Baltimore Beer Week 2011- Almost Here

Something that I missed out on after moving away from Baltimore was the plethora of events that Baltimore Beer Week 2010 had. I didn't know if the BBW 2011 (October 6-16) could match the intensity, but then I looked at the events. As with last year, many events are pay as you go special tap events hosted by the numerous beer bars throughout town, along side the special events that cost a bit of money.

The Baltimore Beer Week website makes searching for events that best suit you very easy. Using the advanced search function, a person could find out what is going on at their favorite/local bars or neighborhood or just look for the type of event that they want to check out. With the introduction of a few different brands to the Baltimore region in the past year (New Belgium and Firestone Walker to name two), the events keep piling up.

It is too easy to just say "Show up at Max's everyday for something good" or "Go to Metropolitan", so here are a few that I feel are a bit special (and some cost a little bit of money), but you should definitely consider them:

10/6- Opening Tap at Ram's Head Live, $30- this is where the beer begins to flow.  If you are the talkative type, I'm sure you will have the opportunity to run into some of the Baltimore Beer Geek Hall of Famers- maybe Brad Kilpner, Joe Gold, Hugh Sisson, Brian Strumke, Steve Jones, etc.

10/6- Science on Tap: Beer-ology 101 (at Maryland Science Center), $45- join DuClaw's brewmaster Jim Wagner for this interactive look into the science behind the taste, sight and smell of beer.

10/8- Weissner/American Brewery tour, FREE- tour one of the old Baltimore Breweries.  Check out this post, by Mr. Alexander Mitchell IV, for more details.

10/9- Stillwater Ales Day (at Max's Taphouse), pay as you go- a remarkable lineup of Baltimore's own.  Many small batches, unique/rare stuff from one of the best brewers around. I must go for any beer lover in Baltimore.  They will also be selling bottles of Olde Bay Saison- very limited.

10/13- Stillwater Artisanal Ales dinner at Jack's Bistro, $65- This is a pair made in heaven. I have not had the pleasure of being at one of Stillwater's beer dinners, but I have heard that they are great. I don't know where you can go wrong with the great Stillwater beers and Jack's creative menu- who knows what Ted will come up with.

10/15- Pratt Street Real Ale Fest (at Pratt Street Ale House), $40 (advance)/$50 (door)- This Real Ale Festival (otherwise know as cask)- features over 23 Breweries and 40+ different brews.  Something for everyone, and everyone there loves good beer. The BrewDog Paradox Smokehead and Stillwater/Oliver Breweries/The Brewers Art – S.O.B. look intreguing.

And many, many more.  Check out the schedule to figure out your weekend.