WASHINGTON - Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world's largest hotel companies, and Concord Hospitality, an award-winning hotel management and development company, celebrated the opening of the Cambria hotel & suites Washington, D.C. Convention Center by hosting a local craft beer tasting competition featuring local breweries and judged by a panel of celebrity food and beverage experts, including local restaurateur and Bravo's Top Chef alum, Chef Mike Isabella. The winning brew will be added to the hotel's impressive list of local craft breweries including: Flying Dog, Starr Hill, 3 Stars, DC Brau, Evolution, DogFish Head, Port City and Old Dominion. The hotel, located at 899 O Street NW, in the historic Shaw neighborhood and just one block from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, was transformed into an urban beer garden for the day to embrace The District's local community and craft brew culture. Guests included local dignitaries, local business partners, neighboring businesses and friends and families of Choice Hotels.
"Washington, D.C. is a primary urban market for Choice Hotels, which is headquartered in nearby Rockville, Maryland, and like all Cambria hotels & suites properties, the D.C. property is heavily influenced by the local community," said Michael Murphy, senior vice president of upscale brands at Choice Hotels. "Our extensive research has shown that craft beer and dining options are important to millennial travelers, and the Cambria hotels & suites brand wants to embrace the desires of millennial travelers by offering an all new, elevated food & beverage program aimed at providing an engaging guest experience – an experience where craft beer will continue to be a focal point in the Cambria bar. We are thrilled to support local breweries and offer another local beer to our guests."
Upon arrival, event guests were greeted by a local street performer playing an impressive 20-bucket drum set. Guests then transcended the iconic LED-lit red terrazzo staircase leading to the open lobby. While in the lobby everyone was entertained by the eclectic style of local disc jockey, DJ Incredible, while they mingled with neighborhood brewery representatives and sampled their featured craft beers.
After enjoying the beverage offerings, guests were able to network with the celebrity judging panel, led by Bravo's Top Chef alum and recent Top Chef Duels participant, Chef Mike Isabella. Guests also enjoyed tours of the 9-story, 182-room hotel and had a chance to enjoy the transformed rooftop patio, complete with views of the U.S. Capitol and national monuments.
Representatives from Choice Hotels and Concord Hospitality, as well as Councilwoman Muriel Bowser toasted the brand, the hotel and the neighborhood before the judging panel announced the winning brew.
Throughout the event, food pairings from Cambria Chef Michael DeMaria were available as well as a full bar offering.
In addition, the Cambria hotel & suites Washington, D.C. hosted a raffle featuring locally themed baskets filled with hotel stays and items that represent what the District is known for. All proceeds from the event were donated to SOME (So Others Might Eat), a local charity that aims to help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness in the nation's capital.
