Quickly ...
Be sure to celebrate safely tonight (as with all nights).
Frisco Grille will not be having its usual Firkin Thursday but will celebrate with bombers of Rogue Chocolate Stout as part of a 'beer toast'. They will also be raffling off various merchandise aggregated over the year so it might be a chance to score a pint glass or posters or other beerware.
Max's will not have any *new* casks on but they'll be open all night and have the following on the beer engines: Lagunitas Brown Shugga, Olivers Merry Ale, Hebrew Bittersweet Lenny Rype IPA (RIPA)
Anyone else know of items going on around town?
December 31, 2009
December 28, 2009
Heavy Seas Cask Night at Victoria Gastro Pub
It is on TONIGHT Monday December 28th starting at 5 PM at Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia.
They will be featuring Heavy Seas Loose Cannon, Yule Tide and Small Craft Warning on tap PLUS two special casks:
A Below Decks (Barleywine style) aged in white oak and an Oak Aged Winter Storm.
Be sure to swing by one of the most beautiful beer bars in all of Maryland for the event!
They will be featuring Heavy Seas Loose Cannon, Yule Tide and Small Craft Warning on tap PLUS two special casks:
A Below Decks (Barleywine style) aged in white oak and an Oak Aged Winter Storm.
Be sure to swing by one of the most beautiful beer bars in all of Maryland for the event!
Max's Tuesday Beer Social 12-29-09
On Tuesday they'll be featuring the Lammin Sahti brewery from Finland. They used huge wooden mash tuns and the 7.7% ABV beer is filtered with a bed of juniper twigs. It has flavors of banana, clove, toffee and is balanced with notes of licorice in the nose and juniper in the finish. It is treated like cask ale, live and very perishable. It is shipped, stored and served cold.
As always, the beer social starts on Tuesday at 6 PM in the Mobtown Lounge upstairs.
On the Beer Engines:
As always, the beer social starts on Tuesday at 6 PM in the Mobtown Lounge upstairs.
On the Beer Engines:
Olivers Merry Ole Ale
Lagunitas Brown Shugga
Hebrew Bittersweet Lenny RIPA
NEW DRAFTS:
Klosterbrau Ettal Curator
Hitachino Espresso Stout
Hebrew Jewbelation 13
Buffalo Stout
Valier Blonde
Silly Enghien Noel
Van Steenberge Kloekke Roeland
Pausa Cafe PILS
Pausa Cafe Chicca
Pausa Cafe Tosta
Boulder Never Summer (Nitro)
Baladin Nora
Baladin Al Ikir
Baladin Super Baladin
Einbecker Winter Bock
Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
Ommegang Abbey
RJ Rockers First Snow
Weyerbacher Hotel
Allagash Black
December 17, 2009
Heavy Seas Maryland Grown Hops Loose Cannon Firkin at Frisco Grille
December 16, 2009
Clipper City Maryland Grown Hop Beers
They're coming!
A big Howard County invasion hits this week, with Frisco Grille releasing a Heavy Seas firkin dry hopped with Maryland grown cascade hops on their Firkin Thursday event (approximately 4 PM) and then The Judges Bench w/Hugh Sisson and the Clipper City Ccrew around 5 PM Friday.
A big Howard County invasion hits this week, with Frisco Grille releasing a Heavy Seas firkin dry hopped with Maryland grown cascade hops on their Firkin Thursday event (approximately 4 PM) and then The Judges Bench w/Hugh Sisson and the Clipper City Ccrew around 5 PM Friday.
Flying Dog Coffee Stout
So Flying Dog will soon release a one-off special beer. It will be a coffee stout, available only on tap at select accounts (straight out of their 7 barrel system). Sometime in the near future I'll reveal several obvious and some not so obvious locations that I'm aware of that will get this beer. Its delicious and definitely won't last long and will be the first in a series of one-offs planned in the coming months. Here's a sneak peek picture.
More details on those goodies when they arrive, but I'll give you a little clue as to one of them: it'll coincide with a holiday in the coming months. Speculate away.
Here's a brief writeup about the Coffee Stout:
Wild Dog Series Coffee Stout
Deep black color with mousse like head. Chocolate, Black and Roasted malts contribute to this beer its rich roasted, vanilla, chocolate aroma and flavor. Generous amounts of flaked barley and oats give the beer its creamy texture. Carefully selected blend of hops give a very subtle earthiness in aroma and flavor. The brewer's won't let us know what kind of coffee or even the method is that they are using to prepare the coffee but we do know that it is supplied by a local coffee company, Black Dog Coffees, just across the Potomac in West Virginia. We think that you will agree that the balance of beer and coffee is just right. You can still taste the stout as well as the coffee, neither overwhelms the other. You are left with a dry finish and slight roasted coffee aftertaste. Delicious!
More details on those goodies when they arrive, but I'll give you a little clue as to one of them: it'll coincide with a holiday in the coming months. Speculate away.
Here's a brief writeup about the Coffee Stout:
Wild Dog Series Coffee Stout
Deep black color with mousse like head. Chocolate, Black and Roasted malts contribute to this beer its rich roasted, vanilla, chocolate aroma and flavor. Generous amounts of flaked barley and oats give the beer its creamy texture. Carefully selected blend of hops give a very subtle earthiness in aroma and flavor. The brewer's won't let us know what kind of coffee or even the method is that they are using to prepare the coffee but we do know that it is supplied by a local coffee company, Black Dog Coffees, just across the Potomac in West Virginia. We think that you will agree that the balance of beer and coffee is just right. You can still taste the stout as well as the coffee, neither overwhelms the other. You are left with a dry finish and slight roasted coffee aftertaste. Delicious!
December 14, 2009
Get Randallized At Frisco Grille
Tonight (Monday) Frisco Grille will be running a TBD hoppy beer through The Randallizer, a hop filter created by Dogfish Head Brewery. Nugget hops will be inside the Randallizer to add that extra hop oomph to whatever beer is chosen.
December 11, 2009
Belated (Dark) Brewers Art St. Festivus + Zodiac Pale Ale
December 10, 2009
December 9, 2009
Mahaffey's Update
If you aren't already, you really need to be on Mahaffey's email list, owner Wayne's sidebar rants in the emails are interesting and he rips off a good one this week about the animated Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Anyway.
1)Tonight's bomber is Heavy Seas Yule Tide, $10
2)They still have a few more 1.5 L bottles of Anchor Christmas for $16.50 and a handful of 3L bottles of Troegs Mad Elf and Stone Double Bastard at $65 per.
3)Coming soon: Lancaster Winter Warmer (cask), Corsendonk Christmas, Stoudt's new winter beer, Harpoon Winter Warmer & more. Plus, watch for the rotating Dogfish Head Tap 'which will bring us nothing under 15%'.
4)Apologies for the cancellation of the winter beer tasting, but they're proud to announce Mahaffey's and Captain Thom's will present the Fiery Foods and Beer Dinner coming up in January, details coming up next week.
And this special message:
"Have a great, safe week ninjas. Life is good"
1)Tonight's bomber is Heavy Seas Yule Tide, $10
2)They still have a few more 1.5 L bottles of Anchor Christmas for $16.50 and a handful of 3L bottles of Troegs Mad Elf and Stone Double Bastard at $65 per.
3)Coming soon: Lancaster Winter Warmer (cask), Corsendonk Christmas, Stoudt's new winter beer, Harpoon Winter Warmer & more. Plus, watch for the rotating Dogfish Head Tap 'which will bring us nothing under 15%'.
