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Freezy Freaky

City Paper’s Fourth Annual Search for the Coldest Beer in Baltimore

Tony Millionaire

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Freezy Freaky City Paper’s Fourth Annual Search for the Coldest Beer in Baltimore

Posted 5/24/2006

Once again City Paper’s intrepid I-Team set out on epic journeys through Baltimore clubs, neighborhood pubs, and dive bars filled with the heady scent of despair to find the coldest draft beer in Baltimore City. It’s never easy. We were mistaken for cops, or so we assume, since the bartender kept telling us how much they love cops at the bar and the other patrons eyed us nervously. We had to abort an attempt because of a drug bust. We were called a Nazi by someone because we ordered a Coors Light. We lost a thermometer or two, sucked down beers so warm they practically burned our tongues, and got very, very, very drunk. But we prevailed to bring you this list, complete with the coldest beer in the history of the contest: Down the Hatch’s 29.6-degree Budweiser. Brr.

Now we can just sit back and wait for the annual barrage of complaints—from bar owners arguing that their beer isn’t piss warm and from beer aficionados droning on about how beer isn’t supposed to be served ice-cold. This year we decided to handle these issues up front.

First, there are no do-overs. We don’t care if your lines were messed up, if it was a bad time of day, or if your glass froster was broken. If you sold a beer that warm to us, you’d sell it your other patrons, end of story.

Second, we are fully aware that not all beer is supposed to be served cold. That’s why we test the cheapest, palest lagers we found at each bar, the kind of beer that is palatable only a few degrees shy of slushy. But if you prefer warm beer, simply turn the list upside down. See, now everyone’s happy.

