In this episode, we are in Washington, DC for the Inauguration of President Barrack Obama (be sure to checkout our Inauguration video). After the Inauguration we stopped into RFD, Regional Food and Drink to try the Obamagang Inauguration Ale made by Ommegang Brewery.
The Obamagang Inauguration Ale was in our opinion an excellent beer, but as for the Regional Food and Beverage, we were not overly impressed.
RFD had the feel of a sports bar and a lack of attention to detail like a chain restaurant. They had a wide beer selection but strangely listed in alphabetical order with no descriptions. The table we were seated at was dirty. We were initially seated next to the back door, which was very cold as people walked in and out from the back bar. We asked to change tables and we were seated at another dirty table. The server was not friendly, she seemed pretty inconvenienced to be there. We ordered two Brew Burgers and were never offered cheese on them. The food arrived quickly and was well prepared, but the plates were chipped. That was the last we saw of our server for the evening, having to go to the bar to ask for additional beers.
Part of me wants to say this was a really busy day, perhaps not a fair time to evaluate our experience, while the other part of me says it was no busier than a Friday or Saturday night would be (we only waited 20 minutes for a table). The most disappointing part was that the Inaugural parade on the TV was changed to make way for college basketball! I guess that certainly puts the nail in the “sports bar” definition!
Would we go back, probably – we always give second chances. But from this take, we think that RFD is just not for us. As for Obamagang, if anyone happens to have a bottle that they are willing to part with – please email us immediately!
I am from DC and agree that RFD can be a bit generic. Did you get to try their other bar the Brickskeller? Its probably more your (and admittedly other beer people) style. I am jealous you got to try the Obama beer though, I missed it. Nice site, hope you guys keep up the videos.
Hey Steve, thanks for the comment. We didn’t try any other pubs on this trip. We certainly intend to go back to DC and give RFD another try as well as several of the many other beer bars we have read about. Thanks again for watching!
Just heard from Larry at Ommegang and sorry to report that it doesn’t look like Obamagang was made available in bottles:
“Just saw your posting on your inauguration visit. Pretty cool. The inauguration, I mean, as well as the beer blog.
No bottled Obamagang I’m sorry to say. Only 400 kegs and they’re moving out fast. Sorry too, but it’s not licensed in VT either. Sometimes life is so damned unfair.
I’m glad you enjoyed your Obamagang at RFD.”
Very cool of Larry to email, speaks volumes about the brewery that they are interested in the opinions of beer consumers – hats off to them and we can’t wait to take our trip to their brewery!
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