4)Apologies for the cancellation of the winter beer tasting, but they're proud to announce Mahaffey's and Captain Thom's will present the Fiery Foods and Beer Dinner coming up in January, details coming up next week.
And this special message:
"Have a great, safe week ninjas. Life is good"
Max's To Expand
From today's Midnight Sun: the great Max's in Fells Point will expand from 78 to 100 taps in 2010, and also add two additional hand pumps. Kudos, and this is great news on top of the Frisco Grille planned expansion to around 40 taps.
Instead of waiting for micro-breweries to ship out cask beers, Max's bought seven of their own casks and sent them to the breweries. That way, Hard said, Max's will be able to serve casks of more exclusive suds. ...
"Some breweries don't have enough [casks]," he said. "This is the only way to get some of the far away breweries," he said.
December 8, 2009
Beer Notes
-- Happy Birthday to Clipper City Brewing which turned 14 Tuesday!
-- Some more talk of bar guides and best bars. The two notables of late, Baltimore Magazine's and CityPaper's BaltiManual(.com) which generously links to BBG at A Beer In Hand and BeerInBaltimore.com. And, also at Midnight Sun where I set into a mild rant about where I found fault in Baltimore Magazine's otherwise worthy compilation. Look for something like that from Baltimore Beer Guy in the near future so I, too, can take abuse for omissions.
-- So I aired my grievances with Baltimore Magazine but I also need to find a place to link to their 'On The Town' blog which makes occasional mention of this city's fine beer culture.
-- Once again another fine discussion at Alexander Mitchell's Beer In Baltimore asking what new beers do we want (Russian River!) but also leading us into the ethics of new beers potentially crowding and casting aside other solid options in the endless war for shelf (and tap) space. I'm perpetually trying new beers so I probably side more on the aggressive bring new beers in side but I also really, really appreciate many of the already established breweries and gradually do find myself drinking more and more of their offerings.
-- So Yeah Dood in its endless quest to explain the science of beer that forever eludes me (I swung heavily to my right brain in the middle of high school, drove myself crazy micromanaging details fantasy baseball and Sim City and swore that off in the name of sanity ... anyway) writes up the process of Mashing.
-- Thanks to Twitter I've now discovered the Mechanicsville Craft Beer Examiner written by Brian Allshouse. That'll be linked here shortly.
-- I haven't linked to 600block.com, but maybe I should?
-- A link to the Stillpoint Farm website that is producing Maryland-grown Cascade (and chinook and fuggles and northern brewer and nugget and saaz) hops that Clipper City will be using for special casked beers starting this month (Dec. 18th at The Judges Bench in Ellicott City for the first example, be there!). And check this out: 'coming in 2010, Milkhouse Brewery will offer handcrafted farmhouse ales made in small batches from hops and grains grown on the farm. Check back in the coming months for our grand opening'.
-- Everything you wanted to know about firkin dimensions from Yours For Good Fermentables' Tom Cizauskas as part of a series on cask ale called 'Fubbing at the Tut'.
-- A Southern Inspired joint called Langermann's is opening soon, and will have eight taps, mostly generic stuff but they'll have a Loose Cannon tap (and PBR, ha!) plus more exotic bottles like Fischer Amber and Dixie's Blackened Voodoo.
-- Some interesting Latin beers at Talara (warning, loud music in 3 ... 2... )
-- Via Midnight Sun, Woody's Rum Bar above Slainte is temporarily Woody's Winter Lounge with new furniture and whatnot.
-- San Francisco Brewery 21st Ammendment's Monk's Blood Belgian dubbel style beer has hit Max's and DC, I'm sure it'll find its way to other bars and bottle shops in the area soon.
-- New Troegs' beers on the horizon to be released Dec. 16th: Gold (two year old tripel aged in oak w/brett) and Red (Mad Elf aged in bourbon barrels)
-- Out of DC, clever can-only beer joint Red Derby is hosting what should be an interesting beer tasting Thursday led by beerspotter Orr Shtuhl. Someone should open something like that in Baltimore.
-- The Washington Post's 'Going Out Guide' conjures up a list of best beer selections and mentions Columbia's Frisco Grille. Nice!
-- SAVOR, a massive beer + fine food event in Washington D.C. has been set for June 5th at the National Building Museum. Count on most of the beer glitterati (I mean that nicely) being in town, sort of a Great American Beer Fest of the summer and without awards.
-- Thanks for the links, Urban Revival and Husky Runner.
-- Some more talk of bar guides and best bars. The two notables of late, Baltimore Magazine's and CityPaper's BaltiManual(.com) which generously links to BBG at A Beer In Hand and BeerInBaltimore.com. And, also at Midnight Sun where I set into a mild rant about where I found fault in Baltimore Magazine's otherwise worthy compilation. Look for something like that from Baltimore Beer Guy in the near future so I, too, can take abuse for omissions.
-- So I aired my grievances with Baltimore Magazine but I also need to find a place to link to their 'On The Town' blog which makes occasional mention of this city's fine beer culture.
-- Once again another fine discussion at Alexander Mitchell's Beer In Baltimore asking what new beers do we want (Russian River!) but also leading us into the ethics of new beers potentially crowding and casting aside other solid options in the endless war for shelf (and tap) space. I'm perpetually trying new beers so I probably side more on the aggressive bring new beers in side but I also really, really appreciate many of the already established breweries and gradually do find myself drinking more and more of their offerings.
-- So Yeah Dood in its endless quest to explain the science of beer that forever eludes me (I swung heavily to my right brain in the middle of high school, drove myself crazy micromanaging details fantasy baseball and Sim City and swore that off in the name of sanity ... anyway) writes up the process of Mashing.
I have barely started this, and I have already determined that this will be at least a four part post. Mashing is that big, and that important. It takes into account understandings of botany, chemistry, thermodynamics… a lot of science. Which is actually pretty funny considering that at its core, mashing is putting hot water on crushed grain and waiting.-- All of Pratt Street Ale House's winter seasonals are now on tap. The hits keep coming as they'll be brewing their seasonals for Jan/Feb like the Scottish Ale called The Darkness, a new stout as well as classics like the Strongman Pale Ale and possibly the Peeping Tom Porter.
-- Thanks to Twitter I've now discovered the Mechanicsville Craft Beer Examiner written by Brian Allshouse. That'll be linked here shortly.
-- I haven't linked to 600block.com, but maybe I should?
-- A link to the Stillpoint Farm website that is producing Maryland-grown Cascade (and chinook and fuggles and northern brewer and nugget and saaz) hops that Clipper City will be using for special casked beers starting this month (Dec. 18th at The Judges Bench in Ellicott City for the first example, be there!). And check this out: 'coming in 2010, Milkhouse Brewery will offer handcrafted farmhouse ales made in small batches from hops and grains grown on the farm. Check back in the coming months for our grand opening'.
-- Everything you wanted to know about firkin dimensions from Yours For Good Fermentables' Tom Cizauskas as part of a series on cask ale called 'Fubbing at the Tut'.
-- A Southern Inspired joint called Langermann's is opening soon, and will have eight taps, mostly generic stuff but they'll have a Loose Cannon tap (and PBR, ha!) plus more exotic bottles like Fischer Amber and Dixie's Blackened Voodoo.
