Inaugural Baltimore Beer Festival Beers Announced

Alright I got an early edition of the official program for the Inaugural Baltimore Beer Festival that is happening on this Sunday October 17th at Canton Waterfront Park.

So without further a-do I am gonna list them now for you to paruse:

Judge's Bench Pub - Southern Tier - Unearthly & Unibroue - Terrible (VIP Tent only)

Boulder Beer Co. - Sweaty Beetty & Hazed & Infused

Victory Beer - Fest Bier & Srorm King

Crispin Ciders - Original & Honey

Oskar Blues Brewing - Dales Pale Ale & Mama's Lil Yellow Pils

Lagunitas Brewing Co. - IPA & Pale Ale

Harpoon Brewery - IPA & Hefeweizen

Saranac Brewing - Black Forest IPA

Fordham Brewing Co. - Copperhead Ale & Scotch Ale

Old Dominion Brewing - Oak Barrel Stout & Hop Mountain Pale Ale

Troegs Brewing Co. - Hopback Amber Ale & Dead Reckoning

Duclaw Brewing Co. - Mad Bishop & Celtic Fury

Leinenkugels Brewing Co.  - Sunset Wheat & Creamy Dark

Stillwater Artisanal Ales - Stateside Saison & Autumnal

Flying Dog Brewing - Doggie Style & Raging Bitch

Sam Adams/Boston Beer - Octoberfest & Cherry Wheat

Spaten - Franziskaner, Muchen & Salzburger Stiegl

Heavy Seas Brewing - Loose Cannon & Marz-hon

Evolution Craft Brewing - Rise Up Stout & Lot #3 IPA

Guinness Stout - Foreign Stout

Oliver Ales  - Dark Horse & 3 Lions

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Jack & Kens Ale, & Northern Hemmisphere - Harvest

Magic Hat Brewing Co. - #9 & Hex

National Bohemian - Natty Boh cans

Lancaster Brewing Co. - Octoberfest & Milk Stout

Duvel USA - Green

Brewery Ommegang - TBD

Dogfish Head Brewing - TBD

Baltimore Beer Week 2010 Tuesday(Day 6) & Thursday(Day 8) Review

Making the turn and going down the backstretch of Baltimore Beer Week 2010, i continued my tour of the events in town, by stopping by Ryleighs Oyster Bar & Restaurant for the Leinenkugels Platetoberfest event(small plates and a Leinenkugels beer, keep the pint glass)...They tapped the brand new Oktoberfest seasonal from the Wisconsin brewery. I had one and it was pretty good, malty sweet that hangs nicely til a light bitter finishes it off. All in all it was an ok first stop on the way to Little Havana for the B.A.R.C.S. animal shelter Home Brew Competition.

Once at Little Havana, I paid the $3.00 fee for the unlimited sipping cup of the brews and started-a-tasting...I wish i had brought my notepad to keep a better track of what i drank and which ones I like to make a better vote than i did.

There were about 20 or so different beers that ranged from an IPA to Stouts to a basic Red ale. The beers weren't to bad, better that what I have tried on my own so far. I voted for the Breakfast in America, and Pantyhose brews...I wish I could remember exactly what they were in more detail, but i do remember i did go and get a second sample from both.







Lastly that night I headed down to Alewife to have a little food and to get a glass of the Crispin Artisanal Ciders firkin of aged in White Zin Barrels Cider called "Porthos". They also tapped a fresh-hopped firkin of Victory Beer - Hop Devil.

I ordered the cider along with an order of Duck-fat fries and the Cubano sandwich. The cider was great. I had it at home once and enjoyed it, but the wine barrel aging adds an even more elaborate palate to give your taste buds a workout. I could go on and on about the Cubano...Pork loin, Virginia Ham, Swiss cheese and a Re-diculously good mojo dressing...all the ingredients meld perfectly and the roll was toasted just right to seal in the flavors. The little spinach salad that was a side to the sandwich was basic in presentation but the Warm Bacon dressing was awesome...i could have eaten a whole salad of just the spinach and dressing been happy also.

On Wednesday, I decided to take the day off to recoup and get ready for the rest of the week ahead.

So, Thursday comes and I already knew where I was gonna be before the week started...Alewife...This night was on the radar because Craft Beer Icon Sam Calagione of  DogFish Head was going to make an appearance. I got there about an hour before Sam was supposed to be there, found a spot at the Bar(completely surprised), and ordered the Victory - Hop Devil in the Firkin left over from last night. The Dogfish Head beers along with six specialty brews from Boulder Brewing co. weren't available til 7pm, so i hung out an talked to a friend(Scott) while waiting.

When the man of the evening arrived he was followed in with an entourage like a rock star. He came up to the bar ordered some beers for his friends and started mingling with the guests. I didn't waste time getting over to him.

