German Bars and Beer Gardens in Baltimore
There is certainly never a bad time to throw back a few German brews, but we definitely favor the fall for sipping on some heartier bocks, dunkels and the like. Germans historically had a strong and distinct impact on Charm City, and on its brewing history. To that, let’s raise a glass of one their fine styles of beer at any (or all!) of these bars around town.
Max’s Taphouse: With hundreds of beers on tap and thousands by the bottle, it’s a given that Max’s in Fell’s Point is the place to go for any kind of beer. On any given day, plenty of German beers can be found here, but for the German beer lover, September 26 through 28 is the time to stop in. There will be over 60 taps pouring German brews and even more by the bottle. Sip from your stein (or get brave and buy the 2 liter boot) and order up some of the specially prepared cuisine for the event as well. We gotta say, the sausages at last year’s festival were pretty phenomenal. (737 South Broadway; 410-675-6297)
The Bavarian Brauhaus: This brand new German restaurant is brought to Hanover (not far from the airport) by the owners of Blob’s Park, the epic German beer garden that closed earlier this year. While there will not be polka dancing like the previous location, there is a menu full of German deliciousness from sausages to spatzle and schnitzel to cheddar beer soup. Happy hour is from 3 PM to 7 PM and features $1 off all beers as well as appetizer specials. (7304 Parkway Drive South; 410-712-0300)
Eichenkranz Restaurant: If you want some seriously authentic German cuisine with your brew, historical and quaint Eichenkranz in Brewer’s Hill should be a destination point for you. The menu sports plenty of schnitzel, sauerbraten and wurst to accompany a cold brew. (611 S Fagley St.; 410-563-7577)
Ellicott Mills Brewing Company: While this brewpub is a little south of the city, it’s worth the drive for some of the best locally made German-style beer. Sip on the likes of Marzen, Dunkel and Maibock at the first floor bar or hunker down in the basement level Ratskeller. Get really authentic and nosh on some Bavarian Pretzel Sticks, the Sausage Sampler, or Kassler Rippchen (quite possibly the most perfect pork experience ever). (8308 Main St.; 410-313-8141)
Gordon Biersch: There are few places that can boast the gorgeous waterfront view from the inside bar as the Harbor East location of Gordon Biersch. Brewers of German-style beers, GB creates one of the most refreshing Kolsch style beers we’ve tasted in Baltimore. However, if it’s a darker beer you’re seeking, now is the time to check out Gordon Biersch’s Limited Release Dunkles, an unfiltered dark lager brewed in celebration of their 25 years of brewing in San Jose. (1000 Lancaster St., Suite B; 410-230-9501)
Leinenkugel: This German style beer garden is a favorite any time of year, but as the weather starts to cool we really love their outdoor fireplace. Beers come on tap, by the bottle and even in flights, and food ranges from local basics to German favorites like Brats and Sauerkraut and pretzels, of course. (34 Market Pl.; 443-208-3316)
The Old Stein Inn: Definitely off the beaten path, but well worth the ride to get there, is this family owned restaurant and biergarten in Edgewater (in Anne Arundel County). These guys are so into their beer that they even have some education on their website about German beers. Sip and savor German-style brews and food in the biergarten to the tunes of the traveling accordionist, or go on the first Sunday of each month, April through October, for Spanferkel-fest, a traditional pig roast accompanied by live German entertainment. (1143 Central Ave.; 410-798-6807)
