Best Beer Bars

Black Flag Social House 2050 Marriottsville Rd Marriottsville, MD 21104 (410) 304-3335 Black Flag Social House is a taproom and outlet for Black Flag Brewery in Columbia, Maryland. Although we now have it listed as a beer bar, it will soon have to be listed as a brewery, as the brewing equipment is visible on the left as you enter. The L-shaped bar seats about 12, and there are many tables seating about 200 in the large taproom. Most of these seats were filled early on a Sunday evening. There is also a deck in back overlooking woods, that will seat 50 more souls in warm weather. Let's talk beer. The Social House has 20 on tap including lagers, a wheat, Imperial Stouts, 4 IPA's, and barrel-aged brews, and 2 barleywines. Something for everyone. I found the amber lager and Imperial ESB to be excellent. Most of the 20 taps rotate. Both of my bartenders, Falon and Dominique, were friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to help me with beer selections and information about Black Flag. There were a row of bottles behind the bar. The Social House also has a variety of whiskies available for your consumption. If drinking makes you hungry, take a look at their food menu including an inclusive selection of plates, boards, sandwiches, sides, and pizzas. Black Flag Social House is certainly a fun and popular place, and you can take some of their cold beer home in cans

	The Rathskeller 5782 Main St. Elkridge, MD 21075 (410) 796-1530 The Rathskeller is a German Restaurant located in Elkridge, and as such, they feature a fine menu of German food and Bier. With today's preponderance of American microbrews, it is always refreshing to get back to your Bier roots, and drink some German and German-style Biers. The venue is in the basement of an attractive building on a residential street in Downtown Elkridge, just off of Levering Avenue . The bar in the restaurant area seats about 6 patrons, while there is seating for maybe 36 more at cozy booths and tables. The Rathskeller also has picnic tables on an attractive patio outside, which appeared to be a very suitable option in pleasant weather. Germanic memorabilia pervades the venue, but adds to, rather than clutters up the atmosphere. Let's get to the Bier. There were 5 drafts on tap, including a Pils, hefeweizen, kellerbier, Kolsch, and an IPA. The bottle list was more than ample, offering Bavarian Lagers, Pilsner, Dunkel, Vienna , Fastenbier, Bocks, and more. There are also wines and cocktails. One can also get Biers to go, and get a discount if they purchase 6 or more. The Rathskeller also promotes a Late-Night Happy hour, featuring specials on their Kolsch, and Hofbrau Munich Lager. Whether you're there for the Bier, the food, or both, it's worth the trip to quaint little Elkridge to get your taste of German Gemütlichkeit.

Owen's Ordinary
Pike & Rose
11820 Trade Street
North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 245-1226

Owen's Ordinary is an upscale beer bar and gastropub located in the DC suburb of North Bethesda, formerly East Rockville.
Owen's Ordinary is a large establishment, with seating both indoors and outdoors in the beer garden.
The bar seats about 16 patrons, with room for possibly 40 more at booths and tables.
There are several large rooms beyond the bar for those who prefer a quieter dining experience.
Guests at the indoor bar sit facing folks sitting outdoors at the bar, who are served through large open windows.
The beer selection of 50 drafts and about 150 bottles is extremely well thought out.
The drafts are listed on a menu, complete with a description, style, ABV, size of pour, and type of glass for each beer.
Crystal, our bartender, was amiable, professional, and eager to answer any questions we may have had about the bar and the brews.
Conveniently located off routes 270 and 495, Owen's Ordinary looks like a must for any thirsty Questor.

Old Town Pour House 212 Ellington Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 963-6281 Old Town Pour House is one of a Chicago-based group of establishments, most of which are located in Illinois. The restaurant/bar is located in the new Downtown Crown section of Gaithersburg. The long bar seats about 30 patrons, and there are many tables and booths. There is also patio seating outside. But let's get to the beers. Old Town Pour House offers 90 different drafts, 14 of which rotate. The selection is well-chosen and balanced. The man who chooses the drafts is Daniel, the General Manager, and he was glad to explain to us about the Pour House. All the beers are listed on a large chart that takes up an entire wall. They are also listed in the menu. All the brews are listed with prices for the 6- or 12-ounce pour, as well as the ABV. Aleida, our bartender, was very helpful in explaining our food and beer choices, and seemed to be very informed about the beers she pours. Old Town Pour House is a gem in this brand new area of Montgomery County.

