Baltimore’s Exploding Craft Beer Scene

It’s no secret that Baltimore takes its beer seriously. One of the city’s first manufacturing industries was the brewing of National Bohemian beer, lovingly called "Natty Boh" by the locals. The iconic one-eyed mascot with a handlebar mustache can be spotted easily on clothing and merchandise, and atop the historic “Natty Boh Tower” in Baltimore’s Brewers Hill neighborhood. Even though National Bohemian is no longer brewed in Baltimore, the beer scene is alive and well with dozens of local breweries and brewpubs. Don’t miss Baltimore’s annual Beer Week in October that celebrates the best of Baltimore’s craft beer culture.

Ian Hummel studied in Germany to become a brewmaster, then brought his expertise to Baltimore when he opened this brewpub in a century-old historic firehouse with his father. All beers are brewed in house and you might catch a glimpse of the brewers hard at work in the back of the restaurants while you’re there.itinerary_brewhouse16_1.jpgitinerary_brewhouse16_2.jpgitinerary_brewhouse16_3.jpgitinerary_brewhouse16_4.jpgitinerary_brewhouse16_5.jpgBrew House No 16Brew House No 16

Visitors can get an extensive behind-the-scenes tour of Baltimore’s exploding craft beer scene with City Brew Tours. Each five-hour tour includes four brewery stops with 4-5 beer tastings at each stop, as well as a meal with food and beer pairings. Current City Brew Tours partners include Brew House 16, Pratt Street Ale House, Monument City Brewing Co., Diamondback Brewing Co., Heavy Seas, Charm City Meadworks, Oliver Brewing Co. and Waverly Brewing Co.itinerary_culinary_brew_tours_1.jpgitinerary_culinary_brew_tours_2.jpgitinerary_culinary_brew_tours_3.jpgitinerary_culinary_brew_tours_4.jpgCity Brew ToursCity Brew Tours Baltimore

Since its founding in 1995, Heavy Seas has remained in the same facility just outside of Baltimore City, in Halethorpe. Heavy Seas brews more than 20 styles of beer, and is continually exploring different treatments, including cask conditioning and barrel aging. They produce over 40,000 barrels of beer per year, and distribute in 18 states and Washington, DC. The brewery host several large festivals each year and offer brewery tours nearly every Saturday. itinerary_culinary_seas_1.jpgitinerary_culinary_seas_2.jpgitinerary_culinary_seas_3.jpgitinerary_culinary_seas_4.jpgHeavy Seas BrewingHeavy Seas Alehouse

Housed in an old mansion on Charles Street, The Brewer’s Art features two different options for enjoying their Belgium-style home brews—a bright, refined bar upstairs and a dimly lit cave-like one downstairs. After more than 20 years in Baltimore, the brewpub has become a beer staple, and is best known for hearty beers like Resurrection, an abbey-style dubbel with a 7 percent ABV.itinerary_culinary_brew_art_1.jpgitinerary_culinary_brew_art_2.jpgitinerary_culinary_brew_art_3.jpgitinerary_culinary_brew_art_4.jpgThe Brewer’s ArtThe Brewer's Art

Situated in the historic Woodberry neighborhood next to Hampden, Union Craft Brewing is a community-minded brewery that hosts public events and offers tastings and free tours. You’ll find their Baltimore-referencing beers such as Duckpin Pale Ale at bars throughout the city, as well as at many neighborhood festivals and events. itinerary_culinary_union_1.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_2.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_3.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_4.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_5.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_6.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_7.jpgitinerary_culinary_union_8.jpgUnion Craft BrewingUnion Craft Brewing