Must visit breweries/bars Baltimore ?

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https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/beer-places-in-baltimore.576437/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/baltimore-in-june.562345/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/relocating-to-the-baltimore-md-area.551183/

 

Checkerspot is a new brewery I think is worth checking out. Really solid beers with nice beer diversity.

They don't have a kitchen but have foods trucks often.

 

Funny you mention, because I had their Juniper IPA at Max's and while the brewery was on BA, none of their beers were listed.

 

The Brewer's Art would be my go to if you could only go to one. Beer's great and the food is really good. The place has a nice vibe as well.

Other notable choices Flying Dog, Heavy Seas, DuClawthey just opened up Guinness's Gateway brewery, you could always head to Dogfish head - but it's kind of a hike from Baltimroe

 

Breweries worth a visit: Union, Diamondback, Monument City

Bars worth a visit: Max's, Wet City, Wiley Gunter's

 

Chaps Pit Beef

 

Recommended bars: Max's Taphouse, Wet City, Of Love and Regret (Stillwater Artisnal's pub), Brewers Art (decent beers but great atmosphere)

Recommended stores: Wine Source and Bo Brooks Lighthouse Liquors

Restaurants: Thames Street Oyster House, Food Market, Cinghale, Bygone (mainly for view), Salt, City Cafe

Since OP is from Mass here are a couple breweries to look out for down here that you won't be able to get up there: Burley Oak (Jream obviously), RAR, Commonwealth, Ardoit Theory

 

Where do you get Commonwealth in this area (other than shares/trades)?!

He may actually be familiar with them, they do limited distro in Mass.

 

I'm in DC now so I don't know if Commonwealth distros to Baltimore. There are a bunch of places to grab them around DC/NOVA though.

 

Cross posted:

I’m staying at the Renaissance inner harbor in a few weeks - how safe is it for me to walk solo to Diamondback, Max’s, Brewers Art, OLAR? I don’t mind walking a lot and grew up in NYC in a tough era so I know my way around but don’t want to get myself in trouble out of ignorance. Probably wouldn’t be super late but likely after dark (early evenings). Locals do tell.

 

I think you should be fine @toblerone. There's nothing sketchy along those routes. Hit OLAR first if you can and then work your way back through Fell's Point. Diamondback is a separate trip unless you're planning to swim as well. I'd also consider eating at the Brewer's Art, which is north of you and a short trip in it's own. At least check out the basement bar.

 

I was at a conference in the Inner Harbor in Summer 2017 and walked to all of those places...that's a lot of walking. Likely three separate days (you could pair OLAR with Max's). I think the routes are relatively safe.

 

Thanks guys. There for a conference myself and there’s slim to no chance I do all of this, but hope to at least hit one or two spots.

 

I don't know if it's active year-round or every night, but there is a water taxi that runs from the inner harbor to Fells Point.

Fells Point now has a bunch of high end condo buildings with yuppies so the area around Max's is definitely safe, and the area between there and the Inner Harbor (Little Italy and Harbor East) have gentrified as well.

 

Bird and Lime scooters are abundant in the city now, should make your commutes easier.

Diamondback will be a hike from most everything else you talked about, and I haven't been thrilled with their latest stuff. If you do hit Diamondback, I'd recommend Wiley Gunter's which is very close.

I'd suggest skipping Diamondback and check out Wet City (Mount Vernon) since you will be nearby with Brewer's Art. Stellar tap list and they have started brewing as well (all IPA thus far). I've only had their debut release but I enjoyed it.

EDIT: As far as safety, your travels shouldn't take you into any sketchy neighborhoods, but always be aware. Crime happens all over this city. Keep your head up and focused and on a swivel. If something feels off with a group approaching you (especially if you're traveling alone), switch sides of the street or avoid them. You should be fine, but it never hurts to be safe. I've done the walk from my apartment near Diamondback to Max's (during the day) without issue. It is long though, ~45 minutes plus (unless you take the ferry which makes it like 30).

 

Any decent bottle shops within a reasonable walking distance from inner harbor? Already looking forward to hitting state line on the way back...

 

Lighthouse liquors in Canton but it would be a solid walk from the harbor.