Bavarian Brauhaus
7304 Pkwy Dr S
Hanover, MD 21076
(410) 712-0300

American craft beers are in abundance today and this is superb. But where can I go to find a nice selection of German imports on tap?
No farther than Bavarian Brauhaus in Hanover, MD.
Bavarian Brauhaus is located just off Route 100, between Route 1 and the B.W. Parkway.
The bar/restaurant boasts authentic German food and beer, and is owned by the Blob's Park family.
The long 3-sided bar seats about 20, with seating for about 40 more patrons at tables.
There is a separate dining room adjacent to the barroom.
Brauhaus has eight drafts on tap...5 German imports, 2 Maryland brews, and a cider.
The weekday Happy Hour features $2 off drafts.
The German drafts were served in authentic German glassware, although I don't know if the styles always matched.
Na ja.
Undecided drinkers can get a flight of 4 drafts,
I had 2 large pours of Hacker-Pschorr Maibock and Hofbrau Oktoberfest which were wunderbar.
My sausage platter contained and outstanding selection, and, there were tiny Bavarian flags to tell you which wurst were which.
Bavarian Brauhaus...it ain't exactly Germany, but it's easy to get to.

Frisco Tap House
2406 Brandermill Blvd
Gambrills, MD 21054
443.292.4075

Frisco Tap House in Crofton is the sister bar of the original Frisco Tap House, a brew pub in Columbia.
The first thing you'd notice about the Frisco in Crofton is the parking...acres and acres of parking. This is still a vexing problem in Columbia.
The new store is set up just like the old one. To the immediate left of the entrance there is a door into the bar area.
The bar area is as deep as the separate dining area and perhaps another business bay wider than the old one, maybe 50% bigger.
The bar itself stretches most of the way across.
There are two great tables separating the other tables from the bar.
The ceiling is much lower so that the TV's are only one set high, and adjacent to each other down the length of the bar.
The beer list is on three screens, on both side walls of the room.
With so many beers (106 taps!) on the list though, the print is small, and hard to see, even close up.
Most patrons seemed to be pulling up the list on their phones.
Way to the left is a separate area with couches and a throne, about the size of your living room.
Push beers were sold out when I was there.
The new Frisco is at least as noisy as the other place, and was about half full on a Sunday afternoon.

	Old Dominion Brewhouse University Town Center 6504 America Blvd. Hyattsville, MD 301-887-1818 This is Questor hell. When Tony Soprano was shot, he was stranded in an awful hotel bar where he hovered between life and death. Had he hovered here at ODB in Hyattsville he would have chosen death, an option not open to me on the day of my visit. My fate was much worse... FIFA soccer in a pick-up lounge inside the DC Beltway. I do not like this place. It looks like a Bar Rescue episode. I am looking for John Tapper to turn this into a theme bar. The bar is tucked into the crotch of a high-rise office building a block off the street that gives it its address. It is not a drive-by find but no one would drive by here anyway. American Boulevard is one of those streets that is more pedestrian plaza than street. I enter. It takes the brain two nanoseconds to say, “Lounge” and only one nanosecond to say, “Ewwww.” There is a slightly wavy bar that seats about 20. Behind the bar is a row of bar seats lined up at a wall with a drink shelf that separates the bar action from the tables that fill the rest of the place. The bottom half of the walls are faux stone blocks, the floors are tile, the upper walls are painted different colors depending on where you look. About 20 TVs show Brazil vs Mexico in the World Cup. I am alone and wonder why I stay, then I hear Homer's voice in my ear, “Beeeer,” he says. There are eight OD's on tap and 23 guest taps that are mostly macros and popular smaller beers like Blue Moon. Stone IPA and Dogfishead 60 minutes are two pleasant surprises. I ask for a small Double D IPA and my barmaid presses a large on me for the happy hour price of $.50 for 22 ounces. The beer is treacley sweet in the first sip and the second sip reminds me how amazingly misleading the assault of a first sip on the palate can be. As I settle into my beer and seat the place is screaming "pick-up joint" not "come in and have a beer joint." The clientele is black, white and Asian; all look like movie extras, but no doubt so do I. Firebombs slide across the bar, strawberry margaritas are popular, and one man orders a Yuengling. This place has a sushi menu and I wonder who in their right mind would order sushi here? I appeal to the TV for relief, a fatal mistake. The yellow shirts chase the ball or the red shirts; no one gets close to either the goal. In all the time a really slow beer takes, no one even took a shot at the goal. Here is what I do like about this horrific short pants no scoring sport. Once they started it they did not stop it to let bullfrogs talk of for ice climbers to deliver beers. I invested an hour at this joint and lost big time on my investment. I did, however, learn that I would be happy to die in a USA where 7% of the people cared about the World Cup and that there are things worse than death, this ODB and soccer to name one of them.

