Baltimore recommendations

Wine Source, Lighthouse liquors are the best in the city as far as bottle shops go. There are tons of other Baltimore threads that you could reference with everything you could imagine

 

When are you coming to Baltimore? Max's has several good events coming up over the next month or so.

 

Just as an FYI, OLAR is closed til the 22nd. But if you are headed here after that, it is a must! And so is Max's and Union. The ones you have listed are definitely the best places

 

Nice! Max's has a Ballast Point event going on tonight with the following beers on tap:

Victory at Sea
Victory at Sea Peanut Butter
Victory at Sea Peppermint
Victory at Sea Coconut
Dorado
Grapefruit Sculpin
Habanero Sculpin
Even Keel

It's likely that most if not all of those will still be on tap tomorrow. Union is also releasing a new sour this week:

#1: Bolo - Session Sour Ale in collaboration with Will Golden, former brewer at Frederick Brewing Company, Head Brewer & Co-founder of Austin Beerworks, Austin, TX.

Bolo is a 4.4% ABV session-style, kettle soured ale, utilizing Mosaic & Amarillo hops in the boil and dry-hopped in the fermentor. Wheat and Pilsner malts lend light biscuit & hay notes to this beer, laying the foundation for the balanced hop flavors of Mosaic & Amarillo. Notes of white peach, citrusy lemon, and dry earthy funk round out this perfectly delicate little sour ale. Bolo is a perfect compliment to smoky Texas BBQ on a hot Austin night or a dozen raw Oysters by the Chesapeake, and looks just as good with a three piece suit or your favorite pair of jeans.

Draft-only. Available this week.

While you're at Union, there's a new brewery called Waverly brewing about a block or two away. Only been there once - I wasn't overly impressed with the beer but the atmosphere was nice. I would also add Alewife to your list of bars to hit. Good food and always a good tap list that is updated frequently on beermenus.

 

Big fan of Union Craft here. Open Thur and Fri during your visit from 5-10 PM. If you're near the Light Rail, it's super easy to get there. Go north, get off at Woodberry stop, continue by walking north and to the right onto Union Ave. Through the open gated entrance to back of parking area. About 3 min walk. All beers there are solid, but Double Duckpin is top notch. Flights and shorter pours are available, as are cans of several of their offerings. No food, but taking your own or ordering in (carryout menus available) is kosher.

 

If driving make sure t hit State Line Liquors on the way down, in MD on the DE border. Excellent selection and growlers.

 

Wings and beers at Mahaffey's in Canton.

 

Mahaffey's definitely for the 3 for 7 happy hour drafts(all craft) as well as Smaltimore. 50 beers on tap and only 2.50 for a 5 oz pour of anything they have.

 

Get someone local to explain the Charm City Circulator to you. Basically, It's a free bus that goes to a variety of sections in Baltimore on what I suppose is a regular schedule. As I understand, it takes you to Fells Point, Federal Hill and many other b-more points. Between that, Uber, cabs and the Light Rail, you should be able to get around easily without any worries of "over imbibing". Have a great time!

 

Heavy Seas I hear is a enjoyable brewery experience to visit. Their beers are mixed in reviews but some are quite solid. They've been around a few years so the "hip" factor has wained a little compared to newer acts like Brewer's Art and Union. I still think H.S. makes some solid beers for what its worth.

 

Someone already said wine source. Can't recommend this place enough. Also Max's has by far the most extensive Bottle and tap list in Baltimore.

Le garage: on the same street as the wine source. Great food and tap list.

Some other places:
Pinehurst wine shoppe: small shop great inventory. Staff will talk your ear off about everything.

Canton crossing wine&liquors: you can find a lot of rarities here. A little expensive but worth it.

Grand cru: inside belvedere square. A great tap list and bottle shop. You could also get food from inside belvedere square and eat there.

 

Grand Cru: Cleaned up their space since being bought by Foodshed. They are a wine bar, but have beers in the fridge to go. Their selection used to be quite spectacular, but seems to have diminished in favor of focusing ever more on spirits and wine.
Pinehurst: Run by beer people. You can tell by the bottles they keep around their open office.
Canton Crossing: Almost no different inventory than Lighthouse Liquors, but at least everything is $1-5 more expensive.

 

I have yet to go to lighthouse maybe I should.