Tom Wark writes the Fermentation blog. In it, he describes the absolute mockery of testifying before a committee that isn’t going to do anything regardless of the testimony. Yes, this is how democracy really works in Maryland. Too bad it was regarding the proposed Direct Wine Shipping bill (HB 716) that I’ve talked about so much before.
Ben Brouse Beer, Food & Drink, Wine
| Stopped in here for a a casual Sunday afternoon lunch and a few beers. This isn’t the first time we’ve been here but I’ve never written about it before. Alex, the bar manager, keeps an incredible beer list. I really dig seeing something new every time I stop in. This trip, on draught, I encountered Allagash Hugh Malone and Troegs Nugget Nectar – both very tasty. My only complaint – all the beers are high octane! I would prefer a few few more session beverages. |
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| Now to eating – I had a Mushroom and Swiss KOBE burger. Exceptional, full flavored burger; couple that with smoked paprika fries and I can’t imagine a better lunch. My wife had the roasted beet salad, with blue cheese and toasted nuts. She was very pleased with the salad and remarked that it was nice that it wasn’t dripping in dressing and it was a good value. |
| My take: definitely a place to check out. I like the bar better than the dining room. Some of the food can be a little over the top but the draught and bottle list is worth a stop alone. Other reviews here. |
Ben Brouse Restaurant Reviews
| According to this article in the Baltimore Sun, it looks like the bill is dead. My older coverage is here: |
| I’m not really concerned with whether or not you agree with this legislation, but you can no longer argue the fact that Maryland’s legislature is run via back-room deals and special interest money. The fact that the majority of the committee supported the legislation, but the legislation was not allowed to come up for a vote overwhelmingly proves this. |
Ben Brouse Food & Drink, Wine
| Hey folks, remember that tomorrow is the scheduled hearings for the direct wine shipping bills that I’ve previously discussed here. |
| Vinotrip is reporting this tasty nugget. “Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws will be holding a press conference on Friday, March 5 at 12:15 PM on Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis. The press release mentioned that there has been “an understanding reached with the alcohol industry concerning HB 716/SB 566.” |
| Now if we could just get Senator Joan Carter Conway to abandon her false claims that this bill would increase under-aged drinking we may just get there. |
Ben Brouse Food & Drink, Wine
| Interesting chatter regarding The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010. Further background here. |
| I had sent an email to all members of the House Ways and Means Committee and received this response from Delegate Frank S. Turner: |
Thank you for contacting me concerning HB 832 – The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010.
This bill is scheduled for a hearing on March 11, 2010 before the Ways and Means Committee. There is no chance any tax bill will pass in FY 2011.
I appreciate hearing from you regarding this issue.
Very truly yours,
Delegate Frank S. Turner
House Ways and Means Committee
Chairman, Finance Resources Subcommittee
District 13 – Howard County
410-841-3246/301-858-3246
Fax: 410-841-3986
E-mail: frank.turner@house.state.md.us
http://mlis.state.md.us/
| Score one for the little people. |
Ben Brouse Beer, Food & Drink
After a long hiatus, the house beer makes a triumphant return. This batch will be a little higher in alcohol as compared to the last few as the efficiency seems to be around 75%. This is a straight forward American Pale Ale. A touch of caramel ending with citrus notes from the hops. Originally derived from Abita’s Restoration Ale. For those of you counting, this is batch #36 on the brew rig.
Brew session went well. Looking forward to having this on tap again!
