More on growler's name and good places to grab a beer on a sunny day
Thanks to Mr. Pilsener for his post relaying an explanation from AllAboutBeer.com written by Dave Gausepohl on the origin of the term growler. The part that rings true to me is that dads and grandads used to growl when their offspring spilled the bucket of beer fetched from the local tavern.
I am still partial to my explanation, that the empty pail “growled” when it traveled across the top of the bar.
Next topic: outdoor beers. On a golden autumn afternoon, when I should have been handcuffed to my computer, I slipped out and had a beer, for research purposes, on the Baltimore waterfront. Sitting at the DuClaw Brewing Company on Bond Street, sipping their light, slightly fruity Bare Ass Blonde Ale, I thought of the words of that noted singer and philosopher, Otis Reading, who sang “Sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away, sittin' on the dock of the bay, wastin' time.”
I started making a list of good places to grab a good brew on a sunny day. DuClaw’s Bond Street location in midafternoon was an obvious starter. Others included the tables outside One World Café on University Parkway across the street from the Johns Hopkins stadium. Nothing like sipping a draft of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale while watching taut athletes run past you. My third is a table outside the Wharf Rat on Pratt Street -- a spot that can be noisy, thanks to the Pratt Street traffic, but festive.
What are some other favorite outdoor spots to grab a beer?
Comments
Little Havana!
And the open top floor of Slainte in Fells Point, known as Woody's.
Posted by: KB | October 24, 2007 10:53 AM
I certainly miss the beer garden at the BBC. As for other suggestions - how about the outdoor garden at John Stevens in Fells Point, the back garden at the Cats Eye Pub in Fells, as for water views what about the Bay Cafe or Nick's Fish House deck (limited selections but a nice view) also the outside tables at Grand Cru - Belvedere Square, Duda's and Ale Mary's have to be mentioned. Spreading out don't forget the back yard at Racer's, and going further the garden at the Sputnik Cafe - Crownsville, and the great outdoor vine-covered garden at the Rams Head in Annapolis. There is also the Old Stein Inn beer garden in Edgewater. I'm certain there are others... what about stoop sitting places...Mt Royal Tavern, now your talking Baltimore, Hon.
Posted by: Joe Gold | October 24, 2007 6:47 PM
This isn't a local location but I just returned from a long weekend in Vermont. I made a stop at Long Trial brewpub. An absolutely wonderful place to drink beer Feel as if you're in heaven. Sit by their deck overlooking the river with great views of the mountain! Gorgeous!
The beer is fabulous. Traveling across the state, there’s various mentions that LT is Vermonter’s favorite beer made in state. I tried their beers and I was truly impressed.
Brought a case home! They said they’re starting distributorship in MD soon. Watch for it.
http://www.longtrail.com/home.html
Posted by: Bolt | October 25, 2007 4:21 PM
O'Lordan's in Westminster has a nice garden as well...but Camden Yards is still a fine place to have one too, and beer is probably more important there these days than it was a while back. It's the only way I made it through the 30-run Texas game.
Posted by: WPL | October 27, 2007 12:34 AM
Let's make that Otis REDDING, not Reading!
Posted by: Ocala Jack | November 5, 2007 10:10 PM