Welcome back you handsome devil

So it's not craft beer. Heck, it's not even GOOD beer. But as a proud Murr-lender (that's "Maryland" for those of you that speak standard American English), I got just a tad misty when I learned that National Bohemian would return to taps around the Ball-mer (again, that's "Baltimore") area for the first time since the mid-90s.

Now I've often heard the ridicule about how the Old Line State doesn't have much going for her when it comes to cultural icons. We've got ... uhhh, crabs ... lacrosse ... and Old Bay ... errr, that's about it, for the most part. But let it not be forgotten that Baltimore was once indeed a major player in American brewing. So welcome back you dapper 'ol chap ... may your monocle sparkle bright, and your beer provide moderate amounts of pleasure at an affordable price for the masses once again.

Why beer? (plus some reviews)

I suppose I’ve had decent exposure to craft beers and imports ever since my college days. Despite my fratty past, it wasn’t all kegstands of Red Dog and shotguns of Beast. A Sam Adams here, a Sierra Nevada there. Even a few Hitachino Nest beers. But it’s only been within the last five years that my appreciation for better beers crystallized into a full-blown hobby (obsession?). It was only a matter of time probably. I’ve been very much into whiskeys of all kinds, and wine as well. With my ex-pastry chef wife and deli-owning parents, food is very important to me, and what meal is complete without a perfectly complementary beverage?

No Beer For Me!

While at the delightful La Trappe, I picked up a copy of Beer West Magazine, on recommendation from the bartender.

Bartender: "Have you read 'Beer West' before? There are some great articles in there about the brewing community."
Me: "NO WHAT'S THAT?"
Bartender: "A beer magazine. Gratis. Just grab a copy."
(umpteenth reason why La Trappe is fantastic...they have copies of "Beer West" just lying around).

So I did pick up BW, and it's a great find. The magazine focuses in on bars, breweries, brewers, and beer news along the West Coast. Recently, they branched out the publication to encompass California (the BW used to be called "Beer Northwest"). In the most recent issue, the writers tackle New Orleans beer/breweries, Monterrey beer/breweries, the Portland food scene, the British Columbia beer scene, and the importance of cleaning tap lines, to name a few. Also of note was a question to "Beer Expert Annie Brewer" (see "The List", a regular column). Sam from Everett, WA, wrote, "My girlfriend says she doesn't like beer. Can you recommend a beer that will change her mind?"

City Beer: Like Mecca, Only You Can Drink

Welcome to "Talk Suds to Me." This blog is specifically about beer. All kinds of beer. There may be the occasional off-topic anecdote (when the situation calls for it- like when I unintentionally set the oven on fire in the house where I am dog-sitting, while trying to cook a meal for my family.) But, don't look for an answer to "what is the meaning of life?" What I CAN tell you is that I'm 100% convinced life is justthatmuch! better with good brew and good friends. So, on to it...