Racers Cafe and Hamiltons Tavern

Backstory: Brad from BeerInBaltimore.com organized a gathering at Racer's Cafe on Harford Road to watch the Olympic hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada. Having never been to Racers but hearing good things about it for a while, it was a good opportunity to finally swing by.

Brad was there as well as several other local beer writers and Twitter friends so it was a really nice time.

Racers has about 17 beers on tap, which you order at the bar by number assigned to them on the big chalkboard inside. They also have a deal where you can get three mugs of beer for I think $5.

Its a blue collar place with free peanuts which you can toss on the floor. Next door is an attached packaged goods store mostly stocked with beers which can be enjoyed at Racers (see picture No. 3 a barrel aged Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA).

After the game several members of our group headed over to Hamilton Tavern. It had nice food (I went with the jalapeno cheese fritters and a delicious meatball sub) and four overall taps, two of which were devoted to Brewers Art beers.

Miscellaneous

-- Yours For Good Fermentables takes American Craft Beer Week a step further asking us to support LOCAL beer. Sounds good to me.

-- A rare picture of Mahaffey's upstairs bar. I've yet to trek up there, worth the visit?

-- Beer in Baltimore has details on tonight's cask event at Max's. Also, a first day report from Max's great American Craft Beer Week event. Another excited report from BeerInBaltimore.com.

Miscellaneous

--- Added MALT and the Maryland Homebrewers Guild to the links at right under "Home Brewing". To be honest I know exactly nothing about either group so if a representative is in the house and would like to add more, feel free to comment below or drop me a line and we'll see if there's a way to deliver pertinent information in a condensed format on here.

--- Also added (The) Thirsty Brewer's website. Is The Brew Pot in Bowie, MD still open? How about Danny's Home Brew in Leonardtown?

--- Howard County Beer Map update coming in just a few minutes, thanks Dick for the helpful comment.

--- Columbia's Second Chance Saloon has added a tap list (and bottle list) to its website. For that, I'll merrily add it to the prestigious "Online Beer Lists" section on the menu at right. Hopefully they dutifully keep it up, and hopefully that Milwaukee's Best tap won't scare the beer geeks.

--- Also, we're tentatively adding the online beer list at Taps, although its still mostly the regular stuff we spot Stone, Dogfish Head, Magic Hat, Clipper City and Flying Dog. And, with a little navigating (Home -> Menu -> Draught Beers) you can find the same at John Steven Ltd. And yes, they carry PBR to go with their much-coveted Brewer's Art Resurrection account. Oh, how we love Baltimore.

--- Oh, and we're also adding The Abbey Burger Bistro (.pdf). EVERY establishment that cares about beer should have 1)an online beer list that 2)is updated within the hour. It doesn't hurt to add style, location, ABV, information like that if possible. If you build it, the beer geeks will come.

--- UPDATE! Add Lures in Crownsville/Annapolis to the mix!

--- "Free Beer". At the 31st Annual Clyde's American 10K. I haven't been at Clyde's in a loooong time, I know they had a couple Stone taps on when I was there though, hopefully they're keeping things up and being craft friendly with the 10 or so taps they have. Feel free to rat them out on here if not, heh.

--- Not that I advise abusing yourself too often in the name of great beer, but here are some hangover cures from around the world as seen in a recent National Geographic (my Mom tore the page out and thought of you, dear BBG readers):

Coffee in Italy, pickled plums in Japan, tomato juice and eggs in the good ol' US of A, tripe soup in Romania (pass), salt in Denmark, sour pickle juice in Poland, strong green tea in China, beer in the Netherlands, shrimp in Mexico (for when you're crudo) and leafy birch branches, while whipping the hung over subject, in a sauna, in Russia.

--- Ruddy Duck, a rare brewery out in the more Chesapeak-y areas of Maryland (for lack of a better term) in Solomons Island, is holding a job fair for all positions at the Hilton Garden Inn right next door to their facility - 13100 Dowell Rd., Dowell Md, 20629 on April 8th from 10 AM to 2 PM and April 9th from 10 AM to 2 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM.

One day, we promise, they will open. In the meantime you can go to the website and have a slightly agitated duck randomly quack at you while looking at construction photos.

