But a close second is the city's ability to stuff a large number of drinking establishments in a small area, and the city's residents ability to support them all comfortably. Neighborhoods like Fells Point, Canton, Federal Hill and Mt. Vernon all have nice little groupings of bars and clubs for people with a variety of festive needs. And for the residents of these areas, you have a choice of which watering hole from which to stumble home at the end of the night. In my opinion, however, there is no better way to take advantage of this arrangement than the time-honored drinking tradition: the Crawl. Whether you call it a Bar Crawl, a Pub Crawl, bar-hopping, whatever... it simply means taking the time to enjoy many different locations for your beverage needs in one glorious evening. It could be an organized, scheduled event, including most of the neighborhood bars (such as the Clipper City Bar Crawl) and offering drink specials at each stop... or a spontaneous adventure with no timetable, no planned stops, and no clue of what will happen at the end of the night.

What happened to me on Saturday was something... in between?

This Saturday, at 1:00 PM, I reported for duty to Federal Hill, where several enterprising friends had arranged their own pub crawl, complete with scheduled bars, drink specials, and even commemorative cups. What followed was a gradually snowballing conglomeration of brilliant, beautiful chaos and drunkenness that would leave us all wondering... what the hell happened?  But you don't get to hear all those stories... I'm just here to tell you about the bars. Details are inconsequential.

• The Stalking Horse - 1:00 PM - A great place to start, although considering it was just after noon and there were only four other customers in the bar, we probably could have gone anywhere and had it to ourselves. Still, the beer specials were excellent ($2.25 for good draft beer) and the video jukebox was a nice touch (if a little pricey) especially since I got to rickroll the entire party... I would suggest this as a good happy hour alternative for those living in the Hill.
• Ryleigh's Pub - 1:45 PM - Here, there was only one real drink special, but it was a good one... the $5 crush. If you're not sure what a crush is, it's basically vodka, triple sec and fruit juice served over crushed ice. I had the Passion Fruit variety. Delicious! Shame it was offset by the other special, the $6 burger, which was wonderfully large, but sadly cooked exactly the same (medium well) no matter what temperature you ordered it.  I tend toward the mid-rare, which explains why my burger came last.  Huh?
• No Way Jose - 3:15 PM - After the time-consuming, food-consuming stop at Ryleigh's, it was nice to escape to an establishment more dedicated to enabling our drunkenness. With their $3 margaritas and mexican beers, this place allowed our party to begin approaching the unbridled enjoyment of the later hours. I did run into some other friends here from back in Canton, but for the most part, it was still just our group of thirty-or-so random drinkers. Which is lucky, because the bar is small... but comfy.  Worth an evening, if it's not too crowded. Otherwise, I'd find some place a little more roomy.
• Mother's - 4:30 PM - This has always been one of my favorite little places in Federal Hill. I've been here dozens of times since I moved to Baltimore, and have always enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. It doesn't hurt that the establishment appears to have a great affinity for New Orleans, my hometown. However, this was my first time experiencing the new "Mother's on the Alley" expansion. I have to say I was sufficiently impressed. This addition to the back-end of Mother's presents a much more open, bar-specific atmosphere, complete with pool tables. And they have Abita beer, about which I have gushed in the past. Definitely an improvement of an already excellent product.
• Crazy Lil's - 6:00 PM - So this was supposed to happen at 5:00 PM. However, I can't say it was easy to drag everyone to this little nook on Cross St., but we managed to make the move... eventually. Some other friends met up there at this point, just in time to take advantage of the $3 Irish Car Bombs. This somehow became a challenge, as some of my friends decided one was just not enough... Either way, despite the small stature of the bar, and the narrow entryway, a good time was had by all. I should say, however, that by this point, the crowd was starting to rise to more acceptable evening levels.  Not that this is always good in a confined space, but that's the way it is.

