Steltzenmuller departs Of Love & Regret

The Baltimore Sun's Richard Gorelick reports that the culinary half of the Of Love & Regret Pub team, Ted Steltzenmuller, has departed to resume operating Jack's Bistro full-time, and that co-owner Brian Strumke has temporarily lined up Keith Curley, formerly of Red Maple, to hold down the kitchen pending a re-vamping of the menu for the fall.

Craft Beer (and Soda) In The Atlantic (.com)

Two articles turned up in the online version of The Atlantic.

The first examines the correlations between geography and craft beer.

The second examines regional soda brands ("craft" or not) and whether more widespread distribution and production will make them lose what makes them unique--an issue often also confronted by craft breweries as well.

Both are somewhat worthwhile (albeit too short) reads, if you're into the geeky topic of beverage distribution and marketing.

Future Raven Beer Artwork

Stephen Demczuk of Peabody Heights Brewery leaked a preliminary peek at the new packaging artwork/graphics by Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher for Raven Beer......

DuClaw NOT Moving To Havre de Grace

Yeah, remember that long-ago announcement that DuClaw was relocating to a larger facility in Havre de Grace?

Fuhgeddaboutit.

As a DuClaw representative said, "This is what happens when a business paper runs with the story before the contract is signed.  Unfortunately, the Baltimore Business Journal piece [in December] was published before the deal saw itself all the way through. We take the blame for that though."  

Reportedly, the company now has its eyes on another location or two in an adjacent county.

Stay tuned.

Gordon Biersch Harbor East Looking Like a Brewery

Well, it's sure LOOKING like a brewpub.

Note the rather amusing hanging of the official liquor board meeting notice literally on one of the fermentation vessels facing the street!

The 329-seat brewpub is currently slated to open October 8th 22nd, right in the middle of Baltimore Beer Week, possibly with "flagship" beers brought in from other Gordon Biersch locations (such as Rockville and D.C.) while the brewery itself is brought up to speed.

Union Craft Brewing To Host Anthony Bourdain in November

From their media release:

Have you ever been sitting around on the couch watching No Reservations and thought to yourself, "I'd love to have a beer with Anthony Bourdain"? Well we have and now we can! And so can you!

We are thrilled to announce that UCB will host a VIP Private tasting with Tony B after his gig at The Hippodrome.

Exclusive presale access for Anthony Bourdain: Guts & Glory at the Hippodrome Theatre on Saturday 11/17! Use code: TONY to get tickets before they go on sale to the general public on Friday. Purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 410-547-SEAT (7328).

A limited number of VIP tickets are available, which include: premier seating, a limited edition tour poster and VIP laminate, and exclusive access to a post-show meet and greet reception featuring complimentary hors d'oeuvres, local craft beer, and photo and signing opportunities.

 Prices were not disclosed, but if this is your "kind of thing," it's probably mostly irrelevant anyway......

E-Mails We Never Finished Reading, August 2012 Edition

Hi Alexander
I came across this article last week on the use of webcams in major blockbuster movies and thought that it might make for some interesting inspiration for one of your blog po--

New "Beer Bistro" To Open in Woodberry

Baltimore Magazine's Suzanne Loudermilk reports in her "In Good Taste" blog:

Robbin Haas, one of Food & Wine's 10 Best New Chefs in 1994, is planning to open a craft beer/artisan pizza restaurant in the Hampden-Woodberry area by the end of September.
The Baltimore restaurant will be called Birroteca (a beer version of an Italian enoteca) and will feature a number of craft brews, wine, small plates, charcuterie, artisan cheeses, and desserts in addition to organic artisan pizzas. "It's the way people like to eat," Robbin said.
It's located in the space formerly occupied by Mill Steakhouse Tavern, 1520 Clipper Rd., not far from Woodberry Kitchen. "It had all the bones," Robbin said. He's redecorating and was checking out the reclaimed goods at Second Chance when I talked to him.

More details at the link above.

