If the winter doldrums are starting to get to you, it might be time to start to celebrate FeBREWary, a campaign initiated by the Maryland Craft Beer Association urging adults to get out and enjoy the hoppy, malty goodness of great beer–produced right here in Maryland! It’s like Oktoberfest when we really need it.
Multiple events and festivals are happening within the next few weeks with a focus on Homer Simpson’s favorite frosty beverage, allowing you to sample local brews, meet with brewmeisters, and, quite simply, enjoy a season that’s generally a little drab.
So grab your stein and your winter coat and check out these great scenes!
Salsa Dance Night at Rockwell Brewery
Frederick, MD
Saturday, Feb. 24
8 p.m.-11:59 p.m.
Enjoy some locally brewed beer while dancing the night away. Rockwell says: “You don’t need to know how to dance. This night is judgment free, grab someone and hit the dance floor. Put on that cute dancing dress and those cool dance shoes. And get ready to forget your troubles and just dance!”
Halethorpe, MD
Various dates/times; See Events page for details
We know, we know–Guinness is the Dublin-based beer that we tend to think of next month during St. Patrick’s festivities. But did you know the Guinness site is located on the site of the historic Calvert distillery, originally called the Maryland Distilling Company, which was the first opened after Prohibition ended in 1933? While their “craft” status is debatable, we like this site to celebrate beer any time of the year because it is a short drive and always offers tours, tastings, and unique events like Paint & Pint and Yoga Ex-BEER-ience.
Forward Brewing’s Half-Priced Beers and Crowlers
Annapolis
Sunday, February 25
11am-8pm
Every Sunday in February, Forward Brewing will be selling half-priced beers and crowlers to go. And with football finally over, there’s no excuse not to head over for a pint and a bowl of oyster chowder.
Seacrets, Ocean City
Saturday, February 24
2-5 p.m.
General $40, VIP $65
The Shore Craft Beer Fest celebrates the local brewers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Delaware, and Virginia. There’s a specialty food-pairing menu, live music, and much more at this fun party.
The Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Fest
Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium
Friday, March 22-23
$45-179
Plan ahead for this beer fest next month! It’s one of the area’s biggest beer festivals–two days of sipping, tasting, and eating to your heart’s content. This festival is big on delivering more bang for your buck, so get ready for big portions and tall pours all day.
Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea at The Peale Museum