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But, in light of Guinness’ decision to settle in Baltimore County, legislative action has forced the state’s thriving beer businesses to “take one step forward and two steps back,” according to the Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM).

A bill that was passed by the House of Delegates last week ups the cap on production for all local breweries (which will bode particularly well for the famed Irish beer house), but with the caveat of limiting hours of taproom operation and hindering contract brewing—a practice that has helped many local outlets including Diamondback, Full Tilt, and Monument City get off of the ground.

BAM president Ben Savage says that the implications of the bill, HB 1283, could be extremely detrimental in its current form.

“We’re at a point now where the restrictions that are added to this bill outweigh the benefits that they’re proposing,” says Savage, who also serves as chief marketing officer of Flying Dog Brewery. “If we can’t get it amended to the point where we think it’s an overall good piece of legislation, we would probably advise not to pass it at all.”

Tension began to build last month, when officials at Diageo—Guinness’ global production arm—announced plans to build a brewery for the multi-billion dollar company in Relay, a small town just outside of Halethorpe.

Slated to open this fall, the production facility would be Guinness’ first in the United States in 63 years and feature a retail store, taproom, and warehouse with packaging operations.

From the beginning, the project was contingent on the General Assembly’s approval of a new type of liquor license that would be more conducive to the massive amounts of production that such a large-scale facility requires. Currently, the cap on how much beer can be sold on the premises at breweries throughout the state is 500 barrels per year, but Guinness would need that number to increase to 5,000.

A boost in on-site sales is something that BAM has been working toward for many years. When Guinness came into the picture, the organization partnered with Diageo to introduce a new Senate bill, SB 1172, which would ensure a level playing field for all Maryland breweries.

But BAM’s work hit a low point last week, when the House of Delegates unanimously passed HB 1283—which raises the maximum amount of beer a brewery can sell in its taproom to 2,000 barrels, but significantly restricts hours for visitation.

Savage says that it’s difficult to make sense of how the legislation passed, especially because there were other proposed bills—including the one that BAM and Diageo worked on together—that seemed to be more beneficial to all parties involved.

“I’m as shocked as anyone,” he says. “There’s a brewery in every district that is represented in Annapolis. My only sense is that people maybe weren’t as forthcoming as to whether or not the Brewer’s Association was really involved in the development of this bill. There was an assumption that we were, and we weren’t. That part is very discouraging.”

The latest bill takes into account the viewpoints of Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association (MSLBA), which represents surrounding bars and wholesalers who would face competition from taprooms that have a heavy focus on retail. Steven Wise, legal counsel for the MSLBA, could not be reached for comment.

A wholesaler did write an anonymous editorial to Naptown Pint this week, saying that lobbying groups have forced them to be less-than-ideal partners for brewers. The bill also throws a curveball at the “three-tier” regulation system, which was instituted post-Prohibition and limits breweries to manufacturing, wholesalers to distributing, and bars to selling alcohol.

“We love existing within the three-tier system,” Savage says. “We wouldn’t be in business without our wholesale or our retail partners. But it’s not a sacred structured piece of regulation that is untouchable. Every state has a different version. All we’re asking is that the Maryland version be a little less restrictive so that we can allow our breweries to thrive.”

<p “=””>Under the new legislation, Class 5 breweries would need to close at 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Savage says that this not only restricts patrons from visiting local tasting rooms, but it also has the potential to require staff layoffs throughout the entire industry.

“Our brewery has become a popular destination for the community during the late afternoon and evenings, and this bill fundamentally changes the rules on us without our input,” said Union Craft Brewing co-founder Adam Benesch, in a statement from BAM. “It will change our ability to have reasonable public hours at the brewery, which will cause us to potentially lay off 5-10 employees.”

Additionally, another provision of the bill restricts taprooms to only sell beer produced at an adjoining production facility. This presents conflict for small startups that contract out of larger incubators, such as Peabody Heights Brewery in Waverly, with the intention of selling their brands at taprooms off-site. It would also have an effect on collaborative brews.

“We invested over $3 million in this brewery, created 12 jobs, brought a world-renowned brewmaster to Baltimore, and now produce beer for startup breweries throughout Maryland,” said Peabody Heights owner Dick O’ Keefe. “The bill as drafted hurts us and closes the doors for our startup clients.”

Moving forward, BAM is encouraging craft beer lovers to contact their senators and urge them to amend the bill. Savage says that a committee meeting to discuss BAM’s proposed revisions could happen as early as this week, and the organization is expecting a large turnout from its members to voice their concerns.

Though the future of Maryland’s taprooms and production policies is still up in the air, Savage is hopeful that the union will remain resilient.

“There’s no doubt we’ll get through this,” he says. “You can take Diageo and all of the specific breweries out of it, at the end of the day, this is a bad bill. We can no longer perpetuate legislation that hurts Maryland businesses.”

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The brewers at Flying Dog in Frederick and Jailbreak Brewing in Laurel have come together to collaborate on Watershed Moment Belgian IPA, which will debut in Ellicott City on Friday, September 9 and 100 percent of the profits will benefit flood relief.

