Did the Ravens dampen first Baltimore Beer Festival?
Jay Trucker reviews the first Baltimore Beer Festival, which took place Sunday at Canton Waterfront Park on Boston Street.
At the inaugural Baltimore Beer Festival, the anchor event of Baltimore Beer Week, everyone got freebies.
Both local Maryland pubs - DuClaw and Red Brick Station, among others – and larger breweries - Saranac and Magic Hat – offered samples.
A sweet Belgian-style dubbel served up by the folks at Judge's Bench welcomed me as I came in.
With tickets $40 at the door, the cost of admission was worthwhile for those ready to indulge in all samplings, but probably less so for those who wanted only a few 4-ounce tastings and a place to watch TV.
Local food vendors were also featured along a sizable stretch of the Canton Waterfront, though meals were not included with the price of admission. Nacho Mama's, Fins, Alexander's Tavern served up grilled grub and seafood at $6-$10 a pop. Kooper's Chowhound Burger Wagon was also a popular food choice amongst patrons.
However, Ravens football took center stage for most of the afternoon, dictating the comings and goings of most patrons. The festival planners were wise to set up a large screen, as it was clear from the crowd on the lawn that many would have foregone the festival if the game hadn’t been broadcast.
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For the past eight days, Baltimore Beer Week has been a potpourri of tastings, home brewing competitions and beer appreciation classes. 
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