From that point on... well, you'll just have to ask me in person. There are some appropriately embarrassing pictures which I hope will never become public, despite their stark honesty. And while some may state that leaving a credit card at the bar is a sure sign of impaired judgement, I say that leaving TWO cards at two DIFFERENT bars only proves that you were simply enjoying the moment so much that your priorities were in a different place. And once this place, this high peak, this zenith of aspiration, is reached... well, there are few greater experiences in a (relatively) young man's life. Until you have to borrow cash for the cab ride home, and spend the next two days recovering your credit cards from random bars in Federal Hill...

So, I have no idea if this was the least bit informative. But I feel we've grown closer... I've shared a little... you've opened your mind to my way of thinking. Or you've at least managed to stumble your way through another episode of the Drunken Intellectual's musings on a different lifestyle. And if you were there at some point during the festivities, I'm glad to have shared this time with you. If you were there at the end of the night, well... I hope I didn't offend you in some way.

And please, let's keep the pictures to a minimum. Is that too much to ask?  Thank you very much.

Mark Burlet,
Drunken Intellectual

• Helen's Garden - The first place I choose to visit in my 'hood, Helen's Garden offers an excellent selection, with a friendly staff and a legion of regulars. Plus their wine happy hour at the bar is a great way to try a variety wines with little risk. Oh, and the food's delicious too... always helps to have a friend who's a chef. ;)
• Chesapeake Wine Company - This is less a restaurant, and more a wine shop, but don't let that dissuade you. There are many good wines here, with excellent descriptions accompanying each bottle. And feel free to grab a table or a seat at the bar for some wine by the glass and a light meal of hors d'oeuvres and the like. And no, I didn't have to spell-check that word, either...
• Grand Cru - Located in Belvedere Square, near the historic Senator Theatre, this place offers a nice array of wines and a palate-pleasing menu of appetizing fare, all in an upscale setting with pub-level prices. I'm partial to the cheese plate, but I could say that about any of these places. I freakin' love cheese.
• The Wine Market - Don't let the name fool you... in my eyes, this is an exceptional restaurant with a wine bar thrown in as a bonus. In addition, the wine shop is phenomenally well-stocked, so you don't have to leave and never taste that amazing Malbec again. Definitely a favorite, this South Baltimore gem is well equipped to make any occasion that much more special. (That means it's good for dates.)
• Tapas Teatro - Now this is what movie-going is all about. I look forward to those Saturday evenings in the summer, enjoying a glass of sweet, sweet Riesling and a plate of tapas at an outdoor table before heading into the Charles Theatre next door to catch the latest indie flick. And maybe we can swing back afterwards for a glass at the bar to talk about the movie? Sounds good to me...

Boys and girls, I've never been good at favorites.  Ask me my favorite song, and I'll list a dozen different artists, each with a dozen songs that can fit the bill, depending on my mood and whichever one I heard most recently.  I refuse to choose a favorite movie, but I can list a Top 10, which will probably change slightly every time I do so.  However, if you ask my favorite food... well, I'll still be indecisive and start talking about the numerous New Orleans dishes I can't wait to consume again.  BUT... if we're talking about a favorite food EVENT, I will state quickly and definitively... THE CRAWFISH BOIL.

See... for those of you who may have never experienced a true, Louisiana-style crawfish boil, there really is no greater, more social gathering in the name of over-consumption in the land of Cajun food.  Here in Maryland, you have the crab feast, which is a similar entity, but the festivities just don't seem to have that New Orleans flavor.  The basic principle is the same, though... bring a bunch of people together outside, in front of tables covered with newspaper, to drink beer, eat crustaceans and generally have a damned good time.  So when a couple of my fellow New Orleans expatriate friends announced they were hosting a crawfish boil, I was ecstatic.  Their plan... go to Jazz Fest, return Wednesday afternoon with over 80 pounds of live crawfish in their checked luggage, and bring them home to make sweet, Cajun magic happen in the middle of Baltimore City.  I was all in.