“I was born and raised in Ellicott City, so there is a lot of nostalgia there for me,” said Flying Dog CMO Ben Savage. “Plus, Main Street is littered with small, independent businesses, which is really important for us to support.”

The actual beer is a combination between Jailbreak’s new Poor Righteous IPA and Flying Dog’s popular Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA, with the malt being from the former and the yeast from the latter. The two breweries, located on either side of Ellicott City, agreed that it was a no-brainer.

“It’s been an honor to be accepted into the Howard County community,” said Jailbreak’s co-founder and CEO Justin Bonner. “So when Ellicott City called upon its community for assistance, we felt compelled to help our neighbors in their time of need.

The beer will be released next week at Judge’s Bench and The Wine Bin, which both just reopened on Ellicott City’s Main Street. Savage said the beer will be available in craft-centric bars and liquor stores after that. Savage said they are encouraging retailers to also donate a portion of the profits to the Ellicott City Partnership.

“The craft-beer community is extremely tight knit,” Savage said. “The people that work here and are responsible for this brand all have a connection to that community. If our neighbors are in need, it’s normal for us to join together and help out.”

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May 1: Sprint for Spat

Fells Point Square, S. Broadway & Thames St. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $25.
Update: Sprint for Spat will be postponed due to torrential thunderstorms on Sunday. The event will be held at the same time and location on June 12.

Spat are baby oysters, and as you may well know by now, oysters are an important key to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. This Sunday, Flying Dog Brewery is hosting the annual Sprint for Spat, where athletes of all levels can run down a stretch of Fells Point brick to benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership, which has been working tirelessly to plant spat, restore the bay’s decimated oyster beds, and effectively bring it back to life. After a mere 100 meters, you can replenish your lost energy with raw oysters on the half shell, grilled oysters, and oyster shooters from local farms like True Chesapeake, Barren Island, Hollywood, and Rappahannock River. If half-shells aren’t your thing, there will also be plenty of pork from The Smoking Swine pork, plus beers by Flying Dog and music by DJ Landis Expandis. Proceeds will also benefit the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

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April 30: The Baltimore Whiskey Company presents: A Soul Train Dance Party

De Kleine Duivel, 3602 Hickory Ave. 9 p.m. Free.

This weekend, Baltimore’s young distillery is bringing us more than just craft whiskey, creative liqueurs, and a new high-proof gin. They’re also bringing us a booty-shaking, boogie-woogie dance party, with their last-Saturday-of-the-month Soul Train shindig at Hampden’s Belgian beer bar. Don your funkiest threads, order some incomprehensible ales, and throw inhibition to the wind as you hip-wag, high step, and straight-up shimmy across the dance floor. Expect epic funk, soul, and disco music by DJ James Nasty, as well as BWC drink specials available all night.

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April 30: Harbor East’s FashionEASTa

Harbor East, President & Aliceanna Sts. 1-6 p.m. Free.

This weekend, Baltimore’s “luxury district” is about to get a little more luxe as Harbor East transforms into Baltimore’s version of Rodeo Drive. Hundreds of guests will fill the streets for exclusive sales, shopping events, and peeks into new stores like Warby Parker, Brooks Brothers, and Free People. Grab drinks and bites from neighborhood bars and restaurants like the all-new Loch Bar, and get ready for the main event. At 3:30 p.m., the streets turn into a high-fashion runway, with local celebrities strutting their stuff in the latest spring styles from HE stores, including Anthropologie, South Moon Under, and Under Armour. Past models have included the likes of Baltimore Raven Justin Tucker, MIX 106.5 DJ Maria Dennis, and Bond St. District bandmate (and our 2016 Top Singles) Paul Hutson, so arrive early and nab a good seat. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the local chapter of Dress for Success.

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April 30: Charm City Folk & Bluegrass Festival

Druid Hill Park, 3100 Swann Dr. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $57-161.

If the Charm City Folk & Bluegrass Festival is any indication, it’s safe to say that Baltimore’s Americana music scene is not putting its fiddles down anytime soon. Now going four years strong, the festival will once again return to a grassy knoll of Druid Hill Park for one full Saturday of TK music, including headliners like jam-band master Keller Williams and the Travelin’ McCourys and homegrown talent like Cris Jacobs and the Ampersand Stringband. On top of that, you can tip back Union Craft beers (like its festival special Country Boy Wit) and plenty of local eats, including The Local Oyster, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Otterbein’s Bakery, and The Charmery, who will be hawking their own flavor of the weekend, (Blue)berry Lemon(grass).

