Now that the temperatures have finally begun to take a (slight) dip, we say it’s high time to break out the pumpkin beers—on draft with a sugar and cinnamon rim, if you’re really feeling festive—and snuggle up with a warm cider or boozy coffee. Locally, there are plenty of places to get your fix of fall beverages, whether you’re a pumpkin-spice fiend, a fan of porters and stouts, or a spicy cocktail enthusiast. From beer and wine to coffee and booze-free options, here are a few drinks to try at local bars, cafes, and breweries to get you in the mood for the season. One sip and you’ll be apple picking and leaf peeping before you know it.

BEER

Monument City Brewing Company: Lamp Lighter

This Highlandtown hangout is welcoming the chilly temperatures (whenever they arrive) with a new Imperial Porter. Featuring robust notes of chocolate, roasted coffee, and a hint of vanilla, the 9.2-percent ABV release is a dark brown in color and ideal for sweater weather. If porters aren’t your thing, Monument City’s golden copper Battle IPA with floral and piney hop notes is a great alternative.

Full Tilt Brewing: Patterson Pumpkin
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Full Tilt’s new taproom in Govans, stop by this month to sip the famous Patterson Pumpkin Imperial Ale—brewed for the first time since 2015—while playing all of the old-school arcade games. Not only is Full Tilt bringing the beloved brew back this year, but come Thanksgiving, the team plans to also release a special version aged in Baltimore Spirits Company Epoch rye barrels.

DuClaw Brewing: Mad Bishop Oktoberfest

We’d be remiss without mentioning this fall favorite. First brewed in 1996, the German-style Oktoberfest is almost as old as DuClaw Brewing itself. Still, it remains a classic with its copper color and toasted malt aroma. Clocking in at a 6-percent ABV, the beer combines Vienna and Munich malts creating the perfect blend of fall flavors.

CIDER

Old Westminster Winery: Happy Camper
After releasing a few experimental varieties throughout the years, the team at Old Westminster Winery decided that this season was officially the time to go all out with its first wild cider. At 6.3-percent ABV, Happy Camper is made from heirloom apples, fermented with wild yeast, aged in American oak casks, and canned for easy outdoor sipping. Pick up a four pack at select retailers beginning October 1, or plan a trip to the beautiful Carroll County winery to sample the cider while taking in all of the woodsy vibes.

Great Shoals Winery: Spiced Hard Apple Cider

The name hypes up the wine, but Great Shoals is also a mecca for award-winning hard ciders made from fruit grown on local farms like Walnut Springs in Elkton and Baugher’s Orchard in Westminster. Among the many enticing blends (think everything from cherry to crabapple) is the Spiced Hard Apple Cider—a dessert-style varietal mulled with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and orange peel.

COCKTAILS

Annabel Lee Tavern: The Gold Bug

There’s truly no better way to welcome the spooky season than by pulling up a barstool at Canton’s own corner-bar tribute to Edgar Allan Poe. Named after one of Poe’s most beloved short stories, this warm concoction fuses Captain Morgan, Myers rum, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and cloved lemon. While you’re at it, be sure to also try the seasonal “Phantasmagria,” a signature apple sangria served in a stemless skeleton glass.

Nepenthe Brewing Co: The Bourbon Cleanse

Sure, Hampden’s Nepenthe Brewing Co. is a full-service brewery and taproom, but it also serves up some killer cocktails. This season’s lineup includes “The Bourbon Cleanse,” which mixes bourbon with cider, lemon, cayenne, and maple. That pretty much sounds like fall in a glass to us.

Sugarvale: Siete Besos

You can always count on this subterranean spot in Mt. Vernon to change its cocktail menu with the seasons. Retreat from the cold with the “Siete Besos,” which combines Hamilton 86, Kirk & Sweeney, and Pampero Aniversario rums with spicy benedictine and coffee liqueur.

Wet City: Birch Better Have My Money
It should come as no surprise that the creative team behind the bar at Wet City has an entire lineup ready to roll out as the temperatures drop. Among the offerings is this cleverly named cocktail that mixes birch sap-infused vodka with Wild Turkey rye, Contratto Fernet, and a Laphroaig and vanilla rinse. Patrons should also be on the lookout for new beer releases like the red wine barrel-aged Cab—a dark sour with cherries and black currants.

