Baltimore Magazine: Robert McClintock vs. Artscape

[Image courtesy of RobertMcClintock.com]

Baltimore artist Robert McClintock—most famous for his portraits of dogs and local landmarks—won’t be at Artscape this weekend, and he’s encouraging others to skip the event, too. Through Twitter and e-mail blasts, the artist has suggested locals “opt out” of the art and music festival.

McClintock said the idea comes from his inability to pass the event’s juried application process last year, despite his participation from 2001 to 2010.

“Yes, I’m bitter that I didn’t get into Artscape,” said McClintock in a phone interview. “I’m a local artist promoting the city, and people look for me there.”

Artscape’s organizers aren’t worried about McClintock’s suggestion to skip the event. “The point of Artscape is to foster artists, and if that [campaign] helps him as an artist to sell art, then at the end of the day we wish him all the best,” said Tracy Baskerville, communications director at Baltimore Office of Promotion of the Arts.

McClintock didn’t apply this year, instead choosing to opt out of the festival. He feels Artscape is forgetting its roots in an effort to become nationally recognized. “They invite people from around the country to come here when I think it should be a Baltimore-based event supporting Baltimore artists,” he said.

Baskerville attributes the increasing number of regional and national artists to the event’s popularity. “As Artscape’s reputation has grown, more artists from around the nation want to participate,” said Bakersville of the specific markets McClintock’s work falls under. She pointed out that Artscape’s performing arts are still largely local groups.

McClintock’s offering an alternative to the event at his Fells Point gallery, where he’ll be giving away free signed and framed mini-prints (if you spend $45 first, according to the gallery’s Facebook page).

After getting some backlash from a customer, according to The Baltimore Sun, and some not-so-nice comments on Twitter, McClintock has softened his campaign.

“Not everybody in the world goes to Artscape,” he said “If you don’t want to watch the Super Bowl you can watch Gone with the Wind on another channel. It’s something else to do."

—This post was written by editorial summer intern Rebecca Kirkman
 
Read it at Baltimore magazine.

Baltimore Magazine: Can beer tasting at The Wine Market

When we think can beers, we usually think Natty Boh or Miller Lite. But there's more to cans than mass-produced light lagers, and we tried them ourselves last night at Wine Market Bistro's can beer tasting.
In a room nestled off of the Locust Point restaurant's main dining area, 13 canned beers sat in a line along a makeshift bar on one end of the room. With so many choices, we grabbed our tumblers and decided to work our way from left to right.

The event was casual, with no formal introduction of the beers, but we got a chance to chat with The Wine Market's owner, Chris Spann, and beer manager, Brendan Kirlin, with each refill.

We were first offered a generous three-ounce pour of Blanche de Bruxelles, a coriander and orange peel infused witbier from Belgium. The only imported beer, it gave a special authority to the idea of canned beer—if a Belgian brewery established in 1876 cans its beer, why not everyone?

One thing to note: Many craft beer enthusiasts dislike cans because of the aluminum taste drinking from the can adds to the beer's flavor. This was thoughtfully avoided because our samples were poured into glasses. And that’s what you should do anyway with a good beer—pour it into a glass.

We overheard a lot of home-brewing conversation from the crowd of about 50 people standing around tables, but not everyone is a beer expert, and the hosts were happy to explain the types of beers available. Small menus listing the cans, and tasting notes for each, were scattered on the tables with pens included so we could keep track of the beers.

There were a wide range of styles, from 21st Amendment's light and fruity wheat beer Hell or High Watermelon to Oskar Blues’s dark and chocolaty Scottish strong ale Old Chub. Of course, Resurrection, the local favorite from Brewer's Art, made the list as well.

The best part—because The Wine Market is part-bistro and part-shop—was grabbing a six-pack of our favorites to take home on the way out.

—Rebecca Kirkman, Baltimore magazine intern 
[Image by Rebecca Kirkman]

See the story in Baltimore magazine.

Baltimore Magazine: Drinks at Of Love and Regret

New gastropub Of Love and Regret, located in Brewer’s Hill, opened in March and is a collaboration between Stillwater Artinsal Ale’s Brian Strumke and Ted Stelzenmuller of Jack’s Bistro. We just had to try the winning combo of local beer and food powerhouses.

Located across the street from the Natty Boh Tower, the space once housed by Canton Station has an unassuming black door that leads into the pub’s long, narrow bar and dining room. Gleaming dark woods, brick walls, and tables lit by candles in mason jars contribute to the hip atmosphere—very Pacific Northwest. This place gets the vibe right without trying too hard.

A long chalkboard to one end of the room lists the 23 beers on tap, which include Stillwater Artisanal brews, imports, and other local beers like Sublimation by Brewer’s Art. Ranging from $7-9 for a 12-ounce poor, this place is on the higher end for Baltimore pubs, but the crowded bar proves patrons are happy to pay the price. Another note: We asked to sample one of the beers, but were told we could only purchase 6-ounce pours if we wanted to try them. Offering samples would be a great way for patrons to experiment before deciding on a particular brew.

But, Of Love and Regret’s knowledgeable bar and wait staff, all clad in black, did help us navigate the long tap list. The Baltimore-brewed Oliver’s Channel Crossing v5 was a refreshing U.K.- and Belgian-inspired golden mild ale served in a goblet. The stronger Emelisse Holland Oats, brewed in the Netherlands, was a smooth amber with hints of toasted oats and applestroop.

For $18, select picks off of the draft list are available to share in a 36-ounce pitcher. As our waitress delivered the carafe of locally brewed Cellar Door, a white sage infused wheat beer, she described it as “a step up from Blue Moon.” A complex and unique mix of spices, it was, as my friend put it, an “elevator ride” from the grocery store Belgian-style witbier, and the perfect summer drink.

We also tried a couple of the pub’s signature cocktails, our favorite being their rendition of a Boris Karloff cocktail (gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white) garnished with lime zest and black pepper. This gin fizz was executed perfectly, light and fruity with a foamy top.

Straying from drinks for a second, all of our food was delicious. Most unique, The Golden Burger, as the menu warns, actually is gold. Edible spray paint is used to achieve the effect, our waitress explained. (A full food review will appear in an upcoming issue).

We’ll be back soon to taste more of the constantly changing drafts, and maybe—if we dare—venture into the list of 30 bottles, which are separated into dry and crisp, sweet and sour, and strong and dark sections.

—Rebecca Kirkman, Baltimore magazine intern 

Read the piece at Baltimore Magazine.