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April 30: Charm City Craft Mafia’s “Buzz” Spring Maker Market

Space 2640, 2640 St. Paul St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

Baltimore is a city of movers, shakers, and, increasingly, makers. And a few days out of the year, Charm City Craft Mafia does a great job at bringing a bunch of those DIY doers under one roof. The annual Holiday Heap is a local winter favorite and Pile of Craft is the answer for spring. Now renamed “Buzz,” the latter maker market returns to St. John’s Methodist Church in Charles Village this Saturday. From housewares, stationary, and screen-printings to clothing and toys, you can browse a bevy of handmade goods from more than 50 American crafters, including local artists like Annie Howe Papercuts, Almanac Industries, Bowerbox Press, Radica Textiles, the Broken Plate Pendant Company, and Knit Soy and Metal, to name a few. Whether you’re spring cleaning or Mother’s Day shopping, it’s a nice warm way to spend your cool and cloudy afternoon.

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“This is really the coming of age of Flying Dog,” says CEO Jim Caruso. “We had our youth in Aspen as a brewpub, then our adolescence in Denver, and are now experiencing our adulthood in Maryland.”

As Caruso mentioned, the brewery had humble beginnings, first opening as a brewpub by George Stranahan in tiny Wood Creek, CO, just outside of Aspen. It was one of the first brewpubs to open in the region (which is now dominated by the craft-beer industry). In fact, at the time, there were only about 100 microbreweries in the country, compared to nearly 5,000 now.

“I like to joke that we’ve always been in the top 50, even when that didn’t mean a whole lot,” he laughs.

In 1994, the brewpub, with its flagship Doggy Style Pale Ale and chaotic label art by Stranahan’s friend Ralph Steadman, outgrew its space and moved to a 50-barrel brewery in Denver. After a decade, the international demand for the beer grew so much that the company decided its best move was to head to the East Coast.

“It just made sense for us. There’s an urban throb to the East Coast that really goes with the Flying Dog spirit,” Caruso says. “And we have loved Maryland. We were one of the first breweries to go an inch wide and mile deep—meaning we really established deep roots here and made connections with local partners.”

Today, Flying Dog’s facility has a 100,000-barrel capacity and is, by far, the largest beer producer in the state.

“We love Maryland drinkers,” Caruso says. “You guys drink a lot and are always willing to try the next thing, whether that’s an obscure series or a cask ale.”

In fact, Flying Dog became the first brewery in the country to have cask-conditioned ales inside an MLB stadium when it introduced Firkin Fridays at Camden Yards in 2012, a series continuing this season. The brewery will be hosting an opening day party this Monday, April 4, outside of the Hilton Hotel and its brews, including Dead Rise Old Bay and Bloodline Blood Orange, can be found on tap throughout the stadium.

Additionally, the brewery has come out with a few new releases this spring including Tropical Bitch, a spin on their Raging Bitch Belgian-style IPA with additional tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Being released today are the Mint Julep Ale with honey, mint, and lemon and the Ella, an imperial IPA with flavors of stone fruit. All will be available in Baltimore in the coming weeks.

There’s also its continued events, like summer concert series (which will host The Violent Femmes on June 25) and Flying Dog University, where beer lovers can take classes on the science and flavor behind their favorite brews.

“We like not being boring,” Caruso says. “Anything we can do to poke holes in that box and think of ways to get outside of it, we will.”

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Kohli Flick, owner of Becket Hitch at Greenspring Station, advises shoppers not to overthink things when searching for the perfect V-Day gift. “Keep it fun and lighthearted,” she says. “Really think about the person that you’re giving it to and don’t feel pressured by the conceit of the holiday to determine your choice.”

Trust us—the perfect presents for the special people in your life are out there, and locally, the Baltimore boutique scene offers plenty of amour-inspired items. Whether you’re just friends, or hoping to be more than that, here a few options fit for any type of relationship.

For your “galentines:” Who needs significant others when you can spend the annual love-fest hitting the town with your inner circle? Don’t show up to your Anti-Valentine’s Day soiree empty handed this year. Instead, dress to the nines, sip cocktails, snap a few photos, and exchange these trendy gifts to show your friends how much you care.

#GirlBoss 20-oz. travel mug at Brightside Boutique, $20

Red Craig Carrying Case wallet at Trohv, $50

For your loved-one with a major sweet tooth: Nothing says V-Day like specialty sweets, and it’s no secret that chocolate—a known aphrodisiac that contains chemicals that put you in the mood for romance—is the holiday’s most symbolic treat. This year, ditch the generic heart-shaped boxes and go for these gourmet goodies.

Sugarfina Candy Bento Boxes at Becket Hitch, $7-26

La Suissa Italian Chocolates Purse at Ma Petite Shoe, $12.99

For the little ones: It’s only a matter of time before your kids start coming home with backpacks full of heart-shaped lollipops and chocolate kisses. So if you’re hoping to take a break from the candy and spend some sugar-free quality time together, check out these creative (and interactive) gifts for you and your tykes.

Love is Walking Hand in Hand book at aMuse Toys, $7.95

Happiest Little Baker Class at Wee Chic, Free On Saturday Feb. 13, Wee Chic is hosting this workshop where kids are invited to decorate their own Valentine’s Day treat with the experts from Happiest Little Baker—a Charm City-based dessert purveyor that ships kid-friendly baking kits to your home.

