April 19, 2012
Visited on Saturday, April 7, 2012. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? If I popped into the middle of any proper Munich beergarden, waved my magic stein at a table of happy souls and said "Come with me to a beergarden in the capital of the USA!" and transported said lot to the middle of The Standard....well...I’m sure I’d initially hear a lot of "Send Me Back!" in German along wth plenty of other exotic remarks best not imagined further. Mind you, I could try the same stunt with a patio-load of IPodding Torontonians and produce a choir of "hey...wow....donuts!" I’ve read DC descriptions of The Standard as a groovy sort of inner city beergarden, which is stretching it. It’s a paved-over front yard of a corner building, impressively-fenced, and packed with picnic tables that fill up quickly on a nice day. And yet...the beer is certainly German, you can get a "mass" if you’re willing to pay the bucks, and both my Paulaner pils and Hofbrau Original were very fresh and tasty. And yes, they make mini-donuts! The cinnamon sprinkled ones go very well indeed with beer. The servers were very busy, but still friendly and on the ball. The "strangers" you are obliged to share your table with were pleasant without exception. And I save the best for last - the BBQ food on offer is really excellent, if my Pulled Pork Sandwich is anything like the rest of their menu. Best pulled pork on a bun I’ve ever tried, and yes I know, More Research Is Needed. I’d like to return, though I’d beware of a really hot day at The Standard as the sun really does beat down hard in that space. Recommended if you are in the area and the lineup at Ben’s Chili Bowl a few blocks away is just too long to bear. PS - I see it labelled "Exceptional" on this page - I’d rate it "Pretty Good" instead!

December 28, 2011
A tiny and cramped biergarten located a few blocks from ChurchKey. The nice thing is that you can get 5 pretty good German beers in liter mugs and sit outside on a sunny day with your friends and make some new ones (see the cramped comment). The place filled up quick on a Saturday afternoon/evening. The food is typical pub fare, brats and such.

August 25, 2011 [ Updated December 1, 2011 ]
Small biergarten-like place that is a shadow of the true meaning of the biergarten. The space is very cramped, and umbrellas and tarps completely block out the sky, causing a claustrophobic feeling. Service is OK, though. 5 German beers and one American on tap - best of the imports is Weihenstephan, and the US tap is Dales Pale Ale. Only one bottle, Full Sail Session Lager. I had a pretzel, which was a limp and light copy of a real pretzel, although the mustard was OK. Other food looked pretty good, fast food German and Texas BBQ. The only German-style place in this part of the city, but if you can make it to H Street NE, better to try Biergarten Haus.