Frank About Beer

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Frank About Beer

Helping YOU find great craft beers with frank and honest info and reviews of serious beers for casual beer fans. Beer talk, funny videos & more!
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It was our wives who were the inspiration for Frank About Beer. While sitting at a bar picking beers one night, it occurred to us that there were plenty of beer blogs that reviewed beer on an expert level, but none that talked to the casual craft beer fan. That's why we started Frank About Beer - to give frank and honest reviews of beers in a fun, educational format that will help you find GREAT beer that you're sure to love.

01/22/2024

Finally stopped into BierBath today (Eldersburg, MD) to check out the taproom. If you're not familiar with BierBath, they're a full-on beer spa (popular in Europe) as well as a taproom.

We weren't up for a spa treatment today, so that'll have to wait for another time, but the tap room is a great place to spend some time. The room is really comfortable and casual (it feels like a brewery - not a bar) and the beer selection is a good variety of styles from both local non-local (including a couple IPAs from Sweden) on tap and in cans/bottles.

My favorite today was the strawberry/chocolate stout from Brookeville Beer Farm - served with a toasted marshmallow.

Talking to the owners, it's clear they're big fans of supporting craft beer, and I'm really interested to keep an eye on the rotating beers and making this a regular spot.

Have you been - or been to a beer spa before? I'd love to hear what you thought.

Cheers! 🍺

12/07/2023

'Tis the season - which means the return of Mad Elf, a seasonal Belgian strong ale from Tröegs Independent Brewing.

It's a glass of rich, full flavor - if you love Belgians, this is a real treat. 🍺💕

11/25/2023

For Small Biz Saturdays, we stopped for lunch today at The Local Motive and had to get a beer. Today's choice was from another small biz, Pipe The Side Brewing Company (Hampstead, MD). 🍺

On tap today was their Nightjar - an English-style bitter that is labeled as a session ale. Session ales are typically below 5%, and although this one is at 5.4% ABV, i didn't mind a bit. It's full of flavor with a nice dry bitterness and a bit of breadiness with a bit of sweetness.

Between the sandwich and the beer, it made for a great lunch out. 💕🍻

11/24/2023

It's super-thick, and tastes like boozy, dark chocolate cherry. And it's 14.5% ABV this year. 😳

11/18/2023

It’s been waaaaay too long, but I stopped by Antietam Brewery Western Maryland Pkwy in Hagarstown today. I’ve always been a fan of their beers, and the taproom expansion opens up a ton of indoor seating. The food is amazing too.

We got the Oktoberfestand porter, and theyfull of flavor, well-made, and just what I remembered from before.

Definitely worth a stop - and glad we did! 💕🍺

11/12/2023

At a beer festival today - my fav was the dark lager from Guilford Hall Brewery. The team working the tent was a ton of fun, and I’m glad to have had a chance to have their beer. A brewery visit is definitely in the near future. 🍺

11/08/2023

You west coast-loving IPA drinkers need to to stop in to Oscar's Alehouse for the Oscar’s X IPA. 🍺

It’s a collaboration with Baltimore’s Nepenthe Brewing Co. and itone of my new favorites. Lots of grapefruit, some lemon, a bit of pine, and really good.

It’s been on tap the last several times i’ve been to the Eldersburg location (i imagine it’s at their other ones, too), so give it a taste and let me know what you think!

10/11/2023

Details and ticket links are in the comments - go see our friends (and 30 other Maryland breweries)at Monument City this Saturday!

10/03/2023

Happening 10/7 in Columbia, MD

09/28/2023

Must be autumn - first pumpkin beer of the season! This is the Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin from New Belgium Brewing. 🍺🎃

It’s made with pumpkin, spices - and habanero! You get the pumpkin and cinnamon up front, then the spicy peppers kick in on the aftertaste, making for an interesting tweak for a pumpkin ale - and what made me want to try it.

How many pumpkin beers are YOU up to? Any I need to seek out?

Cheers!
Christian 🍺💕

08/17/2023

While on vacation at Hilton Head, SC it’s a rite of passage to stop at the Salty Dog. What I didn’t expect was getting their bouse beer in an aluminum can cup. 😳

They’re a thicker aluminum (made by can manufacturer, Ball) in a 16oz size, and comes out ice cold. Plus, they’re fully recyclable. The first few sips are actually hard to hold. 😁

Cold glasses/cups are usually not ideal for beer geeks (the cold temp mutes some flavors) but when you’re on vacation at a beach bar with a cold beer, it hits the spot perfectly.

Am I the only one to have tried these? I’m actually a fan.

08/15/2023

While on vacation in Hilton Head, SC I tried the pilsner from Lincoln & South Brewing Company (Hilton Head, SC). The beertender was a huge fan, so the recommendation was an ecstatic one. She didn’t disappoint.

It’s a solid American pilsner with a nice citrusy taste and a bit of breadiness in the aftertaste. In the 95* sun, it was exactly what I needed.

Definitely one to check out if you’re in the area. 🍺

Cheers!

