Baltimore Brews?

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

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/good-local-beers-in-baltimore.98975/#post-1452569

That should do you.

Remember, the search function is your friend. :-)

 

The two threads include info on most of the better local options. Flying Dog, Evolution, Stillwater, etc. There's also Clipper City/Heavy Seass as well (loose cannon, peg leg, etc).

Just my two cents, but probably a better question would be where to find a good selection of craft beer in the area. Almost any place you go, I would simply recommend that you ask the folks working there what you asked in this forum. You have some information now, so you could start off by saying that you heard Flying Dog, Brewer's Art, Heavy Sea's, Evolution, Stillwater are good local producers... what do they have in an IPA, Stout (or whatever style you like) that they could recommend. Is there anything else they might recommend?

I assume you'll be driving in via I-68, so you have some options in terms of places to stop along the way. I don't know where you're staying in town, but it might be worth your while to just stop and pick something up along the way. As you come into Maryland from WV, McHenry beverage in Mchenry has a very good selection of craft beer, and once you get closer into town you might want to consider places like Jason's, Pine Orchard, and the Perfect Pour. The latter store has one of the best selections of craft beer in the state (and is fairly close to the Merriweather pavillion), just keep in mind that their prices tend to be some of the higher ones you'll encounter as well. Corridor Wine and Spirits (it's a Total Wine store now) also has a fairly decent selection with better prices than the PP (and only abouut 15 minutes from the pavillon). Otherwise, check Beerfly (places) for some of the better stores near wherever you're staying. Generally speaking, the better stores in and around Baltimore include the Wine Source, Shawan, Beltaway, Honeygo and Well's. Fishpaws is excellent as well, but that's probably too far a drive for you.

Unless you don't mind driving all over the place, I'd check to see whichever place is closest to where you're staying, and just go there. Other than the Perfect Pour, there shouldn't be too much of a price varation from any of the places I just listed. Good luck.

Edit/Note: Unfortunately, my opinion pretty much matches that of DeutschesBier, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some decent local options. Brewer's Art makes some good stuff (mostly belgian style beers), as does Evolution. Some of the saisons from Stillwater are pretty tasty, and the gonzo and some of the double dog variations from Flying Dog are good. The Loose Cannon IPA from Heavy Seas is serviceable, if not exactly mind blowing. If none of that will work for you, there's always Ballast Point, Firestone walker, troegs, weyerbacher, maine brewing, and Bear republic stuff (just to name a few examples), so I think you should be able to make do.

 

I think your opinion is just reality

I was just thinking.... when I go to Max's, Alewife or Hudson St. Stackhosue (the top taphouses in Baltimore in terms of number of tap handles), how often do I order a Maryland beer? Pretty much never. Sure, if Stillwater, Burley, Evolution or Duclaw have just come out with some new DIPA, saison, or barrel aged beer, I'll want to try it (as I do like to support the local beer scene), but otherwise I get what I feel is the most tasty, enjoyable beer on the menu. At a bar with 30 tap handles or more, at least for me, that's almost never a Maryland beer. I'm willing to bet that's the same reaction a lot of folks have when they visit those beer bars.

 

If you have time for it, or are just feeling a bit adventuresome, keep Frisco's taphouse and brewery in mind while you're there. They have a very good draft selection, with passable pub grub and the like for food. Prices there are a bit high, but then you ARE staying in Howard County. Have fun!

http://www.friscogrille.com/beers.php