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Rock Bottom Brewery - Bethesda, MD
Brewery/BrewPub/Beer Bar Reviews
 
November 24, 2009 @ 05:50 AM EDT
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Type: BrewPub
Rock Bottom Brewery
Overall: Great    Score: 70.6 / 100
7900 Norfolk Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
United States
(301) 652-1311
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Listed Since: December 1996
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alternatives
(19 within 5 miles)
1) Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle
(0 mile)
2) The Barking Dog
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3) Ri Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant
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bed & breakfasts
within 5 miles
1) Bed & Breakfast League
 2) Lucy's Bed & Breakfeast
 3) Sea Voice Inn
nearby hotels
w/ online reservations
1) AMERICAN INN OF BETHESDA
 2) BETHESDA COURT HOTEL
 3) BETHESDA SUITES MARRIOTT
 4) Connecticut Avenue Days Inn
 5) DOUBLETREE HOTEL ROCKVILLE
 6) EMBASSY SUITES CHEVY CHASE
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(historic places)
within 5 miles
1) Bethesda Meetinghouse
 2) Bethesda Naval Hospital Tower
 3) Bethesda Theatre
 4) Boulder Bridge and Ross Drive Bridge
 5) Boulder Bridge and Ross Drive Bridge
 6) Building at 3901 Connecticut Ave., NW
 7) Cabin John Aqueduct
 8) Carnegie Institution of Washington, Geophysical Laboratory
 9) Carousel at Glen Echo Park
 10) Chautauqua Tower
 11) Chevy Chase Theater
 12) Clara Barton National Historic Site
 13) Cloverdale
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 15) Ingleside
 16) Milton
 17) Montrose Schoolhouse
 18) North Corner Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 19) Northwest No. 4 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 20) Northwest No. 5 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 21) Northwest No. 6 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 22) Northwest No. 7 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 23) Northwest No. 8 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 24) Northwest No. 9 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
 25) Pierce Mill
 26) Pierce Springhouse and Barn
 27) Pierce Springhouse and Barn
 28) Pierce Still House
 29) Pierce-Klingle Mansion
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 34) Springland
 35) United States Daughters of 1812, National Headquarters
 36) Wiley--Ringland House
 37) Wright, Robert Llewellyn, House
nearby
restaurants
(within 2 miles)
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Overall Average User Rating
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Good Good Good

Review Page: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ ALL ]
Individual User Reviews
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
N/A N/A Lousy Lousy Lousy
Wow. I've never met a more hostile bartender than the one at Rock Bottom. I will NEVER, EVER return there. My chicken sandwich tasted like fish. It was not a slight fishy taste, it really tasted like they cooked it on the same grill as the tuna and made no effort to clean the tuna off the grill before they cooked the chicken. The biggest downside, though, was the service, which was rude to the point of provocing confrontation. I've been going to bars for 15 years, and I've never experienced anything like this. I also consciously make an effort to be polite to everyone I deal with, so I really don't think I brought this on. Another member in my party had the same reactions and thoughts. There are lots of other good places in Bethesda, my recommendation is to STAY AWAY.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from StayAway StayAway, Fairfax, VA
(02/09/2008)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great So So Lousy Good So So
Never EVER eat late night food at this place. I am writing this review purely because this is the SECOND time I have gotten food poisoning from their late nite fare. The first time was over 5 years ago, and it had been that long since I had eaten there, but last night, looking to grab a quick bite had their pretzels which are served with a side of artichoke cheese which apparently was not stored properly, causing me to spend the first half of my day today living in the bathroom. Not a fun experience. I will obviously NEVER eat there again, and if you value your health I recommend that you do the same.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Kevin Kevin, Rockville, MD
(12/31/2007)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Great Great
We come here often. A nice place to play pool and have a beer. The food is generally good and beer is very good. I had their Belgium on tap last night and it was great. Had two beers on cask and both were excellent. I highly recommend their beer dinners, which they have on an irregular basis.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Patrick Patrick, Washington Grove, MD
(04/07/2007)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Good Great
I went to Rock Bottom to watch MNF and it was busy, but not packed. I was able to get a seat at the bar. I enjoyed the Pale Ale. It was smooth, yet flavorful. The Mahi-Mahi was spicy and very good. The Red Ale was good, like an ESB. I tried the brown ale but it was too heavy for my taste. Service was ok, but not attentive.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Chuck Scott Chuck Scott, Fort Washington, PA
(12/12/2006)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Great Great
My intial apprehensions about visiting the Rock Bottom chains have, at least during my last two visits to seperate locations (Bethesda and Denver, CO), proven unfounded. The Bethesda branch offers a wide selection of brews that showcase a nice assortment of beer styles. I especially enjoyed the pale ale (nice citrusy hop notes) and the seasonal alt beer. Taken with the nitro-pour stout and the cask-conditioned red ale and you've got a great portfolio. I only wish we stayed here to watch the basketball game as the service at the nearby Willie & Reeds sports bar bordered on criminal (word to the wise...skip that joint.)Keep up the great work RB.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Kirk Struble Kirk Struble, New York, NY
(02/22/2006)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good Great Good Good
As we all know by now, RB is a national chain, each franchise having its' own brewer. At Bethesda RB is Geoff Lively, who has always brewed some good quaffs (for any Bud drinker who may have stumbled upon this site, "quaff" means to leisurly drink with pleasure.) Currently on tap, Geoff has his seasonal ESB (extra scary beer - though not as scary as Blatz Lite), which is also offered on cask - this was delicious. To really enjoy this place, one must pretend it is not located in one of DCs' most pretentious DC suburbs: home of folks named Kyle, Kelli and Kandi, and enjoy the beer and food, of which their pizza is great (IMHO, of course). If the fermenting tank is to be believed, and who distrusts that, Geoff's next seasonal is an IPA. BTW, RB Bethesda offers great tapping events for Mug Club Members (of which I am one). However it being Bethesda, perhaps Smug Club would be more appropriate. How do you like that Karla and Kenny?

