Max's Rare and Obscure Part 6

Yeah, I only really know Bob there (I think he owns it?). I always make sure to tip well (I'm pretty sure that is what the bell is for, so far I think I've gotten it rung each time). I think I know who Casey is though. I need to get to know the other bartenders.

I'm debating making these lists into clickable links, so people can see the ratings much easier.

 

I love these types of events but I am still at that point that I still don't know a ton of these breweries and I am lacking in funds being a college kid. I only recognize: Allagash, boulevard, Burley Oak, Deschutes, Elysian, evil twin, evolution, FiftyFifty, fw, hitachino, mikkeller, Nogne, Rogue, sam adams, schlafly, Sierra Nevada, union. I mean out of the Special Session, I only know Mikkeller and Maine. However, Gray Jacket sounds great.

I will most likely get Burley Oak Delight, BA Narwhal (never had regular Narwhal though), Flying Dog Pineapple Saison, and 1000 IBU. Sticking with what I know. I am always on the lookout for new Burley Oak (missed the Strawberry Blonde ). I am so glad that Max's does samples (unlike Frisco's).

I feel like most of the bottles will probably be around for a while and I am only really interested in B.Nektar Episode 13: B.Nektar Strikes Back and FW XV. Also, those Terra Incognita sound great.

So, what time are people going on Friday (and the rest of the weekend)? I got 3 parties on Saturday to go to, so won't be by probably unless it is earlier in the day. Also, what are people really interested in getting and what is the rarest stuff on here?

p.s. I know of a place near me that has 2 2011 Sam Adams Infinium, each one is $25. I passed and got their last Squall and Fort instead. They aren't going anywhere soon (considering the place), should I pick one up?

 

Personally, I would leave that Infinium sit there. It wasn't very good fresh, and I don't see it aging very well.

 

Looks like your go to place is still down for renovations, Watergate has been closed since like 2007 due to fumbling plans and neighbor protests.

 

Max's Facebook page just posted that there are spots avail for Sat bottle tasting. Says to respond to FB post.

 

I just got in to the "rare tasting" Via e-mail after they add me to the e-mail list. anyone know how much this is going to cost? Is it at 1 o'clock Saturday? CaptFrothy?

 

The email confirming my spot lays out the details:
Max’s will be hosting a special tasting on Saturday June 22 at 1pm in our Mobtown Lounge (Upstairs)
There is no cost to reserve a space. You pay for what you drink. We will have 19 very rare, bottle beers for this tasting and will be serving the bottles by the glass( 4 ½ oz glasses).Some of these beers are extremely expensive, so prices will vary on the beers.

 

U don't have to have any reservations to come to MAXS tonight do you? Hope not as I just got into Baltimore and really excite to go to the rare and obscure beer event tonight around 730pm.

 

Nope no reservations ever. No costs for the Saturday session, except for the beers. See Capt Fropthy and magnumpoppy tomorrow. I'll see zrab11 around 7:30 then.

 

Some favs from today:
Both of the Bahnhoff Berliner Weisse were pretty sour, much more so than the regular version.
Nogne O Global Pale (4.5%,13 diff hops)
Burley Oak Afternoon Delight (2.7%,70IBU)
Amager/Mikkeller Hr Frederikson Voesel Brunch (Blend Beer Geek Brunch Weasel & Amager Hr Frederikson)
Dunham/Kissmeyer Leo's Early Breakfast (6.2% IPA w Nelson Sauvin/Earl Grey Tea/Gauva Purée)
The Sierra Nevada Fungoo was interesting (Experimental Ale w Shitake Mushrooms & Wild Rice)

To answer an earlier question The Mikkeller 1000 IBU was delivered yesterday and is super fresh according to Casey.
Very relaxed afternoon at Max's on a beautiful day. See everyone tomorrow.

 

I was there from 7:40 to 9:00 and got to meet zrab11 and his wife. I got:

B.Nektar Episode 13:B.Nektar Strikes Back (like 6 oz. for $6, but it is a mead of 17.8% and I thought it was a cider. still good though)
Burley Oak Afternoon Delight (2.7%, 70 IBU) I had to ask about the ABV. Ridiculous hop profile for that ABV, much better than DuClaw's Oz and Flying Dog's Easy Ipa. Not watery at all.
Evil Twin/Westbrook/Local Option Plastic Man Decent. Haven't had too many saisons though. I'm a sucker for Evil Twin though.
Amager/Mikkeller Hr Frederikson Voesel Brunch (Blend Beer Geek Brunch Weasel & Amager Hr Frederikson) My bartender swore she gave me this but it didn't taste like a stout at all to me. It tasted like a great black IPA with a good, slightly sweet malt character.
Ruination Tropical Heat Excellent. Quite spicy. I got no mango, but it was delicious.
Struise Cuvee Delphine I got this because someone else said they were excited by it and it was delicious, even at 13%. There is no alcohol taste whatsoever. It is brilliant.

Dr. Bier, what did you think of the Brunch? My friend got the Nogne Global and I thought the Fungoo and Early Breakfast looked interesting. Glad to hear about the 1000 IBU, can't wait. Also, are you going to the special tasting at 1 or at another time?

p.s. Fall migration tomorrow (not what I asked about), ola subject tomorrow (?), narwhal tomorrow, 1000 ibu tomorrow, plastic man on now, delight on now, shark pants on sunday. I forgot to ask about Flying Dog's Pineapple Saison. This is what Max's told me about my wants. Also, I don't think they are getting Spring Migration .

p.s.s. For people going to the tasting tomorrow, I think I will be wearing a dark blue shirt and light blue shorts.

 

See yah at the tasting. I am James and I will be wearing a grey ball cap that says Michigan Tech on it. So introduce yourselves as I just moved to the area not too long ago!

 

Gillagorilla, I def got moderate coffee, not as much hops as you seemed to get, also not real heavy on the roasted malt flavor or big mouthfeel like you might expect from a big stout. The Cuvee Delphine was nice, surprisingly light bourbon taste from the 4 Roses barrel. I'll be at Max's upstairs & down, wearing either an Al's of Hampden workshirt or a Kryptonite tee. Look forward to meeting some BAs.

 

Spent two hours at Max's yesterday afternoon. Great event. So many beers I have never seen before and will likely never see again. Highlights include La Socarrada (pale ale with rosemary, crazy) and Naparbier Pumpkin Tsar (pumpkin stout with habaneros, crazier). Both from Spain. Always a fan of Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien, and yesterday was no different. Overall a great time. Wish I could make it back tonight.

 

I've never left there disappointed. I can't imagine tonight would be any different, take the trip

 

Friday was awesome and nothing I asked for was kicked (I was there until 11). There seemed to be more people there just to have a good time than people there for the event, which is fine by me, even with the group of guido bros acting like fools.
So many great beers. The stand-outs were Ruin trop heat, Struise Delphine (so smooth for 13%), Voesel Brunch, Plastic Man, Parabola (never had it on tap before), and the Spanish pumpkin pepper stout.
Wish I could go back, but I certainly enjoyed Friday night to the max.

 

Wow, I need to go home at some point. Working on beer #51 for the weekend (rivaling 72 Hrs), today Cantillon Gueze on tap, the Struise/Three Floyd Shark Pants, Het Nest Dead Man Wine Barrel are some highlights so far today with many temptations left. Thanks to the guy (sorry I forgot your name) who brought the Dark Lord, New Glarus Cranberry Lambic, and other goodies to the upstairs bottle event yesterday, as well as Casey for another killer event and breaking out some of his personal R&O bottles to share. Max's Taphouse, the BEST beer bar anywhere IMO.