Travels took me up North to DC and Richmond this last weekend and while I didn't get to the chance to experience enough for a full review I did have a few quick notes.

Gordon Biersch in DC still has great food and beer, I just wish they would better monitor their serving temperature. It's hard to enjoy a Schwartzbier when it's served ice cold. Otherwise I had a great time.

As our group walked past the Chinatown area I was really struck how the neighborhood around Chinatown is become quite the mini-Times Square with garish lights and chain restaurants. What little Chinese character was in the area seems to be quickly fading away.

The next night I started off at Richbrau, while I only had the dark lager and IPA they were both solid beers and worth trying if you happen to find yourself in downtown Richmond.

Last I had the chance to visit the south location of Once Upon a Vine, they had a great beer selection from across the country and globe. I found some fine Italian beers, a wide selections of Belgian ales and even hard to find West Coast beers including Firestone Walker and Stone 12th Anniversary (good luck if you want some I bought the last of it). I'll definitely keep them in mind as a place to look for unique offerings in the future.

All and all a great weekend of beer.