-- Some interesting Latin beers at Talara (warning, loud music in 3 ... 2... )
-- Via Midnight Sun, Woody's Rum Bar above Slainte is temporarily Woody's Winter Lounge with new furniture and whatnot.
-- San Francisco Brewery 21st Ammendment's Monk's Blood Belgian dubbel style beer has hit Max's and DC, I'm sure it'll find its way to other bars and bottle shops in the area soon.
-- New Troegs' beers on the horizon to be released Dec. 16th: Gold (two year old tripel aged in oak w/brett) and Red (Mad Elf aged in bourbon barrels)
-- Out of DC, clever can-only beer joint Red Derby is hosting what should be an interesting beer tasting Thursday led by beerspotter Orr Shtuhl. Someone should open something like that in Baltimore.
-- The Washington Post's 'Going Out Guide' conjures up a list of best beer selections and mentions Columbia's Frisco Grille. Nice!
-- SAVOR, a massive beer + fine food event in Washington D.C. has been set for June 5th at the National Building Museum. Count on most of the beer glitterati (I mean that nicely) being in town, sort of a Great American Beer Fest of the summer and without awards.
-- Thanks for the links, Urban Revival and Husky Runner.
Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser at Victoria Gastro Pub
Its biscuity when sharply cold, warms up all malty goodness. From last night's Flying Dog event at Victoria Gastro Pub. Say hi to barman Alex when there and tell him to add a Twitter account for the bar :). And if you're at a Flying Dog event in Maryland, Rep Matt is probably the man in charge, one of the absolute best beer folks out there in a field of good people.
December 7, 2009
DuClaw's Latest: Black Jack Stout
DuClaw will be putting its new Black Jack Stout on tap very soon. Look for it at their release parties (w/giveaways for email club members, see the website, this month its a 'cleverly designed' Black Jack glass) at all four locations on Wednesday December 16th and Thursday December 17th usually around 6 or 7 PM until close.
Black Jack is a 'hearty Russian Imperial Stout that starts off with an espresso aroma, shuffled with a smooth roasted malt flavor that makes it very drinkable. But treat it with respect; otherwise you will BUST'.
Black Jack is a 'hearty Russian Imperial Stout that starts off with an espresso aroma, shuffled with a smooth roasted malt flavor that makes it very drinkable. But treat it with respect; otherwise you will BUST'.
Max's Tuesday Beer Social (12/7/09)
HOT off the press!
This Tuesday we are featuring a great brewery from Dexter, Michigan. Jolly Pumpkin. Jolly Pumpkin make some very nice beers that are often hard to find. We will be featuring a bunch of their beers in bottles, but served by the glass
WE WILL BE SERVING:
Noel De Calabaza
Oro De Calabaza
La Roja
Bam Biere
Madrugada Obscura
Luciernaga
Bam Noire
Fuego Del Otono
Maracaibo Especial
and maybe one or two more.....
Hope to see you all this Tuesday. These are some really Great Beers, you don't want to miss.
As always we start at 6pm in the Mobtown Lounge
See you Tuesday
ON THE BEER ENGINES:
Williams Bros 80 Shilling
Lagunitas Brown Shugga
Brew Dog Harcore
NEW DRAFTS:
Corsendonk Christmas
21st Amendment Monks Blood
21st Amendment Back In Black
Great Divide Titan
Otter Creek Quercus Vitus Humulus
Slaapmustke Triple Night Cap
Sierra /Dogfish Limb & Life
Southern Tier Hoppe
Flying Dog Raging Bitch
Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse
Affligem Noel
Dogfish Head Olde School
Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel
So, This Week
Please check out the latest round of 'Beer Notes' below.
Monday - 1)Ravens @ Packers 830 PM ET Go Ravens! 2)Flying Dog event at Victoria Gastro Pub 530-8 PM
Tuesday - 1)Max's Beer Social (I'll release full details when the email arrives) 2)Rocky Mountain Beer Dinner at Dogfish Head Alehouse/Gaithersburg 7-9 PM
Wednesday - 1)Troegs Mad Elf Pint Night (7 PM+) at Frisco Grille 2)Blue Moon Grand Cru free tasting at Gilly's
Thursday - Clipper City Heavy Seas Yule Tide firkin for Firkin Thursday at Frisco Grille (4 PM+)
Please send me an email or leave a comment below if you know of other notable beer events this week.
Monday - 1)Ravens @ Packers 830 PM ET Go Ravens! 2)Flying Dog event at Victoria Gastro Pub 530-8 PM
Tuesday - 1)Max's Beer Social (I'll release full details when the email arrives) 2)Rocky Mountain Beer Dinner at Dogfish Head Alehouse/Gaithersburg 7-9 PM
Wednesday - 1)Troegs Mad Elf Pint Night (7 PM+) at Frisco Grille 2)Blue Moon Grand Cru free tasting at Gilly's
Thursday - Clipper City Heavy Seas Yule Tide firkin for Firkin Thursday at Frisco Grille (4 PM+)
Please send me an email or leave a comment below if you know of other notable beer events this week.
December 6, 2009
Beer Notes
These are going to run me ragged.
-- A limited number of 750ml bottles of Flying Dog's 2oth Anniversary beer, 'Raging Bitch' a Belgian IPA will be available for $20 at their brewery on Saturdays (includes a case and poster). Fear not, because it appears that regular bottled versions will be available in mid-December.
Also, their spring seasonal 'Garde Dog' a French biere de garde style (one of my favorite beers) is now being bottled per Twitter, I can't wait to see that hit shelves and sample some from the brewery during Tour days.
And, well, Happy Holidays (via rep JT's Twitter)
-- This week at Frisco Grille: Troegs Mad Elf pint night on Wednesday (7 PM+) and Heavy Seas Yule Tide Firkin for Firkin Thursday! Also this month: Otter Creek Pint Night (Wed 12/16), Gordon Biersch Pint Night (Wed 12/23) and 'Customer's Choice' pint night w/choice of any glass they have (Wed 12/30) plus the usual Firkin Thursdays (they have a Olivers Ale/Pratt St. Alehouse Merry Old Ale Cask for use at some point) every Thursday 4 PM+ throughout the month.
-- Lures in Crownsville is having a special firkin on Tuesday December 15th. Starting at 6 PM they'll pour Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale with fresh Simcoe hops. It will be $15 for a bottomless glass and $8 a pint.
-- Gilly's in Rockville has expanded from two taps to six thanks to Dogfish Head Alehouse Gaithersburg passing along their draught system. Currently on tap: Clipper City Golden Ale, Dales Pale Ale, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Lancaster Winter Warmer, Weyerbacher Winter
Other events: 12/9 Blue Moon Grand Cru free tasting, 12/10 Magic Hat tasting and 12/19 open house tastings including winter beers and gourmet cheese.
I really wish they were closer to Baltimore City or Howard County, its just this cool little bottle shop with six beer taps, great bottled beers that you can enjoy at the store (small corking fee for bottles) with selections from their deli including sandwiches, cheeses and other items.
-- Midnight Sun's Sam Sessa examines the allocation process and dilemmas that face Brewer's Art in distributing its wildly popular Resurrection and other offerings. Only about 30 kegs get shipped out a week to the various bars.
-- World Cup 2010 draws are out and America will face England on June 12th. Pratt Street Ale House brewer Steve Jones is a son of England and will mark the day by brewing his special Best Bitter that was last brewed for the Chelsea vs. AC Milan game in town.