--- As first reported at Rob Kasper's site but finally arriving in my inbox, there will be a one night only screening on April 16th of a documentary film about the craft beer industry called "Beer Wars". Several suburban theatres will present the film so be sure to check that out and report back what you thought of it. That or make an event of it although my weak bladder and sitting at a theatre for more than an hour after having a beer or two beforehand is not the best of ideas.

The participating theatres are:

Regal's Bel Air 14, Bowie Crossing 14, Snowden Square 14, Germantown 14 and AMC's Columbia Mall 14 and Owings Mills 17. Tickets can be purchased online. Any of those theatres stand out as most comfortable? I know the Columbia pair are the closest to where I live.

--- DuClaw writes to correct that although Colossus will be released on 4/1, it will not come numbered and signed by brewmaster Jim Wagner, apologies for the inconvenience.

--- There will be a Brewer's Alley beer dinner at Victoria Gastro Pub (.pdf link) on April 14th starting at 6:30 PM for $85 (10% discount for beer club members).

--- Be sure to check out and bookmark the brand new "Beer in Baltimore".com website. Welcome to the Maryland/Baltimore beer blogging community!

--- The Baltimore Snacker reviews The Wine Source and finds them carrying Southern Tier and Brewer's Art. Nice.

--- Join the fight. Seriously, this state is ridiculous in prohibiting the private shipment of beer and wine in and out of its borders. Backwards, even.

--- Self-service beer taps, as seen at Beer in Baltimore. This has potential, but I don't see it ever fully taking off. This kind of idea is exactly why alcohol is regulated as it is, and its right at the edge of being overcomplicated and user-unfriendly. A few years ago a hotel bar in San Diego had planned to add a few of these but the state stepped in at the last minute and put the kibosh on the whole thing.

--- SPBW membership gets you deep, deep discounts at Red Brick Station. Nice. Pub Dog may open a third location in Fells Point near Max's, where the former Admiral's Cup was (great location, potentially!). Its too bad Mr. Mitchell's limited in his beer access of late due to health, I want to say his site's really gotten good the last few months, the man definitely finds his way around town and uncovers the (beer) goods.

--- Via the great HowChow, Greg from Food and Wine Blog reviewed Ellicott Mills Brewing Co. and came away less than impressed. That's too bad, I don't go there as often as I should, but its not terrible for beer. For a beer geek, those oddly shaped taster glasses really don't do their beers justice nor does a flight. Sometimes you have to sit down and take in a few pints over a few visits and single out the one or two or three that you find suitable, it helps put them in perspective. Regardless, Greg also does excellent work in his own way, hits up some interesting spots and posts notes on his own home brewing activities.

--- What are your perfect 5.0 beers?

More Updates

This is what happens when I skip town for a bit ... backlog.

The 2nd Chance Saloon, newly opened in Columbia, is now blogging. Or, we hope they're blogging, its just one entry right now from January 7th.

Hair O' The Dog Wine & Spirits in far out Easton, Maryland, also has its own interesting blog. Not being a born/bred Marylandian (sp?) I don't have much affinity for parts beyond the Chesapeake and they're a bit of a hike but its still Maryland and well, they care about good beer so they'll soon be merrily indexed here.

And just so we're clear, Maryland is up there with two-piece Michigan among the oddest shaped states in the union. Any other favorite oddly shaped states worth mention?

So Yeah Dood has finally launched. Interesting, informative and thoughtful beer blog, it is.

File this under muddled and confusing: Wharf Rat is sold, but stays open, the original Fells Point property stays in the hands of the old owner, the newer property on Pratt Street stays open with the new owners. Except there was a rumor it closed and Beer Advocate noting it as "closed" added to the confusion. But now it really is closed starting January 30th, for renovation you see.

Got all that?

Beer In Baltimore's on top of things though, so keep track of all that, over there.

