November 29, 2009

Frisco Grille Is Expanding

Big news out of Columbia as HoCo beer bar Frisco Grille is set to expand sometime in the future. Its been an open secret but I've been reluctant to say much as they sort through all the inevitable hurdles.

Whats important to know is that with the expansion, they'll likely have around 40 taps, doubling their current 20, and have a bar that seats 20-30. I don't have a solid date for construction and whatnot, but what will happen is that Frisco Grille will expand into the establishment next door, adding around 1,000 extra square feet of space.

More details to come, I'll try and get a look at the floor plans and relay more reliably how that all is going down. Great news though, as the additional seating and taps will elevate the overall local beer scene.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

The much hyped/fabled stout out of Chicago aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. Potent at 13% ABV, with a nice sticky sugary feel going on.

November 27, 2009

Notes: T-Bonz

T-Bonz (4910 Waterloo Rd. at the intersection of Waterloo Rd. and Montgomery Rd. in the back of the shopping center) is a solid dining establishment in Ellicott City (try the ribs). It is also a hidden treasure for good cult beer, arguably the best beer bar in Howard County outside the Holy Trinity that is Frisco Grille, The Judges Bench and Victoria Gastro Pub.

T-Bonz has about eight rotating beers on tap and several interesting bottled offerings. On this particular Saturday I enjoyed Clipper City's brand spaking new Yule Tide tripel on tap, plus tasted a Delerium Noel and Anchor's Christmas beer from other members in my party.

To be honest I had no idea this place was a beer haven until recently, so little is the word of mouth about them. That has to change. You won't find may beer geeks at the bar but someone's drinking the good stuff and the owners have clearly made a commitment to procure it.

Amusingly, they're hosting a beer + pancakes event on January 31st: a $5 cover gets you free pancakes while they provide "breakfast themed" beers, plus music from the Grilled Lincolns. Sounds good, hm?

Thanksgiving

1)My favorite favorite favorite saison, Lost Abbey's Red Bar

2,3,4)Sam Adams 2009 Utopias, interesting, please ignore that middle finger

5)Apologies for the dim lighting - Avery Dugana, delicious

November 25, 2009

Most Craft Taps?

So here's an exercise for today: lets see if we can compile a list of the bars with the most (craft/cult) taps in Maryland.

Max's = 72/100
Pratt Street Ale House = 25?
Victoria Gastro Pub = 24
Frisco Grille = 20
Mahaffey's ~ 20
Jilly's = 20 (some non-craft)
Elliott's Pour House = 20
The Judges Bench = 17
Duda's ~ 17
Flying Dog Brewery/tasting room = 17
John Steve Ltd. ~ 16
Lures = 15
Racer's Cafe = 13?
Baltimore Taphouse = 12
Abbey Burger Bistro = 11
Red Star = 11
DuClaw = 11
Growlers = 9
The Laughing Pint = 8
Grand Cru = 8
Woodberry Kitchen ~ 8
Jack's Bistro = 8
Brewer's Art = 6

Alonso's/Loco Hombre? Metropolitan? Ruddy Duck?

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Heroes in Annapolis apparently has 40+ but how many of those are truly craft? The Owl Bar has something like 16 taps, but depending on how their pending tap changes we'll see how many are truly craft oriented.

I'll update as the replies come in.

Thanksgiving Eve Items

-- Its 21st Ammendment Pint Night at Frisco Grille. Free glassware with first purchase of featured beer after 7 PM, they'll have the Back In Black IPA and Brew Free or Die IPA

-- Two Flying Dog events. On in Parkville at the Emerald Tavern. They'll have the Raging Bitch Belgian IPA and K-9 Cruiser winter ale on special for happy hour. Super rep Matt Crow will be there. The second will be an impromptu Flying Dog 'Tweetup' at the Austin Grill in Rockville. Assume the same great beers plus rep JT.

-- Anything else beer-y going on Today? Leave it below in the comments or via email.

November 18, 2009

Frisco Grille Update

Tonight, like all Wednesday nights, is Pint Night at Frisco Grille in Columbia. The featured brewery tonight is Fuller's, and they'll be pouring Fuller's Mr. Harry, ESB, London Porter and London Pride.

First purchase of a Fuller's beer after 7 PM nets you a free Fuller's glass.

And on Thursday its Firkin Thursday, something they started about a month ago. The on-bar firkin will be Clipper City's Below Decks barleywine.

Frisco Grille also has a hand pump so sometimes they'll have two cask conditioned ales on at the same time, pretty cool.

Also, be sure to ask for their extra menu, some cool items on there, I'm a big fan of the BBQ chicken tacos and the Adam Bowl.

