Meanwhile, Around Howard County ...

The Howard County beer scene continues to grow.

Besides Frisco Tap House's big unveiling, check out the following this week:

-- Victoria Gastro Pub has been chosen one of just 88 establishments nationwide (and just two in Maryland) to carry eight versions of He'Brew's "Jewbelation" beers -- No.'s 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 (2010 release) and the much sought after "Vertical Jewbelation" which blends all of the above in rye whiskey barrels for six months.

VGP will feature those beers on Thursday December 9th, the last day of Chanukah.

-- Elsewhere, expansion plans continue for T-Bonz and Kloby's. Like with Frisco Grille various procedural hurdles have been some of the barrier to completion of planned expansions that include extra space, more taps, more bar space and other features at both emerging beer bars.

-- This week is "Really Big Beer Week" at The Judges Bench with 13 of the establishment's 17 taps dedicated to 10% ABV and above beers. Owner Mike has brought out some special wintery goodies to enjoy through December 12th. Its an impressive list so be sure to stop by.

-- As written earlier this week, T-Bonz is hosting "Beers & Steers" on Saturday throughout the day, with live bands and locally raised animals for eating. The menu looks amazing with by-the-ounce beef, a whole roasted pig, beer can chicken and oysters. Wash those down with an equally impressive tap list that barman Chris Mabe has procured for the event. Be on the lookout for news here about their next "Pints & Pancakes" event slotted for January.

-- Finally, out a bit further west in Mount Airy, the Mount Airy Inn is tapping its first ever firkin on Thursday, as they'll pour Flying Dog's Snake Dog IPA.

Frisco Tap House is Open For Business!

Frisco Tap House's long-awaited maiden voyage has arrived.

The Columbia beer emporium opened its doors Tuesday night in somewhat limited fashion. The establishment formerly known as Frisco Grille moved a half mile down the road to its new digs at 6695 Dobbin Road.

Below is a video of the place on opening night.



As you can see things aren't at 100% just yet, with the establishment still waiting for an OK to serve food. However, they were cleared to begin serving alcohol thus the sudden opening. Throughout the night more taps were added, I left with about seven on but owner Adam Carton said he'd probably have about 20 by the end of the evening. Frisco Tap Room's overall tap capacity is 50 taps and they should be hitting that fairly soon especially now that they are allowed to move kegs into their large walk-in cooler.

Barman Keith told me they can fit about 50 people at the bar alone, not including the community table and lounge areas surrounding the bar. Its a much more wide-open space than the previous location which had a sort of "Cheers" vibe with the intimacy of so many patrons often stacked on top of each other at the bar but the extra wiggle room here seems nice.

Food service should begin fairly soon, putting the dining area into use.

The new digs also hold promise as more of a sports bar feel with the eight TV's flanking the massive beer list monitors at dead-center in the bar. The restrooms can now accommodate multiple people as well.

Be sure to stop by this week or sometime soon as they continue to unveil the new menu, additional staff, get around to updating the website and the like.

T-Bonz "Beers & Steers" Details

On Saturday, Ellicott City's T-Bonz, one of the "Big Six" beer bars in Howard County is hosting an event called "Beers & Steers".

Basically, they're combining great craft brewed beers with locally raised beef and pork. Oh, and musical performances from three bands throughout the afternoon and evening.

It will be on Saturday, December 11th from open to close.

The food will include a whole roasted pig (!), pick your own steak for $1/ounce, pit beef sandwiches, beer can chicken AND oysters.

The bands will be Maybe Not Even (12-4), Bumpin Uglies (5-9) and The Mott Squad (9-1)

All day, they will be serving superb craft beers. The list is as follows:

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale (Belgian strong dark ale)
Delirium Noel (Belgian strong dark ale)
Troegs Mad Elf
Brewers Art Proletary Ale (dark ale)
Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter
Long Trail Brew Masters Series Imperial Porter
Tommy Knocker Hop Strike (black rye IPA)
Weyerbacher Double Simcoe (double IPA)
Sierra Nevada Celebration (IPA)
Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Wild
Brew Dog Dogma (herbed spiced beer)
Oskar Blues Mamas Lil Yella Pils (pilsner)
33rd Street Ale (golden ale)
Southern Tier Raspberry Wheat
Crispin Cider
Olivers Merry Old Ale (in cask !!!)
Heavy Seas Winter Storm
Heavy Seas Peg Leg Stout

It will be an amazing event with fresh animal goodness from a farm in Delaware, fresh beers from everywhere, and some good bands! Don't miss it.

Like many places in Howard County, T-Bonz can be slightly difficult to locate, but please don't let that discourage you. One fairly reliable way to get there is to get on Rt. 100 (between Rt. 29 and Rt. 95), and when you see signs for Waternoo Road/Rt. 108/Rt. 104, exit and head NORTH on Rt. 104.

Follow that for about a half mile to mile, and when it becomes a t-bone at Montgomery Road/Rt. 103, make a left, and then make an immediate left into the shopping center and look for the signs for T-Bonz. It is immediately behind an Italian pizza place and another business.