07/22/2023

Wandered over to Fourscore Beer Co. today while in Gettysburg, PA. The food was great, and while I didn’t have many of the bsers, the IPA and stout were prettu tasty. 🍺💕

07/19/2023

Spent a great afternoon learning about off-flavors in beer from Cicerone Certification Program and hosted at Guinness Open Gate Brewery Baltimore.

Did you know that typical off-flavors in beer can taste like butterscotch, vinegar, or cardboard? I’ll explain more in coming posts.

07/15/2023

Met an old high school buddy at Appalachian Brewing Company in Gettysburg, PA. I’ve always really enjoyed their beers, and it’s nice sitting under their trees with a nice breeze.

My favorites today are the nice, light-bodied Helles Lager with a bit of breadiness and few hops (only for bittering), as well as the red ale - malty, light-bodied, and lower ABV.

If you make the trip, it’s a great spot to grab a beer or few. 🍺💕

07/07/2023

That moment you realize your outfit matches your beer. 🤣🍺

06/30/2023

It’s been a heck of a day, so when it was suggested we head to Liquidity Aleworks for some liquid dinner, I was in 1000%. I really love the beers here. 💕🍺

06/24/2023

Seriously loving the beers and cool spot at Harvest Gap Brewery today. My fav is the stout, but really enjoying the lagers/pilsners.

06/24/2023

Met some friends at Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery today. I seriously LOVE this place - great selection of beers, and a beautiful seating area including an 18th century farmhouse. Definitely worth the drive to NoVA! 💕🍺

05/31/2023

Spent a quick overnight at the Jersey Shore (The Reeds Stone Harbor is gorgeous, BTW), and had to have one of my favorite local beers - the IPA from Cape May Brewing Co. It’s a great west coast style that’s clear, and full of grapefruity citrus and pine. Definitely get a pint if you’re in the south Jersey area. 🍺💕

05/26/2023

Friends, I’m having a celebratory beer tonight. After many, many hours of hard study and note-taking, I’m thrilled to announce that you are looking at the newest Cicerone Certified Beer Server. 🍺

Much like what a sommelier is to wine, a Cicerone is a beer expert. There are four levels - I just passed Level 1, and will be working toward Level 2. I don’t know if I’ll physically be able to achieve Levels 3 & 4 (there are currently 19 Level 4 - Master Cicerones in the world), but I’m going to give it hell trying. 😎

05/16/2023

A nice night on the patio at Brewery Fire with some good folks and a 3-pack of Rocky Patel ci**rs from Davidus Ci**rs Westminster.

I typically like dark, malty beers with ci**rs, so I opted for the dry Irish stout which is a nice balance of mild sweetness and some roasty flavors and heavier body. Really a solid beer. 🍺

05/16/2023

Like to enjoy a cigar with your beer? Join me tonight up at Brewery Fire (Taneytown, MD) for their monthly Sip & Smoke night with Davidus Ci**rs Westminster. Should be a nice night to sit on their patio with a stick or two. Who’s in? 😎🍺

05/04/2023

I’m not always a fan of hazy beers, but I was out last night and oredered up a pint of Meadow’s Mist double IPA from Brookeville Beer Farm. YUM. 💕🍺

Really great fruity flavors, a nice bit of hoppy bitterness, the typical heavy body of a New England IPA - it was all done really well, and made for a great glass of beer.

Definitely one to check out if you’re at the brewery or see it on tap at Oscar's Alehouse in Eldersburg.

Cheers! 🍺

05/02/2023

Despite the photo, this was honestly the most unattractive beer I’ve ever seen (it looked like grey dishwater), but for my first beer from Thick N Thin Brewing Co.(Hagerstown, MD), I’m pretty impressed.

This Prototype pale ale is double dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe and Motueka hops, so you get lots of tropical flavors, citrus, and pine. But, with it being a pale ale, it’s only 5.8% ABV (where an IPA would be higher in alcohol).

Well-made, with full flavor, I’m really interested to try others from them. Have you?

Cheers! 💕🍺

04/30/2023

Look, I know that Nepenthe Brewing Co. (Baltimore) is known for their hazy IPAs, but the English pub ale and dark lager currently on tap are both OUTSTANDING.

English pub ales are typically light in body with light hoppiness, and are really pretty rare in taprooms. Black lagers have all the nice light body and crisp flavors of a lager, but with a roasty, mild coffee flavor. It’s one of my favorite styles.

Cheers! 💕🍺

03/10/2023

Since it’s rainy and cold out tonight, I decided to dive into my collection of aged beers and drink up some old ones. This Backwoods Bastard barrel-aged Scotch ale from Founders Brewing Co. is great when fresh, but not after almost four years. 🤣

What are you up to tonight? 🍺

03/03/2023

Having a great, historic stout at Checkerspot Brewing Company and hearing a wonderful history and the key role of women in Baltimore’s brewing history from Maureen from Brewing in Baltimore. 💕🍺

Shannon cream stout is a lighter-bodied stout with notes of coffee and molasses, a mild sweetness and dry.

