November 9, 2006
Ask DCist: Give Me ... a Keg ... of Beer
DCist reader David writes in with this important question:
Where does one get kegs in D.C.? I've lived here around a year, and have no idea. Online price lists are a plus, as is a NW location.We hear you, David. Sure, we're not in college anymore, but sometimes when you're set to throw a really big par-tay, going with a keg can be the most cost effective and least messy (no bottles to clean up!) option to keep the fun level at "elevated" for as long as possible. We sent your question out to our staff, and came up with a few solid answers. But readers, we're counting on you for your suggestions as well. You know where to leave 'em.
Foggy Bottom: If anyone knows something about drinking stupid amounts of alcohol on the cheap, it's George Washington University students. So there's a large portion of the city who swear by the service provided by Riverside Liquors, at 2123 E Street NW, the keg store of choice for GWU students, alumni, and friends of both. No online price list that we could find, but Riverside's friendly staff will happily oblige to give you the rundown on their large selection by phone or fax. In our experience, springing for Riverside's moderately-priced Yuengling Lager keg (last time we were there it was about $76) is always a crowd pleaser. And if you can score a free copy of the Hatchet, we hear Riverside runs coupons in there. Just be careful parking in front of the market next door when you to pick up or drop-off — they'll yell at you for blocking their entrance. Call 202-338-4882.
Logan Circle: The only place in the neighborhood is Barrel House Liquor, at 1341 14th Street, NW. Waltz through their nifty half-barrel doorway and you'll surely be set up quickly with the keg of your choice — just be prepared to pay a few dollars more for the convenience of the location. No Web site that we could find. Call (202) 332-5999.
Adams Morgan: The keg spot in this neighborhood is Metro Wine and Spirits, at 1726 Columbia Rd NW. A Yuengling keg runs $79, much less for other domestics. They have all the necessary buckets, taps and ice, and will let you borrow their hand truck for loading, too. Not bad, especially if you don't want to hike all the way to G'Town. No Web site, though. (202) 265-5066.
Georgetown: There are actually several options in Georgetown, but most of the folks we've talked to swear by Dixie Liquors, who have an extensive Web site and some of the cheapest deals in town (down close to $45 for the cheap stuff like Bud Ice). Just make sure to call well in advance of when you'll need your keg, as sometimes they run out of the more popular beers. That's not to say the guys at Dixie aren't accommodating: We've learned from experience that they'll almost always return your deposit, even if you've let a keg sit outdoors all winter collecting moss and rat droppings. 3429 M Street NW, Call 202-337-4412.
Tenleytown: Up at AU the kids all know about Tenley Mini Market, located at 4326 Wisconsin Ave NW, right next to the Metro stop. Competitive prices, fast service and a convenient location all make it a popular destination for all denizens of upper NW. No Web site, though. Call 202-363-8683.
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Hey, can't forget good old Tenley Liquor... closer to the Metro than the Mini Mart and with a website, too.
http://www.tenleywineandliquor.com/
I guess this is my Capitol Hill/NE bias showing, but as far as I'm concerned Metro Ice & Beverage is the best place in DC for kegs.
I've always bought my kegs from AB Liquor on Columbia rd next to the Blockbuster. Around $70 for a keg of Yeungling.
Also in Adams Morgan is AB liquors at the corner of 18th and Columbia. Similar prices, and they also let you borrow their hand truck.
(202) 234-5500
I'm not sure about AB Liquors' schedule, but for Metro Wine and Sprits, if I remember correctly, if you want to request something special specific for Friday, call them by Tuesday so they can order it.
Capitol City Brewing Compay sells kegs of their fresh beer. http://www.capcitybrew.com/
cairo liquors on 17th and corcoran for the dupont crowd.
"a frequent customer", I gotta ask - do you really haul a keg on the metro? Because that would be awesome.
If you have a car or a buddy that can drive you I suggest going to Town Hall Liquor on Rt. One in Collge Park. Depending on traffic it is about a 20 minute drive from my place in Logan Circle. It's a hike, but the ammount you save buying from them than from buying from someone in the district really makes it worth the trouble. On another note, if you buy liquor or beer from their store you can go next door to their bar and drink it.
