baltimore maryland

Febrewary: Pendulum Pilsner

~ LobaBlanca

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Brewer: Baltimore Washington Beer Works USA
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type: German Pilsener
ABV: 4.5%

We’re not finished with Baltimore yet, hon. Let Loba tell you a tale. Once upon a midnight dreary…Baltimore Washington Beer Works decided to build a line of beers with names based upon the works of Edgar Allan Poe, one of Baltimore’s most famous residents…who, subsequently, was also a lifelong alcoholic. Regardless of this bit of oversight (or irony), as a one-time student of Poe’s works as well as a lifelong fan of his writing (and a lifelong fan of drinking), I deeply approve of their line-up, which includes: Raven Special Lager, Pendulum Pilsner, Tell-Tale Heart IPA, The Cask Double Bock, and Annabel Lee White.

Here’s a little secret I’ve never shared with you all before. As much as I don’t like most light-colored beers, I actually have quite a fondness for some pilseners. Some are a little jarring, which is why I have to be in a mood to try a new one, but I’ve found several that I really enjoy as an alternative for when I cannot find any darker options. I don’t typically buy them because…well, once I finished pillaging the dark beer section, I’ve not got much energy (or money) left to buy anything else. However, I am not averse to pilseners as gifts. Especially ones that come emblazoned with the image of my favorite author (and a really groovy label; I don’t know if you all can tell, but the label has little razor-sharp pendulums at each bottom corner).

With a beautiful golden color and a subtle, almost floral nose, Pendulum is a readily accessible beer. It’s tangy but not too sharp, fizzy but not frothy, light but not watery. Not quite as quick a drink as the Balt beer, but still something easy to down with a nice thick slice of pizza. I don’t really consider light beers to be something that I would drink on their own, so I would definitely want to drink this with some kind of food. Something naughty. Something fried. I can’t really pontificate much on this beyond what I’ve said, since light beers are kind of not my bag, baby, but sometimes a beer is just a beer, right? Right.

I’d be interested to find this on tap somewhere…again, perhaps at a pizzeria or a burger joint. Maybe even a seafood place. I could see this going nicely with some fresh clams or mussels. Have I made you hungry enough yet? Quoth the Raven…feed me now.

Febrewary: Balt Altbier

~ LobaBlanca

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Brewer: Union Craft Brewing Company
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type: Altbier
ABV: 5.5%

As if I haven’t been localized enough, today I bring you Balt Altbier, from the Baltimore-based microbrewery Union Craft. The guys at Union Craft have only been doing the brewing since 2012, and while they have made a few beers since their start, they only have two permanent brews at the moment: Duckpin Pale Ale and Balt Altbier. For those of you who have no idea what “duckpin” is, it’s a weird bowling variation that started in Baltimore in 1900. What else would you name your pale ale if you’re a Baltimoron, hon?

[Loba Tangent: Personally, I’m holding out hope that their next beer is called something like Pink Flamingo Porter or Serial Mom Saison. John Waters, woot!]

Since I have made it very clear that I don’t like hoppy beers, I’m not that fond of Duckpin. However, I find Union’s Balt beer strikingly good. (I saw what I did there.) This is also the first time I’ve written about an Altbier here at the lair. It’s a German-style brown ale that carries smooth, refined flavors thanks in part to a longer conditioning period. I’ve honestly never had an Altbier before that I can remember, so I don’t have a frame of comparison for this one. However, I can tell you that, on its own, Balt is a supremely satisfying beer.

Again, not too thrilled about the can, but this is the beer I mentioned in yesterday’s review as being one of those canned beers that does not bother me with any “can” flavor. I can pop the lid on one of these and just start drinking, or I can pour into a glass to pick up this beer’s bouquet of baking breads, freshly ground wheat, and the subtle sweetness of slowly caramelizing brown sugar. As you can see, this beer is a beautiful chestnut color with a delicate froth. I might have been able to get a better head had I poured a little more vigorously. I don’t like foam mustaches, though, so meh.

Tasting this beer is always a pleasant surprise to me. Considering how young Union Craft is, I’m always delighted when I take that first pull and taste such an extraordinary flavor profile. It’s not heavy, but by no means watery, with a medium mouth feel that’s packed full of toasted, oaty sweetness. Surprisingly, I don’t find this beer’s sweeter elements to be cloying at all, although perhaps a bit more hops as a balance would be an interesting experiment. However, I would hate for them to tamper with something this delicious right out of the can. Literally!