10 Dog-Friendly Breweries in Washington, D.C.
If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and are often looking for more places to take your dog out socializing in addition to your regular walks, you may be pleased to learn that some dog-friendly breweries are in the area! This is a great opportunity to get out, relax, hang out with new or familiar faces, and bring your canine companion along with you.
Here’s what you need to know about properly socializing your dog first (to avoid anxiety and behavioral issues), as well as some of the top dog-friendly breweries in Washington, D.C.
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog
Regardless of their age, one of the most important parts of being a pet parent is being sure to socialize your dog well. It’s easiest to start this when your dog is a puppy and just beginning to learn how the world works (as well as them being much smaller and easier to handle). Still, it’s just as important to ensure your dog is as well-socialized as possible even if you adopt a full-grown adult.
Some of the main ways you can socialize and make your dog more comfortable include:
Going on regular walks
Bringing your dog around a wide variety of people (different personalities, ages, etc.)
Enrolling your dog in some training classes or regular doggy daycare visits
Visiting your local dog park
When first attempting to socialize a young puppy, always be cautious and remain calm so your little pup knows that interactions with other people, other dogs, and even other animals are a good thing. It’s also advisable to carry some of your pup’s favorite treats with you to reward him or her for doing well and being friendly with strangers and other pets.
For rescues or older dogs that have been adopted and were not already properly socialized, the task may not be as easy. Start small and work your way up, being sure to reward your fur baby well for displaying friendliness and desired behavior. Give them breaks to avoid over-stimulation or setting off any behavioral issues they may be struggling with due to their previous home or situation.
If your dog is genuinely struggling to socialize well and may have genetic predispositions to aggression or possessive behaviors—or if they are a rescue who has had a difficult past and may be struggling to adjust to new people, places, or animals—it’s a good idea to consult with a trusted veterinarian to receive some references for trustworthy canine behavioral specialists in your area to help them overcome these issues.
Above all else, be patient with older dogs who have to learn new ways to behave in a world in which they’ve already experienced multiple years of life. It can take quite a bit longer for them to pick up on the need to drop any suspicions, anxiety, or fears attached to social interactions.
Regardless, when taking your dog of any age out in public, you must be vigilant about making these outings a positive experience and following your dog’s cues for when they may become uncomfortable. When going into a business, such as the breweries we’re about to list, this is especially true. Make sure your dog is ready to go out into a loud or crowded environment.
10 Dog-Friendly Breweries in Washington, D.C.
Adroit Theory Brewing Company
Located in Purcellville, Virginia, Adroit Theory Brewing Company is one of the first dog-friendly breweries on our list thanks to its constantly-changing tap list, great selection of IPAs and stouts, and comfortable patio as well as tap room environments—both of which welcome any well-trained and well-behaved canine companions. Come check out this dog-friendly venue that also has occasional food trucks come by for additional amazing meals along with your drinks.
Location: 404 Browning Ct. Unit C Purcellville, Virginia 20132
BlueJacket
BlueJacket is a great restaurant and brewery right in Washington, D.C. itself, offering a diverse menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner along with plenty of brews, lagers, and sours to make any patrons happy. This hot spot comes backed by plenty of great reviews praising its menu and especially its allowance of well-behaved canine companions inside the vicinity.
You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates about special events and more information.
Location: 300 Tingey Street SE Washington, DC 20003
Atlas Brew Works
With locations in both Ivy City as well as on Half Street, Atlas Brew Works is another dog-friendly and also a solar-powered brewery with pup access both indoors and outdoors at the Ivy City taproom and outdoors on the lovely patio area at the Half Street location due to the restaurant that’s attached to this latter spot. At the Half Street location, you and your pup can dine outdoors on some delicious Andy’s pizza while enjoying a drink off of Atlas’s extensive beverage menu, and Ivy City hosts plenty of food trucks for special events to only further improve your tasting experience while there.
