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Kensington, Maryland, is a Washington, DC, suburb located between Rockville and Silver Spring.
There are a few nice places for craft beer in Kensington, including a brewery, a sandwich shop with an excellent bottle shop, and a nice beer & wine bar with a shop.
The Best Craft Beer Bars in Kensington
Knowles Station Wine & Co
If you want a fun evening out in Kensington with beer, wine, and good food, look no further than Knowles Station Wine & Co.
The bright, multilevel space combines an excellent wine and beer shop along with a bar and restaurant.
The main shop area is perfect for grabbing some beer or wine to go. There are hundreds of beers available in the coolers and on the shelves.
Book your hotel in Washington DC now!Hundreds of wines are also available from all over the world. They even host wine tastings. Their stated goal is to make wine more accessible, so wines are available at a range of price points.
At the center of the space, as you walk in, is the bar area. There are TVs showing sports, as well as 20 taps of craft beer, many of which are local to Maryland and the DMV.
If you want a bit more of a restaurant atmosphere, there’s an upper level with additional seating. The whole place is bright thanks to being two stories with lots of windows. Or, if the weather is nice, sit outside on the patio.
The food menu includes bar bites, salads, sandwiches, and main courses.
Address: 10414 Detrick Ave, Kensington, MD 20895 (map)
Website
The Best Breweries in Kensington
BabyCat Brewery
The cat-themed BabyCat Brewery is the first brewery in Kensington. It’s located just next to the train tracks in downtown Kensington, Maryland. The railroad ties in with the bar’s design, which includes an old CSX train track used as a foot rail.
In addition to a cat logo and other artwork, beer names include cat references such as Feral, On The Prowl, Catnip Bender, and Alice.
Alice is the name of the owners’ small cat, hence their brewery being named BabyCat in her honor.
For those who aren’t into beer, the taproom also offers wine, cocktails, and sodas.
The taproom is very kid-friendly while still being welcoming to everyone. There’s an upstairs patio that’s adults only, which is nice. The whole place is also dog-friendly.
Outside in the beer garden, there’s also space for a stage for live music, as well as a playground area. The brewery also has trivia nights and other events.
The Cattie Shack food cart offers pizzas, burgers, fries, and other snacks. You’re also welcome to bring your own food.
One note: The parking situation at BabyCat is limited, with signs from other businesses saying “No BabyCat parking.” I’ve found it easiest to park on a nearby street and walk to the brewery.
BabyCat is also planning on opening a new taproom and restaurant in Bethesda soon.
Address: 10241 Kensington Pkwy, Kensington, MD 20895 (map)
Website
The Best Bottle Shops in Kensington
Old Town Market
Right around the corner from BabyCat is a small market that sells everything you need in life: drinks and sandwiches.
At the counter, you’ll find made-to-order sandwiches (which you could take to BabyCat) and some bakery items. They also offer soups, coffee, and ice cream.
The store also has a massive selection of beer and wine from around the world, making it an excellent place to stop in to bring something home.
Address: 10251 Kensington Pkwy, Kensington, MD 20895 (map)
Website
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For more nearby craft beer, read my recommendations for craft beer in Bethesda, craft beer in Silver Spring, and craft beer in Rockville.
Here are some great Washington DC tours & activities & other things to see & do in Silver Spring.
Do you love craft beer? Check out more of my recommendations for the best craft beer around the world!
