It may be the longest, but definitely not the best. I stopped going a few years ago due to the mobbing of crowds, so so brews, and loads of folks who seem to only go to get plastered.

The best local festival, by far, is the SPBW cask festival that has been at the Wharf Rat the last couple of Octobers. Great local and national lineup of cask brews, decent weather, and an awesome crowd.

"Hoppy but harsh Hellraiser" ??

Gotta agree to disagree here.

While not as smooth as Clipper City's Loose Cannon, (or Dogfish 60 minute IPA), the DuClaw Hellrazer is an excellent change of pace for us hopheads. (I've got a keg on tap at home)

It's got a nice hop profile and the bitterness is just right.

Had a great time, it did pull in a few of the "here to get plastered" crowd who probably stood in front of the brewer giving the most beer in the cup, but I really enjoyed it. Rob- What was your take on the Strawberry ale from Lancaster Brewing? I personally liked it, very smooth and fresh finish.

Setting my comments in historical context - this City Paper sponsored beer event was never created to appeal to the local beer aficionado - it was most likely inspired by the craft brewery movement that exploded in the mid 1990’s and the marketing department at CP saw this as a way to tap into a “hip” segment of the marketplace that was willing to explore what craft brewing was all about. The key historical elements, in my opinion, are the chosen venues for this event – not the annual beer selection. Bohagers, Parrott Island, Power Plant Live… I am certain that any brewery that distributes its beer in Maryland is welcome to display their wares at this event. However the demographics of the CP readership coupled with the venue choices have unfortunately adversely affected this festivals impact on the beer community in our city. This year’s event was generally a home run – drinking outstanding craft beer in Fells Point Square on a gorgeous spring afternoon, with a controlled crowd was awesome! The key being Fells Point Square – if you were lucky enough to get into the event, then you already know. If you didn’t get in – or you just wanted a full pint elsewhere you had the playground that is Fells Point to explore. My point is this - the festival may be geared toward a particular audience but there is no better place to sample craft brews in Baltimore then Fells Point (and its environs) on a fabulous spring afternoon… this years location was perfect and the price of admission was $20.00 – unfortunately I don’t think the venue is big enough once the word gets out...