Ever Seen the Back of a Twenty Dollar Bill…..on Beer?!

So it’s bloody hot outside (I know, I live here too), your funds are dwindling ever since that cool new Jeep, you had to have, started using gasoline like morning mouthwash. All you want is some shade and something ice cold and refreshing to ease the pain without resorting to the oh-so-standard silver bullet or the so called king of beers. Is there hope in sight? Is it possible to appreciate a handful of microbrews on a budget?

While exploring this idea in the drunken wonderland of Fells Point, I happened to stumble (ungracefully) into Alexanders’s Tavern on a very opportune day – it was Saturday actually. Oh lucky me! Alexander’s Tavern offers a bucket of 5 microbrews of any kind and combination for $15! How convenient it was that Andrew happened to be the only thing left in my pocket (Mr. Jackson if you’re nasty)!

Below is a bucket of poisons I ingested because it was a good deal and hey don’t judge…


Sierra Nevada Summerfest –  a good starter for a hot day. It’s light, crisp and a little bit tart (not to be confused with British ‘tart’). Actually its pretty quenchie and I’d probably recommend it to a part time friend.



Clipper City Gold – pale ale, obviously golden in color. It has a citrus and flower taste that made Lindsay comment on how it reminded her of “sunshine” (aww). Very nice summer beer, bring it to the cookout and look like the cool guy for once.



Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy* - Holy mackerel Andy! This beer is totally amazing. I am willing to bet even your non-beer drinkin’, Malibu and pineapple sort of friends would like this one. It sounds weird but lemonade flavored beer is the yummiest concoction ever. Leinenkugel adds Wisconsin honey and extra citrus flavors for an added addictive sugar rush that hits the spot this summer.



Fordham Summer Forecast – well we had to find a stinker in here somewhere…this was awful. The taste most notably resembled a melted ‘bomb pop’ that you might have accidentally purchased from the so-called ice cream man. Overwhelming raspberry flavor, a little bitter, would not drink more than one per lifetime.



Heavy Seas Small Craft Warning – a malty pilsner, crisp and refreshing to stick with the   summery-ness. Suggestion: You better check the expiration date because all Heavy Seas beers are left with a bit of live yeast inside to carbonate and add to the flavor over time, thus the beer can get gross if it sits around too long!! If you do get a fresh one, the Small Craft Warning is my selection for the summertime.

Here are a few local deals to help stretch that $20 dollar bill a little further…

Alexander’s Tavern, Fells Point (next to the Greene Turtle).

            Saturday and Sunday – 5 for $15 bucket of microbrews, 10am – 5pm.

Mick O’Shea’s Irish Pub (328 N.Charles St.)

            Monday – Friday 4-7pm Happy Hour – $3.50 Harp, Resurrection, Smithwick’s, Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon, Stella Artios. $4 20oz Guinness and Magner’s.

Claddagh Pub (Canton Square)

Monday - $3 Blue Moons, Tuesday - $2 Heinekens, Wednesday - $3 Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s.

Mahaffey’s Pub (2706 Dillon St, Canton)

Always awesome if you’re into micros or any beer at all! They have weekly rotating taps, Happy Hour before 7pm and a weekly bomber deal, not to mention the 100 beer club!! You know you wanna join the club! (Even if you don’t wanna you’ll find out that you did the next day, whoopsy!)

 
June 1, 2008

Feeling Blue?

By Brianna Bohon

Red Brick Station, a microbrewery located in the Avenue at Whitemarsh, held its annual Blueberry Ale release party last Thursday the 29th of May.

“They Made Me Do it Blueberry Ale” is a light ale brewed with real blueberries that can be found floating carelessly at the top of your pint.  When you’re looking for a refreshing escape from the sizzling summer sun, this seasonal favorite is your ticket to bluebeery bliss!

If fruity beer just isn’t your style (or maybe you don’t want to admit it out loud) then order the beer sampler and find your fit with one of Red Brick’s 7 unique ales. The Station Sampler consists of 2 specialty beers (this week was Blueberry and Maibock), Avenue Ale, Honeygo Lite, Daily Crisis IPA, Something Red, and Spooner’s Stout.

Avenue Ale -  the shade of this beer is quite deceiving. Avenue Ale is golden in color but the strong hop and spice flavor suggests a much deeper hue. 4.1% ABV.

