Thanks for inventing beer, whoever you are

We bartenders can peg most customers the moment they walk in. I’ve been working at Metropolitan in Federal Hill for almost three years and have learned that what people order says a lot about them. Sometimes it’s good; sometimes not. Luckily, we like suggesting other drinks as much as we like judging. Baltimore Beer Week, Thursday through Oct. 18, will be the perfect opportunity to ask your bartender about all those taps you’ve never tried. In the spirit of the week, I’ve listed some beers you already know and teamed with beerinbaltimore.com writer Brad Klipner to suggest local and craft beers to try as you explore Beer Week:

Right now you’re drinking…
PBR: Hipster!
Natty Boh: You’re a hipster or a blue-collar local. How is it that hipsters and dock workers have this in common? Welcome to Baltimore.
Miller High Life: The slogan “Champagne of Beers” makes you laugh just enough so you drink this.
Miller, Bud or Coors Light: Wine snobs would judge you. But you know what? We’re beer guys. So we’re just gonna suggest a few equally refreshing, even tastier brews.

What you should try: Those beers are light lagers or pilsners. Bitburger is a great German pils, while Prima Pils, from Victory in Pennsylvania, is a smooth local example. Clipper City’s uber pils, Small Craft Warning, is equally easy to drink, with a high-alcohol kick.

Right now you’re drinking…
Newcastle: You savvy import drinker, you! You’ve probably been to England, too. Maybe you even broke up with your significant other because of that cute Brit you shagged in London. Hey, it happens.

What you should try: Troegs Rugged Trail nut brown from up the street in Harrisburg, Pa., is a tasty way to show your patriotism. Like Newcastle and other nut browns, it has a strong malt presence. Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale, from Portsmouth, N.H., is another winner.
Right now you’re drinking…
Blue Moon: This is a Belgian white brewed by Coors. White beer’s lightness and slight citrus flavor make it the perfect gateway drug for those who don’t drink a lot of beer. Popular with the ladies.

What you should try: Most local breweries make seasonal whites, so look for those at the tastings this week. Allagash White, from the Allagash Brewing Co. in Maine, is one of the finest in the country. Hoegarden is the Belgian that Coors probably modeled Blue Moon on.
Right now you’re drinking…
Corona: You want a beer you can drink on the beach while listening to Kenny Chesney. You’re probably wearing sandals.

What you should try: Your love of Corona — probably all marketing. They got them some snazzy commercials, we admit, but there’s a reason most people need lime in their Corona. Why not try Germany’s summer beer: a wheat beer. In Heat Wheat, from Frederick’s Flying Dog Brewery, is a delish example.
Right now you’re drinking…
Yuengling: If you’re from Pennsylvania, you probably think “lager” and “Yuengling” are synonymous. Pennsylvanians are no longer the only ones who drink Yuengling, though. The brew’s recent explosion in regional colleges (Yuengs and wings, anyone?) means it’s popular with tons of 20-somethings. If you like Yuengling, you’re probably ready to enjoy all kinds of craft beers.

What you should try: Clipper City Gold is available at many local bars. If you’re ready for much more dangerous beer, how about Brewer’s Art’s infamous Resurrection? Clipper City’s Red Sky at Night is actually a Belgian Saison style, but trust us, you’ll like it. Lots of flavor and a surprisingly high alcohol-by-volume content.
Right now you’re drinking…
Heineken: You probably know more about European house music than your friends, or perhaps you just want the high-end cachet of a martini without the effeminate glass and high price. Are you trying to impress someone?

What you should try: Heineken is technically a European pale ale. American pale ales pack more bite, and there are hundreds of great ones. You probably already know Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Flying Dog’s Doggie Style is fun to order at a bar. If you decide you like the hops in pale ales (that’s the bitter “bite” flavor), try Clipper City’s Loose Cannon: tons of flavor and a hint of hops, but nicely balanced.
Right now you’re drinking…
Guinness: We all know those guys so in love with Guinness that you wonder whether they’re not as Irish as they say they are. Good thing most Guinness drinkers are laid-back. If this is your drink, you’d probably rather sit in a pub than grind in a club.

What you should try: There’s nothing locally made that’s quite like Guinness, but there are other good stouts such as Peg Leg from Clipper City or Oliver’s Blackfriar stout. Gonzo from Flying Dog Brewing is an imperial porter, but why not branch out? Guinness won’t be jealous. Michael Cook, Special to b

Passion pours into first Baltimore beer week

It tastes so good when it hits your lips, so why didn’t someone think of this earlier? Starting Thursday, the first Baltimore Beer Week stretches a full 10 days. Beer weeks are apparently longer than normal weeks in order to fit in all the deliciousness.