Of course, no good crawfish boil can become a GREAT crawfish boil unless you have the right beer.  In my opinion, with apologies to Highlander, there can be only one.  Or rather, one brewer... Abita.  With a variety of crawfish-friendly products, this growing brewery located 30 miles north of New Orleans, right across Lake Pontchartrain, provides the perfect beer for each and every attendee at your crawfish boil.  We certainly had a healthy variety at our little Baltimore boil Wednesday night.  Let's go through the options, shall we?

Amber - This is the flagship brew of the Abita family.  A nice, caramel flavor and a crowd-pleasing, lightly-hopped finish make this beverage the most popular and widely distributed member of the bunch.  If you're not sure about new beers, give this one a shot... you'll be pleased.

Turbodog - Oh yeah, baby!  If it weren't for the fact that the taste backs up the ballsy-ness of the name, I might make fun of it.  However, this happens to be my personal favorite.  A dark brown ale with a smooth feel and a surprisingly canine BITE in the finish, this one was actually voted best beer made in America in 2005 by Stuff Magazine.  It's not for everyone, but in my mind... it's just that good.

Purple Haze - This is probably the most popular Abita with the ladies.  Don't come whining to me that guys like it too... there's always a few in the bunch... but a raspberry wheat beer is just not my thing.  That having been said, Purple Haze is an exceptional example of the style.  Light and refreshing with a fruity finish, it's a great choice for the summer, if you're not me.

Golden - And here we have the lightest, summeriest of the Abita brews.  The golden hued beverage, with its crisp, clean flavor and cooling properties, makes one believe, if only for a moment, that there exists a magical world in which light American lagers actually taste delicious.  But we all know the truth, don't we?

Wow, Mark!  Reading this has made me thirsty for some Abita beer.  But where am I to find such a thing so far from the mythical land of Louisiana, where alligators dance with leprechauns and giant, edible King Cakes present themselves at your door?  Well, friend, here are a few places in the Baltimore area where I have found the blessed nectar you seek:

• Chesapeake Wine Company - 2400 Boston St. in Canton
• Loading Dock Discount Liquors - 2101 Fleet St. at Boston
• Well's Discount Liquors - 6310 York Rd. near Towson
• Max's on Broadway - 735 S. Broadway in Fells Point
• Mahaffey's Pub - 2706 Dillon St. in Canton

Now I'm sure there are other places to find Abita in the area, but I can't name them all off the top of my head.  So if you know a place where it can be found, feel free to let us all know in a comment.  I, for one, would love to know... even if there are no additional crawfish boils in my near future.  Until then, I'll have to drink them solo.  Meaning one at a time.  Usually.

So as I bow out, this early Friday morning, I want to thank my gracious hosts, John and Danielle, and everyone at the 1st Annual Jazz Fest Boil for putting crawfish in my mouth, an Abita in my hand and that big goofy smile on my face.

 That's me, on the right.

Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual

Luckily for you, this won't happen too often.

This week, we'll be talking about a subject near and dear to my heart.  Independent film.  With the Maryland Film Festival this weekend, it just seemed like the right thing to do.  Wilford Brimley would be proud.  But what does this term mean, that we overhear referenced, so very occasionally, at the local coffee shop?  Perhaps it refers to whatever's playing at Sundance, or that weird black and white film about an immigrant's struggle in some foreign land we managed to stomach for 15 minutes while flipping past IFC, just before the Seinfeld reruns started on TBS.  Or is it really some 19-year-old kid's term for the 3-minute clip of their friends skateboarding they just posted on YouTube?

In a strange way, it is all of the above.

But honestly, at this point, "independent film" is simply an umbrella term used to describe any film not mass-produced by the Hollywood movie machine and whittled down to the least common denominator for public consumption.  Note I said "mass-produced", since many of the independent films, particularly the ones with the big stars slumming for art, are actually produced by the major studios... or some lower-budget affiliate, rather.  But I sense this is getting confusing.  Let me try and break things down into several categories.

