Trip Advice to Baltimore and DC

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by tjk135, Jul 16, 2013.

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  1. tjk135

    tjk135 Zealot (591) Apr 23, 2013 Illinois

    Hey, taking a trip to Baltimore and DC this weekend and wanted some advice. Any must visit breweries or restaurants (that serve craft beer) to head to? Really looking for some fresh seafood. We are staying in Harbor East in Baltimore and at my cousins in DC - not sure exactly where he lives. Also, what are some of the better local beers I can pick up to bring home?

    Thanks
     
    #1 tjk135, Jul 16, 2013
  2. EDNOSE

    EDNOSE Pundit (996) Oct 27, 2007 Connecticut

    DC Brau, DC Brau, DC Brau (to visit, needs to be Saturday early afternoon ... they don't have much in the way of regular hours). Should be able to get plenty of DC Brau's year-round stuff in beer stores, as well. Port City over in Alexandria puts out ok beers and has a lot of hours for visiting.

    Not sure where you are coming from but DC and VA get good distribution so might even be non-local stuff, too.
     
    #2 EDNOSE, Jul 16, 2013
  3. tjk135

    tjk135 Zealot (591) Apr 23, 2013 Illinois

    Coming from Chicago, so anything from the east coast I can't get here would be great too.
     
    #3 tjk135, Jul 16, 2013
  4. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I know I keep on saying this, but the search function is your friend. Most of your questions are covered in the threads below.

    With the exception of crab houses, I can't think of many places in the downtown area that are famous for fresh seafood. Black Olive comes to mind (trying to think of places close to where you're staying), and while I haven't actually been there, I've heard you can find fresh seafood at the Oceanaire Seafood Room. There are a number of very good restaurants around the area where you're staying (Cinghiale, Pazo, the Charleston), and while none of those places specialize in seafood per se, they almost surely will have at least one or two seafood entrees on the menu. If you like mussels, Bertha's over in Fells Point serves a variety of mussel dishes, and I've always enjoyed the meals I've had there. Also, unlike the other places I mentioned, Bertha's prices are fairly reasonable as well. All the other places I mentioned are considered fine dining destintations. Have fun!


    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/baltimore-brews.102065/#post-1497385

    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/baltimore-dc-vacation-questions.74552/page-2#post-1472149

    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/where-do-i-want-to-drink-in-downtown-baltimore.100559/

    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/good-local-beers-in-baltimore.98975/#post-1452569
     
    #4 John_M, Jul 16, 2013
  5. ipas-for-life

    ipas-for-life Savant (1,041) Feb 28, 2012 Virginia

    Here are a few spots worth checking out.

    DC Bars- Church Key and Meridian Pint(Check this thread for more http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/dc-advice.542/)
    Bottle Shops- Whole Foods near Church Key and Conneticut Wine and Liquor

    Baltimore Bars
    Inner Harbor Area- Pratt St Ale House
    Fells Point- Max's Tap House
    There is also Brewer's Art and Heavy Sea's Tap House but I have not been.
     
    #5 ipas-for-life, Jul 16, 2013
  6. dogfishgirl

    dogfishgirl Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2010 Maryland

    Union Craft Brewing in Hampden Maryland is a must. There is a great restaurant near them called birroteca that is phenomenal.
    Have fun!
     
    #6 dogfishgirl, Jul 27, 2013
    beandip likes this.
  7. RC51Mike

    RC51Mike Zealot (517) Dec 17, 2004 Delaware

    Mama's on the Half Shell in Canton for seafood.
     
    #7 RC51Mike, Jul 27, 2013
  8. DaveLikesAle

    DaveLikesAle Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2006 Ohio

    Any place decent within walking distance of the Gaylord National Harbor?
     
    #8 DaveLikesAle, Jul 28, 2013
  9. mikeburd1128

    mikeburd1128 Maven (1,409) Oct 28, 2011 New Jersey

    Don't go to Max's on the weekend unless you want to surround yourself with loud, drunken, frat boys.
     
    #9 mikeburd1128, Jul 28, 2013
    jimmy666 likes this.
  10. RKP

    RKP Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2009 Virginia

    Are you into guns and malt liquor?
     
    #10 RKP, Jul 29, 2013
    Prince_Casual likes this.
  11. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I used to stop by Max's on the weekends all the time. It can get crowded on the weekends, but unless you're there late in the evening, I don't think the OP will have any problem. On the other hand, if you are there after 8:00 or 9:00 on Friday and Saturday, I'm afraid mikeburd's post sums up the environment there pretty closely. In fairness to Max's though, that's a Fells Point problem, and has really nothing to do with the sort of vibe and presentation they have at Max's.
     
    #11 John_M, Jul 29, 2013
    mikeburd1128 likes this.
  12. DaveLikesAle

    DaveLikesAle Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2006 Ohio

    Well who isn't?
     
    #12 DaveLikesAle, Jul 29, 2013
  13. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Baltimore water taxi, Rusty Scupper, Canton, Fells Point for seafood. Max's, Pratt Street, James Joyce (atmosphere rather than selection depth), and Power Plant (quantity, really). Be careful if you try Brewers Art or Alewife, the areas change character in a block.

    National Harbor, there are some okay minus selection places in the faux village. Take the water taxi to Alexandria. Start by walking to Bilbo Baggins, then run King Street. King has a free shuttle until late. Pizza Paradiso and Red Rocks have goodish selections, most places that look cool have at least one good and one really good beer on tap. I like Light Horse for serious drinking, but it is nothing special with a decent selection. I just like the vibe.

    From NH consider Port City on the way in or out, you do have to drive in. Great beers and good tour of a tight space. However, if drinking serious do not drive in Alexandria or NH region. At all. I know the water taxi is pricey, but much less than a drunk driving.
     
    #13 TheFunGuy, Jul 29, 2013
  14. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    ETA Rustico from National Harbor to Alexandria area, again if someone is designated driving.
     
    #14 TheFunGuy, Jul 30, 2013
  15. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    More like are you in to walking across a 65 mph highway and getting creamed???
     
    #15 Smakawhat, Jul 30, 2013
  16. ao125

    ao125 Initiate (0) Dec 1, 2010 Virginia

    To be fair, you could walk the trail (not a short walk) from National Harbor to Old Town Alexandria (or take the water taxi) and walk a relatively short distance to Bilbo Baggins.

    http://www.bilbobaggins.net/menus/BEERMENU.pdf
     
    #16 ao125, Jul 30, 2013
  17. DaveLikesAle

    DaveLikesAle Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2006 Ohio

    That's more like it!
     
    #17 DaveLikesAle, Jul 30, 2013
  18. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Please don't walk from NH to Bilbo Baggins unless you really like exercise and have lots of time.
     
    #18 TheFunGuy, Jul 30, 2013
  19. DaveLikesAle

    DaveLikesAle Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2006 Ohio

    Malt liquor to make you think crossing an interstate is a good idea, and the gun in case anyone objects?
     
    #19 DaveLikesAle, Jul 30, 2013
  20. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    I don't want to oversell Bilbo Baggins. I like it, my wife really likes it, half the people we know dislike or hate it. It literally is a love or hate it place. It is hard to describe why, but you will see when you get there.
     
    #20 TheFunGuy, Jul 31, 2013
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