Brewery
Winner: Mustang Sally Brewing Company
With dark cherry Berliner Weisse, dry-hopped pilsner and an IPA with Arset Kveik, a Norwegian yeast strain, Mustang Sally leans to the experimental edge of beer making. Open in Chantilly for three years now, its large, industrial taproom is filled with arepas from Chamos, arcade games, lounge chairs and, of course, always-rotating taps. // 14140 Parke Long Court, Suite A-C, Chantilly
Runner-Up: Port City Brewing Company
The forefather and continual leader in Virginia’s craft beer scene, Port City is synonymous with local, consistently delicious brews. Its flagship Monumental IPA, not overly hoppy, is a testament to its signature understated style. // 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria
Winery
Winner: Doukénie Winery
With live music and pop-up food events, the 500-acre Hillsboro winery (and the largest farm winery in Loudoun) is much more than its award-winning wines. Heralded by winemaker James Phillips, the wines are made with Virginia’s signature grapes—petit verdot, tannat and viognier—and in 2018, three vintages won gold from the state’s Governor’s Cup competition. // 14727 Mountain Road, Purcellville
Runner-Up: Barrel Oak Winery
At a time when NoVA wineries are implementing new rules on who can come (21-plus) and what to bring (no outside food), Barrel Oak plays to everyone from (leashed) dogs allowed inside and outside to big groups (bachelorette parties!) and kids. The team also collected a slew of medals from national competitions over the years. // 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane
Old School Sips
Sports Bar
Winner: Glory Days // Multiple locations
Runner-Up: The G.O.A.T. // 3028 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Irish Bar
Winner: The Auld Shebeen // 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
Runner-Up: Four Provinces // 105 W. Broad St. Falls Church
Dive Bar
Winner: Vienna Inn // 120 E. Maple Ave., Vienna
Runner-Up: spacebar // 709 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Distillery
Winner: MurLarkey Distilled Spirits
This family affair—the amalgam of last names forms the company’s moniker—opened three years ago in Bristow, and already counts wins in the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Bottlings include flavored whiskeys (cinnamon, orange, coffee), vodka and a floral-forward gin. // 7961 Gainsford Court, Bristow
Runner-Up: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Catoctin Creek created the modern era of distilleries in George Washington’s playground. The husband-and-wife team—she’s the master distiller—set up shop in downtown Purcellville with a tasting room to showcase their award-winning spirits, like the flagship Roundstone Rye. // 120 W. Main St., Purcellville
Rooftop Bar
Winner: Wilson Hardware
Joining the Arlington drink scene in late 2017, Wilson Hardware offers a serene, clean backdrop—white chairs, white pergolas on a wide open rooftop—to sip cocktails (there’s a pink hibiscus drink titled Screw Him), and share it on social. // 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Runner-Up: Don Tito
The only thing better than sipping on margs and digging into tacos is being able to live that best life outside, on a roof deck. Thank you, Don Tito. // 3165 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Specialized Sips & Caffeinated Sips
Cocktail Bar
Winner: Wilson Hardware // 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Runner-Up: 703 Bar + Kitchen // 11787 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
Wine Bar
Winner: Screwtop Wine Bar // 1025 N. Filmore St., Arlington
Editor’s Pick: La Fromagerie // 1222 King St., Alexandria
Brewpub
Winner: Caboose Tavern // 520 Mill St. NE., Vienna
Runner-Up: Mad Fox Brewery // 444 W. Broad St., Suite I, Falls Church
Coffee House
Winner: Caffe Amouri // 107 Church St. NE., Vienna
Runner-Up: Northside Social // Multiple locations
Tea Shop
Winner: Elden Street Tea Shop // 714 Pine St., Herndon
Runner-Up: The Spice & Tea Exchange // 320 King St., Suite 112; Alexandria
Bubble Tea
Winner: Kung Fu Tea // Multiple locations
Runner-Up: Teas’n You // 8032 Leesburg Pike, Tysons
Our Best of NoVA 2019 issue is on stands now.