• Independent Film - With the I and F capitalized, the genre takes on the appearance of the small, artsy (read: sans explosions) film with known Hollywood actors and "only" a few million dollar budget.  They are usually produced by an affiliate of the main studio (Fox Searchlight) and have the look and feel of professionally produced film.  These often find there way to Cannes, and the better received instances (Sideways) will experience a run at the bigger theatres, often accompanied by a legitimate PR push.  This is hardly what I would call "representative" of the genre.
• independent film - No capitals here.  This somewhat truer interpretation of the word "independent" is generally still backed by the studio, but to a much lesser extent.  You probably won't recognize the actors, unless they're working for free, and the production value will be a little less polished.  However, the studio is on board for a reason, and some exceptional voices can be discovered here... even if they never make a mainstream appearance.  These can usually be found at the Charles and Landmark Theatres, for those with an eye for it.  And they make up a strong percentage of what you'll find at the film festivals... just like the one this weekend here in Baltimore.
• Studio-Free - These are more numerous, but much harder to find.  In case you didn't know it, there is an army of true independents out there with no budgets (maybe several grand gathered here and there from friends, family and the occasional wealthy benefactor) and just enough equipment to be dangerous.  And yet, these may be the hardest-working of the bunch.  Often holding down other jobs to support their habit, the studio-free filmmakers must bust their asses to stand out and be noticed... just to squeeze their way into the local film festival, hoping that the rep from Sony Pictures coming to see the latest Gus Van Sant flick will happen to spend 90 minutes in the theatre where their film is playing to pass the time.  A few of these (Clerks, Blair Witch Project, Sex, Lies and Videotape) sail high enough to get picked up by a studio and released to the general public, but the best these can usually hope for is to open someone's eyes to the talent therein and give them a chance at the next category up.
  Strangely enough, this is exactly where I fit in. 
• YouTube Nation - This is the frightening demon-child of free online video and cheap hand-held camcorders (including the ubiquitous cell-phone camera).  Although there is something beautiful and liberating about the thought as well.  Once people graduate from filming their best lip-sync performances and Jackass imitations, this can be a great window into the filmmaking world.  I imagine many future directors will be tracing their roots back to this venue, whether they will admit it or not...

So there you have it... my little introduction to the world of independent film.  So feel free to take this knowledge out to the world and use it wisely.  Or just swing by the Maryland Film Festival this weekend and check out on of the many interesting films in this year's lineup... including one by a high school classmate of mine, the hilariously bizarre comedy-thriller "Baghead", released by Sony Pictures Classics.  I'll be at the Charles Theatre this Friday at 10pm for that screening, I promise you!  If I see you there, feel free to buy me a beer after the show...

And if you're the least bit interested, feel free to check out the website of another local indie filmmaking team, Pasquinade Films, which features yours truly and a crack team of humorous individuals just trying to make their way in the Wild West world of studio-free movies. (Come on... if I can't use this forum for a little self-promotion, what good am I?) So check us out and share the love...

Don't be scared.

Warmly,
Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual

Anyway, here are three great events this weekend that offer food, drinking, live music and more!

1. City Paper's 12th Annual Brew Fest (Saturday, Fells Point)
How can you go wrong here? One of Baltimore's best walkin'-and-drinkin' neighborhoods is the centerpiece for this event. The square on Broadway and Thames is closed off, many a microbrew will be sold, and live music will be playing... all within view of the water and that crazy-good hot dog and lemonade stand. The event is from 1:00-5:00pm, so if you plan on sleeping all day, skip it. I, for one, will be there... Give me a shout out if you're going! 

2. Maryland Beer and Foodfest (Saturday and Sunday, Aberdeen)
This event is truly impressive. So big that it could only be held at Ripken Stadium, home of the Ironbirds. There will be hundreds of different beers and wines, a ridiculous variety of foodstuffs (including a farmers' market!), and some great area bands to keep you entertained. In fact, there's so much going on, they had to make it two days long! If I'm sufficiently recovered from the Brew Fest on Saturday, I might have to make the trip on Sunday. And don't worry, if it's raining, there's plenty of indoor space for your continued enjoyment of their many offerings. Just remember to designate a driver for the return trip! 