Oscar's Alehouse
1438 Liberty Road
Eldersburg, MD 21784
(410) 795-7001

Oscar's Alehouse is located in the Eldersburg Plaza Shopping Center on Liberty Road.
Oscar's large bar seats about 22 patrons, and there are three or four other large rooms in which to drink and dine.
Oscar's beer list is impressive, with 36 taps, 16 of which rotate. All selections appeared to be American craft beers.
Twenty or so bottles and cans round out the choices.
For those who wish to sample a wide variety of microbrews, Oscar's offers several different varieties of flights.
Oscar's Alehouse is a superb venue in which to get a bite and drink a beer in an area where suburbs meet farmland.
Oscar's also has locations in Frederick and Pasadena.

Park Tavern
580 Ritchie Highway Severna Park, MD 21409
(410) 793-5930

Park Tavern is situated in a Strip Mall along Richie Highway in Severna Park.
The large, metal-topped bar seats about 2 dozen patrons.
The venue is discreetly divided up into dining areas both large and small, with tables and booths.
Park Tavern, a sister bar of Pratt Street Ale House and Ale House Columbia, has 32 taps, including 2 casks and 4 nitrogen pours.
Approximately half the beers are Oliver's products.
Black and white subway tiles aptly decorate this industrial-suburban neighborhood tavern.
Park Tavern was noisy and busy early on a Saturday evening.
Both the casual beer drinker or the experienced Questor should be able to fill their needs from the beer list, which is printed on paper, listing the ABV, and the prices for 5, 12, and 16-ounce pours.
It's always nice to know the price.

Severna Park Tap House
58 W Earleigh Heights Rd
Severna Park , MD 21146
(410) 793-5759

The Severna Park Tap House is the latest iteration of what appears to have been a road house.
The property is probably a half-acre, with addional parking on the lot next door, and is off the beaten path in an otherwise residential neighborhood.
Previously a motorcycle bar, the interior still sports a biking motif.
Through the main door to the vestibule, one encounters a large chalk board that lists the 28 or so beers on tap.
To the right is a smallish dining area with about 8 fair-sized tables. The tables are part of the structure as they are bolted both to the floor as well as the wall.
Out the picture windows to the rear, one can see a large formal patio area with it's own small bar, and also a grassy area with picnic tables.
To the other side of the vestibule is a large bar area. The three-sided bar seats maybe 15 or so, but there is plenty of standing around room as well as two pool tables.
The food was good but particularly pricey, and the beers cost as much as any where else.

9th Street Taphouse
Bar & Grill
3 9th St
Ocean City, Maryland
443-664-2641

Yes, Virginia...and Maryland and Delaware too, you can get a great selection of craft beer in the thriving resort town of Ocean City!
9th Street Taphouse is the sister bar of the 45th Street Taphouse on Ocean Highway, and also the 4th Street Taphouse.
If your strolling the boardwalk on a hot summer day, or on the prowl for some tasty microbrews, the Taphouse would be a pleasant place in which to stop.
They offer 36 taps, about half of which constantly rotate, and ample seating.

There are Tap House locations on 45th Street, 137th Street, and in West Ocean City.

But It doesn't look like there is still a Tap House on 9th Street.

Pizza Tugos & Taproom
Rt 50 & 611
West Ocean City
410-524-2922

Pizza Tugos is one of Ocean City's premier pizza venues.
Tugos has three locations; however, the one that is of interest to the thirsty Questor, is known as the Taproom on Route 50 in West Ocean City.
Pizza Tugos states that they have "Ocean City's best draft beer selection bar none."
After a visit, I couldn't argue.
Tugos more than 75 taps are attractively displayed against a stainless steel backdrop. The current selection, which largely rotates, contained many locals, with a smattering of nationals such as Green Flash, Stone, Great Divide & Boulder.
Pizza Tugos would be a great place to drink and eat after a visit to Burley Oak Brewery in nearby Berlin.
I'll be back.

