best draft and bottle selection in dc. one of the better beer bars in the united states (probably top 3). fun crowd. good service. underwhelming food but focus should be beer. half-pours are standard. taps rotate frequently and many are small batches and esoteric. this is where beer needs to head in the US to be taken more seriously. we need to evolve out of the horse brass pub mentality.

We started out early and beat the crowds at the upstairs bar. Started with 4 ounce sample of all 5 cask ales - Ola Dubh, Bell’s Two-Hearted, Heavy Seas Winter Storm, Wollaver’s Brown Ale and Peak Organic Espresso Amber Ale. All priced at $2 except the Ola Dubh which was $6. Then we progressed through a nice selection of draughts, all well-kept and reasonably priced. Finished with some incredible bottles: Alvinne’s Oak Barrel Podge, De Ranke’s Noir de Dottignies, and Les Deux Brasseurs collaboration of De Proef and Allagash. Staff was very attentive, friendly and mostly familiar with what was on offer, especially considering the place was absolutely packed and their selection is enormous. Greg Engert, the beer manager, took time to chat and pour each of our bottles, despite being in constant frenetic motion. The charcuterie was average, nothing too exciting, but the flatbread was amazing (we tried two varieties). This place has already vaulted to the top of DC beer bars, and I hope they keep up the good work.

We hung out in the bar portion upstairs. I didn’t care that much for the ambience. It was very angular and post-modern and the crowd was 90% 30 and under who apparently enjoy shouting over loud music. The food was flavorful but a bit overcooked. They also had a bit too much fried stuff in my opinion. We visited on a Sunday before the holiday and they had way few staff for the number of people there so the service was a bit dodgy. The beer experience was fantastic. They had over 50 beers on tap, including 5 on cask, and over 500 bottled beers. The best part was that you could have 4oz. pours of anything on draft so you could sample a lot of different things at a reasonable cost. They had a bunch of craft European stuff that would be hard to find elsewhere. I do echo those that wish they had more local craft stuff but what they have is amazing. Will definitely go back, just not at night.

This is a great spot - long staircase leads you past the dining area up into the pub. Long bar surrounded by dark tables and banquettes. There are smaller tables up near the front of the area. Great tap list - lots of unusual stuff from both local brewers and imports. Massive bottled beer list with the stuff stored in fridges that actually separate the beers by temperature so you can have the beer at the appropriate temperature. Staff know their stuff and there are a few casks on as well. Not a whole lot to complain about here. The place was mobbed on a Saturday night, but I went back a little after midday and it was great.

I stopped by on a Sunday and sat at the downstairs bar. The place was packed and rather noisy, though not unbearable. The draft selection was nice, complete with some rare Stone beers. I did not have a look at the bottle list, but you can bet I will on my next visit. The food is superb and the service is very attentive.

Churchkey is a serious beer destination. I was blown away, not since discovering the Porter Bar have I seen a bar with this much attention to beer. The tap selection is very extensive with plenty of rarities and a smart, wide array of styles. Everything is available in a 4 oz snifter or in it’s approprtiate glassware. Prices are in line with every other bar I went to in DC, that is to say, a little high. But that’s how the city is. Churchkey was absolutely packed but I still got great service. They know how to staff the place. I ate a flatbread with figs, prosciutto, port and I believe manchego. Fantastic dinner. I enjoyed everything about my visits here. This is a must stop in DC. Absolutely mandatory.

Visited this place on Feb. 26 2010, with ArgoO, and let me tell you, this place is fantastic. It was a Friday night and the place was brimming and packed. After a certain time, and we managed to get a seat at the bar, which is a must....easy access to the barman. This is beergeek heaven, with everytap available in 4 on. samplers...rare stuff on tap! Food was on the expensive, and did not partake. A must.....a minus for the crowd! Its crazy packed.

Visited right after dinner on a Tuesday with Travlr. Brand spanking new look, located upstairs from Birch and Barley. Room length bar to the right, bar tables to the left, small area of couches and chill out spots in the back. For whatever reason, I had always imagined this place as a small basement bar, it is neither of those things. Both the tap list and bottle selection here are world class. I appreciated that sample (4 oz) sizes were available for all tap beers. The service was great, super friendly and knowledgeable. It helped that Travlr seemed to be a bit of a none quantity here. I had a really great time here, and it will certainly be a must hit when I am back in DC. Thanks for meeting me out, Gene.

CK is the hot place in town. Just always stupid crowded even early Monday evenings. What!? Come here on Friday or Saturday night and you can forget about it. It is insanely packed. OMG. But if you know a few people and are polite, you can get your drinks very quickly no matter the crowd. Selection is so big it’s a little terrifying. But if you really dig deep into the bottle list- its extensive but most of the beers are expensive and mediocre. This is a place that could really throw it’s weight around to get better beers like Port/LA, FFF, Surly, New Glarus, RR, Struise, De Molen. Sadly, almost all the exclusive beers are exclusive for a reason: they suck. There is a huge emphasis on Italian craft beers, which are mad expensive and usually suck. Food is insanely good, but you pay for it.

**UPDATE** I’ve warmed to this place over the past year for a number of reasons. One, though they don’t have happy hour like Paradiso, you can always get tasters of what’s on tap for a pretty good deal. Usually around $3. Two, they have kept the same staff for a long time. I’ve made friends with a lot of them and it’s nice to know someone behind the bar when it gets mad crowded, which is almost always the case. Three, they do clean their tap lines meticulously and staff labors all day doing this detailed necessity. Four, they have been throwing their new found fame around to get lots of exclusive beers. Now Struise and De Molen is quite common and even Cantillon is doing an event here. I’m very proud to have CK as a sort of local bar and think the staff is top notch. Without a doubt, the premier beer bar in DC if lacking the homey, relaxed atmosphere of Paradiso.

Flat out one of the best beer bars I’ve ever been to. Huge tap list, bigger bottle list, small pours available, incredible service, and a really sweet atmosphere.