Yes, the vast bulk of Americans still drink the schlock of beers, from the big brewers that seem to spend more on marketing than on the corn and rice that fill out their bland product. But the bourgeois beer bohemians among us -- whether 20-something hipsters or middle-aged connoisseurs -- are going strong, restlessly racking up exotic brew experiences from Rochefort Trappistes to Lost Abbey Duck Duck Gooze, like so many notches on a bedpost.

Taverns that feature dozens and dozens of ales and lagers on tap are a trend that's working up a head. If you live within driving (or, better yet, walking) distance of one of these multi-tap beer palaces, you're lucky. But before you order your first draft, a few pointers.

Make sure your pub is obsessive about beer freshness and the hygiene of the great lengths of tubing that connect taps to kegs. "With this many taps, you have to track what you're doing," says Mike Dickson, bar manager at Great Lost Bear, a 69-tap bar in Portland, Maine. "It's constant maintenance."

If keg beer is handled correctly, it is the best bet. "Our keg beer is always fresh; you don't know how long bottles have been on the shelf," says Dickson. "If someone does question a kegged beer, I'll check the date."

The latest malt megatrends: Belgian and Belgian-style beers and cask-conditioned brews, which are handpumped to the glass without the pressure provided by artificial carbonation. "Cask-conditioned beer has just a little natural carbonation," says Dickson. "A regular keg is pressurized to get the beer to the keg." Some connoisseurs say the carbon dioxide and nitrogen used to pressurize the keg add too many bubbles and may degrade the taste.

Now let's see what's available at beer emporia across the nation.

read the full article at msn.com

"With affordable happy hours and a Tuesday beer social where patrons sip rarities with resident brew expert Casey Hard, Max's is a beer lover's place to be. Of course, it also stocks a whopping 1,000 bottles, 102 taps and five casks, so even if the conversation's lagging, there's no shortage of suds to occupy your tongue."

Read the full article at draftmag.com

MAX'S ANNUAL BELGIAN BEER FEST 2013
FRIDAY FEB 15 THROUGH MONDAY FEB 18, 2013

11AM-CLOSE EACH DAY
NO ENTRANCE FEE

We will have over 200 differnet belgian beers on draft over the 3 days Fri-Sun
over 200 Belgian beers in Bottles
a full Belgian Inspired food menu
plus a few special suprises.........

New for 2013-Monday Feb 18
Monday we will have a very special bottle release at 11am
over 20 all american all sour draft
over 20 sour american bottles
11am-close

HOTEL LINK INFO:

https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=248&Chain=11781&template=flex&arrive=2%2f15%2f2013&depart=2%2f19%2f2013&adult=1&child=0&group=770239

HOTEL INFO:
Admiral Fell Inn
Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland (One Block from Max's Taphouse)
$149 per nite
Free parking
$25.00 Gift card towards your next stay
Discount on -2013 Max's Belgian Fest T-Shirt

HOTEL INFO
Courtyard by marriot Inner harbor East
Harbor East-5 Block from max's
$119.00 per night
call The Hotel Directly at 1 800 321 2211 or 443 923 4000 on or before Jan 15, 2013 to reserve a room
ask for the Belgian Beerfest Group staying at baltimore Downtown Courtyard
ONLINE: marriott.com/bwidt
Under Special rates & awards
use group Code BBFBBFA for rooms w/ King Bed
use Group Code BBFBBFB for rooms w/ 2 double beds.


THE DRAFT LIST 50% DONE:
Alvinne Melchior
Alvinne Undressed Regular
Alvinne Wild Undressed aged on oak
Blaugies La Moneuse
Blaugies Darbyste
Blaugies La Moneuse Special Noel
Blaugies Saison De Epeautre
Cazeau Saison
De Dochter Belle Fleur
De Dochter Embrasse
De Dochter Embrasse Peat Whiskey
De Dolle Arabier
De Dolle Dulle Teve
De La Senne Band of Brothers
De Ranke Guldenberg
De Ranke Pere Noel
De Ranke Saison De Dottigines
De Ranke XX Bitter
De Proef KO
Geants Noel De Geants
Het Nest Hertenheer
Het Nest Schuppenboer
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Armagnac
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Cognac
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Jenever
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Maderia
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Port
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Sauternes
Hof Ten Dormaal BA Project Sherry'
Hof Ten Dormaal Dark
Hof Ten Dormaal White Gold
jandrian V Cense
jandiran VI Wheat
kerkom Bink Bloesom
kerkom Bink Triple
kerkom Winter
Sainte Helene Simcoe Lager
Sainte Helene Black Mamba
Sainte Helene La Grognarde
Serafijn De Liter van Palieter
Slaapmutske Hop Collection Halltertau
Smisje Catherine the Great
Smisje Wostyntje
De Struise Ignis & Flamma
De Struise Rossa
De Struise Svea IPA
De Struise Witte
De Struise Tjseeses
De Struise X
De Struise XX
De Struise XXX Rye Triple
T Gaverhopke Singing Blonde
Tilquin Gueuze
Timmerman Pumpkin Lambicus
Troubadour Westkust
Troubadour Magma Sorachi Ace
Van Eecke Popering Hommel
Van Eecke Popering Hommel Dry Hopped
Van Eecke Watou Cuvee
Vapeur Saison De Pipaix
Viven Blonde
Viven Imperial IPA
Viven Smoked Porter
Conterras Valier Extra
More ...many More to come........will add them as they come in.........

DUCLAW vs EVOLUTION

1PM TILL-........

We will be featuring 9 drafts from each brewery.
We will also be featuring a very special cask made by Casey (Max's Taphouse) and Morgan(DuClaw Brewery)

ON DRAFT:
DuClaw Sweet Baby Jesus
DuClaw Old Flame
DuClaw Hellrazer
DuClaw Serum
DuClaw Devil Milk 2007
DuClaw X6
DuClaw Blad Moon
DuClaw Bourbon Devil Milk
DuClaw X4
Evolution Wandering Monk
Evolution Prelude Black
Evolution Prelude Red
Evolution Lot 6
Evolution Lot 3
Evolution Primal Pale
Evolution Lucky 7
Evolution Exile ESB
Evolution Stout