45th Street Taphouse Bar & Grille
4507 Coastal Highway
Ocean City , MD 21842-3245
phone: (443) 664-2201

The 45th Street Taphouse is located in the 45th Street Village Shopping Center in the middle of Ocean City, MD.
In a resort town where oceans of beer are consumed each year, there has always been a dearth of places in which to imbibe a variety of microbrews.
No more.
The Taphouse offers 36 taps with very few wasted on macros. Local beers abound.
Four-beer flights are provided for those who want to drink a little of a lot.
The long L-shaped bar seats about 2 dozen patrons, with a number of tables as well.
There is an outside bar and seating for use in fair weather.
We were treated to live music with no cover on this particular Friday evening.
Our barkeeps were extremely friendly and helpful, and General Manager and Executive Chef Jeff Burton was available to answer our other inquiries.
Ocean City no longer need thirst for a great beer bar.
45th St. Taphouse will be on our list of regular O.C. stops.

Brew River
502 W Main St.
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-677-6757

Brew River is located on the Wicomico River just off Route 50.
Brew River features a large restaurant and bar inside, and enough outdoor tables to seat hundreds of patrons on the decks at the scenic river's edge.
We were there for the brews.
Brew River offers 25 taps with about 20 dispensing craft beers. The list leans heavily to regional brews.
According to my sources, this is a very popular seafood restaurant, and can turn into a college hangout late.
We were there in the middle of the afternoon when it was very slow. The barmaid promised to return for our order, but was never seen again, so we hit the road and headed east to the shore and more craft beer locations.

Specific Gravity Pizzeria
105 E College Ave
Salisbury MD
443-859-8412

Specific Gravity is a modern-style pizzeria which surprises you when you walk in with its 12 rotating taps of good craft beer.
A large chalkboard on the wall lists all of the current brews as well as daily specials. Specials include souvenir pint glass night on Wednesdays and pizza discounts throughout the week.
Seating includes 3 large community tables as well as several smaller individual tables. In addition there are bar stools around the perimeter of the room.
This pizzeria has another surprise in store...connected to the restaurant is a bottle shop with a decent selection of six packs. There are also some bombers to choose from and a smaller section of individual 12 oz bottles.
Beer and pizza were both good, so its a worthwhile stop when you're headed down to Ocean City.

White Rabbit Gastropub
18 Market Space
Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 651-1952

The White Rabbit Gastropub is a charming little venue with delicious food and an awesome beer list.
You are not going to spot White Rabbit as you are driving by on Second Street.
You have to know where it is...tucked back in a corner down a small street called Market Space.
White Rabbit has 42 well-chosen taps in the most original, artistic tap array you are likely to see anywhere.
All of the taps rotate, and WR also offers 6 or 7 types of canned and bottled beer.
The selection is well-curated, and they also fill crowlers.
There are six tables of varying sizes, a patio outside, and an upstairs that features a whiskey and bourbon bar.
Alexa, our barkeep, was friendly, knowledgeable, and glad to answer any questions we had about the establishment, or the beer choices.
The next time you find yourself in Frederick, and happen to be hungry or thirsty, it would be well worth your while to seek out the White Rabbit.
Order the Crab BLT...but do it quickly...they go fast.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
5616 Spectrum Drive
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: 301.695.0470

BJ's is a chain of restaurants and brewpubs with outlets in nearly 20 states.
The BJ's in Frederick sits like a fortress in the Francis Scott Key Mall a few miles south of downtown.
BJ's offers seven of their regular beers on tap, and had two more seasonals at the time of our visit.
The Questor could also revel in the fact that there were more than 20 guest taps, and a craft bottle list of maybe 25.
This particular BJ's has all the trappings of a large brewpub...except for the fact that they don't brew the beer on site. The beer comes from Texas.
No, not Texas, Maryland but the Lone Star State.
The venue is huge.
As a wise man said, it is "not quite a sports bar, but if that's what you're there for, it's okay."
Our bartender was friendly and helpful.
As I was taking the picture at the lower left, a manager appeared and informed me I was breaking protocol.
Luckily, we escaped with the camera.
I would be glad to return anytime...in disguise.

