Baltimore Beer Week Opening Tap ceremony - Baltimore Museum Of Industry

Well, last night was the first night of Baltimore Beer Week 2010, and I was at the "Opening Tap" ceremony at the Museum of Industry in south Baltimore. Here's a little write up of the things that went down while there.

Walking into the museum was interesting, as i had never been there before and didn't know what to expect. In the main door, to the left sign in and pick up my tasting glass along with a BBW passport to use throughout the weekend. Go into the main show floor where there was a nice buffet style spread furnished by Mother's Bar in Federal Hill(salad, meatballs, and pasta). After the buffet there were Brewery after Brewery offering up the beers to the waiting masses. I will try to mention all of the Breweries that were there: Flying Dog, Leinenkugels, Red Brick Station, Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada, Evolution, Dogfish Head, Duclaw, Spaten, Stella Artois, Oliver ales, Samuel Adams, Saranac & Heavy Seas(Flagship Sponsor).

Baltimore Beer Week 2010 Opening Tap Ceremony from Jason Fellon on Vimeo.

I walked around for a while trying as much of the harder to find brews that were there. After the beers I settled in front of the "Tapping Table" so I could get a good view of the ceremony. At about 7pm they started it...A squire read from a scroll, bringing up to stage the orginizers and founders before the Firkin Tapper Duff Goldman, was brought up. He said a few lines, then proceeded with one swing to drive the tap without any trouble. After that we all got to try the Heavy Seas firkin that was finished with hops that were grown near Mount Airy Md. and also had Wye Oak tree chips involved in it's creation. It was very tasty and was completely enjoyable.

Once the tap was finished, i walked around and talked to some of the fellow beer people I know before heading to a few more opening night events around town.