It is a Czech beer garden and has the ability to get the hipsters out of Manhattan and come over the bridge to come there. I would think that a Beer Garden might work if it was maybe in SE or NE somewhere, the place in Astoria takes up a full block. and fits hundreds of people in the summer.

Not that it helps us here but I should mention that even though the Hofbrau brews are not tops with me, my experience with their Las Vegas franchise was surprisingly positive. The LV location imports the beer, as opposed to the locally brewed versions at their other locations. I've heard fairly positive things about the local made product, and while I am a bit suspicious (for the most part I still don't believe we can brew German styles well at this point... with notable exceptions) I am keen to check out the Pittsburgh branch.

I agree that DC needs and deserves a giant field of tree covered tables and steady flow of malty Helles. Noch eins.

As an aside, somewhere in here is the story of the death of what used to be a fairly robust and entrenched local German culture. Is the Washington Journal still produced?

While this town is lacking in a proper Biergarten, one might cast an eye at the reopened Blob's Park, though that's indoors too, there are some places that give a slight favor of the Garten experience. As you note Cafe Berlin, while a bit formal, has a nice little patio. Wonderland Ballroom has some nice picnic benches which worked perfectly with the Spaten Maibock a few weeks back and it felt very correct.

Key to this though is the German beer. Nothing goes better with a wee tipple under the trees than a honeyish Helles, a solid Dunkel, a robust Marzen, or a chewy Bock.

Now I had a Krug of Augustiner when I came in here.....