Jojo's Restaurant &
Tap House
16 E Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 732-5197

JoJo's is an upscale yet very comfortable restaurant and beer bar in downtown Frederick.
Jojo's offers 20 taps, mostly American micros, and about as many bottled beers.
All the drafts come in a 9 or a 16-ounce pour, depending upon the ABV of the beer.
A curious customer can also get a 3-ounce sample of any beer for a buck or two.
The venue is U-shaped with the restaurant on the left, and a large bar area around to the right.
The long bar seats about 18, with maybe 10 tables around the barroom.
The staff was friendly; JoJo's warrants a return trip.

Roast House Pub
5700 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
301-418-6098

The Roast House Pub opened in July 2011, as the only real beer bar in Frederick. It is a small joint with about 12 tables/booths to choose from.
There is a bar that seats about 12 with a clear view of their 20 rotating taps. They had a great variety of IPAs and Belgians, as well as some other
smaller beers and even a cider. If you're not into good beer, they even offer Coors Light and Budweiser, but only in a can. The Roast House Pub was built on 3 rules, the first of which is "Beer taps should pour craft beer".
If you're in the area The Roast House is certainly a place in which to stop.

Mount Airy Inn 1401 South Main Street Mount Airy, MD 21771 (301) 829-1400 You wouldn't expect to find a vibrant beer bar in Mount Airy, just about halfway between Ellicott City and Frederick. And yet here's the Mount Airy Inn, sporting 11 very well-selected taps and maybe 40 bottles, including a "rare and obscure" list. They also keep an updated draft list on their website, which is helpful for Questors and like-minded enthusiasts. The bar seats about 12 or so, and the barroom and dining area contain numerous tables and booths. At the time of our visit, the place had only been open for about a year, but they are quickly putting themselves on the beer map by hosting events like tonight...an evening with Colossus, a 21% glass of potent potable made by DuClaw Brewing Company. The brawny brew is out for a limited time on an exclusive tour. Questor Rusty said his food was great, and I would even hazard to say that my BLT was the best I have had to date. Mount Airy Inn is another highlight on Maryland's growing craft beer scene.

RIVER HILL GRILLE
6040 Daybreak Circle
Clarksville, MD
410-531-7900

River Hill Grille is nestled in an upscale shopping center along the 108 corridor in the River Hill/Clarksville metropolis. The long L-shaped bar seats about 14. There are tables in the barroom, and a separate dining area. The taps numbered 20, with 12 dedicated to a rotating selection of mostly American microbrews. Not in the mood for any of these? The Grille offers nigh on to 80 bottled selections. The clientele at our end of the bar were mature, and interested in discussing the beers with the bartenders, who were knowledgeable about the products. A curious beer-drinker could also try a flight of 4 5-oz. beers for $10.95. The walls were adorned with numerous TV screens of all sizes, tuned to everything from the royal wedding to rodeo, as would befit a sports grille, but no one seemed to watching anything until baseball came on at 7:00.

Kloby's Smokehouse
7500 Montpelier Road
West Laurel (Maple Lawn), MD 20723 301.362.1510

In a strip mall in the village of Maple Lawn just south of Columbia you'll find Kloby's. OK...so it may be a restaurant in search of an identity; is it a sports bar, smokehouse, beer bar, or can it be all three? You decide. And while you're deciding, have a couple of craft beers from their choice of 30 taps and about 40 bottles.
The large bar seats about 17, and there is a smaller bar for 6 patrons. 10 more can sit on stools at the rails. Serious diners who intend to get messy with Kloby's excellent barbecue can sit at the numerous tables over two rooms. There are a number of flat screen tv's that can cover the sports angles at appropriate times.
The staff was more than friendly, and willing to explain the beer and food options. And speaking of the food, the pulled pork was great. Wear jeans so you can wipe your hands on your pants.
Kloby's is another necessary stop in Howard County's burgeoning beer bazaar.

