EAT

May 16-17: Ryleigh’s Oyster Curbside-Que and Papergood Pop-Up

22 W Padonia Rd, Lutherville-Timonium.

Earlier this week, owner Brian McComas announced that the Federal Hill location of Ryleigh’s Oyster would be closing its doors for good after a 20-year run. But the Hunt Valley spinoff is still going strong, and it’s continuing its weekend tradition of serving Roseda pit beef, burgers, chicken, and hot dogs for curbside pickup—along with plenty of paper towels and toilet paper for those who need it. As always, all first responders and healthcare workers can enjoy their first menu item on the house as a thank you for their selfless service throughout the pandemic.

DRINK

To May 16: #WineDineMD

Locations vary.

The Maryland Wineries Association has teamed up with the Restaurant Association of Maryland to encourage diners to pair their takeout with vino sourced from wineries across the state. To make it easy, the association, along with the experts with Vino 301, have come up with a handy guide listing all of the state wineries and their weekly pick-up hours. This weekend, plan out a menu, jump in the car, and take a scenic drive to one of Maryland’s many beautiful vineyards to grab a few bottles to pair with your at-home meals. It’s a great way to stock up while also supporting the industry.

SEE

May 15: Supporting the Arts Community During COVID

Facebook Live. 7-8 p.m. Free.

Join City Council President Brandon Scott as he moderates this live panel with leaders in the arts community, including Black Arts District executive director and spoken word artist Lady Brion, Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network executive director Maggie Villegas, and arts educator and muralist Ernest Shaw. Important discussion topics will include how artists are coping during the pandemic and what resources are in place to help aid the arts community in the times of coronavirus.

HEAR

May 15: Full Tilt Brewing’s Charm City Songwriter Series

Facebook Live. 7-8 p.m. Donations encouraged.

Live music and craft beer for a good cause? Sign us up. The team at Full Tilt Brewing in Govans has launched this new Friday-night livestream concert series in an effort to aid their friends in the arts community, which has been hit hard since stay-at-home orders canceled live shows. As a fundraiser for the week’s featured musician, Full Tilt will offer special promo codes that fans can use to purchase beer and merch from its online store. Ten percent of every order placed during the musician’s set using the special code will be donated directly to the band. First up this Friday night is Baltimore-born singer-songwriter David Sparrow.

DO

May 16: Cross Street Farmers’ Market

1065 S. Charles St. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

This new kid on the block is back for its second year outside the recently renovated Cross Street Market, featuring both local farmers and vendors from the historic market. Shop Baltimore grown and made goods such as produce, meat, and eggs from Albright Farms, or sweets by Divine Fudge, Balti’Marons, and Bakeology. Also be sure grab to-go options from the old and new go-tos like Fenwick’s Choice Meats and the fresh-food market, Rooster + Hen.

Additional reporting by Lydia Woolever.

EAT

Jan. 26: Little Italy Meatball Fest

Pandola Learning Center, 914 Stiles St. 3-6 p.m. $40.

Sure, clean eating is all the rage, but there’s something about a giant plate of spaghetti and meatballs that makes it worth putting off the diet for a day. Bring your appetite to this all-you-can-eat meatball festival at Joe Benny’s, where attendees can help themselves to a seemingly endless buffet of pasta, salad, bread, and dessert. Sample each contestant in the Best Meatball competition and, if you can stomach it, enter into the meatball-eating contest for a truly carb-tastic afternoon.

DRINK

Jan. 25: Chesapeake Oyster, Wine, & Beer Festival

The Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave. 12-4 p.m. $69.

What’s the best way to wash down a bushel of world-class oysters? Heavy Seas beer, of course—and two dozen other wines and spirits you will find at this 13th-annual, adults-only seafood extravaganza. Blend briny bivalves and boozy flavors downtown at the Assembly Room, where tickets give you an all-access pass to a shuckin’ good time.

SEE

Jan. 25-Feb. 22: On The Verge

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary. Free.