3. Johns Hopkins Spring Fair (Friday through Sunday, JHU Homewood Campus)
Here's one for the young at heart. But you don't have to be a Hopkins student to appreciate great live music, artsy-craftsy vendors, fine foods and a beer garden (for those of us over 21). And don't miss the big concert tonight at 7:00... Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Reel Big Fish. I don't think there's ever been a more natural combination of artists, honestly. Plus it's going on all weekend, so drop in anytime. Higher education never tasted so sweet... 

So there we have plenty to keep us occupied this weekend. But don't blame me if it rains and you're stuck sitting under an awning somewhere, praying the water doesn't drip into your beer. We've all got burdens to bear...

Have a great weekend!
Mark Burlet,
Drunken Intellectual

Earth Day is a day of awareness. Of acceptance of your fellow man and reverence for our Mother Earth. It is a day to celebrate and promote environmentalism, energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. Basically it's a tree-hugger's wet dream.

That's not to say I'm not an environmentalist myself. I walk to work (and most everywhere else), shop at Whole Foods, contribute to the Sierra Club and even use those squiggly light bulbs. I understand the benefits of responsible farming and the threat of disappearing wetlands. But I'm not some holier-than-thou, bumper-sticker-flaunting activist. I feel there is a place and a time for beating people over the head with your beliefs, and it is not here and now.

Having gotten that out of the way, there is something to be said for supporting the Earth Day movement. My day job held a few Earth Day awareness activities on Tuesday (which were, unsurprisingly, not very well attended) and did a pretty good job of showing how things could be "greener". (And did I mention that I was the only one in the company who got all five Earth Day trivia questions right? I didn't mention that? How did that slip my mind?) One thing that didn't come up, sadly, was the latest trend in brewing... organic beer. You heard me right, but I'll say it again a little louder... organic beer! Examples of this have been around for a while now, but it's starting to sprout up (pun intended) right here in our backyard.
On April 9th, Clipper City... Hugh Sisson's Baltimore-based craft brewery... announced the launch of the all-organic line of beer under the banner of "Oxford Organic Ales". I have yet to locate said phantom brew, but I'd be more than happy to give either the Amber of Raspberry Wheat a healthy quaff. But don't take my word for it, here is the press release from Clipper City, which explains the "organic" label and their reasons for heading in that direction.

Enjoy... and stay green!

CLIPPER CITY BREWING COMPANY GOES ORGANIC

Baltimore Based Brewery Announces New Line – “Oxford Organic Ales”

Baltimore, MD - Clipper City Brewing Company, the Maryland-based brewer of quality craft beers, today announced the release of their new “Oxford Organic Ales” line of beers. Starting with two new beers - Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale and Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer – the products will become available at the beginning of April.

“There is a natural connection between craft brewers and organic farmers,” said Hugh Sisson, Clipper City’s managing partner. “We both make all natural products, in small batches by hand, to the highest possible quality standards. This new product line is our way of partnering with those farmers who are committed to the organic, sustainable production of natural foods.”

The Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale is a classic amber ale with biscuit and caramel malt flavors, and just enough hops for a crisp finish. The Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer is an organic wheat beer flavored with real raspberries. An American version of a Belgian classic.

“The Maryland Department of Agriculture is accredited by the USDA's National Organic Program to certify producers of organic products,” said Deanna Baldwin, program manager of Food Quality Assurance for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. “Prior to certification, operations must submit an organic system plan that is reviewed and inspected by MDA to ensure products are produced in compliance with the National Organic Program. Clipper City Brewing has met these requirements and is certified by MDA to produce organic beer.”