Ivy City Location: 2052 West Virginia Ave NE Washington, DC 20002
Half Street Location: 1201 Half St SE Washington, DC 20003
Caboose Brewing Company
With two locations in Virginia, just a short distance from the heart of D.C., Caboose Brewing Company is a well-loved brewpub that offers locally sourced meal ingredients along with an extensive drink menu to meet everyone’s tastes (including locally sourced coffee for those who want to dine with friends and family who made not consume alcohol—a huge favorite!). Although pets may not be allowed inside the main part of the restaurant due to health codes, Caboose gladly welcomes dog parents to bring their canine companions along when dining on their locations’ outdoor patios.
Caboose Tavern: 520 Mill Street NE Vienna, VA 22180
Caboose Commons: 2918 Eskridge Road Fairfax, VA 22031
Fair Winds Brewing Company
Fair Winds is a brewing company that is proud to announce its dog-friendly environment right on the front page of its website. If you’re looking for an impressive brewing facility that presents patrons with 15 different drink options that are all made right on-site, this is the place to go. This location also hosts plenty of fun social events throughout the year (including a delicious Seafood Extravaganza!) as well as supports local food trucks coming by daily to only add to the environment.
Give them a follow on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to keep up with their food truck and event schedules so you and your beloved fur baby can go out and have a great time!
Location: 7000 Newington Road Suites K&L Lorton, VA 22079
Denizens Brewing Company
Denizens Brewing Company offers two locations with dog-friendly outdoor seating for all patrons. With kitchen and brewery combos in both Silver Spring and Riverdale Park, pet parents in Washington, D.C. have multiple options to choose from when planning to go for a fun outing for some food and drinks with their canine companion in tow. Be sure to check out their brand new menus for both locations, and don’t forget to follow them on social media for updates!
Silver Spring Location: 1115 E W Hwy. Silver Spring, MD 20910
Riverdale Park Location: 4550 Van Buren St. Riverdale Park, MD 20737
Crooked Run Fermentation
Although bringing your canine companion along is only allowed for patrons dining in the outdoor patio areas, Crooked Run Fermentation has two locations for brew enthusiasts looking for a great drink and a bite to eat. With breweries in both Leesburg and Sterling, pet parents now have double the options for heading out with their pups to take a break and relax. Crooked Run’s Sterling location even offers locally sourced ingredients and locally raised poultry on their menu. Their Leesburg location is next door to several delicious restaurants to eat alongside your specially crafted brews.
Sterling Location: 22455 Davis Dr Sterling, VA 20164
Leesburg Location: 205 Harrison St. Suite 100 Leesburg, VA 20175
Ocelot Brewing Company
A group of both music lovers and brew enthusiasts, Ocelot Brewing Company offers a welcoming (and very dog-friendly) environment along with a tap list that is sure to make any patron pleased with their decision to stop by. Be sure to check the calendar of events on their website to find out more about local live music events and more!
Location: 23600 Overland Drive #180 Dulles, VA 20166
Waredaca Brewing Company
It’s best to try to snag a reservation when coming to Waredaca, but this lovely venue is pet-friendly for both dogs and cats! This company offers patrons an extensive beer menu, and they also have a wide variety of food trucks present on-site on the weekends. Be sure to check their website’s calendar to see which vendors are available and plan ahead for the perfect dinner and drink combination.
Location: 4017 Damascus Road Laytonsville, MD 20882
Vanish
Pet-friendly for dogs who are both well-behaved and properly leashed, Vanish offers a gorgeous venue along with pet-specific areas such as their “Dogtown room” (along with their general outdoor areas such as the field area and pavilion). They have a first-come, first-serve policy regarding seating and service, and they also feature live music performances as entertainment. Check out their website for more information about their widely varying food schedules and menus, as well as to take a peek at their constantly updated tap list.
Location: 42245 Black Hops Lane Leesburg, VA 20176
Conclusion
Always make sure to properly socialize your canine companion before taking them out to certain outdoor environments, but for those whose pets love a fun outing amongst many new and different people, we hope that this list of dog-friendly breweries in your area has provided some new locations for the two of you to get out there and enjoy yourselves.
For pet parents who love their fur babies but may want to visit these venues first without a furry companion alongside them, we here at Wanderpups offer a variety of services to walk or check in on your pets while you’re away to make sure things are okay and provide you with some peace of mind. If you need a little help and aren’t sure who to contact, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