Creative Alliance is known around town for bringing together works that range in media, style, and material by artists that represent every corner of the city, and its latest exhibition is no exception. Opening with a reception on Saturday night, On The Verge showcases a wide variety of pieces by 25 up-and-coming artists, featuring some local names, as well as rising talent from Japan and Pakistan. Stroll through the Highlandtown arts center to take in these diverse works, and leave with a new favorite artist to keep up with as they rise through their career.

HEAR

Jan. 26: Beer Maria: Fully Tilted Music Collab

Full Tilt Brewing, 5604 York Rd. 10 a.m.-9p.m. $20.

Dear Maria, count us in. The hype surrounding Full Tilt Brewing’s collaboration with Towson-born punk rockers All Time Low will reach its peak this Saturday during the launch party for blonde ale, Beer Maria: Count Me In, inspired by one of the group’s mega hits. Spend the day at the Towson brewery sipping on the new brew, noshing on snacks by Bottoms Up Bagels and The Rolling Grill Pit Beef and Catering, and listening to guest performer James VanDeuson. There are heavy-handed rumors that All Time Low will take the stage for at least a few songs, so stick around to jam out and raise a glass with these hometown rock heroes.

DO

Jan. 26: Lunar New Year Celebration

The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Ring in the year of the rat with this annual colorful celebration at The Walters Art Museum. With activities for visitors of all ages, let the kiddos help build a giant floral rat sculpture, participate in a zodiac-themed scavenger hunt in the Arts of Asia galleries, and snap photos in the photo booth. Be sure to secure a spot in the auditorium for a performance by The Baltimore Chinese School, and then make your way to the museum’s sculpture court to watch a traditional dance by the Johns Hopkins Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe.

EAT

Sept. 8: No Fun Brunch

Vent Coffee Roasters, 1700 W. 41st St. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $30.

The second Sunday of the month is now officially “vegan brunch day” at Vent Coffee Roasters. During the third iteration of this family-style feast, start with a glass of herb-infused coffee or a non-alcoholic cocktail (hence the name) before sitting down to try dressed cornbread, caprese salad, jackfruit salad, soft pretzels, and caramel apple galette. Along with an empty stomach, attendees are requested to bring school supplies to support the Women’s Advocacy Coalition of Baltimore’s back-to-school drive.

DRINK

Sept. 6: Patterson Pumpkin Pre-Release Party

Full Tilt Brewing, 5604 York Rd. 5-10 p.m. Free.

Now that it’s September, it’s time to shove aside the fruity summer cocktails (although they will be missed) in favor of pumpkin-flavored ales, lattes, and everything in between. Celebrate the start of spooky season with a glass (or two) of Full Tilt Brewing’s much-loved imperial pumpkin ale during this post-work happy hour. Stick around to hear live music by local legend E. Joseph, and since the Govans brewery’s “pumpkin-spiced nightmare” clocks in at a whopping 9 percent ABV, plan to finish the four-pack from the comfort of your own couch.

SEE

Sept. 6-8: Little Italy Baltimore Madonnari Arts Festival

Multiple locations and times. Free.

Not even an inbound hurricane (or its after effects) can stop this three-day chalk art festival from taking over the streets of Little Italy. This weekend, dozens of visual and performing artists from around the world will paint the city sidewalks in the old-school Italian tradition of Madonnari art. After watching the master street-painting artists create everything from Renaissance-style works to Baltimore-inspired drawings, enjoy live music, a pop-up art market, street performances, and al fresco dining specials at neighboring restaurants.

HEAR

Sept. 7: Future Islands

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. 2-10 p.m. Free.

When it was announced on Tuesday that Future Islands—the hometown synth-pop heroes who have been praised in the likes of Rolling Stone and The New York Times—would be playing a free show at Union Craft Brewing this weekend, you could practically hear hundreds of Baltimoreans cancelling their Saturday night plans. For one night only, pack the brewery to hear these indie rockers perform hits from their latest album, The Far Field, as well as a few new tunes they’ve been testing out on the road. Be sure to get there early, down a few beers, and bop along to local heavy-hitters Joy Postell, Smoke Bellow, and DJs Jason Willett and Jay Buim before the boys take the stage.