-- Not quite sure what to make of Jilly's, a 22-tap bar+grill type joint along Rt. 40 in Ellicott City. I came in once and found some quality craft taps, but also a great deal of taps we find everywhere around town. Another visit is pending but I like their hours (until 2 AM daily) and am happy they've put together a website.
-- Yours For Good Fermentables' Tom Cizauskas briefly explains the 'Three Tier' system that governs beer allocation in Maryland. He also celebrates the Friday birthday of legendary Max's beer procurement chief Casey Hard.
-- Local beer writer Chuck Cook saw his article - Belgium: The World's Beer Country get published in the inaugural issue of Beer Connoisseur. Kudos.
-- More notes on Red Brick Station's two latest brews and a peek at something to be made down the road from Alexander Mitchell's Beer In Baltimore.
-- The seemingly dormant blog 'Grains N Grapes' has sprung to life and is in the middle of a redesign. It is run by Kevin M. Smith who writes for the ubiquitous Mid Atlantic Brewing News.
-- Clipper City founder Hugh Sisson's step-son has opened a bar called The Rowhouse Grille (1400 Light St.). It currently has eight taps, three of which smartly include Clipper City offerings.
-- Thanks for the follow, Grin and Baer It!
-- Thanks also, BaltiManual, which has an interesting writeup of Baltimore bars.
-- Be sure to also check out local blog 2nd Floor Brew
-- Please follow my Twitter account, MDbeerspotter if you are on Twitter. There's quality interaction and occasional informational goodies.
-- Finally, anyone have any interest in something like a Howard County Beer Week somewhere down the road? It would be much scaled down from the amazing creation that was Baltimore Beer Week but I'd love to see the burgeoning beer culture in Howard County showcased in a reasonable manner.
-- A limited number of 750ml bottles of Flying Dog's 2oth Anniversary beer, 'Raging Bitch' a Belgian IPA will be available for $20 at their brewery on Saturdays (includes a case and poster). Fear not, because it appears that regular bottled versions will be available in mid-December.
Also, their spring seasonal 'Garde Dog' a French biere de garde style (one of my favorite beers) is now being bottled per Twitter, I can't wait to see that hit shelves and sample some from the brewery during Tour days.
And, well, Happy Holidays (via rep JT's Twitter)
-- This week at Frisco Grille: Troegs Mad Elf pint night on Wednesday (7 PM+) and Heavy Seas Yule Tide Firkin for Firkin Thursday! Also this month: Otter Creek Pint Night (Wed 12/16), Gordon Biersch Pint Night (Wed 12/23) and 'Customer's Choice' pint night w/choice of any glass they have (Wed 12/30) plus the usual Firkin Thursdays (they have a Olivers Ale/Pratt St. Alehouse Merry Old Ale Cask for use at some point) every Thursday 4 PM+ throughout the month.
-- Lures in Crownsville is having a special firkin on Tuesday December 15th. Starting at 6 PM they'll pour Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale with fresh Simcoe hops. It will be $15 for a bottomless glass and $8 a pint.
-- Gilly's in Rockville has expanded from two taps to six thanks to Dogfish Head Alehouse Gaithersburg passing along their draught system. Currently on tap: Clipper City Golden Ale, Dales Pale Ale, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Lancaster Winter Warmer, Weyerbacher Winter
Other events: 12/9 Blue Moon Grand Cru free tasting, 12/10 Magic Hat tasting and 12/19 open house tastings including winter beers and gourmet cheese.
I really wish they were closer to Baltimore City or Howard County, its just this cool little bottle shop with six beer taps, great bottled beers that you can enjoy at the store (small corking fee for bottles) with selections from their deli including sandwiches, cheeses and other items.
-- Midnight Sun's Sam Sessa examines the allocation process and dilemmas that face Brewer's Art in distributing its wildly popular Resurrection and other offerings. Only about 30 kegs get shipped out a week to the various bars.
-- World Cup 2010 draws are out and America will face England on June 12th. Pratt Street Ale House brewer Steve Jones is a son of England and will mark the day by brewing his special Best Bitter that was last brewed for the Chelsea vs. AC Milan game in town.
-- Not quite sure what to make of Jilly's, a 22-tap bar+grill type joint along Rt. 40 in Ellicott City. I came in once and found some quality craft taps, but also a great deal of taps we find everywhere around town. Another visit is pending but I like their hours (until 2 AM daily) and am happy they've put together a website.
-- Yours For Good Fermentables' Tom Cizauskas briefly explains the 'Three Tier' system that governs beer allocation in Maryland. He also celebrates the Friday birthday of legendary Max's beer procurement chief Casey Hard.
-- Local beer writer Chuck Cook saw his article - Belgium: The World's Beer Country get published in the inaugural issue of Beer Connoisseur. Kudos.
-- More notes on Red Brick Station's two latest brews and a peek at something to be made down the road from Alexander Mitchell's Beer In Baltimore.
-- The seemingly dormant blog 'Grains N Grapes' has sprung to life and is in the middle of a redesign. It is run by Kevin M. Smith who writes for the ubiquitous Mid Atlantic Brewing News.
-- Clipper City founder Hugh Sisson's step-son has opened a bar called The Rowhouse Grille (1400 Light St.). It currently has eight taps, three of which smartly include Clipper City offerings.
-- Thanks for the follow, Grin and Baer It!
-- Thanks also, BaltiManual, which has an interesting writeup of Baltimore bars.
-- Be sure to also check out local blog 2nd Floor Brew
-- Please follow my Twitter account, MDbeerspotter if you are on Twitter. There's quality interaction and occasional informational goodies.
-- Finally, anyone have any interest in something like a Howard County Beer Week somewhere down the road? It would be much scaled down from the amazing creation that was Baltimore Beer Week but I'd love to see the burgeoning beer culture in Howard County showcased in a reasonable manner.
December 3, 2009
Beer Notes
-- Initial report from Victoria Gastro Pub's first-ever 'Belgian Beer Fest': good stuff. The Columbia establishment put 20 Belgian beers on tap, I tried the La Rulles Estivale, a pale Belgian beer with a distinctive grapefruit bitterness from the Amarillo hops. I also tried an Augustijn Abbey Ale, which was quite difficult to describe beyond its amber color and sort of toasty malt profile. Other members of my party enjoyed two of the great Chouffe offerings, LaChouffe and the excellent winter seasonal N'Ice Chouffe.
-- Its Firkin Thursday at Columbia's Frisco Grille and Max's in Fells Point. Flying Dog will also make an appearance at Victoria Gastro Pub for their 'Beer Club' night Monday (12/7) from 530-8 PM pouring four styles including the great Raging Bitch BIPA, K-9 and Gonzo on nitro.
-- Pratt Street Ale House brewer Steve Jones is back hard at work this week putting together the beer so many of us hopefully enjoy. However, he did take the time to pen an interesting writeup about the yeast he works with and the process involved in keeping it lively.
-- Another interesting writeup is from Alexander Mitchell at his Beer In Baltimore noting the decline in Baltimore brewpubs and the related space/production dilemmas. Good point about Pratt Street Ale House rapidly providing many of the 'default' reserve cask at many places now, not that its a bad thing as they make great beer! The downtown location is a tough spot to get into without taking a bath on parking so hopefully the suburban folks like myself will continue to show appreciation for their fine beer when it pops up near us as well as at more accessible spots like Max's.