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Jerry Boesen Jerry Boesen, Gaithersburg, MD
(10/23/2005)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Awesome! Great Great Great Great
STILLWATER STOUT the best on the list. Anything on cask is always great. Dollar Drafts during Happy Hour!!!!

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Tap Gatons Tap Gatons, Gaithersburg, MD
(11/16/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Good Great
As I've mentioned elsewhere here, I do this for a living: I write about beer. So when I go in a brewpub, generally the first thing I get is a sampler so I can taste as many of a brewery's beers as possible. Not this time. I saw some people drinking pints of cask ale at the bar, and asked the bartender what was on. I got a pint of pale ale...and it was tremendous. It was all I drank, I mean, why mess with perfection? Kudos to Geoff Lively; great job!

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Lew Bryson Lew Bryson, Langhorne, PA
(10/22/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Good Good Great
We went to Rock Bottom Saturday evening for dinner. The Octoberfest was milky smooth with only a slight hop undertone. The red and brown were competently-executed, although cask had a negligible effect on the final result. Even the resident light beer had a malty body usually missing from the genre. Food was o.k.--Beer bread with asiago cheese dip is a nice accompanyment, but everything else was about a quarter step above a TGIFridays. Not too crowded for a Saturday, even with live music.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Diana Diana, Frederick, MD
(09/23/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Great Great Great
Finally made it...hesitated the long drive due to the Rock Bottom rep across the country. But wow, the beer was actually very good, the service was right on, and the pretzels and cheese dip was a meal in itself...and on a Saturday night!

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Nick-the Beer Trekker Nick-the Beer Trekker, Baltimore, MD
(03/04/2001)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So So So Great Great So So
If the beer were as good as The Chophouse(Part of Rock Bottom)I would make it my regular hang out, but it's not. I would like to know what the people who rated it better than so-so were drinking, or smoking.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review Rockville, MD
(02/22/2001)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So So So Great Great So So
If the beer were as good as The Chophouse(Part of Rock Bottom)I would make it my regular hang out, but it's not. I would like to know what the people who rated it better than so-so were drinking, or smoking.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review Rockville, MD
(02/22/2001)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good N/A Good Good
Stopped in after midnight and only had time for one pint, the real ale on cask. It was very good, mild and rich, not very hoppy. A band was playing and the bar was crowded, upstairs pool section closed. Dug the old Triumph motorcycle on display near the gents. The beer varieties were similar to those available in the Rock Bottom stores in other towns, but with different, locally-tuned names. Most RB locations can do good cask ales.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Roach Roach, Plano, TX
(05/10/2000)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So Good Awesome! Awesome! Great
Typical chain brewpubs, timid and middle of the road "everyman's " beer, why do the have such a fear of hops? On the other hand the food and service were execptional. Nice place to kick back. Not a good place for beer geeks like me.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Gordon Lester Gordon Lester, Silver Spring, MD
(02/01/2000)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Great Great
Stillwater Stout very drinkable and quite enjoyable. Pool tables and tvs upstairs. Nice place to grab a bite and a pint.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Earl Gatons Earl Gatons, Mont. Village, MD
(10/31/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Awesome! Awesome! Great Good Great
Van and Jeff are some of the best brewers around. All the seasonals are exceptional. Drink Up!

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Maura Maura, Raleigh, NC
(09/06/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Great Great
I find Rock Bottom to be great everytime I go there. Rock Bottom is the only brewpub in Bethesda now that Capital City (Bethesda) is closed. The atmosphere is very pleasant at Rock Bottom and my favorite beer is the Stillwater Stout.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from E. Gant E. Gant, Millville, NJ
(08/17/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Great Great Great Great
Their regular beers are watery. The Helles and Hefe were great.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Mike Mike, Levittown, PA
(08/08/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good N/A Good Good
I read the reviews on this place and was expecting so-so beer, but I really liked the Hefeweizen. It was done properly. I didn't try any other beers.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Jim Plant Jim Plant, Asheboro, NC
(06/30/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Good Good Great
If you are going for good food and drinks, you really have many other places in Behtesda. If you are looking for a good time and alot of freindly fun peaople, than this is your place. I go there every time I am in Bethesda, and have yet to be dissapointent. This is the place to pick up.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from b b, Washington, DC
(05/21/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great So So Good Great Good
The Indianapolis Location is a better setting in the downtown area. The food and beer are great everywhere

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Jack Lashenik Jack Lashenik, Merrillville, IN
(03/10/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So So So Good So So So So
Expensive, bland, and otherwise mediocre beer. Food was decent. The scene is your typical downtown Bethesda. If you're into the scene this is the place. If you want to drink good beer at affordable prices, then you can probably do better.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from JC JC, Washington, DC
(01/27/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So So So Good Great Great

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Todd Hardin Todd Hardin, Rockville, MD
(01/11/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Great Good Good
The "Brown Bear" is excellent, the rest of the beer is okay. Their food, however, is very good, reasonably priced and in large portions.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Ordered Chaos Ordered Chaos, Bethesda, MD
(12/29/1998)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So So So N/A Good So So
Five beers on tap: light, pale, red, brown and dunkel. Unfortunately, they tasted as unimaginative as their names. This place has gone down hill in the past year...

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review Arlington, VA
(11/28/1998)
 
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