Honeygo Lite – such a fitting name for a perfectly innocent beer. Honeygo Lite is refreshing and crisp, a real thirst quencher. 3.6% ABV

Daily Crisis IPA – the IPA is true to its name--as in it will erase your crisis of the day along with the rest of your weekly woes and any other thought entering your brain! Don’t let the floral aroma fool you, this beer is full of bitter hops and hints of citrus fruit flavors. 6.1% ABV

Something Red – this lovely little treat is my personal favorite at Red Brick Station. Something Red has the perfect amount of hop and malt flavors distributed throughout. Smooth and oh so comforting, this amber colored brew is arguably their best creation yet. 5.0% ABV

Spooner’s Stout – this thick and quite ominous looking beer is Red Brick’s attempt at a dark Irish ale. Although its claim to fame is the silky smoothness, I had trouble getting past the smoky aroma of burnt coffee and charred--well I don’t know what. Good luck J. 4.5% ABV

Maibock – the specialty beer that had to ride shotgun with the infamous Blueberry Ale, is a traditional German springtime favorite. Maibock is less malty than a normal bock and generally mild although it has a slight bready/spicy flavor. Not my favorite I must say.  7.2% ABV

Whether you end this tasting venture with a new found love or just a really great buzz, the Station Sampler is an awesome way to spend some time and a few laughs with your favorite people.

YUMMY IN YOUR TUMMY:

By the way, Red Brick Station has a wide variety of classic pub grub and traditional English fare. If you’re like me and a total sucker for fried just about anything, the fish and chips are right up your alley. It’s huge, a monstrosity in fact! I admit I was expecting the small crispy tilapia and a handful of fries but what I got was certainly enough for two. It was the largest bed of pommes frites that a poor fried fishy could ever hope for, and 2--count ‘em--2 fish filets as opposed to the lonely norm of other pubs. Thanks Red Brick for sharing your ignorance for portion control! I never was a fan of piddling plates anyway!

P.S. The Monte Cristo Sandwich is my absolute favorite! A fried ham sammy with amazing raspberry dipping sauce. Get it. You won’t be disappointed.

May 25, 2008
Love at First Sip


By: Brianna Bohon

Touring the wild wonders of Brew at the Zoo on a sudsy sipping safari.

The brews I choose…

Magic Hat #9

The name #9 doesn’t match the slot it gets on my fav’s list. We’re talkin’ one of my top five seriously yummy beers. It’s considered to be a pale ale but the smattering of fruity flavors you get will make you recheck the label. (Magic Hat Brewing Company is located in Vermont.)

Erie Sunshine Wit

Oh happy day! When my sampler pilsner was filled with this little ray of light I suddenly felt all warm inside. The Sunshine Wit is a soft yellow Belgian style white beer. Like the popular Blue Moon it has an orange and spice flavor that seems perfect for a summer afternoon. (Erie Brewing Company is located in Pennsylvania)

South Hampton Double White

While sticking with the summery theme here, let’s introduce one of my favorites (yes it beats #9). Another Belgian style white beer with a combination citrus and spice flavor. The light and refreshing quality makes it a must-have in beach cooler and also a great beer to pair with light foods like cheese or salads. (South Hampton Brewery is located in New York)

Strongbow Cider

‘Ello Govna’! The English are masterful when it comes to creating delicious ciders. Like a grown up box of juicy juice this sweet apple flavored brew is easy to become well-acquainted with. Something like a guilt free sensation comes along with its sweet innocent flavor and most everyone who tries it is an instant fan. (Bulmers Cider company is located in Hereford, England)

Lancaster Strawberry Wheat

Yes I like girly beers, I happen to be a girl and Strawberry Wheat happens to be delicious. J Lancaster picked a winner when they conjured up this concoction. Considered an American wheat lager, this brew is an awesome summer choice made with real strawberries. Refreshing + light + crisp + strawberries = happy -  happy - joy - joy. (Lancaster Brewing Co. is located in (duh) Lancaster, PA of course!)

The Raven

Let’s meander on back to Baltimore for this home grown creation. The Raven is brewed by Baltimore – Washington Beer Works and seems to be a big hit in Germany. This one’s not my normal style but the novelty of an Edgar Allen Poe inspired beer makes for a good experience. It has a toasted malty flavor with a flowery hint but falls a little short for my taste buds and left me to “ponder weak and weary”, Quoth the Raven : Nevermore. (Don’t mind me – give it a shot J)