-- Reader Trip Klaus informs us in a comment that Ram's Head Tavern is having a release party for their Dopplebock from 4-6 PM Thursday (today) at their Savage and Annapolis locations.
-- A correction from the previous Beer Notes, the Sun may have dropped Kasper On Tap from its offerings but the esteemed Rob Kasper will still write Kasper On Tap at his own site. Bookmark it. Thanks to the also esteemed Tom Cizauskas for the tip on that. Incidentally, Kasper went the extra mile in sampling 59 winter brews for a writeup in the Sun that was published yesterday.
-- One more Steve Jones item, he'll be organizing an informal seminar about cask ale production and cellarmanship w/tastings of specially prepared beers at Pratt Street Ale House sometime down the road. Should be a great event.
-- A rare American style IPA called A-10 IPA is currently on tap at Red Brick Station in White Marsh, wow! Anyone have any reports? I dearly wish they were nearer, that side of the Beltway is one special kind of headache from my direction.
-- On tap this week at the sneaky-good Lures in Crownsville (another place I need to check out soon, think: 15 great taps!): Stone Ruination IPA, Anchor Steam Christmas Ale, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Southern Tier's Pumking.
I'm not sure what's going on but there's something called 'Beer Club' on Tuesday December 22nd from 6-8 PM that for $38.50 which includes food, tax and tip includes beers like Clay Pipe's Pursuit of Happiness, Brooklyn's Winter Ale, St. Barnardus' Christmas Ale and Southern Tier's Krampus.
-- Thank you kindly for the linkage, Scottie Knows Beer.
-- Memorize this and/or make note of the macro-owned seemingly micro beers out there when you're at the store. I'm not too big of a stickler but I try in a very small way to steer my beer dollars locally and to the little (but growing!) guys where sensible (see the love for Flying Dog, Pratt Street Ale House, Brewer's Art, etc. on here).
-- D.C. notes Via YoursForGoodFermentables' Tom Cizauskas, basic info on D.C. institution The Brickskeller's main winter events: Christmas Beer Celebration (Dec. 9/16) and Strong Ale Tasting (February 2/9). I've yet to make one of these but hear they're great but keep in mind tickets (at usually around $35/pop) are required.
-- Finally, two questions I hope my readers can assist with:
1)A reader wrote in saying he'd recently moved to Canton and was looking for bottle shops to find good beer beyond his local place. I recommended The Perfect Pour and Wells, those two I always hear about. I know much more about the bars than bottle shops at this time unfortunately so if anyone has further recommendations please let me know in the comments.
2)A brewery representative from out West wrote in asking about major beer festivals/events in the DC/MD/VA area. What are the biggies out here that include outside craft breweries (that is, we probably have to exclude the various Irish and German festivals and the 3-4 Maryland Beer Festivals)? I thought up SAVOR, City Paper Beer Fest, Max's Amerian Craft Beer Week and a few others, what am I missing?
-- Its Firkin Thursday at Columbia's Frisco Grille and Max's in Fells Point. Flying Dog will also make an appearance at Victoria Gastro Pub for their 'Beer Club' night Monday (12/7) from 530-8 PM pouring four styles including the great Raging Bitch BIPA, K-9 and Gonzo on nitro.
-- Pratt Street Ale House brewer Steve Jones is back hard at work this week putting together the beer so many of us hopefully enjoy. However, he did take the time to pen an interesting writeup about the yeast he works with and the process involved in keeping it lively.
-- Another interesting writeup is from Alexander Mitchell at his Beer In Baltimore noting the decline in Baltimore brewpubs and the related space/production dilemmas. Good point about Pratt Street Ale House rapidly providing many of the 'default' reserve cask at many places now, not that its a bad thing as they make great beer! The downtown location is a tough spot to get into without taking a bath on parking so hopefully the suburban folks like myself will continue to show appreciation for their fine beer when it pops up near us as well as at more accessible spots like Max's.
-- Reader Trip Klaus informs us in a comment that Ram's Head Tavern is having a release party for their Dopplebock from 4-6 PM Thursday (today) at their Savage and Annapolis locations.
-- A correction from the previous Beer Notes, the Sun may have dropped Kasper On Tap from its offerings but the esteemed Rob Kasper will still write Kasper On Tap at his own site. Bookmark it. Thanks to the also esteemed Tom Cizauskas for the tip on that. Incidentally, Kasper went the extra mile in sampling 59 winter brews for a writeup in the Sun that was published yesterday.
-- One more Steve Jones item, he'll be organizing an informal seminar about cask ale production and cellarmanship w/tastings of specially prepared beers at Pratt Street Ale House sometime down the road. Should be a great event.
Of special interest will be the chance to see how the yeast forms a sediment in the cask using a glass ended firkin generously provided for the occasion by Steve Parkes, brewing guru and main man at the American Brewers Guild. The event will most likely be ticket only and will be held in the upstairs Library Room. More details will be posted as they are finalized.Congratulations, BTW, on seeing your beers making it to the great Pizzeria Paradiso (awesome beer joint, you must go there if you haven't already) and regular rotation at the much-hyped ChurchKey.
-- A rare American style IPA called A-10 IPA is currently on tap at Red Brick Station in White Marsh, wow! Anyone have any reports? I dearly wish they were nearer, that side of the Beltway is one special kind of headache from my direction.
-- On tap this week at the sneaky-good Lures in Crownsville (another place I need to check out soon, think: 15 great taps!): Stone Ruination IPA, Anchor Steam Christmas Ale, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Southern Tier's Pumking.
I'm not sure what's going on but there's something called 'Beer Club' on Tuesday December 22nd from 6-8 PM that for $38.50 which includes food, tax and tip includes beers like Clay Pipe's Pursuit of Happiness, Brooklyn's Winter Ale, St. Barnardus' Christmas Ale and Southern Tier's Krampus.
-- Thank you kindly for the linkage, Scottie Knows Beer.
-- Memorize this and/or make note of the macro-owned seemingly micro beers out there when you're at the store. I'm not too big of a stickler but I try in a very small way to steer my beer dollars locally and to the little (but growing!) guys where sensible (see the love for Flying Dog, Pratt Street Ale House, Brewer's Art, etc. on here).
-- D.C. notes Via YoursForGoodFermentables' Tom Cizauskas, basic info on D.C. institution The Brickskeller's main winter events: Christmas Beer Celebration (Dec. 9/16) and Strong Ale Tasting (February 2/9). I've yet to make one of these but hear they're great but keep in mind tickets (at usually around $35/pop) are required.
-- Finally, two questions I hope my readers can assist with:
1)A reader wrote in saying he'd recently moved to Canton and was looking for bottle shops to find good beer beyond his local place. I recommended The Perfect Pour and Wells, those two I always hear about. I know much more about the bars than bottle shops at this time unfortunately so if anyone has further recommendations please let me know in the comments.
2)A brewery representative from out West wrote in asking about major beer festivals/events in the DC/MD/VA area. What are the biggies out here that include outside craft breweries (that is, we probably have to exclude the various Irish and German festivals and the 3-4 Maryland Beer Festivals)? I thought up SAVOR, City Paper Beer Fest, Max's Amerian Craft Beer Week and a few others, what am I missing?
December 2, 2009
Clipper City Items
From their email, tons o' goodies, hyarrrrrr
As noted below, Clipper City founder Hugh Sisson will sign 22oz bottles of their new Holiday tripel, Yule Tide, at Max's tonight at 6 PM. He will also do the honors Friday December 11th at Total Wine.
