Local taps at Gate D23 before you leave DC
Gate D23 in Terminal D is where DC Crafts Brews keeps a rotating lineup of local and regional beers on tap, and beer nerds treat it as a last DC pour before boarding. It sits post-security in Concourse D, a few minutes’ walk from the D20–D26 cluster, and runs in the $$ range with pints often pushing into the low teens. Google and Yelp reviewers land it around a 3.8 rating, mostly on the strength of the draft list.
The bar centers on DC and Mid‑Atlantic breweries, with several taps plus bottles and cans; one reviewer called the draft list “surprisingly good for an airport bar.” Food is standard bar fare: burgers, sandwiches, and fries, enough to count as a meal if you have 45–60 minutes before boarding from D‑gates. Figure on a burger or sandwich landing around typical airport pricing, solid but not destination dining.
Regulars who connect through IAD often grab a single local pint here, then head to C or A via the AeroTrain rather than camping out for a full dinner. Frequent flyers also report better attention sitting at the bar rail than at the surrounding tables, especially during evening bank departures around 5–9 p.m. A Yelp review puts it plainly: “Pricey pints but it’s a nice way to kill a delay with something local in your glass.”
Watch out for the usual airport bar issues. Beer prices draw the loudest complaints, with checks climbing fast if you stay for two or three rounds. Several reviewers mention 15–20 minute waits to order when D‑gate delays stack up and every one of the bar stools is filled. If you roll in during a weather mess, expect slow service and a crowd.
Tip: if you want one last local IPA before a D23–D30 departure, grab a bar seat as soon as you see an opening and order your first pint and food in the same round.