UPDATE:  I spoke with Robbin Haas; the plan is to offer 24 drafts, and 24-48 bottled beers, as well as wine, cocktails, and pub grub/small plates.  The building is being renovated currently, with plans to reopen by the end of September.  And they've signed on for Baltimore Beer Week.

Ruhlman Brewery Opening

"But we're not a farm brewery."

So says brewery owner Henry Ruhlman.  A look about, and the confusion will be quite palpable.

Not a farm brewery, even though it's off the main roads, nestled on a family farm in Carroll County, and they grow their own hops and try to buy locally grown and malted barley?

"We have a Class 5 Brewery license," says Ruhlman Brewery co-owner Henry Ruhlman, the spokesman and tour guide for the family operation.  "Remember, the 'farm brewery' category doesn't become effective until October 1st [in Maryland]."

Like many other farm operations in areas inconveniently close to big-city suburbia, the Ruhlman farm has had to adapt to survive.  The income from corn, berries, or wheat don't keep pace with soaring property values, and on the scenic drive to the Ruhlman farm northwest of Hampstead, atop one of the highest points in the area, one is apt to pass "McMansions"and farms "repurposed" as party/picnic farms for weekend events.

As the Ruhlmans themselves recount the tale:

Norman Ruhlman established the farm in 1970, dividing his time between raising beef cattle, growing fresh food and vegetables for the family table and working construction – and providing for a family of eight. The farmhouse was built in 1890 and there’s a foundation on the property that dates earlier than that.


Brewing beer became a passion for [Norman's son] Henry, about six years ago. “Back in 2010 just before Dad died, we talked to him about using a pasture on the farm to grow hops. I had been brewing small batches for a couple years and was seriously thinking about a brewery. That’s when he said, 'Might as well go ahead. It’s not good for anything else.'"

After Norman's death,  his children decided to retain the farm and make a go of staying in business, changing the business.  Henry decided to construct a brewery on the property, along with a small retail store.  In addition, the farm has another function: a disc golf ("Frisbee golf" to those who disregard trademarks) course has been established across the farm, attracting weekend enthusiasts.  "We're hoping they'll take growlers around the course with them!" Henry said with a smile.

The brewery is a new ten-barrel system, complete with two fermentation vessels and a bottling line.  Thus far, four recipes are being offered: an IPA (of course), a Milk Stout, a Red Ale, and a Tavern Pale Ale.  The IPA exudes the freshness of the hops, but Henry admits that they've had to order in additional hops for now, as not all of their near-acre of hops are producing yet.  The Milk Stout has a good sweet flavor but a seemingly light body--it would seem to suggest that it should see nitro tap duty--while the Red and Pale are still undergoing some refinement.

Ruhlman Brewery has a self-distribution license, and expects to sell its wares in local (Carroll County) outlets shortly; on site is a small retail counter with taps for samples or pints, as well as growlers and six-pack sales.  They also expect to offer one-use recyclable 5-gallon "mini-kegs" for "kegerator" aficionados.

UPDATE: More in a Baltimore Sun article for Tuesday's editions.

New Belgium "Lips of Faith" Beer Dinner at Alewife Aug. 21

From Alewife Baltimore:

Tuesday, Aug 21st
Reception to begin @ 7:30pm
Dinner to begin @ 8:00pm

Featured Chefs:
*Sajin Rene of Fork and Wrench
*Kristofer Sandholm of Supper (Philly)
*Anisha Jagtap of Baltimore Burger Bar & Puffs and Pastries
*Justin Smith (Sous Chef) of Alewife
*Chad Wells (Executive Chef) of Alewife

Beer Dinner Includes:
*Reception Beer: Fat Tire
*5 Course Wild Game Dinner
*Each course will be paired with a New Belgium Lips of Faith Series
*Lips of Faith Series Beers:
-Brett Beer
-Clutch
-Cocoa Mole
-Kick
-Tart Lychee

Come "Enjoy the Ride" for only $65!

Please inquire via email @ AlewifeBaltimoreEvents@gmail.com