The idea began when local beer maven Joe Gold approached The Baltimore Sun’s Rob Kasper about a beer club. Soon, beer writer Alexander D. Mitchell IV and a veritable who’s-who of local brewers became involved. For them, beer is both a job and a passion, but they, like Gold, grew tired of seeing breweries and brew-pubs close. “There’s got to be a way to keep the enthusiasm alive,” he said.

Baltimore Beer Week was born. Gold compares the fest to Baltimore’s successful Restaurant Week and hopes the celebration will raise awareness of all things beer in Baltimore. Beer culture here goes back to the area’s very first European settlers. German immigrants brought their brewing traditions to Baltimore, and many of the imported beers enjoyed across the nation were marketed and tested in this port city first.

Like Baltimore itself, Baltimore Beer Week is welcoming. Though the focus is on craft brewers, beer culture isn’t exclusionary, and the brewers like it that way. “We don’t want to leave anyone out,” said Kelly Zimmerman, marketing director of Clipper City Brewing.

Chances to try new beers, both Clipper City’s and others, will be plentiful. The committee’s cautious plans have ballooned to include 64 venues and more than 330 events. These events range from multi-course beer dinners at some of the area’s finest restaurants to free tastings at liquor stores and bars throughout the city and county.

The area’s brewing community responded strongly to the idea of a Baltimore Beer Week. Now, the question is whether Baltimore’s drinkers will show up to participate. “My biggest concern is that we’ll have too many events and too few beer drinkers,” Gold said. Zimmerman, however, is confident that Baltimore’s first Beer Week won’t be its last: “All our beer drinkers are rock stars,” she said, laughing. Michael Cook, Special to b

Baltimore Beer Week highlights

Brewers Association of Maryland Kickoff Party // Thursday
Beer week’s opening tap celebration aboard the USS Constellation is sold out. Luckily, the Brewers Association and Pratt Street Ale House stepped up to fill the void. $10 gets you a pint glass, food and your first beer. All of Beer Week’s participating breweries will be on tap, and Maryland’s brewing royalty will surely be present. The party goes from 8 p.m. until you call for a taxi. 206 W. Pratt St., downtown.

Maryland Oktoberfest // Saturday
Advance tickets are $18 ($25 at the door) and get you a mug, six beer tokens and entry for a whole day of drinking. The fest runs noon-8 p.m. at the Timonium fairgrounds. Porkers can finally get respect in the biggest beer belly competition, Frauleins can earn victory in the Miss Oktoberfest contest and everyone can laugh at the carry-your-wife competition. This year also features a new free shuttle from the light rail station. Did somebody say wasted?

Tap Making Tour // Saturday and Oct. 17
Twice during the week, Mark Supik will give tours of his Highlandtown workshop and explain how artistic tap handles are created. Go buy some old tap handles and pay your respects. Without tap handles, we couldn’t get the beer out. 1 N. Haven St.

Blues and Brews Night at the 8×10 //  Oct. 14
Nothing goes better with beer than blues. The 8×10 should be the perfect venue for this show, which runs 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Clipper City will provide the beer; Big Daddy Stallings & The Bluez Evolution Band and Black Falls will provide the blues. Entry is $10 and gets you your first beer. Smart money says this puppy will sell out, so pick up tickets ahead of time. 10 E. Cross St., Federal Hill.

Chesapeake Real Ale Festival // Oct. 17
Real Ale is a name for beer served without the aid of the canned carbon dioxide that runs conventional taps. The kegs, called firkins, come filled with all sorts of beers. You’ll find beers taste better on the firkin. Plus, firkin is a fun word to say. Pratt Street Ale House is sure to fill up with hop-heads, beer fanatics and those who want to find out more. $35 gets you a souvenir mug and unlimited samples. The party runs noon-6 p.m. Sounds like the makings of a great day drunk. Michael Cook, Special to b

Beer Week schedule

The full schedule, found at baltimorebeerweek.com, consists of more than 330 events! Lots of bars around town will be offering pint nights and great happy hours. Even better, there are free tastings all over the city and county every day of the week. Some of the other great events to look for:

thu
Two-Course Beer Dinner: 5-10 p.m. Jack’s Bistro, 3123 Elliott St., Canton. $20. Food and beer pairings will be offered, with selections rotating throughout the week.
Christopher Daniel Beer Week Celebration: 5 p.m.-close. 106 W. Padonia Road, Timonium. Pay as you go. Beer specials and beer cocktails paired with a beer-inspired menu. Runs all week.

