Birreria Paradiso

December 21, 2008
Come for the beer, skip the pizza. Ambiance is pleasant in the upstairs dining room and the cozy downstairs bar which features a fireplace. Though not huge, the draft beer list is eclectic and impressive. There is also a huge list of bottles. Bartenders know their stuff and are willing to help you choose the right beer. Prices are a bit high, but what else would you expect in the middle of Georgetown? As for the pizza, I was not at all impressed. Bland menu, bland execution, and high prices are not a good combo. This place gets crowded and doesnt take reservations, so avoid weekend evenings if you can. A friend tells me the Dupont Circle location has better pizza, but a worse beer list.

November 26, 2008
Best pizza I’ve had in DC. Nice selection of well-chosen American beers and strong representation of Belgian, Dutch, Swiss and French breweries. Beer manager Greg is very knowledgeable, and the staff is generous with off-menu selections. Do not miss this place if you visit DC.

October 4, 2008
Having also visited the Dupont location (great pizza, lame beer selection), I finally made my way through the awful hordes of Georgetown to this excellent establishment. Rustic woody furnishings and space above, a nice cozy cellar below for the serious taps. Earthen feel combines with the wood, making it feel like eternal autumn. Didn’t have anything other than some bread, so I’ll refrain from commenting on the food. Great bartender, helpful, witty, not intrusive. Extensive bottle list gives a fine range of Belgians and US micros in particular, but pays particular attention to seasonals and locals as well: Legacy, Brewers Art, and Troegs, along with Bells, Weyerbacher, Southern Tier, etc. I tried Allagash Black on cask (YUM) along with Victory Festbier. Excellent place, and is giving the Brick a serious run for its money.

September 15, 2008
Really impressive place. Pizza was very good. Not much of a tap selection (at least upstairs - downstairs was closed for an event) but bottle menu is extensive. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Place is welcoming and I would gladly visit again. Prices are not the greatest but I don’t expect much value in Georgetown.

September 4, 2008
At the bar downstairs be sure to ask the guy for off-menu stuff, he often will age beers and then sell them for their original prices. I had I believe a 2005 hercules in 2008 here for the same price as the 2008 hercules. Also they make a yearly or so trip to three floyds and sell those guys. Make sure you sit at the bar and talk to the bartender.

August 21, 2008
Spent a very enjoyable afternoon here on my last visit to DC. The Bells Two-Hearted on cask was a real treat. Long and interesting beer list is worth drooling over. Many were expensive but not out of line with DC prices. Nice atmosphere and the pizza is pretty good too. Only wish it was somewhere besides Georgetown, a long hike from the Metro.

August 18, 2008
Located in Georgetown, not far from the Exorcist stairs, this is the best beer bar in Washington DC. It is located in the basement of a very fine pizzeria. A Must Stop for beer trekkers.

July 11, 2008
excellent venue, good selection of beers, freindly and helpful staff. would definately visit again.

July 1, 2008
Oh hell yeah. Besides the very tasty pizza, this place was a very nice tap menu and a great bottle menu as well. Prices are solid, as was the heavenly Two Hearted on cask. Easily the best beer location in DC, and the only one I’d even want to go back to.

June 16, 2008
Great place. Good pizza and good beer. Service was excellent. Bartender was cool and bar manager was cool. Solid tap list and a very nice ’special bottle’ list. I had an alpha king, gordon, and struiselensis, tsjeeses. I was even offered a 08 Darklord. Crazy good selection and a more enjoyable stop than the brickskeller. Hell, they even had New Glarus Belgian Red...good luck finding that anywhere outside of wi (good thing i live in wi).