Heavy Seas Oyster Fest: Saturday February 6th 12-4 PM
All-you-can-eat featuring six kinds of oysters, oyster & seafood items from local restaurants, Heavy Seas beers and special casks, live music and behind the scenes access to the brewery. Tickets are $49, designated drivers $35
Prohibition
Saturday December 5th marks the 76th anniversary of the 21st Ammendment that led to the end of Prohibition. Lift a pint in honor to the end of those dark days.
Hopppppssss
Clipper City's Firkin guru Steve Marsh will be creating special dry hopped Loose Cannon, Winter Storm and Pale Ale casks with locally grown, hand picked cascade hops from Frederick, MD. They met the folks at The Hopyard at Stillpoint Farms at a beer festival in Western Maryland and the rest is history.
Clipper City feels their hops are as good as if not better than any of the Western US hops! Keep an eye on the calendar to see where the firkins pop up.
First firkin tapping: The Judges Bench in Ellicott City on Friday December 18th around 5 PM with the entire crew there to celebrate. Sounds great!
Other events:
They'll be at the Night of 100 Elvis' on December 4th and 5th
Stuff Yer Face slider eating contest at Mahaffey's December 7th
Beer tasting at The Perfect Pour in Columbia December 19th
Brewery Tours
The tour is free but $5 gets you a souvenir sample glass and tokens for free samples. Tours available December 12th and December 19th at 1 and 230 PM. Reservations required.
As noted below, Clipper City founder Hugh Sisson will sign 22oz bottles of their new Holiday tripel, Yule Tide, at Max's tonight at 6 PM. He will also do the honors Friday December 11th at Total Wine.
Heavy Seas Oyster Fest: Saturday February 6th 12-4 PM
All-you-can-eat featuring six kinds of oysters, oyster & seafood items from local restaurants, Heavy Seas beers and special casks, live music and behind the scenes access to the brewery. Tickets are $49, designated drivers $35
Prohibition
Saturday December 5th marks the 76th anniversary of the 21st Ammendment that led to the end of Prohibition. Lift a pint in honor to the end of those dark days.
Hopppppssss
Clipper City's Firkin guru Steve Marsh will be creating special dry hopped Loose Cannon, Winter Storm and Pale Ale casks with locally grown, hand picked cascade hops from Frederick, MD. They met the folks at The Hopyard at Stillpoint Farms at a beer festival in Western Maryland and the rest is history.
Clipper City feels their hops are as good as if not better than any of the Western US hops! Keep an eye on the calendar to see where the firkins pop up.
First firkin tapping: The Judges Bench in Ellicott City on Friday December 18th around 5 PM with the entire crew there to celebrate. Sounds great!
Other events:
They'll be at the Night of 100 Elvis' on December 4th and 5th
Stuff Yer Face slider eating contest at Mahaffey's December 7th
Beer tasting at The Perfect Pour in Columbia December 19th
Brewery Tours
The tour is free but $5 gets you a souvenir sample glass and tokens for free samples. Tours available December 12th and December 19th at 1 and 230 PM. Reservations required.
Max's Update
From Max's email:
As noted below, tonight Clipper City founder Hugh Sisson will be at Max's at 6 PM to sign 22oz bottles of their excellent new holiday seasonal, Yule Tide.
They've also started a new Firkin Thursday program, officially kicking off this week. It will start this Thursday at 6 PM w/discounted prices that night only.
The rest:
As noted below, tonight Clipper City founder Hugh Sisson will be at Max's at 6 PM to sign 22oz bottles of their excellent new holiday seasonal, Yule Tide.
They've also started a new Firkin Thursday program, officially kicking off this week. It will start this Thursday at 6 PM w/discounted prices that night only.
The rest:
THIS THURSDAYS CASKS:
Brew Dog Harcore IPA. 9.0%ABV. Scottish Imperial IPA. 150 IBU's
Williams Bros 80 Schilling. 4.2%ABV. Scottish Ale.
Lagunitas Brown Shugga. 9.8%ABV. Strong Ale Hybrid.
MAX'S FIERY HOLIDAY SHOW
SATURDAY DEC. 12, 2009 10AM-6PM.
Come down to Max's and meet captian Thom and mate nanny from Captain Thom Chili Pepper Company. We will be holding a tasting of thier favorite hot sauces, BBQ Sauces, wings Saucesplus BBq Rubs. There will be plenty of items to purchase for your holiday needs along with plenty of max's beer .A full Flyer is attached.
MAX'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY SOCIAL(Chanukah vs Christmas)
DEC 15, 2009
6PM-TILL IN THE MOBTOWN LOUNGE
Max's will be pulling out some great holiday kegs and bottles and we will be again hosting our friends from the Schmaltz brewery(Hebrew and Coney Island Beers).
This is always a great night so mark your calanders. A full list of beers will be available Soon
FINALLY,
MAX'S SHOPPING CART IS NOW UP AND RUNNING ONLINE.
Check out our website www.maxs.com for a link to the shopping cart. This is a great place to get your holiday gifts
Mahaffey's Update
From Mahaffey's email: Tonight's bomber is Rogue's Mogul Madness, $11 tonight only.
Wing special today, Seafood Extravaganza (inquire within) Thursday. Seasonal menu changes are coming soon.
The annual Winter Beer Tasting that was to be this Saturday has been cancelled.
Wing special today, Seafood Extravaganza (inquire within) Thursday. Seasonal menu changes are coming soon.
The annual Winter Beer Tasting that was to be this Saturday has been cancelled.
Busy Wednesday
Couple events to consider!
1)Flying Dog pre-view party of their Raging Bitch Belgian IPA at Firestones in downtown Frederick. It goes from 6 PM onward featuring $3 pints of the Bitch and their K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale.
2)Wild Goose's Snow Goose and IPA will be featured for this week's Pint Night at Frisco Grille in Columbia. After 7 PM a purchase of the featured beers will net you a free custom glass (while supplies last).
3)Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia is hosting The Great Belgian Beer Fest. They'll have 20 specially selected Belgian beers on tap until they kick, starting at around 5 PM.
4)This one's hot off the wires -- Clipper City owner Hugh Sisson will be at Max's from 6-7 PM signing bottles of their new excellent Winter tripel, Yule Tide.
Be sure to follow my Twitter account for items like this and much more.
1)Flying Dog pre-view party of their Raging Bitch Belgian IPA at Firestones in downtown Frederick. It goes from 6 PM onward featuring $3 pints of the Bitch and their K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale.
2)Wild Goose's Snow Goose and IPA will be featured for this week's Pint Night at Frisco Grille in Columbia. After 7 PM a purchase of the featured beers will net you a free custom glass (while supplies last).
3)Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia is hosting The Great Belgian Beer Fest. They'll have 20 specially selected Belgian beers on tap until they kick, starting at around 5 PM.
4)This one's hot off the wires -- Clipper City owner Hugh Sisson will be at Max's from 6-7 PM signing bottles of their new excellent Winter tripel, Yule Tide.
Be sure to follow my Twitter account for items like this and much more.
December 1, 2009
Beer Notes, Catching Up!
Be sure to check out my MDbeerspotter Twitter account, I interact with a good handful of interesting Maryland and regional beer folks and also provide some interesting notes and updates in the more cut-to-the-chase setting that is Twitter.