For the “friend With benefits”: Gift-giving can be complicated when you’re keeping things casual. Of course, in keeping with the rules of a no-strings-attached relationship, you’re not obligated to splurge on a pricey present. But if you want to give your FWB something special, these fun finds are your best bet.

‘Let’s Be Totally Awkward Together’ greeting card at Brightside Boutique, $5

Flying Dog University Beer 101 Class, $33. Held on weekends throughout the year, these introductory seminars cover the history of beer, explore the basics behind how it’s made, and conclude with a complimentary tasting.

For your significant other: When it comes to your one-and-only, going all-out for Valentine’s Day is a given, but it doesn’t always have to mean exchanging glitzy jewelry and fancy watches. Whether you’re in search of something witty or heartfelt, these gift options will make for a romantic, and memorable, date night.

Letters to My Love. Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever book at Becket Hitch, $14.95

Fishs Eddy ‘Trophy Wife’ mug at Becket Hitch, $20

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August 30: KarmaPop’s One-Year Anniversary at The Local Fry

The Local Fry, 21 E. Cross St. 12-4 p.m. 410-244-1283. facebook.com.

Food trucks are so yesterday—the hot new thing is food bikes. Local entrepreneur foodie Krystal Mack hopped on that tricycle trend a little over one year ago, first with her KarmaPop artisan popsicles and now with her PieCycle baked goods. Celebrate her being ahead of the curve this Sunday during KP’s one-year anniversary party at neighborhood newcomer The Local Fry in Federal Hill. The BYOB fry shop will be offering a select menu focusing on Asian flavors, like short rib fries with pickled red onion, fresh scallions, and sesame seeds, with similarly themed pops like Green and Rainbow Bubble Tea, with rainbow taro root tapioca gumdrops. It’s going to be a hot one, so bring your own booze, support local businesses, and cool down with one of her crazy flavored treats.

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August 30: Flying Dog Brewery’s Sprint for Spat

Fells Point Square, S. Broadway. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $25. 301-694-7899. sprintforspat.com.

If there are
few things in life we’ll willingly sprint for, they’re food and booze. This weekend,
contestants will do exactly that for a good cause at Flying Dog Brewery’s
second annual Sprint for Spat (spat meaning baby oysters), in which contestants dash down a 100-meter track (aka a 0.10K), take a break for oyster shooters, and finish on Broadway and Thames in
historic Fells Point. Afterwards, everyone can partake in post-race
festivities, with a variety of grilled and raw oysters from local farms like Barren Island Oysters on Hoopers Island and Hollywood Oyster
Company in St. Mary’s. All the while, sip on summery Flying Dog beers and dig
on tunes by local DJ Landis Expandis. A portion of proceeds will go to the Oyster Recovery Partnership, an
organization working to plant those lil ‘sters in the Chesapeake Bay, as well as The Ulman Cancer
Fund for Young Adults.

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To August 30: AVAM’s The Visionary Experience: St. Francis to Finster

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free-$15.95. 410-244-1900. avam.org.

This weekend is your last chance to see AVAM’s 20th original exhibition,
which truly captures the essence of our city’s eclectic art museum. Championing
life’s “a-ha!” and “eureka!” moments, some 50-plus artists are on display,
ranging from inventors and scientists to America’s founding fathers and
all-around dreamers. Explore sci-fi studies by prolific cartoonist Robert Crumb,
delve into the spiritual world of rock-and-roll legend Jimi Hendrix, and witness Empire actor Terrence Howard’s artistic
side, with glass and acetate sculptures about science and physics. From ancient to
futuristic, these artworks are one-of-a-kind feats rarely given their much-deserved wall space. See
them before they’re gone, and swing by Encantada afterwards for a bite and sip on their
outdoor deck. We recommend the “I Dream of Genie” cocktail and roasted
cauliflower.

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August 29: Windjammer

Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave. 2:30-11 p.m. 410-783-4189. piersixpavilion.com.

Saturday night is going to be one for the books. For one hot summer evening, some of Baltimore’s biggest and best musical talents are coming together on the Inner Harbor to celebrate the local music scene. After months of acclaimed new albums, world tours, and ever-growing hype, Beach House, Dan Deacon, and Future Islands will all be there, performing with other badass Bmore bands like post-punk rockers Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, hip-hop duo Bond St. District, and minimal pop-rockers Romantic States, as well as DJ sets by James Nasty, Jason Willett, and Matmos’ M.C. Schmidt. Best of all, proceeds will benefit Living Classrooms’ Believe in Music program, which works to uplift and empower Baltimore City students. Grab your friends, scramble down to Pier Six on Saturday, and hear new tracks like “When I Was Done Dying” by Dan Deacon and “Levitation” by Beach House. Feel the bay breeze wash over your tanned summer skin, raise a beer up into the air, and watch Future Islands’ Sam Herring rumble and sway his way into the smoky summer night.