COFFEE

Order and Chaos Coffee: Salted Caramel Mocha

Baristas at this South Baltimore java joint are spotlighting caramel in this sweet-and-savory mocha that combines espresso, caramel syrup, steamed milk, and a salt garnish. Don’t miss other indulgent sips including a ginger spiced coffee and cinnamon bun cappuccino.

Higher Grounds Coffee Roasters: Pumpkin Chai Latte

Move over PSL. This Highlandtown go-to is creating its own iteration of the infamous drink with chai. The secret ingredient? The shop uses a flavored powder (rather than a syrup) to give off the spicy taste. Add a shot of espresso to make it a “dirty” version.

One-Do Coffee Roasters: Housemade Golden Milk
Curl up with a good book at this Canton shop known for its strong brews and picture-perfect latte art. There are plenty of cold-weather coffees to choose from, but the Golden Milk—made with a turmeric-forward spice blend—is a surefire bet to warm your soul on a dreary day.

MOCKTAILS

True Chesapeake Oyster Co: The Ark and Dove

At this oyster-centric restaurant in Hampden’s Whitehall Mill (opening October 8), lead bartender Ashley Mac is looking forward to offering booze-free options that go beyond the typical ginger beer or Shirley Temple. The “Ark and Dove,” named after the two ships that the Calverts came to the Eastern Shore on from England, will be one of the featured drinks on the opening menu. It combines bitter Giffard aperitif syrup with a vegan eggwhite substitute, rhubarb, and a housemade Asian pear and cardamom shrub.

Wild Kombucha: Blood Orange CBD

It only makes sense that the experimental brains behind Wild Kombucha would explore CBD next. This month, the forward-thinking brewery—which recently unveiled new digs in Northwest Baltimore—launches its new Blood Orange CBD variety combining the flavorless compound (known to ease anxiety and stress) with citrus and floral notes. Catch it in retail stores like Giant and Whole Foods starting October 1.

WINE & MEAD

Boordy Vineyards: South Mountain Red

While we love a good white or rosé any time of year, the colder temperatures make way for robust reds like this affordable bottle from Boordy’s Landmark series. Fruit-forward and medium-bodied, the South Mountain Red features notes of tart cherries, cedar, and rose petals.

Charm City Meadworks: Retire by the Fire

As you start to pencil in backyard bonfires this season, be sure to pick up a few cans of this rich blend from Charm City Meadworks in Mt. Vernon. Notes of cacao, vanilla bean, and warm clove make this the perfect drink for gathering around a warm flame.

COMING SOON

The Remington Bottle: Many know Jayce Flickinger as the newest owner of Grand Cru—the beloved Belvedere Square bar-and-bottle shop that has been around since 2003. Now, he’s expanding his knowledge of wine and spirits by opening a new store in the former home of Remington Wine Co. on West 29th Street. Expected to debut by the end of March, The Remington Bottle will offer a wide range of local and domestic beer, canned seltzer drinks, worldly wines, and craft spirits. Flickinger, a former Remington resident who was the opening general manager at Parts & Labor, is also looking forward to hosting frequent tasting events as a way to connect with the community.

“Remington is this very in-flux neighborhood,” he says. “It’s a very diverse place where you have people who are moving in, and people who have been there their whole lives. So the goal to make it a successful neighborhood shop is to be able to offer something for everyone.” Ahead of the grand opening this spring, the team is making slight upgrades including adding more coolers for craft beer, and sprucing up the interior with new logos and fresh coats of paint. Though he wants the new shop to have the same inviting feel as Grand Cru, Flickinger says he’s looking forward to opening a space that he can build from the ground up.

“I’m excited about the differences between the two businesses,” he says. “Grand Cru is 15 years old and it’s established, so you can’t shake the nest too much because the bees get upset. But with this, we get to start from scratch.” 329 W. 29th St.

