How to Drink Baltimore 's Best Beer

Baltimore has always been a blue-collar kind of burg, unlike it's neighbor to the south, Washington, DC. While DC is more of a wine and cheese town, in Baltimore it's all about the brewskis. While Charm City can't quite claim Milwaukee's title of "Beer City," there are a number of local microbreweries and better still, an even larger number of fabulously funky bars in which to sample them. If you'd like to go bar-hopping in Baltimore, here are a few to try.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Drop by Max's on Broadway in Fells Point's if you want selection, selection, selection. They boast an unbelievable 72 different brews on tap, and 500 more of the bottled variety. While they feature beers from all over the world, the local beers have many loyal hometown fans. If you're having a hard time choosing your poison, check the "cheat sheet" which gives each beer's country of origin and percentage of alcohol.

2. Head over to the Camden Yards neighborhood of you want to sample ales brewed right on the premises at the Wharf Rat. These ales are all English-style, created by a British-born brewer using malt and hops imported from England. Best of all, they're really quite cheap and you can tank up for under $10.

3. Go uptown to artsy Mount Vernon, home to The Brewer's Art. This establishment also brews its own beers, but theirs are Belgian-style, crafted in big copper vats right on the main floor and fermented in the basement. This brewpub is also a restaurant, offering European-inspired dishes to complement these upscale beers.

4. 

   Drive across town to Canton to pay homage to the face of Baltimore beer, Mr. Boh. National Bohemian was Baltimore's best-known brew since 1885, at least until it stopped being brewed in Baltimore in 2000 (it's now produced in North Carolina by Miller Brewing). Although the Canton factory shut down ages ago and now houses apartments and offices, Mr. Boh still smiles down from the roof, Baltimore's unofficial city mascot.