BALTIMORE BEER GUY

--- The growler debate rages on in Howard County and the Maryland legislature. I respect the sentiments of the opposition but are we seriously arguing that the handful of bars taking advantage of the right to sell growlers will have patrons drinking in the parking lot after departing? Its a hilarious visual if you understand the physics of 64 ounces of liquid tilted upside down through a widemouth spout.

--- Please consider contacting various representatives in support of several craft beer and brewing-related legislation working its way through Annapolis. This link has plenty of information about the legislation and the easy process to make your voice heard. Also, more information via Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws.

--- Happy 10th Anniversary to Hyattsville's Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery & General Store!

--- Sprecher beers have arrived in Maryland! They're a nice addition to the market out of the brewing hotbed of Milwaukee. Good stuff all around among the many offerings I tried at the Bond Distributing industry event about a month ago. Do seek these out (I had a pint of their Doppel Bock at Judges Bench last week).

--- Also recently hitting the market, New Belgium's "Dig" a spring pale ale with something extra -- Sorachi Ace and Nelson Sauvin hops!

-- DuClaw brewing says two 22oz bombers have hit stores: their Double Naked Fish imperial chocolate raspberry stout, and Anti-Venom, their Venom pale ale  hopped solely with "Green Bullet" hops from New Zealand that offer tropical flavors and aromas.

--- DuClaw will also be releasing its Celtic Fury traditional Irish stout in time for St. Patrick's Day. Pint Club members can taste it March 5th but it will be released to the public at their three locations (Arundel Mills, Bel Air and Bowie Town Center) on March 7th and March 8th.

--- DelmarvaNow does a good job detailing the dirty work of the brewing process in speaking with Burley Oak Brewing Company based out of Berlin, Maryland (on my to-do visit list this summer). Also, check out this picture of them filling their "coolship" for open fermentation of beer, for the first time. Update: their first coolship beer is complete (picture). It will be called Bunker-C, spontaneously fermented and then it will be aged in a Merlot barrel for a year.

--- The "BarleyDine" blog and Baltimore Nightlife Examiner both give thumbs up to Max's recent Belgian Beer Fest.

--- The much anticipated expansion at longtime Harford Road craft beer standout Racer's Cafe is rumored to be called Boulevard 60 per the Baltimore Nightlife Examiner. Interesting story as to how it may gain that name.

--- Looking for something to do on St. Patrick's Day morning? Flying Dog is opening up its brewery from 7 a.m. to noon for "Green Eggs and Kegs" with breakfast and your first beer for $15. Their Lucky SOB Irish Red brewed with real four leaf clovers will be on draught plus music and a traditional Irish breakfast from Mt. Airy's Carter Que.

--- The Washington Post notes that breweries are spicing up their IPA's with a nod to Flying Dog's "Wildeman" Farmhouse IPA (see: recent video review).

--- The Baltimore Sun does a solid review of Annapolis' Punks Grill. The folks who run that place are savvy and quite participatory in the craft beer scene while also churning out excellent made from scratch food.

--- Beer In Baltimore (.com) reports a new craft bar opening soon in the Towson/Loch Raven area called McFaul's IronHorse Tavern. They will have approximately 16 craft beers on tap. "The focus will be lots of local and regional beer".

--- The other Beer In Baltimore speculates on the dynamics of a planned "brewpub" at Camden Yards that would theoretically be a year-round destination.

--- Also from Mitchell, a more everything's-fair, free-wheeling interpretation of the "Wild West" aspect of beer sales in D.C. (as it relates to the more restricted environment in Maryland and elsewhere).

--- Leinenkugel Beer Garden hopes to break free from the winter rut with a Spring Beerfest on March 30th. Looks fun. Details below.

--- American Craft Beer shows some love for the "art" of beer. Flying Dog brewery has been on a roll lately expressing its more artistic side.

-- Its that time of the year again for one of my favorite Dogfish Head offerings: Aprihop. The apricot-y, hoppy IPA creation will be released at the various Alehouses (read: Gaithersburg) on March 7th paired with a charity raffle.

--- "Fight Of The Firkins" goes down at Mahaffey's Pub in Canton on March 7th. Two specially made Heavy Seas firkins will be on the bar, created by owner Wayne and several staff members. The most popular firkin "wins" and that team gets bragging rights. Also: doors open at 8 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day at Mahaffey's.