Growler USA: The team from this yet-to-open craft beer bar—the first Maryland location of an Oregon-based chain—has been visiting local breweries across the city in anticipation of its grand opening in Hampden in the next few weeks. Sandwiched between MOD Pizza and CinéBistro at The Rotunda, Growler USA will feature 100 American-made craft drafts, including many local options from the likes of DuClaw, Checkerspot, and Raven Beer. Complete with flat screens, exposed brick, and custom beer-logo artwork, the modern-industrial taproom will also serve a full pub grub menu highlighting burgers and sandwiches. 711 W. 40th St.

Pure Raw Juice: Since opening in 2015, this Federal Hill-based juice bar has expanded with a second location in Towson and a yet-to-open shop at the Rotunda in Hampden. Now, the fuel-up fixture announced that it is returning to its South Baltimore roots with a fourth location at A2—a retail-and-residential community adjacent to Anthem House in Locust Point. Locals can expect to see the bar’s signature smoothies, acai bowls, and juice blends including the beet-infused “True Blood” and the lemon “Ginger-Aid.” Although a grand opening date still hasn’t been set, construction on the 1,300-square-foot space is expected to begin later this year. 900 E. Fort Ave.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

2/22: Big Softy Pop-Up at Ground & Griddled
Close out the workweek by treating yourself to breakfast at this special R. House pop-up. Craig Falk of The Lunchbox Lady is taking over service at Ground & Griddled starting at 9 a.m. to serve up another one-time-only menu with his migrating pop-up Big Softy. This time, be on the lookout for dishes such as fluffy pancakes, crab quiche, and homemade brioche rolls with raspberry jam. 301 W. 29th St. 9 a.m.

2/24: CSA Fair at Union Collective
For newbies thinking about joining a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, there are typically a lot of questions that come to mind. What are the benefits? How much does it cost? What even is a CSA? Well Crafted Kitchen inside Union Collective has organized this community get-together to educate the masses about the benefits of getting produce and protein straight from local purveyors. Swing by Union from 1-4 p.m. to meet with many different farmers and producers—including Calvert’s Gift Farm, Moon Valley Farms, Loaf Bakehouse, and Liberty Delight Farms—offering everything from fruits and veggies to fresh bread and all-natural dog treats. Attendees who sign up for a CSA during the fair will receive 50 percent-off all Well Crafted pizzas. 1700 W. 41st St. 1-4 p.m.

SHUT

Hungry Andy’s: For years, Fells Point locals have satisfied hunger pangs with the loaded pit beef sandwiches at this South Broadway staple—which was taken over by Damon Chapman and his wife, Rashawn, last year. But, sadly, this month will be the last to fill up on the Hungry Andy’s grub. The owners recently announced that they would be closing the restaurant on February 28 in order to focus on the catering and special events side of their business. “While the decision was not easy, it was best suited for our family,” reads a message posted to Instagram last week. “We appreciate all of the love and support.” The owners also plan to continue their community outreach efforts (a recent fundraiser collected more than $1,000 to feed neighbors in need) in the next chapter. Swing by for one last pit turkey wrap, Buffalo burger, or crab cake combo with Old Bay fries before the doors close for good next week. 629 S. Broadway

COMING SOON

Broadway Market: Earlier this week, Mayor Catherine Pugh announced six stalls that will be setting up shop inside the renovated Broadway Market in Fells Point this winter. Slated to debut in February, the north shed of the redesigned public market will house local icon Connie’s Chicken & Waffles, farmers’ market favorite Thai Street, social justice-driven ice cream purveyor Taharka Bros., Hampden-based Indian eatery The Verandah, and Old Boy—an authentic Korean concept from Phil Han of Dooby’s. Han will also operate the market’s centerpiece bar, which will feature an elevated coffee program and brunch menu during the day, and draft beer and cocktails in the evening.

Returning to the revamped space will be longtime vendors Sal’s Seafood, Vikki’s Fells Point Deli, and Sophia’s Place, the European cafe and bakery that first opened in the market in 1986. There is still one stall that has yet to be leased. Once the north shed reopens, construction will begin on the south shed, which will house collaborative seafood spot The Choptank from Atlas Restaurant Group and Captain James Landing. 1640 Aliceanna St.

