isn't open at the time of your visit, you may stroll across the street to the Lost Dog Cafe.

 

Throx Country Store
1488 Senseny Road
Winchester, VA 22602
540-662-7155

You would never know it from the exterior. There are no flashing beer signs or brewery logos. Yet Throx Country Store has as extensive a selection of beers as you are likely to find in the area. I didn't count, and the young person who helped me wasn't sure, but I would guess they have several hundred different beers. They have a large selection of bomber bottles, and many more six packs...and this is important...the customer can purchase one beer out of any sixpack in the store and mix-and-match. The store also sells gourmet deli subs, sandwiches, and barbecue. In addition, they feature all kinds of salads and gifts.

 

Rick's Wine & Gourmet
3117 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-823-4600

Things were hopping on a Saturday afternoon at Rick's. Beer, wine, and food samples were all being dispensed by the staff, and beers were moving out in vast quantities. There were no cases as far as I could see, no macrobrews...just over 400 different brands of microbrews and imports; many hard to come by. It is a haven for the Questor, especially one from out of town. If you are anywhere near Rick's, stop on in. You'll end up filling your trunk.

 

Norm's Beer & Wine
136 Branch Rd. SE
Vienna, Virginia, 22180
(703) 242-0100

Don't let the outside fool you...Norm has about 400 different beers tucked back in his corner location in this Vienna strip center. Norm himself was very helpful as to making selections, and has a great selection of micros, imports, and individual bottles. Questors do not want to miss Norm's if anywhere in the area.