I stopped in at Prospect Point Brewing in Frederick, Maryland with my wife and my son and his wife. We enjoyed a few hours of relaxing and talking and enjoying great beers. Their Homebrew English Mild is one of the best beers of this style I have ever tasted. I also enjoyed their Chocolate Thunder Stout. My son and his wife enjoyed several of their other beers. All of their offerings are great. My wife doesn’t drink beer so we brought in a coffee mug with wine for her – shh! – don’t tell the brewer. We also brought in some food from Friscos Restaurant. Friscos’ sandwiches, salads and exploded potatoes are all delicious. The beers paired wonderfully with the food. We have been eagerly anticipating the opening of Prospect Point Brewing because it is literally a mile down the street from my son’s house. I know it will be a family favorite. Their beer and their relaxing setting will bring us back again and again. We were also blessed to have met the brewers at the Maryland Craft Beer Festival where my sons and I have volunteered for the past several years. So, I’ve got three takeaways for you. Go to the Maryland Craft Beer Festival and try new beers and get out and support Maryland breweries, enjoy great food at Friscos, and by all means head to Prospect Point Brewing and have a beer!!
IPA
Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, Olney, MD
Had a great time with my family in one of the rental tents. Nice and warm on a chilly January day. I enjoyed a flight and all of the beers were tasty. Their Hazy IPA’s are good. Flip Coast IPA is also good. General Sherman Double IPA is strong and tasty. Kodiak is sweet and delicious. the beers paired well with snacks we brought. And Kodiak went well with chocolates.
Three Weavers Brewing Company, Los Angeles, CA
I stopped in at Three Weavers Brewing Company in Los Angeles, California after a long coast to coast flight and enjoyed their Expatriate West Coast IPA. After all, would you drink an East Coast IPA in Los Angeles, really? And, I really enjoyed the delicious hop profile.
Scofflaw Brewing Company, Atlanta, GA
I stopped in at Scofflaw Brewing Company in Atlanta, Georgia. I had tried their POG Basement at a restaurant at dinner and loved it. So fruity and hoppy. I wanted to try something different so I went with Mango Dirty Beaches which is really mango forward and delicious.
Pryes Brewing Company, Minneapolis, MN
I stopped in at Pryes Brewing Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The most obvious beer to enjoy was the Mirculum IPA. And it did not disappoint. I see why it is an award winner.
Astro Lab Brewing, Silver Spring, MD
I stopped in at Astro Lab Brewing in Silver Spring, Maryland. What a cool place in revitalized Silver Spring. The tap room was filled with young families on an early Saturday evening. With several tables and games it’s conducive to families hanging out. At the bar, I decided to try a few beers and reached the conclusion that Jupiter, one of their IPAs, is my favorite. It’s juicy and bitter and balanced and delicious. My only regret is that I didn’t bring any home with me.
COOP Ale Works, Oklahoma City, OK
I stopped in at COOP Ale Works in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The beer I was most interested to try was F5 because I had seen it on tap in several local restaurants. And, I was not disappointed. F5 is a wonderful IPA, one I’d drink at home of available. I also enjoyed the Grapefruit F5 and found it to be grapefruity enough but not over the top. I enjoyed the bourbon barrel aged Territorial Reserve. I’d drink anything aged in bourbon barrels. The Fly Me Away Milkshake was a bit over the top for me, but to each his own. It’s definitely different.
Prince Edward Island Brewing Company, Charlottetown, Canada
I stopped in at Prince Edward Island Brewing Company in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. I really enjoyed this place. It’s open; cool vibe; industrial; artsy; lots of space; games to play; helpful bar staff. I narrowed today’s beer to the Snowbird Juicy IPA. I really liked this beer. My son-in-law is a big fan of hazy, juicy IPA’s. This is so good I’m bringing him a can home from Canada. I think he’ll love it. I really enjoyed it. It has a delicious citrus flavor along with enough hop bitterness to be an IPA but not overpowering.
I tasted the blueberry ale, which had enough blueberry flavor to give it that taste but not too much. And, finally, I tasted the stout which was delicious. Full disclosure, I had enjoyed the Beach Chair Lager at Rick’s Fish and Chips in St Peters before I got to PEI Brewing or I might have had another beer or a flight. I really liked the Beach Chair Lager and it went well with fish and chips. Rick’s fish and chips were the best we had on the island! And, my wife enjoyed the beer too. Win Win Win.
I also bought a can of Sir John A’s Honey Wheat Ale for my dear friend John B. I think he’ll get the connection. I didn’t try it but if it’s as good as their other beers it’s phenomenal.
City Steam Brewery, Hartford, CT
I stopped in at City Steam Brewery in Hartford, Connecticut for dinner and a beer. It was pretty obvious that I needed to try the Naughty Nurse Amber Ale, their flagship. And this beer did not disappoint. A great blend of amber maltiness plus enough hop bite to make it interesting. And it was delicious paired with their fish tacos. I also tasted Jungle Crush IPA and Oktoberfest and enjoyed both beers. I also love the vibe of this historic, restored location in downtown Hartford. Very walkable from nearly any location downtown. I welcome the opportunity to return to Hartford and stop in again.
Tooth and Nail Brewing Company, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I stopped in at Tooth and Nail Brewing Company in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for a late beer. I had trouble deciding so tried small pours of Vim and Vigor Pilsner (delicious; renewed my faith in pilsner), Tenacity Pale Ale ( a solid pale), and Red Letter Day IPA (certainly a nice IPA). I enjoyed all of the beers.
I Stop For Hops 