Beer Garden And Craft Beers At Westover Market In Westover, Arlington

Westover Market creates a craft-beer garden

The first clue that Westover Market is no ordinary grocery store is the Great Wall of Beer, an epic selection of brews that has slowly taken over the produce cases since the Hicks family bought the market four years ago.

Now the beer program has expanded even more, with an outdoor beer garden on the market's brick patio.

Each night under a canopy of ornamental apple trees, market employees pour six drafts of seasonal and cult brews (set to live music on weekends).

The selection might include Bell's Oberon ($5), Southern Tier's Unearthly IPA ($9) or Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA ($5), but beer guru Devin Hicks changes it up with each keg, so there's almost always something new on tap.

The market also serves creative bar food to accompany the beer, including spicy bulgogi ($9), sandwiches and fried crab legs ($18), which are salty, crispy and perfect with beer. The market has also worked with nearby ice cream shop Toby's (formerly Scoop Beauregard's) to create specialty flavors using Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head and Southern Tier beers, all available by the pint to take home or eat on the patio.

Next month marks the launch of a specialty butcher counter run by EcoFriendly Foods, meaning that Westover Market will be a one-stop shop for unparalleled beer and food.

Westover Market, 5863 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington; 703-536-5040 or westovermarket.com