Cushwa & Rad Pies Taproom
6695 Dobbin Rd STE G
Columbia, MD 21045
(240) 597-9899

If you want to know how to get to Cushwa & Rad Pies Taproom, forget GPS. Just ask anybody how to get to the "Old Frisco."
Not the "First Old Frisco" mind you, but the "Second Old Frisco."
You'll be all set.
So...Cushwa occupies the spot where Frisco Grill and Brewery used to be.
Cushwa Taproom is an offshoot of the Cushwa Brewery in Williamsport, MD.
The first thing one notices is that this place is big! They have seating for 300 patrons at a long bar, many tables and even some community tables. There is also an ajoining room at the end of the massive taproom.
At the time of our visit, Cushwa had 16 beers on tap, consisting of 2 Pils, an ESB, doppelbock, Imperial Stout, IPA's and more. These beers are dispensed in 5- or 12-ounce pours.
How about the Rad Pizzas? They have many kinds, and they appeared to me to be different and delicious.
The menu also featured apps and small plates, skewers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
If you want beer to go, Cushwa has a variety of their beers in packs of cans.

Cushwa Taproom is a real fun place, with a moderate noise level, lotsa music, what might be called a "hip scene", and is a great place to hang out in a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere with friends.
Or make new ones.

The Ale House - Columbia
6480 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia , MD 21045
410-244-8900

'Twas a gray and murky day as I made my third attempt to review the new Ale House - Columbia.
We were here on a Friday night; it was too crowded to find a parking space.
We returned Saturday night...got on the lot, and managed to stand at the bar. Had one beer but no time to ask questions and take pictures.
Third time was a charm.
On a Tuesday afternoon, the bartender had some time, although she was busy learning her trade, as were all the staff in this new establishment. She was gracious and helpful, and if she didn't know the answer, she found out.
The Ale House - Columbia is sister to the Pratt Street Ale House, a brew pub in downtown Baltimore...purveyor of Olivers Ales.
The Ale House occupies the same space as the Rocky Run brew pub which closed several years ago.
The decor is modern without appearing sleek or glitzy, with a lot of gray and brushed stainless steel.
Ale House is large, but numerous booths and enclosures divide it effectively. The large bar seats about 20, and there are many tables and booths.
The beer selection is outstanding, offering 30 taps. About half of these are Olivers. The two that I ordered were superb.
The brews are served in three pours...10, 12, and 23-ounce.
The Ale House looks like a fun place with great beers, and a spot to which I will return.

Frisco Tap & Brew House
6695 Dobbin Rd
Columbia , MD 21045
(410) 312-4907

The Frisco Grill in Columbia has become
Frisco Tap & Brew House.
Over the last several years, due to an expanded draft selection, and a spot on the leader board of Maryland beer bars, Frisco had outgrown its skin, in Kafka-esque fashion, as a strip mall Mexican restaurant and carry-out. After acquiring a devoted, knowledgeable, and demanding beer clientele, Frisco has moved into a much larger and sleekly upscale venue only one-half mile from its former location.
Frisco Tap & Brew House is made up of several rooms, the largest of which houses the bar and main dining area. The bar itself is long and staple-shaped, and seats about 30 thirsty patrons. Two large lighted boards over the bar list the 50 tap selections, 10 of which are devoted to Belgians, and these boards are flanked by 8 large TV screens.
Paralleling the bar is a long community table which seats 25; a good way to sip your beers and discuss their relative merits face-to-face with other patrons. The main dining area has about 20 tables.
Aside from the 50 well-chosen draft beers, Frisco offers about 70 bottled selections.
What about the Brew House? That would be the remaining smaller room at the front of the building, where there is brewing equipment on hand.

Frisco has moved a short distance away to McGaw Road. See: Reckless Shepherd.

Victoria Gastro Pub

8201 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
410.750.1880

A gastropub is a public house serving food that is a step above your average pub fare. This would be true of Victoria.
Of course, we were there for the beer.
Victoria offers over 30 taps, which seem to be carefully selected and cared for. Additionally, they have about 100 bottled beers.
The staff is always helpful with suggestions and explanations. The drafts come in different pour sizes, so read the beer list.
And if you like getting beer for half-price, you can join the Beer Club, which convenes every Monday in the bar at 5:00 PM.. Some Beer Club suspects may even be pictured to the left.
So if you've never visited a gastro pub, Victoria would be a great one with which to start.
The two young ladies at the left are reveling in drinking their 1,000th different beer, for each of them, at Victoria.

