Baltimore Beer Week all started, as most good ideas do, with a small group of people meeting over beers at Max’s Taphouse. Co-founders Joe Gold and Dominic Cantalupo conceived of the concept in 2008 after seeing the power beer festivals had in cities like Philadelphia and San Fransisco.
“Baltimore has such a rich brewing history, dating way further back than these West Coast cities,” Gold said. “We needed an event to call our own.”
Eight years later, BBW has evolved into a 10-day (“we wanted two weekends to drink”), 300-event festival across the entire Baltimore metro region. Gold and Cantalupo’s idea was to get everyone involved in the craft beer scene, whether that’s sculpting beer steins at Baltimore Clayworks or learning the chemistry behind it from the Maryland Science Center.
That same inclusive idea will be apparent during this year’s BBW, which runs from October 7-16 and features tap takeovers, beer dinners, and a host of other brew-related fun. With Gold’s help, we narrowed down the plethora of events to some not-to-miss highlights.
Beer Legends Hall of Fame
When: October 7, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Pratt Street Alehouse
Cost: $45
What: BBW will kick off with an inaugural event that organizers hope will become tradition as they induct a pioneer into the Beer Legends HOF. This year’s ceremony will honor 2016 inductee Hugh Sisson of Heavy Seas Beer, as well as honor the posthumous inductees from 2015—Thomas “Nelson” Carey III (Grand Cru), Bob Footlick (Bond Distributing), Tim Hillman (Wine Source), and Mick Kipp (Pickle’s Pub).
Brew House No. 16 Tour
When: October 8, 3-4 p.m.
Where: Brew House No. 16
Cost: Free
What: Plenty of breweries around town will be offering tours during beer week, but only one will take place in a converted firehouse. Mt. Vernon’s Brew House No. 16 has kept a lot of its same original elements (sliding polls and all), but brewer Ian Hummel will also show off its brewing system, the space’s history, and offer a free house beer along the way.
Brewer’s Art Disc Golf Open
When: October 9, 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Druid Hill Park
Cost: $10-35
What: A single-round 18-hole disc golf tournament will take place in Druid Hill Park. Two pools with play three divisions each, with pool A on the back 18 and pool b on the front 18. Winners will get prizes provided by The Brewer’s Art and the bar will be the hosting the after-party to celebrate. All entry fees will benefit the Druid Hill Disc Golf Course.
Babes in the Woods
When: October 10, 12-2 p.m.
Where: Bertha’s
Cost: $30
What: When most people think of a craft brewer, a stereotypical image of a bearded dude with a flannel shirt comes to mind. And while it’s usually not that far off, there are plenty of women making noise in the craft beer scene these days and this event celebrates it. Guests can hear from local homebrew club Baltimore Beer Babes while enjoying mussels, shrimp, and beer from Union Craft and Heavy Seas.
The Battle of the Doms
When: October 11, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Hudson Street Stackhouse
Cost: Fixed price
What: Eating sandwiches for a good cause? Sign us up. Hudson Street Stackhouse owner Dominic Desantis and BBW co-founder Dominic Cantalupo will go head to head to find out who makes the best Italian sandwich. Each sandwich will be paired with its own select beer and guests can vote for their favorite version. Proceeds from each purchase will be donated to BARCS and matched by BBW. May the best sandwich win!
Hops Tasting Class
When: October 12, 5:30, 7 p.m. (two seatings)
Where: Nepenthe Homebrew
Cost: $10
What: Any beer fan knows the importance of a good hop varietal. These little plants provide robust flavor and also act as a stability agent in the brew process, so get to know them a bit better with classes at homebrew store Nepenthe in Meadow Mill. Guests will taste a variety of hops against a neutral background to learn the differences between noble and classic American hops used in some of the most popular beers on the market.
2 Books – 2 Beers
When: October 13, 6-9 p.m.
Where: The Room
Cost: $50
What: Ever wondered what you can do with all your six-pack boxes taking up space in the recycling bin? Well, Amanda McCormick of Ink Press Productions will show guests how to make them into books with a stab-bound technique. Enjoy an evening of beer and book binding, and you’ll be able to take your product home and document all of your future beer adventures.
The Song Remains the Same
When: October 14, 6-11 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan
Cost: Pay as you go
What: Two local beer powerhouses, Oliver and DuClaw, will co-host this party featuring music from the Led Zeppelin album/film The Song Remains The Same. The two breweries will feature cask ales and draft beers, and costumes are strongly encouraged.
Beers Through the Years
When: October 15, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Venice Tavern
Cost: Pay as you go
What: Guests will meet at the popular basement dive Venice Tavern before going on a tour of Southeast Baltimore and learning about the city’s fascinating brewing history. Noted local beer historian Maureen O’Prey and BBW co-founder Cantalupo will lead a walking tour of Brewer’s Hill to discuss former breweries and make stops at pubs along the way before ending up at Huck’s American Craft.
Pints & Pancakes
When: October 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Mahaffey’s Pub
Cost: Pay as you go
What: After 10 days of partying, what better way to cap it off than a huge breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and a fixings bar. Flying Dog will provide beer-mosas and beers on tap, and each guest will get a raffle ticket to win prizes. If you’ve still got enough stamina left, stick around for Star Wars trivia that night against owner Wayne Mahaffey.