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August 28-Sept. 7: Maryland State Fair

Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free-$8. 410-252-0200. marylandstatefair.com.

At the edge of summer, it’s officially that time of year. Let your inner kid loose with cotton candy, corn dogs, and all the bright, blinking lights beneath your swinging basket on the Ferris wheel at the Maryland State Fair. It’s back for the 134th year, with herds of animals, hoards of carnival rides, and live entertainment over the next 11 days. Catch the renowned pig races, heart-racing bull riding, historic horse races, and a concert by chart-topping pop group Fifth Harmony on September 5. Best of all, sip some all-American beers, nibble on the finest fair food in town, and tip your hat to summer. Come Monday, it’s only three weeks ’til fall.

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Well, back in 2009, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission prohibited the beer from being sold in its state, deeming the Raging Bitch label “detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the general public.”

After a six-year long process of appeals, denials, and lawsuits, the United States Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the commission can be held accountable for violating Flying Dog Brewery’s First Amendment rights.

“This ruling is invigorating,” says Flying Dog CEO Jim Caruso. “It’s taken a few years, but now appointed bureaucrats are accountable for imposing their personal agendas and prejudices on the public, and for committing the crime of violating Flying Dog’s right to freedom of speech. This is refreshing, and I hope this Federal Court ruling benefits breweries, wineries and distilleries in other states, as well.”

The ruling will allow Flying Dog to recover damages from the loss of sales during the ban, which Caruso plans to use to establish a Freedom of Speech Society in Frederick.

We think Hunter S. Thompson would be proud.

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Dec. 26: Boxing Day at Sláinte

Sláinte, 100 Thames St. 7 a.m.-12 p.m. $10. 410-563-6600. slaintepub.com

Whether you’re Christian or Irish or not, and whether you work on Friday or not, swing through Fells Point for a boozy breakfast in honor of Boxing Day, St. Stephen, and service to others. Enjoy $10 bottomless mimosas, bloody marys, traditional Irish breakfast—though we recommend the Watermen’s: fried eggs, fried oysters, and green onion sausage gravy over white toast—and watch English Premier League soccer matches, starting with Chelsea versus West Ham just after the crack of dawn. Just make sure you tip your bartender.

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Dec. 26: Flying Dog Brewery presents Scrooged

Weinberg Center for the Arts, 200 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 6:30 p.m. $5-7. flyingdogbrewery.com

Beer and Bill Murray—one of the greatest pairings in history, like peppermint and chocolate, or hot cider and whiskey. This Friday movie night in Frederick combines craft beer and the 1980s cult comedy classic about a grumpy TV exec and the three ghosts who haunt him on Christmas Eve. Start with a happy hour at 6:30, followed by the movie at 7:30 and an after-party at
Guido’s Speakeasy.

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Dec. 26: Harlem Globetrotters

Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 12 & 5 p.m. $17-118. 410-347-2020. baltimorearena.com

These guys are crazy talented and that’s not just because I’m 5’1″ and therefore every basketball player can accomplish talented feats of athleticism I’ll never be able to achieve—i.e. a slam dunk. No, these world-famous athletes are something else, as their reputation has proven ever since 1926, and this weekend, they perform their big-top brand of ball against one of their greatest rivals, the Washington Generals, for two post-Christmas shows of impressive entertainment and family fun.

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Dec. 26: A Very Jerry Christmas

The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St. 8 p.m. $13. 410-625-2000. the8x10.com

Join
Cris Jacobs and friends at this holiday celebration of the other jolly, big-bellied, white-bearded old man who spreads tidings of joy—Jerry Garcia. Throw away that Christmas sweater, throw on some tie-dye instead, and take a trip to Fed Hill for a groovy night of unabashed Deadhead dancing and feel-good tunes.

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Dec. 28: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. 1 p.m. 410-261-7283. baltimoreravens.com

Sure, it hasn’t been our best season, but the game ain’t over yet. We may have had some bad PR problems, suffered some injuries, and gone 9-6. But look at Cleveland: it could always be worse. (
Cough, 7-8.) Which means, the odds are in our favor. Either way, though, the whole country knows that Baltimore doesn’t go down easy. Like we kept telling everyone this fall, “We won’t stop.” So this Sunday, show up at the last game of the season, or the tailgate, or the your favorite bar. Crush some Bohs. Hawk out some “CAW!”s. Let your purple flag fly.

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Spring: In the beginning of the year, we spent a lot of time at Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, which was then located adjacent to Dooby’s in Mt. Vernon (now you can find Dylan shucking down the street at the newest Ryleigh’s Oyster location). While we went for the oysters, we stayed for the cocktails, including the Cellar Sour (vodka, egg whites, orange bitters, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice) which was an ideal, citrusy accompaniment to salty, briny oysters.

