We start our Maryland tour at DuClaw Brewing Company located in Baltimore. Home of the Orioles and Ravens if you are a sports fan.
With founder Dave Benfield and brewmaster Jim Wagner, this brewery has outgrown their original brewery and is now in much better digs. All the better to sample my picks for my initial taster tray from DuClaw….
Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale, “first brewed in 2014, takes the traditional American Brown Ale and gives it a sensual new twist – Coconut! This medium-bodied, 5.8% abv brown ale is a feast for the senses from its dominant blend of warm, roasted malt, coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavors barely restrained by a gentle hop bite, to its tantalizingly satisfying finish. But if you submit to our Dirty Little Freak, be warned: there is no safe word.”
Colossus “is dark amber in color and full-bodied with a perceptively sweet flavor profile accented by notes of apple, and a surprisingly tame alcohol presence on the palate in light of its staggering 21.92% abv. This astounding alcohol content (the highest ever brewed in the state of Maryland and verified by the Siebel Institute) is achieved through fermentation alone; no alcohol is introduced at packaging nor it distilled. Multiple grains are used in conjunction with three different yeast strains to produce a beer that simply defies classification… and most laws of nature.”
Misery “is light amber in color with a thin, persistent, white head and enticing aroma of grains, fruits and candy. Like all Wheat Wines, Misery boasts a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a strong 11.2% abv, well hidden by an agonizingly delicious mix of malt and fruit flavors.”
Seems like a fun brewery from the artwork style is quite bold and in your face. I like it even though I am not into heavy metal music.