Dropped by the City Paper Brew Fest Saturday afternoon in Fells Point. A good turnout -- crowded but not squashed. Man, was it hot! Sunscreen was a prized commodity, as was any patch of shade. 

I made the rounds, or really more of a rectangle, of the various booths set up in the square at the foot of Broadway. Since this was NFL draft day, among the fastest selling items were hats and shot glasses emblazoned with the image of the Raven. They came from the booth of Stephen Demczuk's Raven beer. The beer takes its name from the Poe poem, not the football team, but football fever being what it is, few fest goers seemed to care.

The Maryland brewers -- Brewer's Art, Clipper City, Flying Dog, Red Brick, Oliver -- were there in full hop flower along with the boys from Pennsylvania -- Lancaster, Troegs. I was told Victory was there, but somehow I missed them. 

My bad, especially on a day as hot as Saturday. I crave Pils, and I do love Victory Pils.

There were some big beers there: Ommegang, the pride of Cooperstown , N.Y., and California's Sierra Nevada and Troegs had some high-alcohol brews. But when it gets hot, I want lower ABV and crisp taste.

I found that in an old favorite, Clipper City Marzhon, along with Brewer's Art Beacon and Oliver's  Cherry Blossom Wheat. These ranged from about 4-5 percent ABV.

Does your beer appetite change with the weather?

What were your favorite brews at the City Paper fest?