Lyfe Cafe: Be on the lookout for this new dining destination at The Shops at Kenilworth while checking out the mall’s beloved holiday train garden this season. Expected to open in early 2019 (just in time to get started on those New Year’s resolutions), the healthful spot from local owner Penny Seabolt will feature an all-day menu prepared with ingredients that promote physical and mental wellness (think protein pancakes and waffles, a kale detox salad with lemon-tahini dressing, smoothie bowls, and wellness shots). The eatery is designed to accommodate every major diet—including low-calorie, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian—and will also offer meal prep services. The 1,788-square-foot cafe will be located next to Wilkes & Riley on the ground level of the recently-renovated Towson shopping plaza. 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson

OPEN

The Common Kitchen: The food hall trend—which has taken off in Baltimore with spots like R. House, Mount Vernon Marketplace, and the upcoming Whitehall Mill—has now spread to Clarksville with this new communal space that will house 11 artisan makers. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for this Saturday, November 10, where local schools will perform live music and vendors like Scoop & Paddle ice cream and Indian street food shop Namaste Foodie will offer opening day specials. Located near Food Plenty inside the environmentally sustainable Clarksville Commons, the gathering space will mark the first food hall in all of Howard County. Other stalls to look out for include Egyptian eatery Koshary by Misteka, bubble tea purveyor Royaltea, barbecue joint Smokin’ on the Bayou, and Trifecto—a coffee and juice bar specializing in Ceremony Coffee drinks and colorful acai bowls. 12240 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville. 301-854-2090

Pat’s Select Pizza and Asian Garden: These new BYOB restaurants are opening next door to one another at the Crestridge Center in Cockeysville this month. The eateries are expected to be popular lunch destinations in the development, which features two office buildings and one retail property. Pat’s, a fast-casual pizza chain that is now open, features its signature brick-oven pies alongside flatbreads, burgers, salads, and a lengthy list of pasta dishes. Slated to debut next week, Asian Garden will highlight Chinese, Japanese, and Thai staples ranging from sushi to bowls of lo mein and pad thai. 10151-10155 York Road, Cockeysville

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/12: Sweat: Our World, Your Stage
Everyman Theatre is known for bridging the gap between the food and theater world. The downtown showhouse is continuing that creativity with a Veteran’s Day event at Checkerspot Brewing that ties into the themes of Everyman’s current production, Sweat—a slice-of-life drama about steel mill workers facing a plant shutdown who routinely gather at their neighborhood bar. Make your way to the South Baltimore brewery to sip craft beers while watching scenes from the play, and listening in on a conversation comparing the themes in the script to the current hardships facing our own neighbors. Ten percent of all ticket proceeds will benefit South Baltimore-based nonprofit The Baltimore Station, which works to support homeless veterans and reintegrate them into the workforce. 1399 S. Sharp St. 6-8:30 p.m. $15

11/16: Intercostal Breakdown
Fittingly named after the anatomical term that means “situated between the ribs,” this one-night-only barbecue pop-up, hosted by food writer Amy Langrehr of Charm City Cook, will feature smoked ribs cooked on custom-built cages and grills. Head to Monument City Brewing in Highlandtown to sample meats prepared by chef Patrick Morrow of South Point and chef Damian Mosley of Blacksauce Kitchen. The evening will also feature $5 Monument City beers all night, and Annapolis-based folk rockers Ampersand Stringband playing live from 7:30-9:30 p.m. 1 N. Haven St. Free. 5-10 p.m.

Mitchell Goetze of Goetze’s Candy Company and brothers Ken and Matt Praay of Monument City Brewing knew they wanted to work together before they ever even met.

Last winter, Goetze had been sampling some of Monument City’s beer over the holiday break when the thought of collaborating with the brewery initially crossed his mind. Around the same time, Rob Goss of Whitey’s Liquors in Linthicum Heights was eating a handful of Goetze’s caramel creams when he texted Praay to throw out the idea of brewing a beer using the iconic candies.