DO

Sept. 7: Locust Point Festival

Latrobe Park. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

This South Baltimore neighborhood is known for being a mix of the old and the new, with some of the city’s oldest rowhomes mere blocks away from luxury high-rises and high-tech office spaces. So it’s no surprise that this annual festival at Latrobe Park will have tons of food and entertainment for residents of all ages, including delectable eats from City Limits, Hull St. Blues, and HarborQue, a kids zone packed with activities, an Orange Crush station, and live music by local band The Wafflers. Don’t miss the chance to give back to neighborhood projects through this family-friendly event.

EAT

March 24: Pig Parts and Pancakes

Foraged, 3250 Chestnut Ave. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

Nothing says Sunday morning like the smell of fresh bacon, and this seasonal eatery’s pork confections will have you out of bed in no time. Join Foraged for its second annual walk-in-only brunch featuring pancakes, a wide variety of pig parts, farm-fresh eggs, as well as mimosas and their slightly more adventurous cousins “beermosas.” Eat fresh from the earth at this Hampden hotspot and be sure to pour some locally sapped maple and black walnut syrup over your pancakes to achieve that perfect local breakfast.

DRINK

March 22-24: Full Tilt Brewing Co. Opening

Full Tilt Brewing Co., 5604 York Rd. Fri. 3 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Free.

From artisan craft mead to IPAs named after revered macabre master Edgar Allen Poe, there are plenty of local beer options in Baltimore. And personally, we believe that there’s no such thing as too many breweries. This weekend, celebrate the official grand opening of Full Tilt Brewing Co. with a three-day-long bash to christen this new brewery and taproom on York Road. With new beer releases, arcade games, and live music, this Govans brewery will be a contender for your favorite hangout spot after this weekend.

SEE

To March 31: B&O Best in Service

B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. Free.

The B&O Railroad has always been a point of pride for our city, but, as with many chapters in history, the service of African Americans and their contributions to the railroad is largely unrecorded. Through the end of the month, visit the downtown railroad museum to take in paintings by artists Dan Content and Roy Speter that depict prominent African Americans like Thurgood Marshall and Maggie Hudson, as well as many unsung workers, who helped build arguably the most revolutionary railroad in our nation’s history.

HEAR

March 24: Kotic Couture with DDm, RoVo Monty & Chiffon

Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m. $10.

You may have seen this rising rapper playing MC with DJ Trillnatured during the Version dance parties at The Crown or making a cameo in local singer-songwriter RoVo Monty’s iconic “Pretty in Pink” music video, but you don’t know this fearless artist until you see them perform live. Hear them seamlessly flow between high-energy hits such as “Get Ya Life” and smooth, swaggering rhymes in “Drippin,” before sharing the stage with rapper DDm, R&B duo Chiffon, and RoVo Monty during this much-anticipated show at Metro Gallery.

DO

March 23-24: Baltimore Wing Festival

Power Plant Live, 34 Market Pl. Sat. 2 p.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.- 8 p.m. $14.95-49.95.

This weekend, dare to step into the carnival frenzy of the first annual and soon-to-be-notorious Baltimore Wing Festival. In between chowing down on the festival’s namesake snack, spend the afternoon throwing axes, playing tailgating games, and enjoying a brew in the outdoor beer garden. With more than 60 styles of wings to choose from and every kind of contest to you can think of (mega hot-wing eating, bleu cheese dipping, and French-fry eating), you’re guaranteed to leave with spicy lips and a full stomach.

