by Kevin M. Smith
Okay…so I like bad puns in my headlines. It’s not a suable offense…is it?
Well ladies and gentlemen, here we are on the verge. Beer week is less than three weeks away and we’re barrelling along headlong into it – full speed ahead, raise the sails, no looking back.
It’s quite the year three that we’re looking at – we have new venues participating in JoJo’s and Madrones – that’s more than 40 additional taps here in Frederick. Dan’s Taphouse in Boonsboro has joined the party as a sponsor. No events listed yet, but I’m hoping they schedule a couple.
Oh…and as an FYI – we already have two more events on the calendar than last year, and nothing from Dan’s yet. Or Ye Old Spirit Shop. Or Franklin’s down in Urbana.
Last year we had 28 events on the calendar. The previous year we had 17, I think. We have 30 this year with events in Frederick, New Market, and Mount Airy. Events built around Frederick Beer, Maryland Beer, and a handful of other regional beers that are making their way to the taps of some of our favorite venues; Bushwaller’s, JoJo’s, Madrones, The Roasthouse Pub…not to mention Brewer’s Alley, Barley and Hops, Monocacy Brewing Company, Flying Dog, Milkhouse Brewing Company at Stillpoint Farm.
Speaking of the Milkhouse – tickets are already for sale and moving for the Beer Festival at Stillpoint Farm. In past years this has been our anchor, but this year it kicks off the festivities.
And there are going to be some good beers to be found…
Barley and Hops will be kicking out the winner of last year’s Battle of the Bubbles; The BoB Bock.
Flying Dog, amongst a variety of IPA’s, will be tapping a firkin of Double Dog at Madrones.
Brewer’s Alley is knocking out some barrel aged beer.
Monocacy will have plenty of Riot Rye on hand.
Our two newest breweries, The Milkhouse, and Frey’s Brewing Company, will both be pouring.
And then there will be events around town from DuClaw, Heavy Seas, and EVO. I’ll see if I can’t land you some previews of some of the guest beers that will be available – but I’m betting on some Lot 6, some Loose Cannon, and I’m hoping to see some Devil’s Milk.
Oh, and some of the events that have returned – the Frederick Tap Takeover is down at JoJo’s this year, we have the Scavenger Hunt, BAM has returned with the Craft Brewer’s Festival, and we have the return of Beer Judging 101 and 201.
Yeah. It’s shaping up to be a pretty damn good week. See you there.
Until then, be well and drink good beer.
Slainte.
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