So you may have noticed a slight beer-heaviness in my writing lately. You fans of wine, cocktails and fine liquor may have legitimate gripes about this, and I won't hold it against you. Still, I believe I deserve a pass in this case, as Baltimore Beer Week (all 11 days of it!) only comes once a year. And since the all-too-recent climax of this phenomenal celebration of ales and lagers, it has been hard to imagine drinking further... (Not that it hasn't happened.)
But now that a few days have passed and the taste of so many amazing brews is fading from my dehydrated lips, it is time to re-open the eyes to other treats. So while it may take the brewers and beer lovers of Baltimore another week or two to recover, the consumption doesn't stop for the rest of town. That is made obvious by the perpetual parade of parties presenting themselves for our pleasure, including this weekend's Rum & Reggae Festival put on by Smalltimore Events.
Being from New Orleans, I am intimately familiar with the temptations of the rum drink. (Monsoons, hand grenades, and hurricanes, oh my!) But rarely up here in the non-tropical realm of the Mid-Atlantic is there an equal demand for the most traditionally Caribbean of cocktails. So with as much praise as we celebrate our beer, wine, whiskey and other assorted alcohols, it is long past time to proffer such attention to an equally delicious and diverse liquor. This Saturday, from 1pm to 6pm at Little Havana, you can taste that attention for yourself.
For a remarkably reasonable admission ($10 in advance/$15 at the door), you can experience the joys of rum in all its forms. There are also two separate Rum Sessions ($10 each) for special tastings and education. And for $45, you can get the whole package - admission an hour early, both sessions and an event t-shirt. There have even been hints of special treats from Bacardi, but you have to get there yourself to see what it is. Throw in live reggae music and some Flying Dog brews (for the rum-averse in your life) and you've got one hell of a party.
So, in summary, don't be afraid, mon! There's room for more than one liquor in your life, so if you're not already a rum fan, this is the perfect place and time to learn. Just don't blame me if you have one too many... that is not a problem exclusive to any single booze!
Drink up and drink well...
Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual
Twitter: @DrunkIntellect
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