HoCo Brew Hive
4910 Waterloo Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(877) 279-4483

HoCo Brew Hive is located at the corner of Montgomery Road and Waterloo Road in the space that used to house T-Bonz.
You have to pretty much know where you are going because you can't see the venue from the road, and signage is minimal.
The Hive is so named because the food will be centered around locally sourced...you guessed it...honey !
The L-shaped bar seats about 20 patrons, and there is room for plenty more at different sized tables.
For those who were familiar with the old T-Bonz, the Brew Hive is brighter, cleaner, and feels more roomy.

But Questors will be going there for the beer, and the Brew Hive has more than a few of those.
There are 32 taps, and aside from a few macros, the Hive features a large selection of rotating regional craft beers.
On the night of my visit, they were pouring multiple taps of Dogfish Head, Flying Dog, Hysteria, and Red Shedman just to drop a few names.
So if were wondering what all the buzz has been about, it's the HoCo Brew Hive, their honey, and their outstanding array of draft beers.

The White Oak Tavern
10030 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 680-8974

The White Oak Tavern is located in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center in western Ellicott City.
The large horseshoe-shaped bar seats about 20 patrons, and six or seven tables round out the barroom side of the restaurant.
White Oak has 30 taps, all of which rotate.
None of the 30 taps are wasted on macros, but the 21 beer bottle list should cover any of those needs.
Beer lovers at the bar can see the draft choices displayed on a large screen giving style, ABV, and price.
As far as price goes, all beers cost the same...only the size of the pour changes. Some beers cost $2 less during Happy Hour.
The restaurant has 2 other separate areas with tables for dining.
According to their mission statement, White Oak "uses the best local, seasonal, and sustainable meats & produce whenever possible."
White Oak Tavern is an excellent drawing card with which to bring beer-friendly Howard County to west Ellicott City.

Judge's Bench
8385 Main St
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 465-3497

If you haven't checked out the Judge's Bench in Old Ellicott City lately, it's time to do so. Mike, the new owner, has a vision of making this a "local pub version of beer drinkers' Nirvina." He is well on his way. The 17 taps are carefully chosen and the beer seems very well cared for. The chef creates some great dishes, and there is live music every night. Judge's Bench is one more reason to visit Ellicott City.

Lure's Bar & Grille 1397 Generals Highway Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 923-1606 Located on the way to Annapolis in Crownsville, the Gateway to Southern Maryland, is hidden Lures...a gem of a beer bar. Lures features 14 taps, 13 of which rotate. All styles were covered, from their own label, Jill's Pils, to your high-octane ales from Avery, 21st Amendment, and the like. All of the drafts were U.S. craft beers. If you were looking for something macro, they supply about 14 bottles. An L-shaped bar seats about 12, with about a dozen booths and tables. There is also patio dining. The beers were pricey...$8 for a Bear Republic Apex...so I suggest you do your imbibing Monday-Friday from 5-7 when these micros are 1/2 price. An enclave in a region of Bud and boats, Lures is well worth the trip for any Questor.

Olney Ale House

2000 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd.
Olney, MD 20832
Phone: 301-774-6708

About 45 minutes from Baltimore, the Olney Ale House used to be a rural roadhouse. Although the suburbs have infringed upon the pastoral setting, a more knowledgeable and affluent spirits crowd may have allowed the Ale House to become Montgomery County's best beer bar. They feature 21 taps, several of which rotate, and maybe 100 different bottles. The selection was diverse with micros, macros, Belgians, & other imports readily being dispensed. Warsteiner is a favorite here. The bartender was affable and knew his trade, and willing to provide samples. It's still a beautiful drive through the country to get there, and the beer makes it all the more worthwhile.

Quarry House Tavern

8401 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-9406

Doesn't look like much from the outside, eh? But walk down the steps, and you'll find yourself in the Quarry House, established just after the repeal of Prohibition. It has been called "a German beer garden in a basement." One of the few beer bars in a wide area, QH offers a well-chosen 9 taps and maybe 100 bottles.
You could be in someone's club basement from the 1950's. But they wouldn't have served beer or burgers like they do here. They have some pretty good live music, too. Look carefully, its hard to find, under an Asian restaurant. But don't miss it.

Quarry House suffered a fire in 2015, and was forced to move to a temporary location.
They were supposed to close in February, 2017 to move back to their old location.
And they have reopened!