December 6, 2009
If a steakhouse and a fireman’s bar mated, the atmosphere here would be the result. Large open spaces (for the size of the place at least), dark burgundy and wood everywhere. The beers aren’t amazing, and parking is hellish. Still probably a nice place to cozy up to the bar and watch a game. Service was laid back but attentive. 8 things listed as on tap, but only 6 of them were on. Still a sampler of six good sized pours only ran me $6.5 so it’s hard to argue with that.

November 21, 2009
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this place, being part of the Rock Bottom chain. I like the Rock Bottoms but hoped this would be a little different. It sure was. The beer selection resembles the typical offerings available from Rock Bottom - light through stoudt. While the ones we tried where very good there wasn’t anything that was drop-dead terrific. What really separated it from Rock Bottom was the food. Four of us ordered dinners and no one was disappointed. ChopHouse distinguishes itself from Rock Bottom by being more upscale while still maintaining that typical brewpub atmosphere. Definately stop in if you’re in the area.

October 28, 2009
Found this place on a weekday afternoon. Pretty nice inside, lots of wood and a bit dark. Sat at the bar, the bartender was friendly but couldn’t pour a beer to save his life. Some of the worst pours I’ve ever had. The beers were pretty good, Bourbon Stout was nice. Overall, this is an alright place but won’t go out of my way to return.

August 10, 2009
I’d been meaning to stop in here for years, but if I’m in this part of town I usually wins up drinking at RFD (about a block and a half down the road). Finally met some people for dinner here last weekend. This place is alright. It’s a slightly more upscale version of Rock Bottom, with solid food, and decent beer. None of the beers were great or terrible to me (I think I had them all between 2.7-3.3). Choices were pretty weak on style diversity (specifically nothing hoppy). Decent brewpub. Nice food. Hey, it’s a visitable place, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to stop here.

February 22, 2009
The District Chop House just misses the mark for me. The atmosphere is upscale, business-like with expensive food, but the beer doesn’t live up. If it was more casual and laid back, I might be somewhat charmed and forgive the uninspired beer, but the two just don’t match up. The light lager is the most sound beer stylistically, but is still what it is and has almost no hops. The other regular beers are decent, but nothing to get excited about in their styles (amber, brown, oatmeal stout). The seasonals (wiezenbock, tripel) were pretty rough and the bourbon stout was out so I’ll have to do a reign check on that one. They also did the brown ale on nitro, which completely ruined it. The service was alright but I came in during happy hour so I can’t blame them for being less than attentive. For happy hour, only two of the beers were on special (lager, brown) which I thought was a bit weak. I’ll go back and give it a second shot, but definitely not a standout brewpub, or o

January 26, 2009
I seem to stop here everytime I’m in DC. Most recently on 8.1.07. Selection is somewhat small, but you can get various house brews on tap/cask. Decor is very classy, and the food is top-notch.

July 14, 2008
Pretty classy brewpub as far as brewpub’s go. First time around I was let down by the beer selection they were out of the Velvet Ale and Oatmeal Stout. The Nut Brown was pretty good. More recently I was there and had their IPA which had a wonderfully strong pine aroma with a big hoppy finish. Also met the brew master who was very friendly and happy to chat. Before I had the IPA I was boarder line disappointed with the place, but the IPA in my mind redeemed them.

July 1, 2008
Easily the best of the DC brewpubs. Classy atmosphere, with terrible service if you are just getting drinks. However, the prices are absurd... eight 4oz+ samplers for $7. The beers are all pretty solid too, except that horrid BA nitro oatmeal stout. Yuck.

June 27, 2008
classic bar for older guys who like jazz and tradition. Decent but not on the edge beer. Top professional staff, who are friendly at a buisness not passion point. Basement and bathrooms are a 5 minute or so special elevator ride down. Good sized bar, a decent number of tourists at the tables. No patio available. No guest taps, just about 7 of their own, and outside of the bourbon aged which is overated, nothing to define the edge as its conservative DC. Good as a stopover waiting for the worst traffic on the continent to clear.

June 14, 2008
Stopped in here a few times while I was in town. Dark wood paneled room with lots of glass and shiny brass. I didn’t eat while I was here but the beers were okay. Nothing really spectacular (although the Spring Bock was surprisingly tasty). Enjoyable though. A very surly bartender the first night... someone much friendlier the next day. OK.