Mark Burlet frequents the Baltimore bar scene with a mission of uncovering all that is new and unique. From a grasshopper martini to a billowing microbrew, Mark will sacrifice his stomach and senses all in the name of research. Night crawlers beware.

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Showing entries for Category: beer

This article is part of Baltimore's Best

Best Liquor Store in Baltimore

8 comments

September 30, 7:47 PM

by Mark Burlet, Baltimore Drink Examiner

Every once in a while, people just want someone to tell them where to go... what to do... maybe even how to vote. I'm not here to do that. (Unless you want me to tell you how to vote... I'll gladly inform you of the correct choice if you like, just drop me a line.) But there are also times when people just want to hear the opinions of informed fellow citizens. Maybe they're new in town, maybe they don't want to spend all their time traveling around the city checking out every little nook and cranny, or maybe they're just too freakin' lazy to form their own opinion. So, they turn to this new-fangled thing we like to call: the internet. Or just the "net", or the "web", or the "magic box of porn". Whatever you call it, that's where you are now. And this is where people go to look up information about where they live and what's around for them to do. And as a self-proclaimed "expert" on matters pertaining to the drinking world in Baltimore, I feel like I have a little to share for those earnest seekers of knowledge out there.

And luckily for you, I won't charge you a damned thing...

So one of the questions I get most often is where do you go to find the best selection of beer, wine and liquor in town? In my mind, there is really only one correct answer... and that is:

WELLS DISCOUNT LIQUORS
6310 York Road, Baltimore

While there are many fine liquor stores closer to my place in Canton, I still find myself making the trip up York Road to Wells whenever I'm looking for something special. Whether it be a nice bottle of malbec for a housewarming party, a couple six packs of Abita beer for a Sunday barbecue, or a bottle of small batch bourbon for my own selfish needs, I feel much more comfortable heading to Wells than any other shop in town. I just know I'll come away with something to make everyone happy. Just take a look at the selection on their website... 4 pages each of German beer, Spanish wine and American whiskey alone is enough to keep me coming back. Not to mention their extremely knowledgeable staff, who always seem to be around... how many experts can they employ? Anyway, feel free to check out this cathedral of cocktails next time you're on the north side of town, or take a little road trip if you're in need of something a little extra special. You can thank me later.

Maker's Mark works just fine...

So there you have your first "Best Of Baltimore" declaration from way up high here on my alcohol-soaked throne. Feel free to leave a comment or two... share your personal favorites or just tell me where I should stuff it. Whatever you decide, I'll still be here to make more such completely arbitrary proclamations whenever I see fit. Get used to this, friends... I'm loving it!

Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual

Runner Up: The Wine Source in Hampden
Another great selection and a helpful staff makes this an excellent backup, or a nice first choice if you live near the Avenue. Tell them Mark sent you! (They won't know what that means, but it makes me happy...)

Topics: beer , wine , whiskey , best of , liquor , Wells Discount Liquors , Best Of Baltimore

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Comments

Drink of the Week - Backfin Pale Ale

2 comments

September 26, 4:32 PM

I know there is a large segment of the drinking population that is happy to consume whatever the bartender sets before them. For this denizen of the beverage emporia, the goal is simple... get drunk as cheaply as possible. There does not appear to be... Read More
Topics: drinking , beer , Clay Pipe Brewing Company , Backfin Pale Ale , ale , Maryland Beer and Food Festival , drink of the week

Drunken Intellectual's Guide to Football Etiquette

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September 17, 6:44 PM

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The Post-Labor-Day Blues

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September 3, 1:48 AM

So, it has come and it has passed. The last vestiges of summer have been ripped from the early-darkening skies and cruel reality has been laid out before us, with nary a 3-day weekend in sight until Thanksgiving! And as the warmth of early September... Read More
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Preseason - An Ernest Hemingway

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August 6, 12:22 AM

The night was humid and quiet, even for a Sunday. The young man sat still, his shirtless back sticking slightly to the tan leather couch. A paperback lay unopened at his side as his fingers idly flipped through the edges of each... Read More
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Green Beer in July?

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July 2, 9:33 PM

I've seen the future of this nation, dear friends... and it is not red, white and blue. This searingly bright, blazing ember of hope is not silvery hot or glaringly yellow. This future of our great American landscape... is green.Yes,... Read More
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The Horror of Falsies

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June 21, 8:20 PM

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Examiners' Summer Beer Challenge

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Welcome back, loyal readers! Your favorite person in the world (that's me) has returned from a week-long exile at one of the nation's largest gatherings of geek-hood, held this year in Orlando. While I won't go into details... Read More
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Hall of Fame: the Inaugural Class

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Festival Season and Hangovers

5 comments

May 30, 9:47 PM

I don't know about you, but I'm still slowly getting my energy back from Memorial Day Weekend. While it's nice to have a 3-day break, it may lead one to take over-full advantage of the time off work (and the additional recovery day) to spend those... Read More
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