“Oddly enough, three days later I got a call from Mitchell who introduced himself and mentioned that he was going to stop by the brewery,” says Ken of Monument City. “We were super stoked about how it all just kind of came together.”

Even more serendipitously, Goetze’s, a fifth-generation business that was established in 1895, was coming up on the 100th anniversary year of its classic caramel creams. And given that the two businesses sit less than a mile away from one another in Highlandtown, the partnership seemed like a perfect fit.

This Friday, October 26, Goetze’s and Monument City will officially debut the Bulls-Eyes Caramel Creams Milk Stout—an homage to the 100-year-old sweets which was brewed in collaboration with Whitey’s and Goonda Beersmiths. Clocking in at a 5.7-percent ABV, the stout combines dark malts, lactose for sweetness, and the actual caramel creams to play up the caramel and vanilla notes.

“We always have the caramel creams around the brewery—Matt eats most of them,” Ken says with a laugh. “They’re such a staple and so iconic to Baltimore, so we really wanted to design a beer that was complementary to the candy itself.”

On the Goetze’s end, the collaboration beer is a great way to highlight how the candies have stood the test of time. Meghan Brody, the company’s director of marketing, mentions how the product has continued to differentiate itself from others on the market.

“It is unique in its own right,” she says. “The caramel is a wheat-based caramel and what that creates is a soft, chewy caramel that really doesn’t stick to your teeth. And with the combination of the creamy center, the whole eating experience is one that has not been duplicated by anyone.”

Monument City is hosting a launch party in its taproom this Friday night featuring pints of the stout, food truck eats by Mexican on the Run, and acoustic tunes by Lazy Jane. All attendees who bring a winter coat to donate to the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) will receive $1 off of all drinks.

The Goetzes, along with Praay and others from the Monument City team, went to tour the MCVET facility recently and were moved by the work that the organization is doing for displaced veterans in the city.

“It’s certainly a charity that is close to our hearts,” Brody says. “Some of the past generations of the Goetze family are veterans, and we have quite a few that work for us in the company, so it’s something that we’ve always supported.”

The limited-release stout will be sold on draft and in cans at Monument City starting Friday, and will be available at local liquor stores, including Whitey’s, starting Wednesday, October 31. Aside from seeing beer-lovers sample the brew, Praay says he is looking forward to continuing the connection he’s made with a long-time Baltimore business.

“For Matt and I, working with another family-owned business that has been around 123 years is something pretty special,” he says. “Getting to know them and all the hard work they’ve put in over the years is really inspiring for us as we think about how we want to grow Monument City in in the future.”

OPEN

L’Eau de Vie: Plant-based diners will be happy to hear that this vegan brasserie is now officially open for business in Fells Point. Set in the first floor space that previously housed Agora Bar & Grill at the Inn at The Black Olive, the restaurant boasts pops of teal, strung lights, and a marble-top bar where guests can order colorful cocktails like apple sangria or the “Island Russian” with rum and coconut cream. L’Eau de Vie—which translates to “water of life” in French—offers meatless dishes including frites with garlic aioli, grilled tofu over quinoa, a seitan sausage reuben, and cashew cheese gougeres. 803 S. Caroline St. 443-759-8758

NEWS

The Dizz: It’s the end of an era for this iconic corner bar in Remington, which has gone through multiple iterations since 1934. (Regulars fondly remember it operating as Dizzy Issie’s through the early 2000s.) Now, current owners Darlene and Thomas Basta are retiring and putting the bar on the market. According to an online listing, the 98-seat building, including its fixtures, equipment, and seven-day liquor license, are for sale for $875,000. The two-floor bar is best known for its classic diner fare, handwritten menus, and vintage decor. 300 W. 30th St. 443-869-5864

BEER BULLETIN

Wet City: During Artscape in 2016, brothers PJ and Josh Sullivan introduced the community to Wet City—their Mt. Vernon craft beer bar that has since become known for its signature Scandinavian-inspired wall murals, next-level pub fare, and taps full of experimental brews. Though the owners always wanted to brew their own beer, it took a few years for that dream to come to fruition. Now, the microbrewery is finally functioning and Wet City is releasing its debut beer, Hello, to the public. The flaked hazy IPA, which has a 6.3-percent ABV and features Kveik yeast from Norway, is brewed with a blend of Mosaic, El Dorado, Denali, and Citra hops that give it a tropical flavor. Hello is being brewed exclusively at Wet City and will be available for tap and growler fills at the bar starting Thursday, September 27. 223 W. Chase St. 443-873-6699

