Baltimore Beer Festival in Canton to wrap up Baltimore Beer Week

Since the guys who asked me to keep it quiet have let the word slip out, I guess it's my turn now.

One of the bigger problems with Baltimore Beer Week last year was the lack of a good beer festival for out-of-state breweries to participate fully.  The Oktoberfest at the Maryland State Fairgrounds is the province of the Brewers Association of Maryland, while the Chesapeake Real Ale Festival is limited in size and scope--a brewery can only get in if they can get a cask ale firkin through the "system," and there's a LOT of terrific non-cask beer out there.  Last year there had been plans to hold a festival on the last day of the "week" on Camden Street outside Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but those plans fell through.  (Philadelphia, by contrast, had a Philly Craft Beer Festival at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, open to all comers--it was a spectacular fest the year I went.  Imagine a beer festival the size of Mount Vernon, in a huge open building like a Baltimore Convention Center hall.)

Well, this year it's different:

BALTIMORE BEER FESTIVAL
Canton Waterfront Park, Sunday Oct. 17th, Noon-5 PM
$35 in advance, $40 at the gate, $55 V.I.P. in advance.
Commemorative mug
25 different local and international breweries, 60 different beers
Home brewers tent
4oz unlimited samples (while supplies last)

Ravens vs Patriots game on Big Screen
Live music by: Donegal Xpress, Caffiene & Dirt

Local Restaurants to be food vendors such as:
(So Far) Canton Dockside, Saute, Mother's and Della Rose's!!! More to be added.

Proceeds to benefit the Police Emeralds Society & The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

The Charm City Circular Water Taxi from Fed Hill to Canton is FREE and FREE Parking at the 1st Mariner Building parking lot!!!

V.I.P. status ($55) gets you in an hour earlier, private area, food vouchers and select craft beer samples!

The official Baltimore Beer Festival Website will be available soon for Sponsoring/Volunteering and participation information. www.baltimorebeerfestival.com

I'm a LOT more excited about Baltimore Beer Week now.