I asked him to sign a bottle of 120 minute IPA, along with getting a picture with him. I also asked him if he was going to the Beer Bloggers Conference, he quickly told me that he was staying at home to watch the kids while his wife would be there. After the quick convo I let him get back to mingling with the others there. I stayed for one pour from the DFH taps...Palo Santo, had it many times before and love it.

Headed to Metropolitan Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Federal Hill to meet up with Tom from Evolution craft Brewing but he must have moved on to his next destination. Hopefully I meet up with him before the end of Baltimore Beer Week.

Well, 3 more days ahead of us, maybe I'll meet up with some of you either at Pratt Street Ale House for the Real Cask Ales festival on Saturday or the Inauguaral Baltimore Beer Festival at the waterfront in Canton, on Sunday... I will be out and about tonight also just don't know where I'm heading yet.

Baltimore Beer Week 2010 Sunday(Day 4) & Monday(Day 5) Review

Continuing on my crusade through the Baltimore Beer Week 2010 events, on Sunday I woke knowing that the Ravens were playing Denver, and I was gonna plant myself in front of my TV and relax a little. I also had a few tasks to accomplish for the day.

First was the Stillwater Artisanal Ales Special Release Brew that had a very limited number of bottles made. It was at Max's Taphouse at 10:00am which coincided with the date 10.10.10. I got to Fells Point at about a quarter til 10 and there was a line already waiting of about 20 people. I got in line and waited til they opened the door...the only thing is, the way we were waiting(from the corner-front door extending north on Broadway) was incorrect. They opened the door near the old Club 723 entrance...so the people who had been waiting for a while were now doing an about-face and were at the end of the line. Funny to the newly arrived and angering to the ones who'd been there a while. Nevertheless, we got in(me 6-7 in the door), paid our monies and had a chance to talk to Brian Strumke, the creator of the fine ales. Fairly docile, in and out...I picked up the Rare-Beer 101 Series "Requisite" an Imperialistic Stout(numbered 70 of the 101 made). Rumour has it that some of the beer got wasted accidentally during packaging, so only 60 total made it out alive. I also got the Autumnal, a German/Belgium intermingled farmhouse ale. I am torn between opening the Requisite to try it, or not opening it because of its rareness...only time will tell.

After the purchases I went home to settle in to watch the Ravens and enjoy some relaxation on the couch.

Later, after the Ravens pummeled the Bronco's, I got ready to head down to Fells Point once more for the Urban Pyrates Heavy Seas Brewing Cruise the Inner Harbor. My father and I got down there just before 6pm and there were a few people waiting...The ship "Fearless" was a little late in it's arrival, but all was well because I got to chat with @Phil_From_Md., maker of Hoplates(chocolate infused with Hops) and Beer In Baltimore about beer and things from this week. Once the Ship arrived we borded, put on our Pyrate garb, and finally got to drinking. Heavy Seas beer on the ship were Loose Cannon, Small Craft Warning, Marzen, and Pale Ale. Dad went first and regularly to Marzen, and I went with Loose Cannon most of the night. We did get some extra samples of DIPA and Great'er Pumpkin from our wench. Chris Farley, brewery manager and a cool cast of Pyrates were there to make the cruise around the harbor a very entertaining and enjoyable experience...we shot water cannons towards tourists at Harborplace, yelled "Aargh" at other people on boats, did the Limbo and ran a conga-line. Completely worth the time and would recommend Urban Pirates to anybody planning an event.

On Monday, I originally was gonna take the day off, but two things prevented me from doing so...but when i tweeted that i was in fact staying in, @Plank10 called me a "slacker". I also got wind of a very big deal going on over at Alonso's Restaurant, so adding them together and Alonso's being very close, I went.

Boy was I glad i did...Flying Dog's Matt Crow was in the house, along with the owner Steve. The "Big Deal" was that local radio station 98 Rock was there doing the Monday night Ravens Playlist or tonight they called it "Bitch-Session" in honor of Flying Dog...This time the Ravens that were there to play whatever they wanted were Jarret Johnson, Todd Heap and the Big Deal - Joe Flacco. As I understand it Joe Flacco doesn't do many of the publicity events, so this was a big deal for the fans.

Ravens being there was great, and it added to the great bar I was at, along with the brews available. I started with a Doggie Style Pale Ale from the firkin, which is a classic. Second I had a Ragin' Bitch...A mellow but still aggressive IPA, great bitterness with a sweet malt body. Finally, while talking to @Scott_Cover, we talked about something we heard of, Half Ragin' Bitch and Half Dogtoberfest...making a Bitch-Fest...so I got one. It wasn't bad, so I finished that and rolled out.

All said, another couple of good nights out and about during the Baltimore Beer Week 2010...Six more days to go.

Saison Du Buff - Victory Brewing Co. Version Review

Brewery: Victory Brewing Co.