Blob's Park has officially opened. Here's the dates/times (and entertainment schedule):

Friday & Saturday doors open 630 PM, music from 8 PM to midnight, closes at 1 AM
Sunday doors open at 2 PM, music from 4-8 PM, closes at 10 PM

Mark your calendars, the first week of February is "IPA Week" at The Judge's Bench in downtown Ellicott City. I haven't been there in a while (or Ellicott Mills Brewing), should make my way over especially since its so close. Its a nice place, if a bit tiny, with really easy parking and 17 above average taps and a well-organized bottle list. They also do some take-home beers, kind of cool.

Greg from the Food, Wine Beer & Culture website continues to do some excellent beer exploration, hitting up Flying Dog and Brewer's Alley in Frederick, Red Brick Station in White Marsh which I need to visit at some point, Kooper's in Fells Point, and Red Star in Fells Point.

Its an interesting and versatile blog he's put together discussing home brewing, dining, cooking, wine and the like.

And this, from my friend Dan in California who passed this along -- Coors celebrates the 50th anniversary of their introducing the brewing industry and the world to the aluminum can. Environmentally friendly, replacing the old -- now collectable -- tin cans. The can is making a comeback in craft brewing, and I support the movement.

Its more portable than bottles, does a much better job of protecting the beer and its flavors from light, no longer imparts odd flavors, and can be reused and cheaply. Botters are more aesthetically pleasing and easier to display and collect and don't give off that cheap look aluminum cans do, but they're not as good for the beer.

Thanks Dan.

And finally, I'll have a discussion about downtown Ellicott City's Diamondback Tavern in an upcoming entry. They sent a nice email along which I need to respond to (as well as Dan's, actually), but I'll tease with this:

$2 tap beer, all their tap beers, all day Sunday at Diamondback. Not bad, hm?

The Great Resurrection Bottle Chase

So the chase is on.

I went to The Perfect Pour in Columbia earlier today, and they didn't seem to have the Resurrection bottle shipment in. The employee I talked to seemed uncertain as to whether they'd receive it or not. Maybe that changes, and she said they take shipments daily until 5 PM so please report back if you locate it there.

Beer in Baltimore says Wells Liquors got in a shipment -- 10 cases, 120 bottles -- this morning. He also says they told him Bond Distributing got 400 cases, sold in two days to the various clients.

Personally I arrived at the source, Brewer's Art, at 4 sharp, to pick up a few bottles. Its a miserable day today, but thats alright, I got what I wanted. We'll see how long they last there.

Please report back here via comment or email if you find Resurrection anywhere else. Its a curiosity deal more than anything.

Update

HoCoJoe reports the following - Pine Orchard Liquors in Ellicott City has some in stock (5PM on 12/17/08)

Update #2

Reader Chodite also reports the following - Honeygo Wine & Spirits (aka import and craft beer heaven) as well as Swan Song Spirits. Both in Perry Hall, both have Resurrection in stock.

Thank you both!

Update #3

HoCoJoe adds: Perfect Pour now has it in stock.

Update #4

An addendum -- they're $12 at the source, just an FYI. PS its blistering cold out, I was at BA tonight they shut down the upstairs for a wedding but to/from my parking space about three blocks away just wow. Especially walking into the wind, you feel that kind of cold in your bones.

Update #5

Strawberriesinparis adds: My cousin got 7 bottles from Well's!

BBG says "excellent!" Should make for a hell of a party. I'm digging the label art, personally. Brewer's Art has a flair for the aesthetic with their tap handles, with the design on the bottle labels and the establishment itself.

Max's Christmas Beer Social Reminder

I won't be there, but enjoy it it you can -- responsibly. Having never attended a Tuesday Beer Social at Max's I can't help as far as explanation, but have a gander at Tuesday night's Christmas Beer Social final list of items on cask, draft and bottle via Beer in Baltimore:

ON CASK:

Weyerbacher Winter

Heavy Seas Winter Storm

Whitemarsh Winter Sotice

DRAFTS:

Whitemarsh Winter Soltice

Southern Tier Chockalt

Troegs Mad Elf 2007

Troegs Mad Elf 2008

Samichlaus Helles

Scaldis Noel

Barbar Winter Bok

Seirra Nevada Celebration

Birra Natale

Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux

la Rulles Cuvee

Corsendonk Christmas

St Bernardus Christmas

BOTTLES:

Haandbryggeriet Nissefar

Del Ducato Krampus

Wintercoat Yule Ol

Ridgeway Crimanlly Bad Elf

Ridgeway Insanely Bad Elf

Anchor Christmas Ale

Mikkeller Not just Another Wit

Struise Tseejes

Thrieiz Noel

Geants Noel De Geants

De Ranke Pere Noel

Be sure to look up the unfamiliar items of the bunch via Google. I prefer the following method:

"struise tseejes Beer Advocate"

Sometimes Beer Advocate won't let you see a review directly through their site without your having an account/handle, but there's a lazy man's back door by searching via Google that usually brings up the beer you're interested in. From there you can get a feel for the style, what else is made by the brewery, alcohol content and others' reviews for better or worse.

Second Chance Saloon, Diamondback Tavern Now Open

You'll have to Google around for food reviews and whatnot, but both places mentioned on here are now open.

Second Chance Saloon is the new home for the old and apparently much-beloved Last Chance Saloon in the same location in Columbia. Diamondback Tavern was opened at the same location as the old Tiber River Tavern in downtown Ellicott City. Obviously Baltimore Beer Guy will have to make stops in the near future to both of these destinations as both promise good beer!

There is this note from Beer In Baltimore about Second Chance Saloon:

The Second Chance Saloon opened Friday in Columbia's Oakland Mills Village Center, where the Last Chance Saloon once was. I spoke to some friends who went there Saturday night.
They said that the menu and beer selection are currently limited, and that the service was slow; however, they thought that each of those things could be because they had just opened the day before.

Also, be sure to check them out and let me know what they're like if you make it before I do.

The Lists Grow

As noted in the most recent entry, Baltimore Beer Guy found Fell's Point dining establishment Todd Conner's to have at least one craft beer on tap, and I've read online several places now that people have found them to be craft beer friendly.

Looking at the website for Ryleigh's in Federal Hill, it seems the've got a few craft beers as well. Needless to say we'll be adding them to the various beer maps and lists on here. If you know of other spots and can vouch for them, feel free to send along an email so they can be added and possibly mentioned.

For example, I've hear rumors that a place along Route 40 in Ellicott City named Jilly's has recently put up some excellent craft beer taps. At some point I'll take a look but if you know more on that or other places, feel free to let Baltimore Beer Guy know.

Kasper on Tap recently pointed out several good beer places that weren't on my radar. Westminster's Buffalo Wild Wings will carry a porter made by a craft brewer and produced by DOG Brewing (headquartered in Westminster but pizza/pub locations in Columbia and Federal Hill downtown).

National brewery chain Gordon Biersch with D.C. and Rockville Md. locations is opening again in Maryland, this time in Annapolis in the Town Center at Parole.

Finally, Beer in Baltimore notes that a beer bar with ties to the great Brewer's Art is opening in Northwest Baltimore. It will be called The Parkside. It will be a restaurant, bakery, market, carrying, deli, kid friendly, basically a lot of things to hopefully a lot of people.

Update: Also, a new burger bistro and bar called the Abbey Burger Bistro in Federal Hill has promise. Anything to do with Abbeys should have some beer ties, particularly Belgian beer right?

We'll note these in Baltimore Beer Guy's various maps and lists soon.

Whatever Blob's Park Is, It's Coming Back

Says Beer in Baltimore and Mid-Atlantic Brewing News writer Alexander D. Mitchell IV.

Folowing up on several rumors that had been floating about, it appears that Blob's Park, down near Jessup, is being rebuilt for a reopening!

Blob's Park appears to be one of those classic Bavarian/German dance hall plus dining room plus biergarten. I've always liked those kinds of places, so hopefully its reopening is a winner.

Blob's Park website is here, to keep tabs on the renovation and opening. I've also added it to my "Grab a Pint" and "Howard County Beer Map" beer maps linked on the menu at right.

Update: more details from Annapolis' The Capital.

Free Book Giveaway

Alexander D. Mitchell IV, writer at Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, is giving away two free copies of Charlie Papazian's "The Complete Joy of Home Brewing"

Simply respond to his entry explaining why you are so worthy and he may choose to give you a copy. Maybe I should respond?