The Quest for the Holy Grain - Best Brew Pubs
Baltimore

 

 

 

Brew House No. 16
831 N Calvert St
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 659-4084

As of November, 2015, the United States had 4,144 breweries in operation...the most in our nation's history!
According to Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, the one that may have broken the record is Brew House No. 16 in Baltimore, at the corner of Calvert and Read Streets.
The building's history as a firehouse goes back to the early 1900's.
The interior has been re-done in a most interesting fashion making use of the original tin ceiling and the exquisite tile mosaics that cover the 2-story high walls.
The large entrance way opens into a large dining area that seats over 60 patrons.
The long bar seats about 20.
The kitchen is located behind the bar, and the brew works, a 7-bbl system, are visible behind those sitting at the bar.
Brew House No. 16 had three of their own beers on tap...an American Amber, a British Pale, and a Rye Bitter.
I found the best to be the amber...an almost perfect beer!
The drafts also included 1 cider, 2 meads, and several guest beers, all brewed in Baltimore.
The beer menu also included an interesting selection of bottles.
The crowd on a Sunday evening seemed to be young and from the neighborhood.
Our barkeep, Gaby, was friendly, helpful, and professional; the beers were fresh and crisp...there is no reason not to return.

 

 

 

Rick Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore

Dempsey's Brew Pub premiered on Opening Day, 2012, to seemingly little fanfare. As of this time, however, it is one of only three brew pubs in Baltimore, and because of that, beer lovers were curious.
Dempsey's is open and airy, with lots of windows, and sports a tap tower in each corner (bases on a diamond?) with eight taps at each tower...four with macrobrews and four dispensing Dempsey's home brew.
The brewing is done with malt extract, and four beers are available at present: Wild Pitch Wheat, Rick's Red Ale, Pine Tar Stout, and Rain Delay IPA.
In keeping in line with ball park pricing, the beers were going for $8 a pint.
About 24 bottled beers are also present...
meaning that approximately half of the 56 different beers currently sold at Camden Yards are available here at Rick's.
Dempsey's bar is 3-sided, with maybe 8-10 stools per side. There are also tables. The brew works are visible.
If you wish to visit Rick Dempsey's, you don't have to wait for a game day. The bar, which is located in the Warehouse on Eutaw Street, plans to be open 7 days a week all year long.

 

 

Pratt Street Ale House
206 West Pratt Street
Baltimore
(410) 244-8900

Pratt Street Ale House lies in that part of Baltimore which is the locus of the bustling tourist industry. Not far from Camden Yards, the Convention Center, and Harborplace, the Ale House is a must for any Questor who likes a wide variety of fine ales.
The atmosphere is casually upscale with lots of wood and brick, and was entertaining a crowd containing patrons of all ages. The long bar seats about 20 with 8 additional tables, and there are two other rooms to the West, with more facilities upstairs.
We were here for the beer. The Ale House offers 25 different taps with 3 hand pumps. The majority of the beers are Oliver's and brewed right here. Their quality is superb, running through the spectrum of British-style ales, with a few surprises. Our server, Jason, was extremely helpful in explaining the styles and answering our questions.
About 15 or so bottle selections are also offered, but you should not be here to drink from a bottle. These are outstanding ales at reasonable prices. It's worth it to brave the tourists and pay for the parking to eat and drink at the Pratt Street Ale House.

 

The Brewer's Art

1106 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Tel: 410-547-6925

The Brewer's Art is one of the rare jewels in the crown of Baltimore's craft brewing industry. I don't know how far you'd have to journey to find another Belgian-style brewpub...if you find out, let us know. The basement bar is dark and secluded, offering private corners, attracting mainly locals and the occasional brood of interlopers. The home brews are Belgian. There are usually 5 on tap, with Ozzy and Resurrection being staples of Baltimore's beer-drinking populace. Each beer is served in a specific glass. The overhead chalkboards list at least 100 bottles of guest beers from all over the world. Everything seems to be carefully chosen to satisfy the pickiest beer drinker. Upstairs is upscale, with another bar overlooking Baltimore's historic Mt. Vernon neighborhood.