Mahaffey's Update

Tonight's bomber at the great Mahaffey's in Canton is Stone's Double Bastard, $12/per, they only have 12 bottles so get there early. Also, $0.50 wings and $3 Holiday bottles tomorrow along with Happy Hour Seafood Extravaganza.

Doors open at noon on Sunday (beat the Colts!)

Finally, their annual winter beer tasting goes off December 5th at 1 PM, price will be in the $30 range, limited seating, more details to follow.

November 17, 2009

Gilly's Latest

Straight outta Rockville!

Clipper City Loose Cannon is on tap.

12/9 is the Blue Moon Grand Cru tasting, supposedly this is only distributed in 750ml bottles, sort of a unique beer especially from Coors.

12/19 2nd annual Gilly's Holiday Open House (details?)

New arrivals:
Old Rasputin XII
Arcadia Nut Brown
Arcadia Hop Mouth
Arcadia IPA
Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser
Leinenkugel Nut Brown
Affligem Noel
Lagunitas Pilsner and Pale
Mendocino Red Tail, White Hawk, Blue Heron, Eye of the Hawk
Ace Apple Cider
Anderson Valley Oatmeal Stout, Boont Amber, Hop Ottin
Boulder Obovoid, Mojo IPA, Hazed & Infused
Harlem Brewing Sugar Hill Gold

Plus winter seasonals:
Mendocino Winter DIPA
Lagunitas Brown Shugga
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Delerium Noel
Troegs Mad Elf
Dominion Baltic Porter
Brooklyn Winter
Abita Christmas

Events

From Mid Atlantic Brewing News' Hop Tips

November 17th -- Winter Beer Dinner at Belga Cafe (DC) 7 different winter beers paired with a three course dinner from Chef Bart, $49/person 7-9 PM (202)544-0100

November 20th -- Hugh Sisson Bottle Signing. Clipper City Brewing Co. founder Hugh Sisson signs bottles of the new Mutiny Fleet release: Yule Tide (Belgian Tripel!) at Beltway Fine Wine and Spirits in Towson. 4-7 PM, (410)247-7829

November 23rd -- Stone Brewing Beer Club Night at Victoria Gastro Pub w/Stone rep Lee Marren. 4-7 PM (410)750-1880

December 6th -- Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Brunch at Pizzeria Paradiso DuPont Circle (DC) Four course, seven beer brunch with brewery personalities in attendance. Reservations required (202)337-4936 noon-2 PM

Brewer's Alley Seasonal Beer Tappings

"Meet Brewmaster Tom Flores and Head Brewer Maggie Lenz from 4-6 PM at the bar while enjoying one of our fresh hand crafted house beers"

Tuesday November 17th: Pumpkin Ale
Tuesday November 24th: Special Big Beer Tuesday Double Release "Blackfrost" Barleywine & Resinator
Tuesday December 1st: Three Kings Spiced Ale

Be there!

Brewer's Alley Holiday Beer Dinner

Can't forget about Brewer's Alley out in Frederick. They're hosting a Holiday Beer Dinner Tuesday December 1st at their 2nd floor banquet room overlooking downtown Frederick.

Cost is $45/person plus tax and gratuity, first seating at 520 PM, second seating at 730 PM (301)631-0089

Contact them for the full details but they'll be pouring the Nut Brown Ale, the Kolsch, the Resinator, Ginger Beer, a Scotch Ale and Three Kings Spiced Ale to go with an elaborate menu of oysters, pheasant/wild mushroom pot pie, a seafood terrine, venison and a triple chocolate fruit cake.

Max's Tuesday Beer Social (10/17/2009)

Max's

As usual, 6 PM in the Mobtown Lounge. They'll be featuring a brand new beer from Denmark's Wintercoat Brewery called Wintercoat Mols. The ale checks in at 6.4% ABV and uses barley, what, rye and oat malts. Juniper branches are used to strain the mash and wild thyme is added with the hops. It is reddish-amber in color with a malt taste and herbal nose.

Beer Engines
Lagunitas Lucky 13
Stone Arrogant Bastard w/oak chips

New Drafts
Avery Czar
Avery Dugana
Avery Old Jubilation
Doc's Hard Pear Cider
Grado Plato Chocarrubia
Grado Plato Strada San Felice
Hebrew Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah
La Rulles Summer
La Rulles Triple
Lagunitas Dogtown Pale
Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale
Samichlaus Helles
Stone Double Bastard
Stone Sublimely Self Righteous
Weyerbacher Golf
Pauwel Kwak

November 12, 2009

Back!

Thanks for your patience during that extended break. Lots to come, soon.