Monument City Brewing: Beer lovers should be on the lookout for a new release from Monument City in Highlandtown this weekend. The purple-hued Chrysalis was brewed in collaboration with veteran organic food producer Hex Ferments. Inspired by Hex’s butterfly-lime kombucha, the 3.5-percent gose is brewed with lime and butterfly pea flower, which gives the beer its purple color and tart, refreshing flavor. Cans will be released at Monument City’s taproom this Saturday, September 29 from 12-5 p.m. 1 N. Haven St. 443-529-8131

EPICUREAN EVENTS

9/28: 32nd Annual Maritime Magic
More than 80 restaurants will gather at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Maritime Park in Fells Point for The Living Classrooms’ annual fundraiser to benefit its education and job-training programs for city youth. Sample eats and drinks from Copper Kitchen, Ouzo Bay, The Brewer’s Art, Sobo Cafe, Vida Taco Bar, Rye Street Tavern, Duck Duck Goose, Old Line Spirits, Key Brewing, Belle Isle Spirits, and more while jamming to 10-piece funk band Aztec Sun and reggae legends The Wailers. 1417 Thames St. 7-11 p.m. $120-130

9/29: Parktoberfest
Now in its third year, this street fest on the 500 block of Park Avenue in Mt. Vernon will feature eats from the stalls inside the Mount Vernon Marketplace (including Cultured, The Local Oyster, Cholitas Tacos, and Mi & Yu Noodle Bar), as well as live music and a lengthy list of local craft vendors. Grab a group to enjoy live music by singer-songwriter Shelby Blondell, gypsy-jazz band Ultrafaux, and rockers Yo No Say while perusing the handmade wares of nearly 30 local crafters. 520 Park Ave. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

9/29: National Coffee Day at Order & Chaos
Get your weekend caffeine fix at this South Baltimore spot, which is offering a selection of specials in honor of National Coffee Day. Take advantage of a free drip coffee with any purchase all day long, as well as complimentary food tastings and samples of the new fall menu—which includes a turmeric pumpkin latte and an espresso enhanced with caramel corn syrup and marshmallow fluff. Additionally, the party will launch the shop’s Creative Cup contest, which asks guests to decorate a blank to-go cup with their own design. The winner will have their artwork featured on the cups for a limited time and receive free drip coffee for a year. 1410 Key Highway. 10-12 p.m.

SHUT (FOR NOW)

Button: The restaurant accompanying Scott Plank’s luxe Swim Club in Canton has officially closed for the season. A post to Button’s social media pages indicates that the spot will be undergoing renovations for the remainder of 2018, and reopen sometime next year. In its short run this past summer, the dockside destination served up grain bowls, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and seafood entrees crafted by executive chef Allysa Storms, who recently moved on to oversee the kitchen at yet-to-open AJ’s on Hanover in Federal Hill. 2723 Lighthouse Point. 410-387-4377

Highlandtown locals are used to seeing Sam White behind the bar at Gnocco, where he is usually shaking up Italian cocktails or uncorking worldly bottles of wine at the white marble bar. But regulars shouldn’t be surprised to see him sweating in front of a black steel smoker this summer.

Last month, White and his longtime friend Kevin James launched Scalawags Pit Meat—a side project focusing on barrel-smoked pit beef, turkey, chicken, and other carnivorous classics.

“It’s been fun going from a fine-dining thing to doing something more laid-back and hanging outside,” White says. “Pit beef is such a classic Maryland dish. It’s interesting to learn more about it and how people like their sandwiches—with horseradish or without. Onions or no onions. It’s really personal.”

The duo first started experimenting with smoking meats after James received a barrel smoker as a wedding present a few years ago. Since then, they have been testing recipes in his backyard, mixing different woods, proteins, and marinades.

