Sunday, June 16, 2013

Go Mad My Son

Yesterday, Mrs V, myself, and my parents went up to DC for a day trip. It's only a couple of hours by car from our house to the parts of Northern Virginia that have a connection to the city itself through the wonders of the metro, and so we parked up and rode into the District of Columbia.

Having bimbled by Capitol Hill, strolled along the National Mall, sauntered around the National Air and Space Museum, we were all well and truly foot weary. Earlier in the day my mother had mentioned that my parents would like to treat us to a good meal. Not being all that knowledgeable about the DC area, and the fact that our car was out near Falls Church, I suggested trying out Mad Fox Brewing.

I have only ever heard good things about Mad Fox, so it was with some excitement, and not a little trepidation, that we took our seats. I say trepidation because so often when a place is praised to the heavens it fails to live up to my expectations.

Mad Fox would be different. From the moment I looked at the beer menu I knew what I wanted to drink. Mason's Dark Mild, a 3.3% English style mild, served on cask, that could not have been any more spot on had it tried, and yes, it was served as cask ale should be, sparkled. I tried a few samples of other beers, a kölsch, both filtered and keller style, again excellent, an English Summer Ale, superb, and a porter which was entirely magnificent.

The beer was just one part of the deal, as there is traditionally food involved in dinner, and the food was as good as the beer. Whether is was my burger with caramelised onion jam, or my mother's fig and balsamic pizza, there was a general consensus that the food was delightful. Oh, and did I mention yet that the service was absolutely wonderful?

It's fair to say I have become a fan.

8 comments:

  1. I really need to get on a road trip. I hear there is some wonderful cask outlets these days back in the old country.

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  2. Do ever find yourself in Baltimore? If so, ever tried Pratt Street Ale House?

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  3. I refer my friend to the following:

    http://www.fuggled.net/2012/09/please-sir-i-want-some-baltimore.html

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  4. Velky: I am going to visit my uncle who lives in Richmond. Do you know the best places to drink beer? I love cask ale by the way.

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  5. Some places that I like:

    Downtown Capital Ale House - http://www.capitalalehouse.com/locations/downtown.php
    Legend Brewing - http://www.legendbrewing.com
    Hardywood Craft Brewery - http://www.hardywood.com
    Penny Lane - http://www.pennylanepub.com/

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  6. Thank you Velky, I look forward to frequenting them all.

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  7. "Served as cask ale should be, sparkled."

    Well. That really depends where you're coming from, doesn't it?

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  8. My family and I had the exact same experience last week. Beer and food were outstanding (service I'd put at OK, but I'll withhold judgement as it was only one visit). If I'm ever in the area again I'll be back for sure.

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