The Sovereign

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

A slightly hidden gem in the nation’s capital, tucked away in a back alley in Georgetown but deeply stocked with one of the best selections of Belgian and Belgian-style drafts and bottles in the United States

What it is:

The Sovereign is a love letter to Belgian cuisine and beer from one of the most creative and beer-centric restaurant groups in the country. The two bars and dining rooms, low lights, intimate spaces, and library of Belgian beers (and American beers in the Belgian tradition) will thrill even the most hardened beer geek. Grab a table, order several shared plates, ogle the bottle cellar behind a wrought-iron gate on the second floor, and enjoy a beer selection not often found outside of Belgium.

Why it’s great:

The only real competition for The Sovereign in D.C. proper is sister beer restaurant/bar Churchkey, but any advantage that Churchkey might extract from its stylistically wider selection is neutralized by The Sovereign’s exquisite depth. The interiors are stunning—classically stylish with a rustic patina—and provide a perfect backdrop for the incredibly thorough menu of Belgian abbey and lambic faves. The beer laws in D.C., which allow a form of legal “bootlegging,” mean that The Sovereign has access to an unparalleled selection, but Beer Director Greg Engert’s reputation in the industry for fastidious care means that brewers jump at the chance to supply him with their best. —Jamie Bogner

DETAILS Hours: 5 p.m.–1 a.m., Sunday–thursday; 5 p.m.– 2 a.m., Friday & Saturday; Friday lunch 11:30 a.m.– 3 p.m.; Weekend brunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m.. Address: 1206 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Web: thesovereigndc.com