Written by DCist contributor Eric Denman

As summer lingers on, the average D.C. resident may be tempted to stay indoors, limit excursions, and camp out in front of the A/C unit with a tongue-numbingly cold, mass-produced lager. There is a better option! A nice Belgian beer can quench your thirst while also satisfying your palate. Although some Belgian styles may be a bit heavy for summer, many of them fit the bill perfectly (Witbier and Lambic spring to mind, Blonde and Abbey ales also). Luckily for us, D.C. has a great range of bars throughout the city that serve a wide selection of Belgian beers for your enjoyment:

One of the newest entries in the field, Brasserie Beck has been a recent hit with an all-Belgian beer list and all-Belgian food menu. The 11 taps are creatively and aptly chosen, and the bar area is one of the best places to drink Belgian ales in the city. Be aware, however: this place gets very busy, and a spot at the bar can be a difficult thing to snag, even on a weekday night.

Birreria Paradiso, in the basement of the popular Georgetown pizza joint, has an eclectic and frequently rotating tap list of 16 primarily American and Belgian brews. Although the bottle list is equally extensive, the taps are the real reason to make this a stop on any Georgetown visit. Also, being in a basement, it provides a nice respite from the bitter heat, especially if you manage to stay downstairs until the sun goes down.