Cairo liquor. The guys who run the place tell the same hilarious jokes every time you come in. Keg of High Life is around $50.
Best place (and best beer) Rock Bottom Brewery!
Another vote for Tenley Liquor. Like Dixie Liquor, it's more than a store--it's a tradition. Every AU undergraduate knows that you get your kegs from Tenley Liquor. The minimart is for 40's and racks of the Beast.
What a nice trip down memory lane. I haven't bought a keg in YEARS, but back in the day, we always went to Dixie. Luckily, (or sadly, depending on how yo see it) we became such frequent customers that they stopped asking for a deposit and they gave us a tap. I think I may still have it in a box somewhere. Ah, the early 90s.
Metro Ice and Beverage is the best. Pretty convienient for the Dupont/Adams Morgan area - right down Florida Ave.. Lots of parking, great prices on kegs(at least they used to be), big selection. I have bought from Cario and Riverside and Metro Ice and Beverage is a much better way to go.
I find it rather comical that you've taken the time to create a post about purchasing college students in the distric trying to buy a keg.
It's a well known fact that parties at GW and Georgetown suck because
a)the crowds are homogenous and lame
b)they always run out of booze
c)the music is terrible.
This is why a school like Maryland is amazing. Right near a big city, but you still get that down home college campus feel. And I speak the truth because I'm a UM alum and I've crashed many a party at both of our district rivals. Never mind what the City Paper said, Maryland is still a genius place..Don't believe me? Ask people if they've ever heard of 26th place aka the Francis Estate.
Metro Ice hands down.
Natty Light for $45...done.
Never taken a keg onto the metro, but I did convince a cabbie to let me throw two kegs in the back of his crown vic outside Tenley Liqour
Once an eagle, always an eagle...
Wow...it's been a while since I've bought a keg, but I wanted to add another vote for the guys at Metro Ice (they are very cool), as well as University Liquors up on Hawaii Ave by Catholic U.
K -
Is that why the Washington City Paper did an entire feature a couple of weeks ago on how much College Park sucks.
I hope I'm missing some sarcasm here...
I third (fourth?) Metro Ice & Beverage. Good prices, friendly service (I wasn't going to be able to return the keg and buckets on time, so I called them; they said to just bring it in when I could, no extra fees).
Plus, if you're also going the ice slide route, you can get one of those there, too.
gonna give another vote for metro ice and beverage...always got the kegs for our parties there before castle fun-fun got gentrified off of u street
Is that why the Washington City Paper did an entire feature a couple of weeks ago on how much College Park sucks?
No the Shitty Paper did that 'cause they're a bunch of supercilious douchebags that love to take cheap shots at people and places that don't have an opportunity to defend themselves against their petty attacks. The Shitty Paper ran a straight character assassination on a high school baseball player a few months back. How can you continue to take them seriously?
Here's another vote for Metro Ice and Beverage. I echo all the comments above, and should relate a quick story about it...
They have a bucket of icepicks up at the register, closer to the customer than the employee (only $2 as well). Me and a friend were getting a keg, my friend looks at the icepicks, looks up at the employee, looks down at the icepicks and says "Do you really think it's a good idea to sell icepicks"? The guy shrugged and my friend stood in silence before saying "Do you really want to make it THAT easy for someone walking into a liquor store to obtain a weapon...this IS a liquor store".
But it's also an ice store and people like ice picks. Anyway, great place, great service and cheap icepicks.
Dominic said, "I'm not sure about AB Liquors' schedule, but for Metro Wine and Sprits, if I remember correctly, if you want to request something special specific for Friday, call them by Tuesday so they can order it."
I think it really depends upon the beer, but I've ordered a keg at AB the day before I wanted to pick it up. They suggest 24 hours so they have time to chill it for you. So if it comes down to turnaround time, AB would seem to be better than Metro.
Another vote for Metro Ice & Beverage.
Any place that is referred to as Keg City has to be good... and it is. Great bottle beer selection as well.
Who needs a car when you can just rent a zipcar? Not me!
College Park sucks. You know it. I know it. The City Paper just reported it.
I used to get my kegs at Dixie too. Great memories.
High Life? You must be kidding. That is nasty.