A bit later in the season, Blue Pit BBQ opened. Well sort of. The Woodberry spot made an ingenious move: Before it could officially open its kitchen (thanks, BGE!), Blue Pit opened its bar by hanging a “Whiskey Open” sign out front. Soon, the buzz around its awesome drink program started and the very first cocktail we tried was a strawberry-rhubarb Old Fashioned, pictured. Perfectly sweet, tart, and boozy. Now Blue Pit features rotating Old Fashioned recipes, depending on what’s in season.

Summer: The “summer of Anthem” became a running joke amongst our friends, as Union Craft Brewing released its creamy, golden ale to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the penning of the National Anthem. We enjoyed Anthem at Orioles games, while picking crabs, and—most especially—during the Star-Spangled Spectacular fireworks show, pictured.

Another summer favorite was the watermelon crush at The Food Market. We found this one while fighting the crowds at HonFest and stopping at Food Market’s truck parked outside the restaurant. The combination of Green Mountain lemon vodka, watermelon purée, kiwi syrup, and crushed ice was a refreshing way to beat the heat and just a definitively beautiful cocktail.

Fall: When the chill of fall rolled in, so did the highly anticipated opening of Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club in Federal Hill. Though the spot has experienced some chef changes since opening, the bar program has remained strong under the helm of Ryan Sparks. One of the first cocktails we got to enjoy was The Federale with Espolon Blanco tequila, Becherovka (herbal liqueur), cinnamon, lemon, grapefruit, and a mint sprig. Enjoying spicy, aromatic flavors in the plush Bookmaker’s space was fitting for many fall evenings. We also recommend the bar’s cocktails on tap or anything combined with its house-made tonic.

This fall, we also got to explore some local wineries and distilleries in the area, including Millstone Cellars in Monkton and Lyon Distilling in St. Michael’s. Both outfits are producing spirits for the love of the craft and, in particular, we like Millstone’s Bonfire—a spicy mead with wildflower honey—and Lyon’s white rum, pictured, which has some sugar cane notes and a hint of molasses sweetness.

Winter: Hot cocktails can be sort of tricky. A lot of them are just boozy teas that we associate with getting over that nasty winter cold. But we think we discovered the ultimate exception in Wit & Wisdom‘s hot buttered rum cocktail, pictured, right, with Pyrat rum and a concoction of brown sugar, butter, honey, vanilla, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon—that is all topped with house-made maple whipped cream. We find it hard to imagine anything more decadent this time of year.

Of course, we can’t forget that Flying Dog Brewery had one of the most inspired holiday collaborations by teaming up with Otterbein’s Bakery to make cookie-beer pairings. Our favorite of the lot was the Roasted Peanut Brown Ale, which pairs with, admittedly, one of the best cookies on the planet. Washing down the Otterbein chocolate chip cookie with a sip of this 5-percent-ABV brown ale with nutty characteristics is like one giant candy bar experience.

Cheers to a happy (and boozy) 2015!

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The holiday collection consists of four beers: Imperial Hefeweizen (sugar cookies), Oatmeal Raisin Stout (oatmeal raisin cookies), Oak-Aged Hazelnut Scotch Ale (ginger cookies), and Roasted Peanut Brown Ale (chocolate chip cookies). 

“In developing each of these recipes, we didn’t simply want to recreate the flavors of each cookie,” said Flying Dog brewmaster Matt Brophy. “Instead, we used ingredients like specialty-roasted malts and new yeast strains to create flavor profiles that enhance and complement each pairing.”

We got a chance to sample the holiday collection this week and we agree that the roasted flavors are a nice counterpoint to the sweet cookies. Our favorite has to be the Roasted Peanut Brown Ale, which pairs with, admittedly, one of the best cookies on the planet. Washing down the Otterbein chocolate chip cookie with a sip of this 5-percent-ABV brown ale with nutty characteristics is like one giant candy bar experience. The combination is even dunk-worthy.

Flying Dog is hosting a release party with the beers and cookie pairings on Friday at Max’s Taphouse at 5 p.m. Additionally, in a major coincidence, Full Tilt Brewing will be re-releasing its 2014 batch of Berger Cookie Chocolate Stout (same ingredients as last year with some slight alterations to its recipe) that same night at Smaltimore in Canton at 7 p.m.

Because why waste your money on milk?

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The Belvedere Square restaurant, in conjunction with Flying Dog Brewery and Old Bay, will be hosting “Marylandia,” an event fusing live music and hometown summer eats from 4-9 p.m. on Sept. 6.

In typical Shoo-Fly fashion, the event will feature farm-to-table favorites which reflect the diner’s philosophy of supporting local agriculture.

“It’s our tribute to all things Maryland,” says Spike Gjerde, owner of Shoo-Fly, Woodberry Kitchen, and Artifact Coffee.

Food offerings will include raw or grilled Chesapeake oysters with Old Bay (of course), Eastern Shore BBQ chicken, Baltimore pit beef, crab soup, and sweet corn.

The Maryland-inspired fare will be paired with signature Flying Dog Brewery beers and Distillery Lane ciders.

“Flying Dog is one of our great local brewers,” Gjerde says about the partnership. “These guys know how to throw a party and we know how to cook.”