Type: Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 6.8%

Sight: Slightly foggy golden-yellow throughout with a pure white thin head that pours quickly out of the bottle. There is some mild carbination rising from the bottom to the minimal film on the surface.

Aroma: Sweetness of grapefruit lead things off with an orange zest popping off of a a light malt base.

Taste: Citrusy with a bit of a yeasty undertone. Grapefruit, lemon, orange, with a hint of clove possibly thrown in. A very light malt backbone holds things together well and supports the unique seasonings that are inter-mingled within. Supposed to get sage and rosemary, but i am not able to seperate them completely from each other. There is a little dryness at the end that i love.

Overall: Superbly done. I enjoyed this one from Victory a little better than the Stone version, which i gave a 9.1/10. The flavors are a little more balanced in this version, with nothing overpowering the others. The mouthfeel is light and a slightly sour/sweet aftertaste holds the corners of the tongue pleasantly.

Score: 9.2/10

Baltimore Beer Week Friday(Day 2) & Saturday(Day 3) Quick Review

Well, day 2 of Baltimore Beer Week 2010 started off for me with a mild head ache that i really couldn't shake until i had my first beer of the day.
That first beer was at a small craft beer & sports bar in the heart of Brewer's Hill...Elliotts Pour House

It's a cozy, sports friendly bar with a number of TV's, pool table, ping pong table, a digital jukebox, and a 20 Craft Beers tower that was salvaged from the old Crabby Dicks in Fells Point. Selection was good...anything from Abita - Purple Haze, SmuttyNose - Old Brown Dog, to Northcoast - Schrimshaw Pilsner & Boulder Brewing - Sweaty Betty. I had a Blue Point Brewing - Hoptical Illusion, and one of my fav's Evolution Primal Pale Ale. The crowd for the BBW2010 was a little thin, but that could have been because the few events they have scheduled start after this weekend. One specific event I know of is a version of the sweet 16 tournament, but with beers. They have carefully thought out the bracketing and have every beer on tap for you to taste and vote on, narrowing down the field til they get a champion. This event starts on Wednesday October 13th, right after happy hour at 7pm.

Overall, Mike the bartender was knowledgable of what he served and was very friendly and personable. If you want a good Craft Beer bar that feels like a neighborhood sports bar, without elbow to elbow crowding, this is a good choice. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Second on the night was an ol' standard, Max's Taphouse, in Fells point...If you don't know about Max's, you've been under a rock for 20 years...This is, and I don't exaggerate, one of the best Beer Bars in the country, and simply the best in the region.
We sat down, at the surprisingly open end of the bar. It was Evolution Craft Brewery Big Ass Draft Night...32oz drafts for $6...It included Menangerie #3 which is a RE-diculous brew. I got my father a Brooklyn lager, a good intro beer for a craft beer newbie. I had a Victory Brewing - Hop Devil, I know, not that unique but was in the mood. We also had a plate of Grrek nachos, which were okay, and a set Guinness wings that were, dare i say it again RE-diculous. My only complaint that night was the bartender(won't say his name), was a ASS. Yes it was crowded, so a girl trying to get any bartenders attention was having trouble. After a few minutes i raised my hand to get our bartenders attention, and did...When he got to her, he started to correct me for assisting her stating "I would have seen her, I don't need your help"...Arrogance is ugly, and this guy was the elephant man. Just because you work for a great bar, don't act like an ass to your customers.

On the third day was the annual Das Best Oktoberfest with the usual corral of Beer-Bellys, Maryland Micro-brews and contest of craziness. There was a little bit of eveything for everyone. Spices, cheese non-profits and even a electrolosys company was there promoting or selling there wares. A few breweries you might not see or get to that often, because of the location of size. Franklin's Brewery, Barley and Hops Brewpub, & Johanssons Dining House & Brewery were some of the unique small breweries that were nice to get a few sips from. VIP hour was calm and friendly, but after noon it got crazy..Most of the breweries had the regular brews on tap, with some carrying new or unique beers offering sometimes for the first time this year. I had many beers, and all in all the fest was great for quality. My favorites were is this order:

1. Oliver Ales - High Tea
2. Heavy Seas - Winter Storm Cask
3. Barley and Hops - DIPA Double Deuce

Finally, I went to the grand opening of Alonso's restaurant, upstairs bar "Alonsoville". Steve, did a hell of a job turning an empty cavern of an arean into a beautiful bar, with a marble bar-top, exposed brick, hardwood floors, LCD tv's galore, and a Projector system for wathing the Ravens games. It was Evolution Craft Brewing night and the Owner Tom, Brewer Geoff, and Toms brother Bo were there to chat with fans of the brewery. I bumped into a few fellow beer dudes while there and met a few more. I had the Haymaker(conditioned in cask) and it was yummy. They also had Jacques Au Lantern pumpkin ale flowing through a real pumpkin into your glass. All in all so far so good this Baltimore Beer Week 2010, 8 more days to go.