WASHINGTON — Sommelier is usually a title reserved for wine experts, but one local beer director has recently won the honor.
Food & Wine magazine names Greg Engert, director at Birch & Barley and Churchkey in D.C., as one of the sommeliers of the year. The magazine says he brings the same seriousness to beer that wine aficionados bring to their craft.
For instance, Engert likes to focus on pairings. It’s “not just saying we have great food and great beer, but bridging the gap between the two,” he says.
Another local man also made the national list.
John Wabeck from Inox in McLean, Va. has “compiled an incredibly thoughtful, food-friendly” wine list that is “heavy on Burgandy,” says the magazine.
He was a D.C.-area chef for almost 20 years, first crossing over into the alcohol trade seven years ago as chef and wine director at Firefly. His favorite pairing is a 2005 Bodegas Carrau Amat Tannat with spice-crusted venison and foie gras.
WTOP’s Andrew Mollenbeck contributed to this report. Follow Andrew Mollenbeck and WTOP on Twitter.
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