Maryland Brewers Toast Craft Beer Week
Dropped into Max's on Broadway the other night to toast American Craft Beer Week.
Maryland's craft brewers were out in force. I spoke with Volker Stewart of Brewer's Art, who said his staff regularly challenges him to identify an unmarked glass of beer that they have put before him. Mike McDonald of Whitemarsh Brewing told fish stories. Hugh Sisson of Clipper City discussed Civil War battles. Jim Lutz of Frederick's Flying Dog and Wild Goose brewery explained the fine art of filtering the water used to make beer.
As delightful as it was to talk with these guys, it was more fun to taste their beers. Many of them are on tap this week at Max's. I started stong, too strong, working on a large glass Heavy Seas Peg Leg Stout . It was dark and rich, but you shouldn't begin with a beer that is 8 per cent ABV. I soon switched to a smaller glass of Heavy Seas Red Sky, a Saison Ale that encourages drinkers to play the game of " name that spice". Next I had a refreshing glass of Olivers fruity Cherry Blossom Ale, and a small but potent sampling of Flying Dog's Snake Dog hoppy IPA. Then I folded.
It is great that Max's kicked off the week serving Maryland beers. Here is list of other brewers who will be there this week.
What is your "local" doing for American Craft Beer Week?
What beers have you tried this week?
Comments
Rob:
Good meeting you the other night. Think you meant Jim Lutz from Flying Dog and Wild Goose, not Alan Pugsley. We only call him Pugsley when he quotes the Addams Family.
( Matt, correction made, the Nitro got my brain Rob). .
Posted by: Matt | May 13, 2009 7:46 AM
I too made it out to Max's for the first night of American Craft Beer Week.
I started with the Flying Dog Doggie Style Pale Ale. This was delicious from the Nitro draft. I also had a few sips of my lady's Brewers Art Ozzy from the cask.
Then I had the Peg Leg Stout. I agree this was too big of a beer to have early on. I should have saved this for last. I followed this with a few sips of my lady's Red Sky, which I thought was ok. I had big hopes for this one.
Then I went back to the Flying Dog and had a Double Dog, while my lady had the Snake Dog. These were both winners.
I finished off with a glass of Brewers Art Green Peppercorn Triple and a sample of the White Marsh Dunkle Weiss. There was more of a pepper taste than I remember from the last time I had this one, and I enjoyed that. The Dunkle Weiss was incredible and made me wish I had gone for a larger glass.
I look forward to trying a few more later this week.
Posted by: C Double | May 13, 2009 7:55 AM
I spotted you (and those you mentioned) at Max's on Monday evening. What an amazing lineup Casey and the people at Max's have put together for this great week of beers.
The beers I had the opportunity to taste on draft that night (God bless sample glasses!):
Allagash - Hugh Malone
Avery - Collaboration not Litigation
Brewer's Art - Ozzy (cask)
Flying Dog - Double Dog (Nitro)
Clipper City - Peg Leg w/ Oak Chips (Cask)
Oliver's Oak Aged 3 Lions (Cask)
Posted by: Brad - BeerInBaltimore.com | May 13, 2009 8:40 PM