Ocean City, MD
MD Brewery Challenge #38
We stopped by the Ocean City Brewing Company for dinner. We were staying in OC for a long weekend right on 56th Street, so it was within walking distance. This is my 38th brewery visit for the Maryland Brewery Challenge.
When entering OC Brewing, you must walk through an extensive gift shop, then an area dedicated to corn hole before finding a place to sit. The dining room is filled with booths and many high tables. We found a booth to fit all 5 of us.
I have been to their Elkridge restaurant, so I was familiar with their surfboard style flights of 3. I ordered a flight, this time at the actual brewery.
My flight was Ogre, Buying the Cow, and Pumpkin Hollow. Ogre was an ugly beer tasting of green apples and bubblegum but Buying the Cow was the real monster, with a nasty solvent taste. However, the Pumpkin Hollow was a sweet, enjoyable pumpkin beer.
I talked to our waitress about the Buying the Cow off flavors. She exchanged it for a Mad Scientist – a chocolate stout. It tasted like Hershey’s chocolate poured into a beer. Sweet, chocolaty and a bit nutty.
I also talked to the bartender about the disappointing Buying the Cow. He drank a sample and seemed to think it was okay. I mentioned the solvent flavors and he said it was a bit “green”. He said they are committed to their release dates. Hmmm…
While waiting for our food, I decided to try my luck at corn hole and challenged Amy. After my early lead, she destroyed me. I’ve never seen so many swishes directly into the corn hole.
The food was very good. We devoured the “IRISH” Nachos – tater tots with black beans and jalapeno. They were spicy with cheese – a big hit. For my meal, I had the pear salad; it was spectacular with roasted candied pecans, gorgonzola, and mozzarella cheese. The pears were perfect.
We all really enjoyed the live music. it was solo acoustic sets. He played everything from Fleetwood Mac to Alleluia from Shrek to Maroon 5’s Animals.
Paul summed up our OC Brewing experience quite well. Everything was good here at the brewery, except the beer.
Most people do not think about Ocean City in October. I discovered this little Maryland secret during a few rides for the annual Seagull Century, a ride held during the Columbus Day weekend. OC is not crowded in the fall and if the weather cooperates, it can offer quite a pleasant experience.
Cheers!
Warren