Rank Venue Address Phone Beer Container Price Temp
1
 Down the Hatch 1157 Haubert St. (410) 747-4707 Budweiser chilled mug $1 29.6
2
 Super Star Inn 5603 Pulaski Highway (410) 483-2575 Budweiser chilled mug $1.50 31.8
3
 Hon Bar 1000 W. 36th St. (410) 243-1236 Yuengling pint glass $3.75 32.0
4
 Joe’s Bar 6200 Reisterstown Road (410) 358-5833 Coors Light chilled mug $1.65 32.7
5
 Enrico’s Sports Bar 200 S. Haven St. (410) 327-6752 Budweiser chilled mug $1.15 32.8
6
 Kibby’s Restaurant and Lounge 3450 Wilkens Ave. (410) 644-8716 Budweiser chilled mug $1.52 33.4
7
 Arcos Restaurant 129 S. Broadway (410) 522-4777 Dos Equis chilled mug $2* 33.7
8
 Backstretch Saloon 1301 W. Old Cold Spring Lane (410) 889-3003 Budweiser frosted mug $1.25 33.8
9
 Spirits Tavern 1901 Bank St. (410) 563-1612 Yuengling chilled pint glass $3 34.4
10
 Sportman’s Spot 501 S. Lehigh St. (410) 276-9376 Budweiser mug 75¢ 34.5
11
 Thumpers 4600 Curtis Ave. (410) 355-9715 Budweiser mug $1 35.0
12
 Marshal’s Banshee 2351 Washington Blvd. (410) 646-0133, Coors Light chilled mug 50¢* 35.0
13
 Rave Inn 4507 Pennington Ave. (410) 354-6737 Yuengling chilled mug $1 35.0
14
 Camden Pub 647 W. Pratt St. (410) 547-1280 Miller Lite chilled pint glass $2.50 35.2
15
 Lithuanian Hall 851-53 Hollins St. (410) 685-5787 Coors Light plastic cup $1 35.5
16
 Hubcap Inn 6001 Belair Road (410) 325-3450 Budweiser chilled mug $1 35.6
17
 Joe Squared 133 W. North Ave. (410) 545-0444 Sierra Nevada pint glass $3.50 35.7
18
 Ale Mary’s 1939 Fleet St. (410) 276-2044 Mary’s Heavenly Ale pint glass $3 35.9
19
 Huckas Sports Bar 2324 Boston St. (410) 522-7770 Miller Lite pint glass $3 36.0
20
 Lou’s Bar 4825 Eastern Ave. (410) 633-0931 Budweiser plastic cup $1.50 36.0
21
 Pisces 300 Light St. (410) 605-2835 Miller Lite pint glass $4.50 36.3
22
 Bud and Patt’s Fillin’ Station 2501 Washington Blvd. (410) 525-8360 Coors Light chilled mug $1 36.4
23
 Park Avenue Café 8 Park Ave. (410) 637-3262 Budweiser pint glass $3 36.5
24
 O’Hara’s Irish Pub 6505 Belair Road (410) 444-7400 Yuengling plastic cup $2.25 36.8
25
 Blue Parrot 5680 Belair Road (443) 622-5347 Coors Light chilled pint $1.50* 36.9
26
 Idle Hour 201 E. Fort Ave. (410) 468-0357 McHenry pint glass $3 37.1
27
 Alonso’s Restaurant 415 W. Cold Spring Lane (410) 235-3433 Coors Light cold pint glass $3 37.2
28
 Baltimore Eagle 2202 N. Charles St. (443) 524-3333 Coors Light mug $2 37.3
29
 Brannan’s Pub 5516 Harford Road (410) 426-7300 Budweiser chilled mug $1 37.3
30
 Henninger’s Tavern 812 Bank St. (410) 342-2172 Pilsner Urquell pint glass $3.50 37.3
31
 O’Brady’s Crab House 3432 S. Hanover St. (410) 355-9040 Coors Light plastic cup $2 37.4
32
 Admiral’s Cup 1647 Thames St. (410) 522-6731 Miller Lite plastic cup $3.50 37.5
33
 Bill’s Café 6701-05 Holabird Ave. (410) 633-4707 Budweiser mug $1.25 37.6
34
 Molly’s Public House 400 W. 23rd St. (410) 889-0091 Rolling Rock pint glass $2 37.7
35
 Pickles Pub 520 Washington Blvd (410) 752-1784 Yuengling plastic cup $3.25 37.7
36
 Speakeasy Saloon 2840 O’Donnell St. (410) 276-2977 Sierra Nevada Pale Ale pint glass $4.01 38.0
37
 James Joyce Pub 616 President St. (410) 727-5107 Miller Lite pint glass $2.25** 38.2
38
 Dionysus Restaurant and Lounge 8 E. Preston St. (410) 244-1020 Yuengling pint glass $3 38.3
39
 Tammy’s Place 2511 E. Fayette St. (410) 342-9400 Yuengling plastic cup $1.50 39.0
40
 Ottobar 2549 N. Howard St. (410) 662-0069 Sierra Nevada pint glass $4 39.1
41
 Sidebar 218 E. Lexington St. (410) 659-4130 Pabst Blue Ribbon plastic cup $2.10 39.3
42
 Butts and Betty’s Tavern 2200 Gough St. (410) 276-9186 Budweiser pint glass $1.50 39.5
43
 Catch 22 Saloon 6000 Eastern Ave. (410) 633-7465 Rolling Rock pint glass $1.75 39.5
44
 Murphy’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill 5847 York Road (410) 323-9049 Yuengling pint glass $2.75 39.7
45
 O’Connors 4801 Eastern Ave. (410) 633-2233 Coors Light pint glass $1.75 40.0
46
 Owl Bar The Belvedere, 1 E. Chase St. (410) 347-0888 Bass pint glass $3.50 40.0
47
 Ropewalk Tavern 1209 S. Charles St. (410) 727-1298 Yuengling pint glass $2* 40.0
48
 Crazy Lil’s 27 E. Cross St. (410) 347-9793 Pabst Blue Ribbon chilled pint glass $1.90 40.1
49
 Golden West Café 1105 W. 36th St. (410) 889-8891 Sierra Nevada chilled pint glass $3.15 40.1
50
 Chuck’s Place 3137 Eastern Ave. (410) 675-3191 Coors Light pint glass $1.50 40.2
51
 Tír Na Nóg Harborplace, 201 E. Pratt St. (410) 483-8968 Yuengling pint glass $4.50 40.3
52