03/03/2023

Got talked into some Thursday night beers at The Local Motive (Sykesville, MD) including a Monument City Brewing Company brown ale, and this, Happenchance wheat ale from Brookeville Beer Farm. 💕🍺

03/02/2023

I’m liking the Autoplay IPA from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (Exton, PA) - tropical fruit up front, followed by grapefruit, lemon, and hoppy bitterness at the end. And it’s only 5.6% ABV! Put this one on, “repeat.” 💕🍺

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Videos

Details and ticket links are in the comments - go see our friends (and 30 other Maryland breweries)at Monument City this Saturday!

Happening 10/7 in Columbia, MD

What are you doing this Friday night???? 💕🍺

A quick reminder that Early Bird tickets for the Brewers Association of Maryland’s Love Thy Beer event end this Saturday night! 🍺😎 Tickets and info: ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-thy-beer-tickets-481761239837

Would you LOVE to take your beer pics on Untappd or social media to the next level? Check out this easy tutorial that’ll help push you closer to beer greatness. Got tips of your own to share? Post them in the comments for others. And be sure to give us a like and follow for more helpful tips beer talk. 🍺💕 #beer #craftbeer #instabeer #beerstagram #drinklocal #drinkup #beertography #beerporn #craftbeerporn #beergeek #beerme #instagood #craftbeerlover #craftbeerlife #craftbeergeek #beernerd #beerlover #hops #ilovebeer #beerlove #craftbeernotcrapbeer #beersnob

It’s time for an Oktoberfest - and this weekend has one that sounds like it’ll be AMAZING. Take a look:

All of you IPA fans need to get to Pinehurst Wine Shoppe for their exclusive collab with UNION Craft Brewing. Here’s why. 🍺💕

Everyone loves a great unboxing video - here’s what I got today from Iron Hill Beer. 🍺💕

What’s my current favorite beer at Brookeville Beer Farm? 🍺💕

It’s Friday - here’s your moment of Zen. 🍺

Here’s an easy rundown on Amber Ales - and why they could be YOUR new favorite! 🍺

How could YOU win a FREE pair of GA tickets to this year’s Maryland Brewers Games benefitting the Pink Boots Society - Greater Maryland? Take a look: 🍺💕

Why am I wearing a shirt from Homaide Brewing Co. and holding a can of Berlin Brown from Smoketown Brewing Station? Here’s why: 💕🍺

Want a helpful tip YOU can use at a beer festival? 🍺 Whether you’re headed to something like this Saturday’s Hops & Harvest Festival or your favorite Oktoberfest, here’s how easy it is to make an awesome pretzel necklace for you and your friends! 🥨 So would yours be simple, or super fab??? Use the promo code “FAB10” at checkout for 10% off your tickets because you follow Frank About Beer. (Which I sincerely do appreciate!) 💕🍻 ⬇️⬇️⬇️ HopsAndHarvestfest.com 💕🍻

Some cool info you’ll want to share with some friends about an upcoming beer fest! 😎🍺

Tasting 13-year-old DFH 120 Minute

Craft spirits fans - starting today, our friends at McClintock Distilling are launching Gimlets For Green Week, and YOU can get some awesome cocktails that help the Chesapeake Bay watershed, too. Here’s how: 💕🥃

All of you cocktails & spirits fans will want to check back tomorrow morning - we have something really cool to share from our friends at Frederick, Maryland’s McClintock Distilling. 💕🥃

Ready for something different? Check out the new Metric System, a new Czech dark lager from Baltimore’s Monument City Brewing Company. 🍻 So what is a Czech lager? You may be most familiar with American lagers, which are filtered clear, use up to 25% corn or rice in their grain, and are mildly bitter. By contrast, German and Czech (sometimes also called Bohemian) are more bitter, but have a more earthy, sometimes fruity taste. The Germans filter them clear, while the Czechs leave them a bit more hazy, which also gives it a bit more fuller body. When you see a darker beer, you can already expect it to have a nice, roasty flavor to the grain, which imparts things like coffee, chocolate, or molasses depending on how much it’s been roasted. Dark lagers are the best of both worlds, and are really an underrepresented style, which is a shame because they’re delicious. In the case of Monument City’s, its a deep ruby red color with good carbonation. The aroma is pretty light, but has a mild hoppiness to it. The taste is a sweet, malty affair with notes of molasses, a little bit of chocolate, and some bready warmth, but also some nice subtle pine along with a good dose of bitterness to balance it all out. In true lager style, it finishes very clean and crisp and, despite its heavy perceived color, it’s really quite refreshing. If you haven’t tried a dark pilsner or, more likely, haven’t had one in a LONG time, give this one a try. Available now at the brewery and on shelves at select retailers around Maryland. Are you a fan of dark lager? Would you give this one a go? Know of a good one I should try? Tell me in the comments - I’d love to hear your thoughts. Cheers! Christian 💕🍻