The end of summer celebration will take place on the newly finished Shoo-Fly patio which, in keeping with the diner’s farmhouse style, features furniture built using re-claimed lumber.

“We’re looking at it as a kick-off for our patio,” Gjerde says. “It’s tricked-out and it’s one of the coolest places in Baltimore.”

Live music by Caleb Stine and Kenny Liner with the ForQuarters Collective will be performed on the diner’s new addition for the event.

A portion of the Marylandia proceeds will be donated to the Oyster Recovery Partnership and the True Blue crab program.

“Our entire focus is around community and we’re part of an incredible food community here in Baltimore,” Gjerde says. “We do whatever we can to support it.”

The admission fee is $10 and includes a gift bag and discounted food and beverages. 

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Thursday’s event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. on Wit & Wisdom’s waterside patio. The dinner brings together Flying Dog’s beers with eats from executive chef Zack Mills and executive pastry chef Dyan Ng. Mills also contributed to the Old Bay cookbook.

“Any time we can team up with up local farms, local purveyors, or breweries and do an event with them, it’s a natural fit for us,” says Wit & Wisdom’s general manager Jose Gonzalez.

Stations for each dish on the menu will be set up around the patio area. Each station will have a different menu item, along with a beer pairing.

The menu includes Maryland crab lettuce wraps, Chesapeake oyster shooters, and grilled lamb merguez skewers, which was featured in the cookbook. For dessert, chef Ng is creating raspberry shortcake.

To go along with thoughtfully crafted chef action stations, Flying Dog is offering samples of its craft beer like the extremely popular Dear Rise Old Bay Summer Ale.

The event also features live music from the Ruben Montoya Band and the cookbook will also be available to purchase. Tickets for the dinner cost $55 and can be purchased in advance here.

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“Old Bay lovers pride themselves on putting Old Bay on everything, so this cookbook is an extension of that obsession,” said Erin Weston, director of communications for Flying Dog Brewery.

If you live in Maryland and don’t know what Old Bay is, you’re doing something wrong. I have to be honest though. I’m a New Jersey native and never heard of the local seasoning until I moved to Baltimore a couple of years ago. Crazy, I know.

Flying Dog partnered with 17 local chefs, including Bryan Voltaggio, Mike Isabella, and Spike Gjerde, to showcase Old Bay dishes like grilled oysters with peaches, catfish tacos, crab cake sandwiches, and Old Bay peanut brittle ice cream. Some of the recipes use Flying Dog beer as well.

“Instead of simply sprinkling it on popcorn or refusing to eat corn on the cob without it, people can also see how world-renowned chefs incorporate it in new and unique ways,” Weston said.

You can buy the cookbook for $15 at the Flying Dog Brewery gift shop in Frederick or on the brewery’s online store.

The proceeds from the cookbook will benefit True Blue, a program that advocates on behalf of the 5,500 watermen who are working the Cheseapeake Bay.

Flying Dog also released Dead Rise Old Bay Summer Ale, which has become a hit in Maryland. Read more about the beer in the July issue of Baltimore magazine.

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The Mt. Washington Tavern is currently offering its own spin on a Black-Eyed Susan for this year’s Preakness and, while supplies last, you can even keep the commemorative glass. The first order is $10, with $7 refills on Tavern Susans. America’s Best Racing is hosting a free pre-Preakness party at the tavern on Wednesday, May 14, with a chance to meet the jockeys and win Preakness tickets. The party begins at 7 p.m., and the first 50 guests to RSVP via Yelp get a free drink ticket.

Stay caffeinated for the race with coffee from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company. Based in Crofton, the company has been named the official coffee of the Preakness, and you can get a cup at multiple Preakness events. The CBRC van has also been driving all over Maryland, giving away tickets to the race. Keep up with their Preakness activities on Facebook.

Claddagh Pub and Mother’s Grille are both offering the same Preakness package—for $109, guests get an infield general admission ticket, transportation to and from the race, and access to the pregame brunch party at either location. Both brunches will be serving up $3 Bud Light drafts and $12 pitchers of mimosas and Bloody Marys. Tickets can be purchased online.

Mad River Bar & Grille is offering a Preakness package for $100 that includes a free breakfast buffet, transportation to Pimlico, and a ticket to the Infield Mug Club. The package also includes an open bar for the hour before and after Preakness. Reservations can be made by calling 410-727-2333.

If you love the dressing up for the race, you won’t want to miss the after-party. Baltimore chef Spike Gjerde is hosting a Preakness cookout, “The Winner’s Wind-Down,” in Belvedere Square at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Flying Dog beer, whiskey, and Maryland cocktails will be served, along with coffee and dessert. Tickets are $100 for individuals or $300 for a group of four. The money will partially benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership, which is devoted to helping return healthy oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. Preakness attire and hats are strongly encouraged. Tickets can be purchased online.

