I'm going to a conference in DC in April (unfortunately not the same time as CBC). Staying at the Ritz Carlton near Foggy Bottom. I won't have a lot of time to go out and I'll probably have to have coworkers tag along with me. Is there anywhere else beside ChurchKey worth going to in that general area?
Bier Baron! It is an easy walk from Foggy Bottom. I work at GWU in Foggy Bottom (hint hint) and we go there all the time after work. Happy hour gets you a burger and a beer for $10 (we abused this too much with their $12 beers (as in, '04 Foghorn. Prices otherwise are good) so now it's just a selection, sorry). You could also walk to Georgetown and hit up the Pizza Paradiso there (different tap lists at each location). To get to Dupont from Foggy is also a 10-15 minute walk, so the distance is comparable to Georgetown but there is more to do in Dupont as you are not a dumbass tourist or overprivileged undergrad.
In Dupont there is also Kramer's books, which will have a few locals on as well as Troegs and really good food all hours (they are 24 hours on the weekend). It's a bookstore, cafe, and bar in one. On CT Ave in Dupont is The Big Hunt, more locals and special releases. I recommend stopping there as well.
Churchkey isn't that quick to get to either, there isn't a closer metro stop than Dupont which is the Red, FB is Blue/Orange. It is a must-stop though. Just taxi there, and try to get there towards the end of happy hour (not that they have one) as the crowd will have started to thin out.
If you are pressed for time and don't want to taxi much, there are some more local options to FB:
Founding Farmers on Penn has a small but carefully selected tap list and really good cocktails/prohibition style mostly, and the food is great as well - Bacon Lollies. Make a reservation or just stalk the large central bar for seats.
Circa and District Commons are right around the Foggy Bottom metro and would suffice for happy hour. The pretzel loaf for $2 at Commons will ruin anyone's diet. Both will have at least 1 DC Brau on. I'd say the food is better at Circa, but the beer selection is larger by draft and bottle at Commons.