Well that is about to change with the launch of Stillwater’s new line called Contemporary Works. Not only does the design get completely flipped on its head, but the beer styles are based on American craft-brewing, something you’d never expect from Stillwater.

“I originally started to be a unique brand, to make beers that didn’t fall into categories,” says Stillwater owner Brian Strumke. “Inevitably, you get put into categories. It became that I just make Belgian-style beers. So I figured the most shocking and progressive thing I could do would be to break down that stereotype.”

The result is three new beers, including a Mono dry-hopped pilsner, a Stereo IPA, and a Surround imperial oak-smoked wheat stout—which will all debut this weekend at Of Love & Regret and at Max’s Belgian Beer Fest.

“These beers are still complex and elegant,” Strumke says. “The Pilsner isn’t typical since it’s dry-hopped with fashionable new-world hops and the stout has this oak-smoked wheat malt.”

The label art, thanks to a collaboration with D.C.-based firm Committee on Opprobriations, is also a stark departure from Stillwater’s original artisanal line—more mid-century modern than trippy old-world.

And next month, Stillwater is debuting three more, including Yacht, a dry-hopped session lager that comes in 16-oz. cans, and two more IPAs.

Strumke says that the past five years have been an adventure. “My frequent flyer miles tell me that a lot has happened,” he laughs. “But I have learned a ton and the business has now proven itself. I’ve succeeded in building the base and now it’s time to branch out.”

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Prices
for the rare beers will range from $3.50-12 for drafts and in sample
size and some of the beers featured are from breweries such as Bastogne,
Lupus, Verzet, Fantome, Cantillon, De Dolle, and Alvinee—all located in
Belgium

Another exciting element this year is
a bit more local, as Max’s will offer homemade beers and collaborations
with local breweries. Today, Max’s will release their beer called 10 (a
collaboration with Maryland-based Burley Oak and Dawson Liquors);
Tomorrow, Max’s and Stillwater Artisanal Ales
release their beer called Decade (a crimson farmhouse ale); Sunday,
Max’s will feature special kegs from Oxbow Brewery (Maine) and Perennial
Ales (Missouri); and on Monday, the bar will feature its collaboration
with The Brewer’s Art called 72 Hour Sour.

For
the second year in a row, on Monday the bar will focus on sour beers,
which are becoming increasingly popular with clientele—especially
women—according to Max’s cellarman and general manager Casey Hard. In
general, the staff at Max’s gets inundated with questions about these
rare brews all year round.

“It is amazing how many requests we get
for our unique Belgian beers,” Hard said in a press
release. “Unfortunately, we are unable to inventory these beers all year
long because the Belgian breweries only brew a small amount. We are
very fortunate to get what we receive.”

Additionally, to wash down all of the delicious beer, customers can indulge in Belgian chocolates and frites on Max’s menu.

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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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