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DelFest: This four-day bluegrass festival (May 23-26) takes place at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, just a two-and-a-half hour drive from Baltimore. Started in 2008 by famed country musician Del McCoury, the festival has boasted acts such as Steve Martin’s band Steep Canyon Rangers and The Avett Brothers in past years. This year’s lineup is no less impressive for bluegrass heads with the Trey Anastasio Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Yonder Mountain String Band.

Brew at the Zoo: On Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy a beer festival in a more non-traditional setting—The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Admission gets you unlimited beer sampling (from places like DuClaw, The Brewer’s Art, Flying Dog, Baltimore-Washington Beer Works, and New Belgium), a commemorative tasting glass, free admission to the zoo, and live entertainment, headlined by All Mighty Senators on Saturday and Kelly Bell Band on Sunday.

Summer Sessions: Flying Dog Brewery started an outdoor concert series at its Frederick headquarters this year and it kicks off on Saturday with indie pop darlings Of Montreal. Flying Dog will provide 10 beers on tap, plus two experimental cask ales (Raging Bitch IPA with mango and habanero and Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout primed with maple syrup), and food-truck eats from Kooper’s Chowhound and Smoking Swine.

Sowebo Arts and Music Festival: On Sunday, from noon-5 p.m., Southwest Baltimore will be celebrating all things art and music right around Hollins Market. The festival is featuring three stages of music—from the funky rock of Sweet Leda to the whimsical ukulele stylings of Victoria Vox—and more than 80 artists selling their jewelry, photos, clothing, and other wares. There will also be a salon-style art show and crafting for kids (like panting on a giant sail).

Good Life Feast-ival: Boordy Vineyards hosts events at its Glen Arm winery throughout the summer and this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) will be hosting a kickoff even to its farmers’ market season. The event will feature tons of local farmers selling produce, entertainment from High Strung Bluegrass Band, and six wine-tasting samples from Boordy’s newly released spring wines. Look out for local vendors like Green Onion, One Straw Farm, Haute Dog, and Prigel Family Creamery.

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Evolution Craft Brewing Company‘s Jacques Au Lantern: This brewery, which just moved from Delmar to a larger facility in Salisbury, released a classic pumpkin beer for their fall season. Jacques Au Lantern is an amber ale with traditional pumpkin spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) that is definitely sweet to the nose, but has an earthy after-taste that doesn’t leave you bogged down with spice. I tried Jacques Au Lantern at a bar in Ocean City, but it’s available throughout Baltimore, including CVP and No Idea Tavern.

Stillwater Artisanal Ale’s Autumnal: This Baltimore-based gypsy brewer Brian Strumke is known for his Saisons/farmhouse ales and this fall seasonal is no exception. Autumnal, with a 7.2 percent ABV, is a beer with a lot of depth that combines German wheat and Belgian farmhouse styles. The result is a complex flavor that starts out with sweet pear and caramel notes and finishes on the dryer side. Stop into Strumke’s Of Love & Regret where Autumnal is on tap.

Flying Dog Brewery‘s Dogtoberfest: The Frederick brewery’s Märzen-style beer uses all imported German ingredients and is extremely well-balanced. The initial taste has a rich malt flavor that turns into a slight caramel sweetness and finishes with mild hops. Dogtoberfest is a lighter take on a traditional Märzen, to be sure, but is well-rounded and goes down smooth. Try this one everywhere from Judge’s Bench in Ellicott City to Red House Tavern in Canton.

Heavy Seas Beer‘s The Great Pumpkin: I’ve written about this one before because it’s my go-to local pumpkin beer. The aroma is fairly sweet, as your nose fills with scents of brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Once you taste it, though, the spiciness cuts through nicely leaving you with a rich and balanced pumpkin flavor. Be warned, though, that The Great Pumpkin is a steep 8 percent. Find the beer, naturally, at Heavy Seas Alehouse and Max’s Taphouse.

The Brewer’s Art‘s Proletary Ale: While you can find this one on tap at Brewer’s Art sporadically throughout the year, it’s meant to be a fall/winter ale. After much demand for a darker ale, the brewers came up with Proletary, which has flavors of coffee and chocolate with a dry, nutty finish. This is one of the most sessionable beers at Brewer’s Art (clocking it at only 5 percent ABV), making it easy to drink and enjoy.

[Image: courtesy of greatpumpkinbeerreview.wordpress.com]

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According to Flying Dog, Camden Yards is one of only two stadiums (the other
being at AT&T Park in San Francisco) to feature a cask-conditioned
ale, which is a fresh and unfiltered beer that matures in in a 10-gallon
keg, aka a firkin. This progressive move is even being hailed by out-of-town beer bloggers. 

Also, it’s interesting to note that the Orioles approached Flying Dog
with the idea, a part of the organization’s greater mission to provide
local drinks and food in the ballpark.

Friday night’s event was a lot of fun, as the cask was tapped around 6
p.m. and we got to enjoy the crispest version of a Snake Dog IPA. For a
full schedule of the Firkin Fridays, see Flying Dog’s website.

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