“The pit barrel isn’t really a smoker and it isn’t really a grill,” James explains. “It’s this weird in-between cooking machine. But it’s pretty easy to use and all of the sudden I found myself firing it up every other weekend and turning out really tasty stuff. It really all started out with us having fun while drinking Natty Boh in the backyard.”

In July, Scalawags hosted its inaugural pop-up at Monument City Brewing in Highlandtown—eventually selling out of pit beef sandwiches, pork loin, turkey breast, and smoked corn with clarified butter. In the future, the duo is looking forward to adding ribs, whole chicken, and smoked bacon BLTs to the menu.

James says that perfecting the smoking technique is all about timing, temperature, and choosing the right wood chips.

“The way the environment is in the barrel itself makes for a really delicious product,” he says. “The juices from the meat actually drip down into the charcoal. When you open up the lid there’s just this mushroom cloud of smoke and deliciousness that really takes the cake.”

The next event for Scalawags—which was named after James’ former gig working on the Urban Pirates ship—will be at Gnocco on Thursday, August 23. James will serve up hearty sandwiches that White will pair with whiskey cocktails from Republic Restoratives Distillery in Washington, D.C.

The team is also looking forward to partnering with Old Line Spirits, another one of Gnocco’s neighbors in Highlandtown, to host a third pop-up and put more of a personal touch on some of the smoked meats.

“The distillers from Old Line reached out and offered to let us use wood chips from their whiskey barrels,” James says. “I was floored because it’s local and it adds a certain kind of flavor that you’re not getting anywhere else. It’s typical Smaltimore.”

What to serve when faced with a big ol’ pile of steamed hard shells? We’re recommending a beer, of course, but also a few things to consider if you want to break tradition and move in a fancier direction. Best of all, everything is in a can and ready for a plunge in a cooler full of ice.

Monument City Penchant Pils ($11 6-pack)
Natty Boh is Baltimore’s beer of choice, but we have two complaints. First, it hasn’t been brewed in Maryland since Cal connected on his 3,000th career hit. Second, well, not everyone is a fan of this can. Monument City solves both problems. Brewed in Baltimore, this crisp, refreshing brew offers the same “crushability” as a Boh but with a little more finesse and flavor for a new generation of beer lovers.

Old Westminster Winery “Bloom” NV
($10 can)
Old Westminster sees your Maryland brew in a can and raises you a Maryland wine in a can. This semi-sweet blend of Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, and Muscat offers a delicious and homegrown alternative for any crab feast. There’s just enough sweetness to combat that Old Bay without crossing into dessert-wine territory. Chill these and prepare to elevate your crab feast with this vinous option.

Novo Fogo Sparkling Caipirinha ($19.99 4-pack, Country Vintner)
It’s Brazil’s national cocktail—in a can! Inhabiting the same general cocktail space as the daiquiri and the Margarita, the Caipirinha lends itself well to spicy food because of its sweetness and its thirst-quenching citrus zing. Treat those crabs to a little international flair! Fun Fact: Cachaça is a spirit made from distilled sugarcane juice and is mostly made in Brazil.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Jan. 14: Little Italy Meatball Fest

Pandola Learning Center, 914 Stiles St. 3-6 p.m. $30. 410-866-8494.

Last year, more than 200 people gathered inside the Little Italy Lodge for Joe Benny’s inaugural celebration of meatballs—aka the cornerstone of Italian cooking. If you missed it, attend this year’s festival for a buffet of pasta, salad, and dessert, with samplings from heated meatball competition to help crown the next winner of the “Best Balls in Baltimore.” If you’d rather win a trophy and secure bragging rights, submit your own killer recipe or participate in the meatball-eating contest. Try to beat Margaret Miller’s original veal and pork recipe, or Phil “the Fury” Fiore’s 60-second record time of downing 31 meatballs. Proceeds benefit the Pandola Learning Center, a local organization that offers Italian language and culture classes.

 DRINK

Jan. 13: Nobo Can Release

Monument City Brewing Company, 1 N. Haven St. 12-5 p.m. Free. 443-529-8131.

