26 April 2012

Upcoming Events, This Weekend and Beyond UPDATED

Tight for time, most of you (if you've been reading here) should have had enough advance warning that you should have made advance plans. 

Starting tonight:  Max's Rare & Obscure Fest.  Yes, yes, by national beer standards, one could easily make the case that every day is "rare and obscure" day at Max's Taphouse.  But tonight through Saturday is an extended weekend for those who insist on trying to max out their tasting sheets or records for bragging rights.  A reminder that all of the following will be parceled out over the next three days, and survivors may linger through Sunday and the early part of next week, if crowds or other events conflict with your desires:

CASKS
Flying Dog Barrel aged Gonzo dry Hopped w/ Chipotle & Vanilla Beans
Flying Dog Woody Creek Wit dry Hopped w/ El Dorado
DuClaw Five Hail Mary
Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin
Heavy Seas Greater Pumpkin 2011
DRAFTS
21st Amendment Lower De Boom
Black Diamond Brandy Grand Cru
Black Diamond Dried Up Geezer
Blue Point Old Howling Bastard
De Dolle Dulle Teve
Elysian Arboreal
Elysian Poison Dwarf
Elysian Slight Return
Elysian Perfesser
Elysian The Dread
Hantversbryggeriet Munken
Hopfenstark Faust
Hopfenstark Captain Swing
L'Olmaia Karkade
Smuttynose Brett & I
Smuttynose Smuttonator 2011
Alvinne Morpheous Wild Undressed
BFM Spike & Jerome
De Struise Pannepot Reserva 2008
De Struise Pannepot Special Reserva 2009
DuClaw Oak Aged Old Flame
Evil Twin an Uncommon IPA
Evil Twin Hop Flood
Evil Twin Nurse Pepper
Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break
Evil Twin Monks Suffers Serious Sugar Rush On Barbados
Evolution Petit Houblon
Flying Dog Barrel Aged Gonzo
Flying Dog Horn Dog
Hambleton Nightmare
Hebrew Funky Jewbelation
Hitachino Nest 3 Days
Hofstetten Kubelbier Zymatore Aged in Whiskey Barrels
L'Qhilika African Dry Mead Zymatore Aged in Mourvedre Barrels
Allagash Old HLT
Crispin Marvin
De Glazen Toren Zymatore Aged in Zinfandel Barrels
Emelisse Black & Tan
George Gales Conquest Masterbrew 2000 Aged In Whiskey/Pinot Barrels
George Gales Prize Old Ale 2001 Aged in Whiskey/Pinot Barrels
Olivsholt Lava
Oskar Blues Gordon Aged in Wine Barrels
Schneider Brooklyner Hopfen Zymatore aged in Gin/Pinot Barrels
Stillwater Bri Witter Weisse
Thornbridge Kipling Zymatore Aged in Belgian Owl Whiskey Barrels
Troegs Scratch # 57-Weizenbock
Troegs Scratch #56-Single Hop pale
Troegs Scratch #59-Mighty Moose MIld
Troegs Scratch #60-Spring Fest Lager
Williams Bros Profanity Stout
Plus Maybe one or two more.......you never know......
BOTTLES
Brew Dog Nuclear Penguin
Brew Dog Sink the Bismark
Brew Dog Paradox Speyside 2009
Brew Dog/Mikkeller Divine Rebel 2009
De Molen Bommen & Granten 2010
De Molen Heaven & hell 2008
Del Ducato/3 Fontenien Beersel Mattina
Evil Twin 9th Symphony
Evil Twin Disco
Evil Twin Hoekerens Jubilaeums Ol
Firestone Walker Sucaba
Firestone Walker XV Anniversary
Full Sail Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Porter
George Gales Jubilee 2002
George Gales Prize Old Ale 1996
Goose Island Night Stalker 2010
Haandbryggeriet Krokkebic
Hopfenstark Ostalgia Blonde
JW Lees Harvest Ale in Calvados 2003
La Trappe Oak Aged Isid'or
La Trappe Oak Aged Quad Batch 6
Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel
Nogne O Dark Horizon 3rd Edition
North Coast Old Rasputin Barrel Aged XIV
Orkney Dark Island Reserva 2007
Saint Bock Sacrilege
Sam Smiths Stingo 2008
Samichlaus 2010
The Bruery Coton 2010
The Bruery Cuir 2011
The Bruery/Cigar City Marron Acidifie
Thomas Hardy Ale 2004
Unibroue 15
Vapeur D'Antan 1996
Meanwhile, we hope we need not remind you of the Pratt Street Real Ale Fest, the spring counterpart to the Chesapeake Real Ale Fest, in the newly-expanded Pratt Street Ale House:

The Casks
  • Brewdog – Paradox (Isle of Arran)
  • Brewers Alley – Oatmeal Stout
  • Brewers Art – Tiny Tim (VIP Cask)
  • Brewers Art – Monument Pale Ale
  • DuClaw – Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Flame
  • Evolution – Lot 3 IPA (Dry Hopped W/Citra)
  • Evolution – Rise Up Stout (VIP Cask)
  • Firestone Walker – Velvet Merlin
  • Yards – ESA (Extra Special Ale)
  • Oskar Blues – Deviant Dales Pale Ale (Double Dry Hopped)
  • Weyerbacher – Blanche
  • Flying Dog – TBA
  • Old Dominion – Oak Barrel Stout
  • Heavy Seas – Plank II (w/poplar, eucalyptus, and liberty hops)
  • Oliver Breweries – Jacobs Winter  (Oak Barrel W/ Juniper)
  • Oliver Breweries – James Brown Ale (Red Oak Aged)
  • Oliver Breweries – Ape Must Never Kill Ape
  • New Belgium – Ranger IPA (Double Dry Hopped)
  • Flying Dog – TBA
  • Flying Fish – Hopfish (Dry Hopped W/Simcoe)
  • Dog Brewing – Blue Corn Triple
  • Still Many More To be Announced!!
In Annapolis, Saturday, April 28th: MD Drafts and Laughs: 50+ craft and imported beers while enjoying the region's funniest comedians. Beer seminars throughout the evening in private tasting rooms. Food and wine is available though not included in the fee. $35 in advance, $40 at the door, $60 VIP. Details at 443-926-1464 or www.mddraftsandlaughs.com.

As if that's not enough for one weekend, consider the following for those for whom a Guinness doesn't taste right without an Irish music session in front of it:   The first Baltimore Irish Trad Fest will be held at several locations in Baltimore over the three-day weekend, including J. Patrick's Irish Pub in Locust Point, James Joyce in Harbor East, and Liam Flynn's in Station North.  More info here.

May 5th: Heavy Seas Blues at the Brewery, Halethorpe:  International blues artist Deanna Bogart will be performing with her band. Heavy Seas beer, and food concessions from Koopers Chowhound Wagon, will be available onsite for purchase. $20. 7:30-11pm. www.hsbeer.com/blues-brewery.

Frederick Beer Week:  May 12-19th.  Enough said?

For the women reading this, the newly formed Baltimore Beer Babes will be hosting their first-ever gathering at Max's Taphouse at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, May 16 to gather a group of Baltimore women who are involved in the brewing industry, or just love great beer.
A $15 ticket will bring five beer samples, as well as light appetizers and the chance to connect with a group of women who want to learn more about beer, the brewing process, food pairings and other educational aspects regarding quality suds. Message @BaltoBeerBabes on Twitter or connect with their Facebook page for reservations. Seats are limited.  SOLD OUT!


May 26-27:  The Maryland Zoo's Brew at the Zoo. Go early to see the zoo animals (including beer-name animals like otters, rhinos, ruddy ducks, and elephants--and maybe a raven), them stick around to have the beer and eats.