-- The Baltimore Sun has shelved Rob Kasper's Kasper On Tap blog. That's too bad, although Rob will still be around to write for the paper and deliver beer content.
-- Looney's is seeking your help in finding them several deserving families to 'adopt' during the Holidays. They provide gifts as well as dinner. Please contact William Larney if you know of a family they might be able to help - olarn@aol.com
-- Red Brick Station is holding a food drive to benefit the Baltimore Salvation Army. They are collecting canned food and other non-perishable items to benefit the Army's Holiday campaign through December 20th.
Anyone who donates items on the day of the 2009 Holiday Parade at the Avenue at White Marsh will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Red Brick Station gift certificate.
-- Hmm, "30-some" beers at the new Azul 17 in Columbia. Anyone been there yet? Seems a little clubby which I'm not a fan of, but maybe there's daytime room for the beer nerds too.
-- Duda's in Fells Point recently turned 60 - wow.
-- Speaking of Fells Point, the Sun's Sam Sessa asks if its lost its mojo. I say no way, in fact I really enjoy visiting. I could see if you're a downtown resident getting a bit bored with it but coming from HoCo I always have a great time wandering around and finding beer and food.
-- More on Flying Dog's huge Midsize Brewery of the Year award (well deserved).
-- ChurchKey just opened in D.C. and it's pretty darn cool. I stopped by several weeks ago and found an excellent tap list, five firkins, a snacky menu, and an extensive, sorta unknown collection of interesting finds in their bottle list. Also, they've added a blog! They explain their glassware philosophy, temperature zones deal, etc.
-- Also DC, the Washingtonian has a nice interview of the DCBeer.com crew.
-- WE NEED THIS. I'm doing my best by linking (on the sidebar at right, seriously, take advantage of that) to establishments that publish their beer lists online, but its a gradual thing. Speaking of, I've just discovered Elliot's Pour House, The Owl Bar (their website was recently updated) and The Laughing Pint have a tap menu, thumbs up guys!
Oh, and the Owl Bar is planning on updating their tap selection soon. Details as I get them.
-- At The Ruddy Duck, their new Helles Lager is now on tap. Light in color, mildly hopped and 5.5% ABV. And, a reformulated pale ale. Look for a Christmas ale soon and Barleywine (tis the season).
-- Brewers Alley is having their Holiday Beer Dinner Tuesday December 1st, and are also unveiling their new spiced beer from 4-6 PM in the bar. Right now they have a record number of seasonal offerings on tap: eight.
-- Mahaffey's is looking forward to beers like Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA, Worldwide Stout, Old School Barleywine and Life and Limb. Also Heavy Seas Yuletide and a new Holiday seasonal from Stoudts. And Lagunitas' Brown Shugga on cask plus a few Rogues, Mad Elf and Morimoto Imperial Pilsner.
-- Wednesday December 2nd is Victoria Gastro Pub's blowout Belgian Beer Fest. They'll serve 20 Belgian beers that should go fast starting at 5 PM, until they kick.
Also on the calendar: December 8th Dogfish Head Ancient Ales Beer Dinner w/some cool rarities. January 12th will be their St. Bernardus Beer Dinner. February 10th is their Allagash Beer Dinner.
-- Dogfish Head Alehouse is having a 'Rocky Mountain Holiday Beer Dinner' with five unique courses for $60 all inclusive from 7-9 PM on December 8th at their Gaithersburg location, marking the release of their Old School Barleywine and World Wide Stout. Thanks Beth for the tip!
-- Now on tap at Woodberry Kitchen: Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Chocolate Stout, Evolution ESB, Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale, Victory Stormking Stout, Troeg's Doppelbock, Wolaver's Organic IPA, Anchor Steam
-- New on tap at Pratt Street Ale House: their winter seasonal Merry Old Ale, a spiced winter ale at 6.2% ABV. Its a brown ale, medium bodied and fairly low in hops but spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
-- On Wednesday December 2nd Flying Dog is doing a Raging Bitch Belgian IPA pre-view party from 6 PM onward, $3 pints of the 'Bitch and K-9 at Firestone's in downtown Frederick.
Speaking of Raging Bitch, it is now available at the Brewery in 750ml bottles ($20) and include a case and poster.
-- Holiday beer tasting at The Brewer's Art. Anyone going? BTW their Holiday seasonal Festivus is now on tap, I really want to try that.
-- There will be a Wild Goose (Flying Dog) Snow Goose pint night at Frisco Grille on Wednesday December 2nd from 7 PM onward. First featured beer purchase nets you a featured pint glass while supplies last, plus another Wild Goose offering.
-- Maryland may soon do away with its insane policy against private shipments of wine and beer into and out of the state. Good.
-- Miss Irene's and its 10-20 taps in Fells Point closed. Dang.
-- The American Homebrewers Association, which publishes Zymurgy, has a new website. Be sure to bookmark.
-- So Yeah Dood opines on the Mr. Beer. I remember a friend having one of these in high school.
-- One mag's list of top five beer towns in the U.S.
-- Wine Enthusiast's Top 25 Beers for 2009
-- New Maryland beer blog find: The Good Life.
-- Anyone else notice NBC showing Max's as they broke to commercial during Sunday night's Ravens game? Pretty cool!
If you've gotten this far, congratulations. I'm exhausted heh, seriously be sure to get on Twitter and follow my feed, lots o' updates in real time that won't necessarily make it on here at Baltimore Beer Guy.
-- The Baltimore Sun has shelved Rob Kasper's Kasper On Tap blog. That's too bad, although Rob will still be around to write for the paper and deliver beer content.
-- Looney's is seeking your help in finding them several deserving families to 'adopt' during the Holidays. They provide gifts as well as dinner. Please contact William Larney if you know of a family they might be able to help - olarn@aol.com
-- Red Brick Station is holding a food drive to benefit the Baltimore Salvation Army. They are collecting canned food and other non-perishable items to benefit the Army's Holiday campaign through December 20th.
Anyone who donates items on the day of the 2009 Holiday Parade at the Avenue at White Marsh will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Red Brick Station gift certificate.
-- Hmm, "30-some" beers at the new Azul 17 in Columbia. Anyone been there yet? Seems a little clubby which I'm not a fan of, but maybe there's daytime room for the beer nerds too.
-- Duda's in Fells Point recently turned 60 - wow.
-- Speaking of Fells Point, the Sun's Sam Sessa asks if its lost its mojo. I say no way, in fact I really enjoy visiting. I could see if you're a downtown resident getting a bit bored with it but coming from HoCo I always have a great time wandering around and finding beer and food.
-- More on Flying Dog's huge Midsize Brewery of the Year award (well deserved).
-- ChurchKey just opened in D.C. and it's pretty darn cool. I stopped by several weeks ago and found an excellent tap list, five firkins, a snacky menu, and an extensive, sorta unknown collection of interesting finds in their bottle list. Also, they've added a blog! They explain their glassware philosophy, temperature zones deal, etc.
-- Also DC, the Washingtonian has a nice interview of the DCBeer.com crew.
-- WE NEED THIS. I'm doing my best by linking (on the sidebar at right, seriously, take advantage of that) to establishments that publish their beer lists online, but its a gradual thing. Speaking of, I've just discovered Elliot's Pour House, The Owl Bar (their website was recently updated) and The Laughing Pint have a tap menu, thumbs up guys!
Oh, and the Owl Bar is planning on updating their tap selection soon. Details as I get them.