The Appalachian Trail is near and dear to the heart of brothers Ken and Matt Praay of Monument City Brewing. After all, it was on an annual hike along the historic trail that they initiated a conversation about launching the family brewery. So it’s no surprise that one of their most recent beers has been named NOBO, a term for hikers who move northbound on the AT, starting from Springer Mountain in Georgia. Although this brew debuted last September, they’re officially pumping out canned versions this weekend. On Saturday, swing into Highlandtown to sip this hazy New England-style IPA featuring double-dry hops. If you end up loving the citrus and tropical notes of this limited-edition beer, you can finally take it home with you in a six-pack.

 SEE

Jan. 13: The Art of Skateboarding

Bustin Boards at City Garage, 101 W. Dickman St. 6-10 p.m. $11.53-17.80.

When he was only 14 years old, Joey Jett discovered his passion for street skating, videography, and photography. Since then, he’s been touring the globe with fellow boarder Mike Vallely as a professional skater. On Saturday, catch the world premiere of The Art of Skateboarding, a film showcasing Jett’s original skate tricks shot around the world, followed by a meet-and-greet with the star himself, as well as Vallely, plus local food and beer. The silent auction is also a must for all skaters—with a Vallely hand-painted and autographed board, a sold-out first-run Joey Jett board, and a custom-designed Bustin board. Most importantly, all proceeds will go to Jake’s Skatepark, a new section of the redesigned Rash Field Park in tribute to local boarder Jake Owen, a 5-year-old South Baltimore skater tragically killed in a distracted driving accident.

 HEAR

Jan. 12: Charm City Bluegrass Festival’s Battle of the Bands

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 6-11 p.m. $12-15. 410-467-0290. 

Each winter, local and regional musicians duke it out for a chance to grace the stage at Druid Hill Park’s Charm City Bluegrass Festival in the spring. This year is no different as the first round of the festival’s Battle of the Bands starts this month. On Friday, enjoy a night of Americana music as you sip on local brews by Union Craft and nosh on eats by BricknFire Pizza and The Local Oyster. Listen to performances by four bands—The Plate Scrapers, Hurricane Hoss, Gold Top County Ramblers, and 19th Street Band—as they go head to head with their fiddles, banjos, and harmonicas to see who will advance to the next round. 

 DO

Jan. 13: Version with Trillnatured  One Year Anniversary

The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St. 10 p.m. Free. 410-625-4848. 

Jessica Hyman accidentally stumbled into DJing out of a simple curiosity. Within a few years, that curiosity evolved into a full-blown passion, transforming Hyman into Trillnatured, a DJ spreading her eclectic style at local dance parties and curated shows throughout the East Coast, even earning her the title of Baltimore magazine’s Best DJ of 2017. This weekend, come celebrate the one-year anniversary of Version, her monthly turnup at The Crown. Though Trillnatured will be serving up her usual R&B and jazz-influenced club mixes, the event gained a renewed importance after she announced that it is now an explicitly queer function, providing a safe space for the city’s LGBTQ community to embrace who they are and just be.

The brothers, who actually took out some of the automation from the brew equipment to be even more hands on, say they are excited to go from a contract-brewing situation at Peabody Heights to now being able to have a bit more control.

“Peabody Heights was such a great environment to learn and experiment,” Matt said. “We’re going to be able to tweak what we’ve learned and produce more limited edition one-offs in the brewery.”

In fact, Monument City will be expanding its current core product line from two to four beers, with quarterly seasonal and more small-batch releases, and they’ll be moving from bottles to cans once the facility opens. The brewery’s team will be expanding from two to four employees, and will be focusing more on the brewhouse operations and sales.

The new brewery will also have a taproom, an area for live music, and the ability to host outdoor events with food trucks in its parking lot. Despite all the exciting changes, the Praay brothers insist they the backbone of their company and its beers—like the popular 51 Rye and newer Battle IPA—will remain the same.

“We are so proud and grateful to Baltimore that our model of staying local has worked,” Ken said. “At the heart of it, we’re a family brewery and we want to remain an integral part of the local community for as long as they will let us.”