In order for a product to be labeled “organic” it must contain at least 95% certified organic raw materials. The balance can be non-certified if the ingredient is not commercially available in organic form. Anything under 95% and above 70% organic raw materials can be labeled “made with organic ingredients.”

Clipper City Brewing Company was founded in 1995 by Baltimore brewing pioneer, Hugh Sisson. The brewery is named for the famous Baltimore Clipper ship, a symbol that embodies Baltimore’s maritime heritage and a commitment to craftsmanship of the highest caliber. In addition to the “Oxford Organic Ales” line of beers, Clipper City’s portfolio of products includes the “Clipper City” and “Heavy Seas” brands. Clipper City has been in operation for more than a decade and markets fine beers in 18 states, as well as the District of Columbia.

--- www.ClipperCityBeer.com ---

And here we go with Episode 1.

THE SPORTSGUY
We begin our look at our nation's bewildering variety of bar patrons with one of the most common species, the Sportsguy. Often loud and obnoxious, this failed athlete is die-hard in his loyalty to his chosen professional and/or collegiate teams. Year-round, the Sportsguy can be found in the local establishment with the most flat-screen televisions and the cheapest beer... decked out from head to toe in fan gear, depending on what sport is in season. For example, a fan from D.C. might follow this progression: Summer-Nationals gear, Fall-Redskins gear, Winter-Capitals gear, Spring-Wizards gear... and at any time could be found wearing some flavor of Maryland Terrapins or Georgetown Hoyas gear. There is no off-season for the true Sportsguy, and that form of rabid dedication leads to a competitive streak a mile wide. Hence the fighting. In a perfect world where their team wins every game and there are no fans of that other team in a three-mile radius, the Sportsguy is everyone's best friend... offering hugs and shots to strangers and, especially, other allied Sportsguys. However, on a night where Kyle Boller is quarterbacking the Ravens, and that annoying guy from Boston is acting just a bit too smug about their "Season of Destiny"... look out.

Now, there are some things about this species that defy logic. Such as how a man who can't remember his girlfriend's birthday, or in what year the United States was founded, can recall the OBP (on-base percentage) of the Orioles 2nd-string catcher from 1989. And although his law school application is still hanging in the Dean's office as a joke, he can argue quite eloquently the merits (and demerits) of the BCS system.  For the most part, though, the Sportsguy is a predictable creature, following the herd to the sports bar before gametime and knocking back cold ones until the bouncer kicks him out. But I wouldn't say that the average Sportsguy is a mindless, drunken Neanderthal with a one-track mind, years of frustration stemming from an unrequited career in professional sports and a penchant for domestic abuse during the playoffs. I would never say such things about my fellow man.

Especially not while wearing my Saints jersey in a crowded Baltimore bar.

So there we have my brief, ridiculously stereotype-ridden portrait of just one of the many denizens of our local watering holes. Stay tuned for future episodes, which I hope to turn into a regular feature here. I'll leave you now with some Fun Facts about the Sportsguy for your further enlightenment.  Enjoy!

FUN FACTS

Appearance
Coloration is regional, based on home team, and can change with the seasons. The Baltimore Sportsguy, for example, can be identified by orange and white markings during the spring and summer months, deepening to a mix of black and purple in the fall. Their bodies are covered in jerseys, t-shirts or sweatshirts in their native color, and their crowns are adorned with similarly-colored headwear... bills can be forward or backward-facing.

Habitat
The Sportsguy is attracted to large colorful screens (preferably HD) and sports paraphernalia. They tend to congregate in packs, especially on Sundays in the fall. However, the species can be migratory, so it is not unlikely to find Sportsguys from other regions mixed with the local breed... especially if the bar has NFL Sunday Ticket.

Diet
Sportsguys generally subsist on fried foods, but are also known to eat burgers. They tend to feed communally, so chicken wings, fries, nachos and the like are preferred. Food is often accompanied by bottles of cheap American beer and the occasional Jack and Coke. These are drank quickly and often slammed on tables to express displeasure.