COMING SOON

RegionAle: Ellicott City locals have fallen for this elevated soup and sandwich spot that pairs its menu with regional beers from the likes of Union, Monument City, Jailbreak, and Oliver Brewing. Beginning this summer, Baltimore dwellers will no longer have to make the drive west to get their fix. On the heels of its second birthday, RegionAle is expanding with a new location inside the Canton Can Company. The eatery highlights odes to classic American sandwiches, from a melty Wisconsin grilled cheese to a pressed Florida Cubano. (Of course, the spot also celebrates its local roots with a Maryland crab cake with Old Bay remoulade.) Within the next few months, be on the lookout for the changeover in the former home of Pasticcio’s—which closed its doors in the Can Company last year. 2400 Boston St. Ste. 120

Full Tilt Brewing: This homegrown brewery scored a win this week when the Baltimore City Liquor Board approved a Class B license for its new facility on the ground floor of the Accelerator Building in Govans. With liquor board approval, the team is hoping to tie up loose ends and debut to the public on December 14. The permanent space has been a long time coming for Full Tilt, which has been contract brewing out of Peabody Heights for the past five years. “We’re excited for people to finally see what we had in mind,” says co-owner Nick Fertig.

Aside from the signature brews (think the Hops the Cat IPA and Berger Cookie chocolate stout), the taproom will feature a small menu of its own, as well as pop-ups from the vendors that operate out of B-More Kitchen inside the Accelerator Building. The spot will also feature 10 flat screens, custom-made furniture, a colorful wall mural by graffiti artists Brad Turner and Derrick Noel, and old-school arcade games such as Skee Ball and NBA Jam. “It’s going to be a unique experience,” Fertig says. “People will be able to find their own vibe in any corner of the space.” 5604 York Rd.

OPEN

Bodhi Corner: With the recent arrivals of Foraged and Prime Corner, Chestnut Avenue in Hampden has a whole new vibe. The owners of Khun Nine Thai in Mt. Vernon added to the fresh feel earlier this month when they debuted this new Thai destination in the former home of Cafe Cito. Bodhi Corner is now open, offering a menu of salads, noodle bowls, curries, and signature plates such as Pad Thai and baked duck in a chili-mango sauce. The cozy restaurant is also vegan-friendly, highlighting a variety of dairy-free dishes including mock crab fried rice and tofu rama with steamed vegetables and peanut sauce. 3500 Chestnut Ave. 443-438-4068

Get It Inn Island Cuisine & Bar: Since opening in Locust Point last year, this island oasis has become a go-to for Jamaican delicacies, reggae music, and strong rum drinks. This weekend, the eatery is expanding across the harbor with a second location in Canton. Set in the former home of Fredericks on Fleet and Lucy Bar, the spot will serve up authentic dishes such as jerk wings, curry shrimp, braised oxtail, and fried plantains. The official grand opening on November 30 will feature food and drink specials until close and live music spun by DJ Sean Nice. 2112 Fleet St. 410-814-0585

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/1: Hygge Mood
A handful of local food favorites are coming together to kick off the holiday season in style at Prime Corner—the new bodega conveniently located just across from the Miracle on 34th Street lights in Hampden. Head over to the store to indulge in Filipino comfort food from Calasag Pop-Up, cozy cocktails from R. Bar, and samples of Small Wave Brewing’s Winter Chai Stout made in collaboration with our own Wight Tea Co. Plus, peruse holiday products from local purveyors including Wild Kombucha, Baltimore Spirits Company, Vent Coffee Roasters, The Charmery, Jinji Chocolate, Sacré Sucré, B. Willow, The Ivy Bookshop, Le Monade, Taharka Brothers, and more. 3400 Chestnut Ave. 8 p.m.

12/4 & 12/9: The Charmery Goes Wonka: A Full Sensory Movie Experience
It’s no secret that The Charmery’s master creamer, David Alima, is a Willy Wonka fan. Hosting a sensory screening of the original Gene Wilder film has been a dream of his for a while, and now that the shop’s new factory is up and running inside Union Collective, the event is finally within reach. Join David and Laura Alima as they transform the space into a magical movie-watching experience. There will be special Wonka-inspired flavors served throughout the film (think snozzberry sorbet), along with plenty of other whimsical moments that engage all five senses. The two-night screening will be the first of the shop’s new immersion film series, which will continue with other movies in 2019. “In this fast-paced world, we often don’t take the time to stop and really experience the moment,” David says. “We hope this series will awaken the senses for an experience of 100-percent joy.” 1700 W. 41st St. Ste. 400. Times vary. $30

From Graffiti Alley in Station North to Billie Holliday in Fells Point, Baltimore has a long and impressive history of embracing street art. Later this fall, the north Baltimore neighborhood Govans will get a new piece of work, though unlike most street art, this mural will be indoors, inside Full Tilt Brewing’s new taproom in the Accelerator Space.

