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--- The Judges Bench in downtown Ellicott City earned mention in Sunday's Howard section of the Baltimore Sun. It was mostly about owner Mike Johnson (pictured in the article) and his encyclopedic knowledge of beer and brewing.

It happens to be one of my regular stops and I swung in there yesterday to give congrats to Mike and staff. In my view its the second best beer bar in Howard County, behind Frisco Grille and certainly one of the best in Maryland with its 17 consistently rotating and versatile taps and excellent, underrated bottle fridge.

--- Everyone loves Brewer's Art Ozzy, even those all the way across the country.

--- Clipper City has now released its "Hang Ten" weizen dopplebock, a hefty 10% ABV unique brew.

--- Be sure to check out Just Beer News, a growing compendium of beer items and news releases.

--- Also, check out Pizza Blogger, who appreciates good brews as well as great pizza. Great site.

--- The great HowChow reports the opening of a place called Dog House Pub & Grill in Columbia, apparently similar to the Pub Dog near Frisco Grille also in Columbia. I'm curious the beer situation there, as a reader emailed of $3 pints for beers like Flying Dog and Dogfish Head. Hopefully a website arrives for them soon.

Cool new blog find, "Drinking the Chesapeake" from a Fordham brewer (as seen at Beer Activist)

--- The Brewing News has updated its calendar feature, its more customizable now.

--- New Atlanta-based but hopefully nationally and globally inspired beer mag, The Beer Connoisseur.

--- Any reports from the new 13.5% winbar as far as beer goes? Pizza Blogger says they've got eight beers on tap and dozens of bottles. Sounds a bit like the excellent, underrated Grand Cru in Belvedere Square.

--- Great writeup of D.C. beer stops from the Washingtonian. I've been to Birreria Paradiso, District Chophouse, Granville Moore's, RFD and Rustico. Thoughts on them at a later point, but email if you're curious in the meantime.

--- DC Beer says there will be a new and improved Pizzeria Paradiso opening August 17th in DuPont. Look for 12 drafts, over 150 bottles. Woohoo!

--- Relentless Thirst spoke with Patrick Rue, CEO of California's The Bruery, which is working to get some placement in Virginia (Maryland next? Pretty, pretty please?). They make excellent, unusual Belgian inspired beers.