Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest, Leesburg

Though the name might insinuate otherwise, The Beer Joint actually specializes in three things: burgers, bourbon, and, yes, beer. They have so many varietals of the latter two, that all the drinks are divided into three profiles. For bourbon, that's traditional, high-wheat, and high-rye; for beer that's blonds, reds, and bolds, all of which are brewed in the pub's onsite brewery. The burgers are equally varied, and not just in the way of toppings. Some, like the All-American, layer tomatoes, onions, and cheese between sesame-seed buns. Others, like an octogenarian who can slam dunk, are bit more unexpected, like meatball-style sliders on toasted bread, or full-size patties bulked up with suet (beef fat) or Japanese beef. And for those who crave something a little different, The Beer Joint also offers up ribs, wings, and beer-battered mozzarella cheese sticks,