The mural’s creators, Brad Turner and Derrick Noel, are a pair of talented Wilmington, Delaware-based artists. Full Tilt co-owner Nick Fertig met Turner at a beer festival in Perryville, immediately fell in love with his work, and knew his style would be a good fit for the taproom.

Though Turner often works alone, he realized quickly that this project would be a good opportunity to collaborate with his friend. Turner’s style meshes elements of street art with his fine arts background; Noel’s works are typically freehand, graffiti-style creations.

“Nick wanted something memorable with a huge wow factor,” Turner says. “The idea was that Hops the Cat—their main mascot—would reclaim the wall over and over again. Hops is a cartoon-style mascot: a cat that shoots green beams of hops out of its eyes.”

The wall, lacquered with both spray paint and regular house paint, is full of bright colors and chaotic imagery. The artists’ vision involved creating something that could be found “out in the wild,” Turner says. It would be a layered creation of paint, lettering, and texture that looks organic and authentic, not like a contrived work of art.

To achieve this, the pair started with elements of the Full Tilt brand, including a huge rendition of Hops the Cat that stretches the height of the wall. The Full Tilt imagery is augmented with layers of paint and paper: graffiti-style lettering, the Ravens’ and Orioles’ logos and bits of wallpaper that are a nod to the layers of posters often found on the sides of urban buildings.

“The cool part about this wall is that it incorporates all the disciplines of urban art,” says Turner. Urban art typically encompasses four specific techniques: stenciling, a character, wheatpaste postering, and piecing, or the creation of a graffiti “masterpiece” of letters.

Turner’s contribution focuses on the posters and stenciling, which he describes as “process-oriented” and connected to his fine art roots. Noel picked up the graffiti and character creation, lending his technical expertise and loose style to the project.

“Brad works more on the design and layout,” says Noel. “My work is more illustrative and freehand. So, we’re using two entirely different approaches coming together and it’s so cool.”

The artists’ process is one that evolves. Before putting anything on the walls, they developed sketches of what the final product might become and worked with the Full Tilt team to refine those concepts. Even after work on the wall began, the concept continued to change. “The sketches aren’t exactly what the wall’s going to look like,” says Noel.

Like the sketches, though, the final product will be colorful and engaging, signaling that the brewery is a welcoming place to hang out. The Full Tilt owners confirm that it will be open by the end of 2018.

“We want to be part of the neighborhood and do cool local stuff and get to know our neighbors,” says Full Tilt co-owner Nick Fertig. The mural is just one part of the design geared towards fun: the space also includes games like shuffleboard, Skee-Ball and Golden Tee, and garage-style doors across the front of the brewery that, in good weather, will open to the sidewalk.

Turner and Noel have both worked on brewery murals in Delaware and here in Baltimore, Full Tilt isn’t the only brewery embracing the power of an artsy wall. Black Flag Brewing’s sudsy Star Wars mural gives fans extra reason to visit the Columbia taproom and the bright colors of Union Collective’s geometric outdoor mural have already starred in many an Instagram story.

“I wanted a big mural even before we found the building,” says Union co-owner Jon Zerivitz. “I wanted our brewery and beer garden to feature a large scale piece of local art for all to enjoy.”

At Full Tilt, the goals of the artists—and owners—are similar. “We went about it with a public art sensibility,” says Turner. “It’s obtainable for everybody.”

