Saturday April 14th marked the 16th annual City Paper Brew Fest. With a sunny sky and temperatures in the 70s, festival-goers could not have asked for a better day to enjoy tasting brews outside, just off the water in Fells Point. This year the festival was expanded allowing more room for attendees to soak up the rays (and some suds, of course.) The selection of beers ranged greatly from uninteresting and unflavorful to new and unique. Here are a few that fit into the latter category:
Brewer’s Alley “IPA” – This is an English style India Pale Ale from Brewer’s Alley, located in Frederick, Maryland. Typically, English style IPAs are less aggressively hopped than American IPAs, with different hop varieties. This beer is a pleasant light orange color with a thin white head. The malt comes through first providing flavors of grains and bread. These flavors fade to citrus flavors with oranges noticeable. This beer was very easy to drink – I would gladly enjoy a couple.
Flying Dog “Disobedience Abbey Dubbel” – This is the newest beer in Flying Dog’s Brewhouse Rarities series and their take on a the Belgian Trappist style ale. It is dark reddish brown and immediately sweet on the tongue, but not cloying or syrupy. The sweetness evolves to a big dark cherry taste. There is a slight spiciness in the finish. This beer is quite enjoyable to sip on.
Sprecher “Special Amber” – Sprecher is not a local brewery (Wisconsin), but they are new to the Baltimore beer scene, with distribution here beginning only a few months ago. This brew is their take on a Vienna style Lager. The beer is dark amber in color with a medium body. I was told by the brewery representative that there are 13 types of malt used in this brew and the malt was certainly well-showcased in this beer. Flavors of bread and toasted malt dominate with just enough hops to balance the sweetness and provide a slight bite in the finish. This beer is reminiscent of malty German beers.
If you missed this festival, grab your tickets for one of the upcoming festivals in Baltimore! On April 22, Mother’s Federal Hill Grille will host the 1st annual Charm City Beer Wars where ticket holders can taste and vote for their favorite Maryland brewed craft beer. The next weekend, on April 28, the Pratt Street Ale House will host its Spring Real Ale Festival. This is a “can’t miss” for beer buffs as the Ale House reliably secures special cask conditioned beers, many of which are difficult to impossible to find elsewhere. Get to these festivals, drink local and try some new brews!