Ingredients:
| 20# |
2-row Maris Pale Malt |
| 2# |
Carapils |
| 24 oz |
Crystal 40L |
Hops:
| 1.5 oz |
Cascade |
7.5% AA |
60 Min |
| 1.0 oz |
Centennial |
9.2% AA |
15 Min |
| 0.5 oz |
Centennial |
9.2% AA |
0 Min |
Yeast:
| (2) US-05 Fermentis Safale – Fermentiing ~@65F |
Yield:
Stats:
| OG: 1.064 |
IBU: 27 |
SRM: 9.1 |
Ben Brouse Food & Drink, Homebrew
| Had the pleasure on Thursday evening to head into the city. Hopes were running high as we wanted to try the latest trick on the beer engine from Stephen Jones, the brewer at Pratt St Ale House. |
| From Wikipedia – “Typically, beers of this style are of a copper colour but vary from golden to almost black, and as the name suggests the origins of this style lies in the tradition that it was matured/cellared for a period of time once bottled (and most sealed with a cork), to be consumed later in the year, akin to a Saison.” |
| This beer was delightful and something that grew on me the more I had. 5.5% ABV, dark amber color, a medium mouth-feel, pronounced maltiness and a little fruity character upon warming made this worth the trip! |
| As an added twist, it just happened to be the 100th firkin Thursday @ Metropolitan with several notable members of SPBW in attendance. |
Ben Brouse Beer, Food & Drink, Prelude
Located in Columbia, MD off of Dobbin Rd lies a little restaurant that is big on taste in both beer and food.
| Self described: “We specialize in southwestern-style cuisine, so whether you’re in the mood for one of our famous burritos, our world-class grilled barbecue wings or one of our daily specials like flat iron steak, Frisco has something to satisfy your senses.” |
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| Typically, I show up motivated by the ever-revolving list of fantastic craft beers on draught (19 of them). I can tell you that if you like to try many different brews, this is a place to add to your rotation. Albeit, I believe there is a hop-head somewhere lurking due to the saturation of IPA’s. |
| The beer isn’t the only star here, it is also the Southwestern-style food. I’ve eaten here several times. I can personally vouch for the Nachos w/ Grilled Chicken, the Chicken Burrito w/ Beans, the Sante Fe Burger & the Corn-Dusted Chicken Sandwich. I’ve heard great things about the Chicken Fajita Sandwich as well (my wife). |
| The ambiance is pleasant and the décor is casual. You can make yourself feel at home here. This place has a “Cheers” vibe. Everyone talks to each other. |
| There isn’t much else to say except the food is excellent, the beer is excellent and you can afford to eat here. Don’t believe me? – look at the menu for yourself. |
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| I’ll be back frequently. Other reviews here. |
Ben Brouse Restaurant Reviews
Interesting chatter over the last few days about a new alcohol tax bill in Maryland. Over the past weeks I’ve outlined Maryland’s Wine Siege. Now this gem. Deceptively named the “The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010”. The house bill is here. The senate version is here.
Synopsis:
Increasing the State tax rates for alcoholic beverages sold in Maryland from $1.50 to $10.03 per gallon for distilled spirits, from 40 cents to $2.96 per gallon for wine, and from 9 cents to $1.16 per gallon for beer; providing for the distribution of the additional revenue to special funds to be used only for the purpose of providing additional funding for specified health services; etc.
Brandon Miller-Millhouse summarized as following:
“A Maryland Brewery" Brews 40 Barrel batches
40 bbl = 1240 gallons presently taxed at $111.60
with bill passed that same single batch would be taxed $1,438
…So lets say a brewery right now sells a gallon of beer for $5 (just an example) this tax makes them to have to raise the price of their product to say $7.50-$8 per gallon. The Distributor has to mark it up to retain their profit margin ($10-$11)and the retailers have to mark it up retain their profit margin ($13-$15) and WE are left paying Stone Six-Pack Prices for everything…oh and I almost forgot the 6% MD sales tax.
BTW – Brandon reads this blog, so if you’d like to leave him feedback, do it here. I won’t be handing out his email address.
Conclusion
Just another example of how clearly broken Maryland’s three-tier distribution system remains. I completely understand wanting to raise the taxes to be more in-line with other states, but don’t provide that comparison to me regarding states that don’t have a bogus three-tier distribution system in place. The reality is, the distributors don’t care because they are going to add their costs on regardless of what this bill does just as Brandon has previously outlined.
Opinions and comments welcome.
Ben Brouse Beer, Food & Drink, Wine
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