BREWERY BULLETIN

Full Tilt Brewing: After nearly six years of contract brewing out of Peabody Heights, Full Tilt owners (and cousins) Nick Fertig and Dan Baumiller are moving out on their own. Back in 2016, the duo announced that they would be opening a brewpub in an old police station in Towson. Those plans eventually fell through, but now, the owners have managed to secure a space just a few miles away. This fall, Full Tilt will debut a standalone brewery and taproom as part of the B-More Kitchen project in Govans. The new space will give the team the opportunity to experiment with new releases, while also allowing them to bring back some of the brewery’s most popular seasonals including the Patterson Pumpkin ale and Berger Cookie chocolate stout. Equipped with garage roll-up doors, an outdoor patio, and a clear view of the 15-barrel brewing system, the taproom will include both bar and table seating for nearly 110 guests. It will also boast arcade games, shuffleboard, corn hole, and a designated space for live entertainment. 5609 Hess Ave.

Growler USA: Featuring everything from a MOM’s Organic Market to a hybrid restaurant-and-movie theatre, The Rotunda in Hampden is full of foodie attractions. And just when we thought the mixed-use development had it all—The Local Fry, MOD Pizza, and Cinnaholic are all on their way this spring—the shopping center is welcoming its own craft beer bar. Growler USA is expected to debut in the 2800-square-foot space sandwiched between MOD Pizza and CinéBistro in the coming months. The chain’s first Maryland location will highlight 100 American-made craft beers on tap (with many local options, of course), as well as a food menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, and wings. 711 W. 40th St.

Peabody Heights Creating Second Trash Wheel Beer: In other beer news, Peabody Heights and Waterfront Partnership are teaming up yet again to release a new beer in honor of the Inner Harbor’s second trash collector, Professor Trash Wheel. The two organizations partnered to debut the Lost Python Ale in celebration of Mr. Trash Wheel last year, and now, they’re launching a new beer called “Professor Trash Wheel Blinded Me Wit Science”—a Belgian witbier brewed with citrus and Cascade hops. The brew’s name was inspired by musician (and Hopkins professor) Thomas Dolby’s 1982 hit “She Blinded Me With Science.” “As a lover of science and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, it’s a privilege to lend the name of my song to this cause,” Dolby said in a statement. The brew will officially launch to the public at a special Earth Day event at Peabody Heights on Saturday, April 21 from 7-10:30 p.m. A portion of its taproom and liquor store sales will be donated to Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor campaign.

COMING SOON

Tooth N Nail Cafe: We expect this new Mt. Vernon cafe to evoke some serious Central Perk vibes. Owner Adam Wilder says that the spot will serve as a tribute to the old coffee houses of the ’90s. “It will function not just as a place to fuel up, but also as a focal point for the community of artists, students, residents, and visitors to the Mt. Vernon area,” Wilder recently posted to Facebook. “We’re going to feature local talent while providing a cozy atmosphere to study, lose yourself in a book, or chat with friends.” In keeping with the local theme, the 30-seat cafe will serve Zeke’s coffee, as well as a selection of juices and pastries when it cuts the ribbon next month. 7 W. Preston St.

IHOP: Come fall, locals and tourists alike will be able to fill up on fluffy flapjacks and generously portioned breakfast samplers in the Inner Harbor. A new International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant is preparing to make its debut at 600 East Pratt St., the 5,000-square-foot space that previously housed Panera Bread for nearly a decade. Though IHOP operates a handful of locations in surrounding counties, this will mark the chain’s first Baltimore City eatery. 600 E. Pratt St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/26: Brewer’s Dinner Series Kickoff at Rye Street Tavern

Rye Street Tavern in Port Covington is launching a beer-fueled dinner series next week. The inaugural installment will be held in one of the restaurant’s private loft spaces, and feature four courses paired with Monument City beers including the popular 51 Rye and Woodstove Imperial Stout. The special menu will highlight dishes like sweet tea-brined porchetta, country ham with spring peas, and diver sea scallop crudo with green chili and pomegranate. 13 Rye St., 443-662-8000, 7 p.m. $65