Behavior
In their native environment, the Sportsguy is a loud, aggressive and highly territorial creature, which often leads to conflict with breeds from other regions.  They communicate with loud "WOO"s and "YEAH BABY"s, and the exclamatory "BOOYA!". Disagreement is expressed by a series of exaggerated bodily gestures, and can be accompanied by shouts of "NO", "COME ON" or "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THAT GUY?". They gather in large numbers for sporting contests, but disperse rapidly upon their completion, especially when their team loses.

How can we afford to live like this? How does the government justify the scraping of our collective pockets, robbing us of beer money? Is there something we can do to relieve ourselves of the pressure... the sheer weight of responsibility... the abject terror that comes with another year of accumulated debt?

Don't ask me, I'm doing just fine.  My taxes were done back in February and I received my lovely little refund over a month ago.  What's wrong with you people... waiting until the last minute?  Go ahead and slave away at your 10-WD-40's or whatever they call those forms.  I think I'll have a beer instead.

What shall I have?  Let us peruse a few local Tax Day options...

Clipper City Gold Ale 

Nice local brew, deep and golden in color and refreshing in taste.  No longer the color of money, you still can't go wrong with the gold standard... and who wants to drink green beer, anyway?  Even on St. Patty's Day, it's kinda lame.

http://www.ccbeer.com/

Brewer's Art Proletary Ale

The "beer of the people", so they say... dark and mouth-watering, like Baltimore in April. (What does that even mean?)  But what better way to support this country and the masses who pay the taxes that keep the roads paved that lead to the Mecca of Baltimore brewpubs: Brewer's Art.  (Is that even a sentence?)

Maybe I'm biased, but this is my blog.  I rule!  (What's wrong with me?)

http://www.belgianbeer.com/

Oliver ESB (Extra Special Bitter)

Ok, so this one is a stretch (but aren't they all, really?)... but you can't deny the "bitterness" one feels when shelling out big bucks for the government to waste... I imagine.

Either way, the beer's still damn tasty... a nice cask-conditioned English brew, served a little warmer and less carbonated than your usual beverage.  And I love the atmosphere at the Wharf Rat, where the many fine Oliver Ales are sold.  Quite wharfy and ratty, in the best way...

http://www.thewharfrat.com/

Ok, so we're done here, and Tax Day is almost over.  Good luck to you all, however you decide to cope with the IRS's national holiday.  As for me, I'm off to celebrate the end of another taxing year the only way I know how.  Find myself a nice, quiet beer that doesn't talk balk and cry softly into it...

Don't judge me.

Until next time!

Mark, the Drunken Intellectual

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Mark.  I am a 30-something self-described “drunken intellectual” living and celebrating life in Baltimore City.  I love the nightlife… I like to boogie, and all that.  And I have had the pleasure to enjoy the nightlife, and to boogie, all over this town for many a year.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, I also like reading, independent film and New Orleans in Autumn…

But this blog is not about me.  This is about sharing my experiences and observations of the many excellent beverages and drinking establishments this town has to offer.  In other words, we will be talking about booze and bars, and all the many things that go on in bars.  We will be talking about college sports and beer pong, fine wine and cheap beer, outdoor smoking and indoor puking.  There will be discussions about trivia nights, steak nights, salsa nights and, of course, karaoke nights.  But mostly, we will be concentrating on the finer points of the alcohol beverage and the joy it can bring.  Hopefully we can all learn a thing or two.

But let me add a disclaimer or two as well: I do not intend that you take anything I say seriously, much less as the “one true word”… no matter how strongly I declare it.  And every now and then, I will stray off topic, because that’s just how I roll.  But if you have a sense of humor and half a brain, you’ll understand where I’m coming from.  So here’s looking forward to a long, healthy relationship (assuming you can call any relationship based on the consumption of alcohol “healthy”).  Hopefully I will be seeing you here often… which would make you a “regular” as they say in barspeak.

So come on in and take a seat…

Mark, the Drunken Intellectual