 Fan Fare Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 410-685-9800 Budweiser plastic cup $3.50 40.4
53
 Capitol City Brewing Co. Harborplace, 301 S. Light St. (410) 539-7468 Capitol Kolsch pint glass $4.04 40.5
54
 Edgar’s Billiards Club 1 E. Pratt St. (410) 752-8080 Miller Lite chilled pint glass $2** 40.5
55
 Irish Pub 418 S. Clinton St. (410) 276-1164 Yuengling pint glass $1.25* 40.6
56
 Thirsty Dog Pub 20 E. Cross St. (410) 727-6077 Blonde Dog mug $3*** 40.6
57
 Gallagher’s Bar and Grill 940 S. Conkling St. (410) 327-3966 Budweiser pint glass $2.75 40.9
58
 Mex 26 Market Place (410) 528-0128 Bud Light pint glass $3.25 41.0
59
 Bleachers Sports Bar 2501 Fleet St. (410) 522-1626 Miller Lite pint glass $1.50 41.1
60
 Griffith’s Tavern 3631 Hickory Ave. (410) 366-9214 Yuengling 12-ounce glass $1.50 41.1
61
 Maggie Moore’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 21 N. Eutaw St. (410) 837-2100 Miller Lite pint glass $3.25 41.2
62
 Dougherty’s Irish Pub 223 W. Chase St. (410) 752-4059 Yuengling pint glass $2.50 41.7
63
 Frazier’s on the Avenue 919 W. 36th St. (410) 662-4914 Yuengling pint glass $3.70 42.0
64
 Captain Larry’s 601 E. Fort Ave. (410) 727-4799 Yuengling pint glass $3 42.1
65
 Slainte 1700 Thames St. (410) 563-6600 Amstel Light 12-ounce glass $3.25 42.1
66
 Nick’s Fish House 2600 Insulator Drive (410) 347-4123 Yuengling pint glass $3 42.2
67
 Dizzy Issie’s 300 W. 30th St. (410) 235-0171 Yuengling pint glass $1.50 42.3
68
 Hiding Spot 3638 S. Hanover St. (410) 355-7768 Budweiser pint glass $1.50 42.8
69
 Wharf Rat 801 S. Ann St. (410) 276-9034 Summer Light pint glass $2 42.8
70
 Clayton’s Tavern 1236 Light St. (410) 837-4440 Yuengling pint glass $4.50 43.2
71
 JT’s Saloon 6319 Belair Road (410) 444-1633 Bud Light pint glass $1.50 43.3
72
 Tug’s Bar and Grille 222 St. Paul Place (410) 244-7300 Miller Lite chilled pint glass $4.75*** 43.4
73
 Grand Central 1001 N. Charles St. (410) 752-7133 Yuengling pint glass $4 43.7
74
 Claddagh Pub 2918 O’Donnell St. (410) 522-4220 Miller Lite pint glass $2.50 44.1
75
 Magerk’s Pub 1061 S. Charles St. (410) 576-9230 Yuengling pint glass $1.50* 44.1
76
 Kisling’s Tavern 2100 Fleet St. (410) 327-5477 Miller Lite pint glass $1.50* 44.4
77
 Starters 3311 Annapolis Road (410) 355-8514 Budweiser plastic cup $1.25 44.5
78
 Mount Royal Tavern 1204 W. Mount Royal Ave. (410) 669-6686 Yuengling pint glass $2.25 44.6
79
 J. Patrick’s Irish Pub 1371 Andre St. (410) 244-8613 Yuengling pint glass $2 44.7
80
 Mick O’Shea’s 328 N. Charles St. (410) 539-7504 Miller Lite pint glass $2* 45.0
81
 Islander Bar and Grille 1928 Fleet St. (410) 342-8718 Miller Lite 12-ounce glass $2 45.1
82
 Cat’s Eye Pub 1730 Thames St. (410) 276-9866 Miller Lite 12-ounce glass $2 45.3
83
 Sharky’s Bar and Grill 2819 Eastern Ave. (410) 534-1051 Budweiser plastic cup $1.50 45.3
84
 Fields Old Trail Tavern 5723 York Road (410) 433-1220 Budweiser pint glass $1.75 45.5
85
 Sliders Bar and Grill 504 Washington Blvd (410) 547-8891 Budweiser plastic cup $2* 45.6
86
 Mount Vernon Stable and Saloon 909 N. Charles St. (410) 685-7427 Rolling Rock pint glass $3.15 45.9
87
 Friends at Fells Point 1634 Aliceanna St. (410) 732-3885 Budweiser 12-ounce glass $2.50 46.5
88
 Waterfront Hotel 1710 Thames St. (410) 537-5055 Budweiser 12-ounce glass $2.50 46.7
89
 Brewer’s Art 1106 N. Charles St. (410) 547-6925 Brewer’s Art Pale Ale pint glass $3.75 47.3
90
 Jerry’s Belvedere Tavern 5928 York Road (410) 435-8600 Budweiser pint glass $1.75 47.4
91
 Looney’s Pub 2900 O’Donnell St. (410) 675-9235 Budweiser pint glass $2.25 47.5
92
 Sobo Café 6 W. Cross St. (410) 752-1518 Birdhouse Ale pint glass $3.50 47.5
93
 Truman’s of Locust Point 1230 E. Fort Ave. (410) 539-6183 Budweiser pint glass $2 50.8
94
 Max’s Taphouse 737 S. Broadway (410) 675-6297 Budweiser 12-ounce glass $3.33 51.9
95
 Midtown Yacht Club 15 E. Centre St. (410) 837-1300 Miller Lite pint glass $2.90* 53.0
96
 Peter’s Pourhouse 111 Mercer St. (410) 539-5818 Miller Lite pint glass $3.25 53.3
97
 Rendezvous Lounge 134 W. 25th St. (410) 467-3860 Miller Lite plastic cup $1.75 53.5
98
 Eden’s Lounge 15 W. Eager St. (410) 244-0405 Yuengling pint glass $2* 54.2
99
 No Way Jose Café 38 E. Cross St. (410) 752-2837 Miller Lite pint glass $2.50 54.6
100
 One-Eyed Mike’s 708 S. Bond St. (410) 327-9823 Miller Lite 12-ounce glass $3 54.9

* happy hour special
** game day special
*** two for one special

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