Normally when we talk about our northerly neighbors, the joke is punctuated with an “eh?!” and everyone you told the joke to rolls their eyes. Bear with me, eye-rolling craft beer fans. I am not about to belt out, “O Canada!” but instead, “O Craft beer!” Our northern neighbors up I-95 in Baltimore will celebrate Baltimore Beer Week from October 7-17, and it promises to be an occasion where you will want to brave both Beltway traffic and your misguided based-on-The-Wire perceptions of Charm City and attend.
First, let’s get to a mind-boggling number. 327. 327 separate craft beer events for Baltimore Beer Week. And in a truly awesome innovation, they have said events sortable!
I’ll be the first one to tell you I don’t know much about Baltimore. I know, I know, it’s shameful. Whatever, I have my hands full just delivering the DC beer news to the voracious masses. Luckily, my Baltimore counterparts all have blogs, and you can find said list here.
Anyway, what I do know about Baltimore’s beer scene is that Max’s Taphouse and the Pratt Street Alehouse are both excellent places. The two of these venues together will be hosting 30 events, which is mind-boggling, Max’s has an amazing selection of beer: 140 rotating drafts, 5 casks, and 1,200 beers. No, please, go on, take a minute. Breathe. Yes, okay great. Now that you’ve regained consciousness, Pratt Street houses the amazing Oliver Breweries and Head Brewer Stephen Jones. Oliver makes excellent beers; I highly recommend the 3 Lions, Ironman Pale, and Best Bitter. Check both of these venues out; I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
Don’t rely just on my advice though, do a search and find exactly what you’re looking for out of a beer event. Tasting? Dinner? Happy hour? Whatever your little heart (and liver) desire can assuredly be found.
Do you know Baltimore well? Which venues are can’t-miss? Will you be making the trip up to Baltimore? Which events are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