-- At The Ruddy Duck, their new Helles Lager is now on tap. Light in color, mildly hopped and 5.5% ABV. And, a reformulated pale ale. Look for a Christmas ale soon and Barleywine (tis the season).
-- Brewers Alley is having their Holiday Beer Dinner Tuesday December 1st, and are also unveiling their new spiced beer from 4-6 PM in the bar. Right now they have a record number of seasonal offerings on tap: eight.
-- Mahaffey's is looking forward to beers like Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA, Worldwide Stout, Old School Barleywine and Life and Limb. Also Heavy Seas Yuletide and a new Holiday seasonal from Stoudts. And Lagunitas' Brown Shugga on cask plus a few Rogues, Mad Elf and Morimoto Imperial Pilsner.
-- Wednesday December 2nd is Victoria Gastro Pub's blowout Belgian Beer Fest. They'll serve 20 Belgian beers that should go fast starting at 5 PM, until they kick.
Also on the calendar: December 8th Dogfish Head Ancient Ales Beer Dinner w/some cool rarities. January 12th will be their St. Bernardus Beer Dinner. February 10th is their Allagash Beer Dinner.
-- Dogfish Head Alehouse is having a 'Rocky Mountain Holiday Beer Dinner' with five unique courses for $60 all inclusive from 7-9 PM on December 8th at their Gaithersburg location, marking the release of their Old School Barleywine and World Wide Stout. Thanks Beth for the tip!
-- Now on tap at Woodberry Kitchen: Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Chocolate Stout, Evolution ESB, Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale, Victory Stormking Stout, Troeg's Doppelbock, Wolaver's Organic IPA, Anchor Steam
-- New on tap at Pratt Street Ale House: their winter seasonal Merry Old Ale, a spiced winter ale at 6.2% ABV. Its a brown ale, medium bodied and fairly low in hops but spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
-- On Wednesday December 2nd Flying Dog is doing a Raging Bitch Belgian IPA pre-view party from 6 PM onward, $3 pints of the 'Bitch and K-9 at Firestone's in downtown Frederick.
Speaking of Raging Bitch, it is now available at the Brewery in 750ml bottles ($20) and include a case and poster.
-- Holiday beer tasting at The Brewer's Art. Anyone going? BTW their Holiday seasonal Festivus is now on tap, I really want to try that.
-- There will be a Wild Goose (Flying Dog) Snow Goose pint night at Frisco Grille on Wednesday December 2nd from 7 PM onward. First featured beer purchase nets you a featured pint glass while supplies last, plus another Wild Goose offering.
-- Maryland may soon do away with its insane policy against private shipments of wine and beer into and out of the state. Good.
-- Miss Irene's and its 10-20 taps in Fells Point closed. Dang.
-- The American Homebrewers Association, which publishes Zymurgy, has a new website. Be sure to bookmark.
-- So Yeah Dood opines on the Mr. Beer. I remember a friend having one of these in high school.
-- One mag's list of top five beer towns in the U.S.
-- Wine Enthusiast's Top 25 Beers for 2009
-- New Maryland beer blog find: The Good Life.
-- Anyone else notice NBC showing Max's as they broke to commercial during Sunday night's Ravens game? Pretty cool!
If you've gotten this far, congratulations. I'm exhausted heh, seriously be sure to get on Twitter and follow my feed, lots o' updates in real time that won't necessarily make it on here at Baltimore Beer Guy.
Max's Belgian Beer Fest
This is the big one! I've attended two years in a row and its absolutely fantastic, almost impossible to imagine there's a better Belgian Beer Festival in America.
So, the details:
February 12th-14th
11 AM-2 AM
No entrance fee
They'll have 120+ authentic Belgian beers on draft and another 120+ in bottles plus a full Belgian inspired food menu. The following is a 20% complete list of what lies ahead:
So, the details:
February 12th-14th
11 AM-2 AM
No entrance fee
They'll have 120+ authentic Belgian beers on draft and another 120+ in bottles plus a full Belgian inspired food menu. The following is a 20% complete list of what lies ahead:
BELGIAN FEST DRAFTS-20% DONE:
Alvinne Bathazaar
Alvinne Gaspar
Alvinne Melchior
Alvinne Oak Aged Bathazaar
Alvinne Oak Aged Podge
Alvinne Podge
Barbar Winterbok
Bockor Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge
Cantillon Gueuze
Cantillon Iris
Cantillon Rose De Grambrinus
Cazeau Tournay Black
Cazeau Tournay
Contreras Valier Divers
Contreras Valier Blonde
Contreras Valier Extra
De Dochter Van de Korenaar Embrasse
De Dochter Van de Korenaar Noblesse
De Dolle Dulle Teve
De Glazen Toren Jan De Lichte
De Glazen Toren Ondineke
De Glazen Toren Saison De Epre Mere
De Koninck Winter Koninck
De Ranke Nior
De Ranke Pere Noel
De Ranke XX Bitter
De Regenboog T' Smisje Triple
De Regenboog Catherine The Great
De Regenboog Guido
De Regenboog T' Smisje Dubbel
De Regenboog T' Smisje Plus
De Regenboog T' Smisje Speciale
De Regenboog Vuuve
De Regenboog Wostijnte
Delirium Noel
Delirium Tremens
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux
Duvel Green
Ellezelliose Quintine Blonde
Ellezelliose Hercule Stout
Geants Urchon
Geants Gouyasse
Gouden Carolus Noel
Het Alternatief Eewaarde Pater
Het Alternatief Piet Agoras
La Rulles Summer
La Trappe Isdor
Petrus Winter
Sint Canarus Triple
Slaapmutske Dry Hopped Lager
St Bernardus Christmas
St Feuillen Blanche
St Feullien Saison
Struise Tsjeeses
Van Honsebrouck Bacchus
Van Honsebrouck Gueuze Fond Tradtion
N' Ice Chouffe
Max's Tuesday Beer Social (12-1-2009)
As always it will be at 6 PM upstairs in the Mobtown Lounge.
This Tuesday we are featuring two great new beers from The Bruery in California. We will be serving 2 Turtle Doves(a Dark Somewhat Roasty Belgian Style Ale brewed with Cocoa Nibs , carmelized sugar and toasted pecans. 12.0%ABV.) and Rugbrod (a Deep auburn colored robust Danish Style ale with spicy rye and carmelly, bready malts. 8.0%ABV). These are two very nice beers for the Holiday Season. These beers are both in bottles but will be served by the glass.
We will also have available per bottle750ml.:
Hottenroth Berliner Weiss
Orchard White
Black Orchard
Saison Rue
Saison De Lente
Trade Winds Triple
Autumn Maple.
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL TUESDAY.
As always we start at 6pm in the Mobtown Lounge. See you Tuesday
ON THE BEER ENGINES:
Lagunitas Brown Shugga
Harviestoun Schiehallion
Williams Bros Midnight Sun
NEW DRAFTS:
Bockor Cuvee Jacobins
Brew Dog Punk IPA
Clay Pipe Pursuit of Happiness
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout
Flying Fish Grand Cru
Great Divide Hercules
Heavy Seas Yule Tide
Lagunitas Olde Gnarleywine
Modelo Especial
N' Ice Chouffe
Olivers Winter Warmer
Southern Tier Krampus
Hofstetten Kubelbier
Hofstetten Honigs Bock
Flying Dog Double Dog
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