3/27: Counter Culture Tuesdays at Gunther & Co.
Chef Jerry Trice recently launched this weekly tasting experience at his spot Gunther & Co. in Brewers Hill. Every Tuesday, 16 guests will be seated at the restaurant’s counter facing the open kitchen—giving them the opportunity to interact with the chef while their five-course meals are being prepared. “Counter Culture will stay true to our values yet allow me to have a little more fun with our guests,” said Trice, in a statement. “We want guests to come in, ride the ride—no seat belts—and have a truly awesome night.” 3650 Toone St., $75, 5-9:30 p.m., 443-869-6874

TO 3/28: Bottoms Up Bagels Pop-Up in Highlandtown
This beloved bagel pop-up is currently stationed in Highlandtown. Stop by the storefront on Eastern Avenue next to Matthew’s Pizza on Sundays and Wednesdays through March 28 to load up on hand-rolled bagels schmeared with signature spreads and topped with house-cured lox. 3133 Eastern Ave.

SHUT

Aggio: Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s modern Italian concept in Power Plant Live has closed its doors for good. Voltaggio, a former Top Chef alum, opened the spot four years ago, and it has since become a destination for colorful pastas and forward-thinking takes on classic Boot Country dishes. Aggio was the last remaining Baltimore concept for the Frederick-born chef (he closed his comfort food spot Family Meal on Pier 5 in 2016), who operates other eateries in Frederick, Washington, D.C., and Ashburn, Virginia. 614 Water St. 

Stillwater
Artisanal Ales

CELLAR DOOR

ABV: 6.60%

This full-bodied Saison/farmhouse ale was, unexpectedly, a really great pairing with the crabs. The sweeter, tangerine flavor was a nice complement to the Old Bay spices but there was also an earthy, malty flavor on the backend that cleansed our palate, readying us for our next bite of lump meat.

Millstone Cellars

HOPVINE

ABV: 8.0%

Though it isn’t the first beverage you think to pair with crabs, we wanted to give cider a try. Hopvine—with its flavors of lemon and York Imperial apple—was overwhelmingly tart compared to its opponents. While it didn’t have the ideal body for crabmeat, it paired nicely with our sides of watermelon and sweet corn.

Full Tilt Brewing

CAMDEN CREAM

ABV: 4.8%

This was an extremely mellow beer that hit all the notes very subtly—a bit of sweet corn flavor, a touch of bitterness, and the mild cream made for a very sessionable drink. The subtlety was a nice backdrop for the spicy seasoning and mustard, as well as the bold sweetness of the meat.

Flying Dog Brewery

DEAD RISE OLD BAY SUMMER ALE

ABV: 5.6%

We admit that this newly released beer had a slight advantage, as its made with the famous crabby McCormick spice. But every characteristic made Dead Rise an ideal pairing for steamed crabs, including its wheat malts and citrus hop notes. Of course, the kicker was the aftertaste of subtle Old Bay spice.

Union Craft Brewing

ANTHEM

ABV: 5.0%

This golden ale gave Dead Rise a run for its money with its creamy texture and floral hops, which almost completely counteracted the seasoning on the hard shells. The smooth texture of the beer was an ideal complement to the hearty lump meat, and its easy-drinking would be nice for an all-day crab feast.

Heavy Seas Beer

RIPTIDE

ABV: 7.25%

This white IPA is technically a spring seasonal, but we thought its wheat style and citrus nose would work nicely. However, its overwhelmingly sweet and floral taste—from orange peel and coriander—became too much of a distraction. Goes to show that, while the beer you choose is an important factor, the crab should always be the star of the show.

How we tested

Captain James Crab House provided a dozen hard shells and we added sides of watermelon and sweet corn on the cob. The beer was mostly bottled (Union’s can wasn’t available yet, so that was from a growler) and poured into unmarked pint glasses—though the Dead Rise Old Bay Summer Ale and Hopvine cider were pretty distinguishable from the start. We cracked and sipped for about an hour, until the mosquitoes got the best of us!