250+ Belgian Inspired Beers: The Sovereign Opens in Georgetown

/

by Raisa Aziz, special to EdibleDC DSC_7704

Tucked away in a Georgetown alley, the Sovereign is a celebration of Belgian brewing culture and cuisine. Beer Director Greg Engert has meticulously curated a selection of 50 beers on draft and over 200 bottles that represents the flavors and craft-brewed complexity of the best Belgian beer. With such a breadth of options to choose from, staff are ready to help you navigate the selection of domestic and imported ales - the most intriguing of which was an unlabeled and fairly hard-to-get-your-hands-on bottle of  Westvleteren XII from the Belgian Trappist brewery founded in 1838.

DSC_7687-2

Naturally, such a selection of drinks needs a culinary experience to match it. Executive Chef Peter Smith and Chef de Cuisine Lars Beese turn out bar bites and entrees that focus on rustic Belgian dishes that place traditional ingredients at the core. The menu is also influenced by French, German and Dutch cooking traditions. Dutch-style mussels, braises and stews such as Lapin a la Kriek (Rabbit braised in Cherry Beer), Flammkuchen and Tartes Flambé and other classic regional dishes serve as the foundation of Smith’s seasonally changing menu.

DSC_7681

One might say that the idea for the Sovereign has been brewing for a while, dating back to Engert’s early days at the Brickskeller, when he first began studying Belgian style beers and brewing. Both Engert and Smith explored breweries, bars, and bistros in Belgium during a research trip last year, which influenced the design and menu development of the Sovereign.

Take the short trip to Georgetown for a Belgian culinary adventure.

The Sovereign opens today and is located at 1206 Wisconsin Avenue (alley entrance off Wisconsin & M Street NW).

RaisaRaisa Aziz (@raisaaziz) is a food stylist, photographer and writer in the DC Area. When not cooking, baking or eating, you can find her bopping about town in search of local adventures.