Down in Millersville, Hellas Restaurant is holding an Ommegang-d'Achouffe Beer Dinner on May 30th, $65 per person:

Reception Course
Greek Poppers with Tzatziki
Marinated artichoke hearts and fire roasted red peppers
stuffed with feta cheese and Panko breaded
Paired with Ommegang Witte
First Course:
Lamb Chop Salad
Grilled Lamb Porterhouse Chops atop a bed of local lettuce,
blue cheese, pine nut , golden raisin and pomegranate
vinaigrette
Paired with Ommegang Aphrodite Ale
Second Course:
Zucchini Slippers
Zucchini halves baked with ground beef and rice stuffing and
topped with zesty light tomato sauce and shaved Greek
Cheese (Keffalo-Gravyera)
Paired with Houblon Chouffe
Third Course:
Smokey Bison Sliders
Gunpowder Trading Co (Monkton, MD) Bison sliders
char-grilled with coffee rub, topped with bacon, Hawk Hill
Creamery (Street, MD) Smoked Cheddar, frizzled onions
and chipotle aioli—served on mini-brioche rolls with sweet
potato fries
Paired with Ommegang Three Philosophers
Dessert:
Waffle with Berries n Cream
Homemade waffle topped with homemade ice cream, fresh
local berries and hand whipped cream
Paired with a Two Year Verticle Pour of 2010 N’ice Chouffe
and 2011 N’ice Chouffe

Way down the pike in the future, at Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia:
American Craft Beer Fest at Victoria Gastro Pub
Saturday, June 23, 2012  12 pm - 4 pm

Featured Breweries: Sierra Nevada, Flying Dog, New Belgium, Stone, Dogfish Head, Oliver’s, Lagunitas, Sixpoint, Oskar Blues, Peak, DuClaw, Goose Island, Heavy Seas, Evolution, Boulder

$50 per person, $40 for Beer Club Members
Includes Beer Tasting from Each of the Participating Breweries,
Tasting Glass & Passed Hors D’oeuvres
Advance Purchase ONLY!
Pick up your ticket at the Pub, call 410-750-1880 or email heather@victoriagastropub.com
May 14th-20th: American Craft Beer Week
Monday, May 21st: Victoria Day-Beer Club Trip Drawing
Wednesday, June 13th: Evolution Beer Dinner
Wednesday, July 11th: DuClaw Beer Dinner
Way off in the District of Columbia in June, Sushiko, one of Washington’'s premier Japanese restaurants and sushi bars, will offer its first pairing event of Japanese cuisine and craft beers. The six-course menu will be presented by owner and creative director of Sushi-ko, Daisuke Utagawa, together with beer expert Jocelyn Cambier.  Priced at $85, all inclusive, the menu features >Edamame paired with Port City pale ale; Lobster and Asparagus Suimono (clear soup) with Brasseurs Illimites double porter; Flounder Carpaccio with White Soy and Truffle Sauce complemented by a surprise beer of Brasseurs du Monde; Honey and Soy Roasted Duck with A l’Abri de La Tempete Corps Mort; Spicy Broiled Mussels and Coronado Islander IPA and a final course of Nigiri Sushi paired with Brasseurs Illimites Imperial Stout.This dinner will be Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 7 PM, limited seating is available. For tickets please contact Gabriella Geerman & Andrea Thompson at Sushiko (301) 961-1644

4 comments:

JohnM. said...

Would love to do both the cask festival and Max's on Saturday, but that's just too much alcohol and too much coin. Besides, it's not as if the cask beers on offer at Max's are anything to sniff at.

Count me in for Max's on both Friday and Saturday.

tacoparty2011 said...

I can only imagine what Max's will charge for bottles of Brew Dog's Nuclear Penguin and Sink The Bismark as I saw them for upwards of $100 at Well's liquor store last fall.

Yikes.

JohnM. said...

@ tacoparty2011

In the past, Casey has often sold super expensive beers like Nuclear Penguin or Sink the Bismark at close to normal retail mark-up (sometimes even a bit less). In fact, at the brewdog event I attended a couple years back, he was selling bottles of the Atlantic IPA at his cost. It was still ridiculously expensive, and I kick myself for being so stupid as to buy a bottle, but at least I didn't feel as if I was getting ripped off by paying normal bar mark-up.

I'm sure those two beers will still be over the top expensive (I don't plan to any this time around), but I blame that on brewdog, not Max's and Casey.

JohnM. said...

@ tacoparty again.

Was at the event yesterday evening and can now confirm the price. $150 and $200 a bottle respectively. I assume this will likely cause a stampede, with everyone running down to Max's to get a bottle or two of Sink the Bismark and Nuclear Penguin before they run out.