fri
Clipper City Steal the Pint Night: 5-8 p.m. Kooper’s Tavern, 1702 Thames St., Fells Point. Pay as you go. Meet the Clipper City & Heavy Seas crew for free stuff.

sat
Baltimore Running Festival Post-Race Party: 3 p.m. Pickle’s Pub, 520 Washington Blvd., Downtown. Pay as you go.
Post Fairgrounds Oktoberfest Celebration: Starts 9:30 p.m. An Poitin Stil, 2323 York Road, Timonium. Pay as you go. Live music by Jimmy Coan.

sun
Red Brick Beer Brunch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Red Brick Station, 8149 Honeygo Blvd., White Marsh. $19.95 beer brunch.
Irish Beer Brunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. An Poitin Stil. Cost TBD.

mon
Beer Breakfast with B. United Imports: 10:30 a.m. Metropolitan, 902 S. Charles St., Federal Hill. Call for pricing.
Beer Pioneers of Baltimore Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Bertha’s, 734 S. Broadway, Fells Point. $25 (includes tax and tip).
Pickles Pub/Whiskey Island BBQ Beer Dinner: 7-10 p.m. Pickles Pub. $30 per person or $100 four-pack.
Alonso’s Everything Great About Baltimore Party: 4-10 p.m. Alonso’s, 415 W. Cold Spring Lane, Roland Park. Pay as you go.
Honeygo Harvest Fest Beer Gala: 7-9 p.m. Honeygo Wine and Spirits, 5004 Honeygo Center Drive, Perry Hall. $15 (food; all you can drink).

tue
Brew Day @ Red Brick Station: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $25. Spend a day brewing with the brewers. Includes breakfast, lunch and beer.
Bus Trip to the Flying Dog Brewery: 2-7 p.m. Mahaffey’s Pub, 2706 Dillon St., Canton. $20 includes pint glass and beer.
Follow the Liter – Timonium Tavern Tour: 6 p.m.-TBD. Begins at Michael’s Cafe, 2119 York Road, Timonium. Pay as you go.
Sierra Nevada Harvest Beer Dinner: 7-10 p.m. Pickles Pub. $30 per person or $100 four-pack.
Unibroue Beer Dinner w/ Jay Jones: 7 p.m. Metropolitan. Call for pricing.
Flying Dog Beer Dinner: 7-10 p.m. Diamondback Tavern, 3733 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City. $45.
Heavy Seas Beer Dinner: 7 p.m. Mother’s Federal Hill Grill, 1113 S. Charles St. $45.
Special Beer Trivia Night: 8:30-11 p.m. Wharf Rat, 801 S. Ann St., Fells Point. Pay as you go.

oct 14
Flying Dog Brewers Brunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Pickles Pub. $30 per person or $100 four-pack.
Prix Fixe Six Course Beer Dinner: 5 p.m.-close. Brewer’s Art, 1106 N. Charles St., Mount Vernon. $50 plus tax and tip.
Pratt Street Beer Dinner: Time TBD. Pratt Street Ale House. $45.

oct 15
Flying Dog Scavenger Hunt: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Canton Square. Free.
Heavy Seas Beer & Oyster Pairing: 6-8 p.m. Ryleigh’s Oyster, 36 E. Cross St., Federal Hill. Pay as you go.
Prix Fixe Six-Course Beer Dinner: 5 p.m.-close. Brewer’s Art. $50 plus tax and tip.
Rare Italian Beer Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Corks, 1026 S. Charles St., Federal Hill. $75.
Samuel Adams Belgian Beer Dinner: 7-10 p.m. Pickles Pub. $30 per person or $100 four-pack.
Red Brick Beer Dinner: 7 p.m. $45 MugClub members; $55 public.
Specialty Beer Trivia Night: 8-11 p.m. Max’s Taphouse, 735 S. Broadway, Fells Point. Pay as you go.

oct 17
Bay Ridge Oktoberfest: Noon-6 p.m. Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits, 111 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis. $10.
Clipper City Brewery Tour: 1-2:30 p.m. 4615 Hollins Ferry Road, Suite B, Halethorpe. Free.
Baltimore Beer Tap Making Tour: 1-3 p.m. Mark Supik & Co. Free.

oct 18
Brewing Made Easy: 10 a.m. Pratt Street Ale House. Pay as you go. Learn to brew your own beer.

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