Put These On Your "To Do" List

Running late because of other commitments, but here's a round-up of up-and-coming events.....

*DuClaw just now started selling tickets ($55) to its annual Real Ale Fest on SEPTEMBER 8th, with 40 firkins from 20 breweries promised in addition to the usual eclectic DuClaw offerings.  Once again, proceeds benefit a chosen charity, the Cool Kids campaign.  This year, they're also offering buses from their Arundel Mills and Bowie locations, as well as a bus from JD's Smokehouse in Canton (an additional $25--worth it to avoid a DUI ticket or crash, or dragging along a designated driver that really doesn't want to be there.....).  This fest features a spectacular food buffet (with three slow-roasted pigs) as well.  The 4 hour (Noon-4pm) all inclusive real ale samples and food package for $55 or a 5 hour (11am-4pm) "V.I.P." all inclusive real ale  package for $65.  There are only 650 tickets available, and the last few such Fests have been complete sell-outs.

*On AUGUST 8th (Wednesday), The Brewer's Art combines the second of its monthly firkin releases with a fundraiser  to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Part of the sales from the firkin will be donated, and if they kick the cask TBA has offered to match funds!   If you can't make it but want to donate go to http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/seagull12/rperry

*Artscape, sometimes known sarcastically as "Foodscape" or "Chicken-On-a-Stick-Scape," is today through Sunday around Mount Royal Station, the U. of Baltimore, Mt. Royal Avenue from St. Paul St. to North Avenue, and up Charles Street from Mt. Royal to North Avenue.  Your best beer options in the area include The Brewer's Art, Liam Flynn's Ale House (promising three firkins, from Heavy Seas, Flying Dog, and Olivers Bishops Breakfast with coffee), and Joe Squared Pizza.

*Max's Taphouse reports that they escaped damage from last night's flooding from 2-3 inches of rain drenching the area, and will be open for business as usual to finish out their "extended Belgian beer festival," through today--and, as usual, a large number of Belgian drafts will be on through the weekend, if the sweaty, sardine-packed crowds of FreeConcertScape doesn't appeal to you.  Here's a list of what they put on draft when:
JULY 17
St Bernardus Tokyo on draft

JULY 18
Vanberg & Dewulf
ON DRAFT
Dupont Foret
Dupont Forest Blanche
Dupont Saison
Dupont Avril
Dupont Biere De Beloeil
Dupont Posca Rustica
Dupont Moinette Blonde
Dubuisson Scaldis
Dubuisson Peche Mel
Dubuisson Scaldis Blonde Triple
Dubuisson Cuvee Des Trolls
Dilewyns Vicaris Generaal
Dilewyns Vicaris Triple
Dilewyns Vicaris Triple-Gueuze
Schelde Hop Ruiter

JULY 19
Bunited Imports
ON DRAFT
Smisje Catherine The great
Strubbe Ichtegems Grand Cru

JULY 20
12% imports
ON DRAFT
T Gaverhopke Extra
Hof Ten Dormaal Dark
Stillwater/Hof Ten Dormaal Bronze Age
Cazeau Tournay Black

JULY 21
Duvel USA,Ommegang ,Mardesous, Achouffe, Liefmans
ON DRAFTDuvel Single
Ommegang Independence Day Ale 2012
Ommegang Biere D' Hougoumont
Ommegang Rare Vos
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Ommegang Abbey
Achouffe La Chouffe
Achouffe McChouffe
Achouffe Houblon
Achouffe Biere De Soleil
Mardesous 6
Mardesous 10
De Koninck Triple D' Anvers
Liefmans Goudenband

*At the Pratt Street Ale House:  The Big D, an 8% IPA brewed with a little orange blossom honey, orange & lemon peel and finished with lots of while leaf Citra & Amarillo is now on the beer engine; Burial At Sea, 4.3% abv ruby mild brewed in collaboration with DC Brau is now on tap.  On deck: Blonde Ale with coriander and dry hopped with Liberty.  Expect lots of firefighters at the expo across the street, ongoing until Saturday.

*Union Craft Brewing has scheduled a Grand Opening party for its brewery in Woodberry on the evening of July 28th, but the $14 tickets have already sold out!

*Over in Frederick, Monocacy Brewing (the production arm of Brewer's Alley) has scheduled its grand opening for the afternoon of August 4th.