| RAR Brewing 504 Poplar Street | Cambridge, MD 21613 (443) 225-5664 rarbrewing.com |
RAR Brewing, open since the summer of 2013, is located in historic downtown Cambridge, Maryland on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay. RAR is inside an 80 year old former pool hall and bowling alley.
RAR stands for Reale Revival or “Real Ale Revival,” a nod to the revival of America’s interest in craft beer. The local owners, Chris Brohawn and J.T. Merryweather, have a goal of producing well-balanced American and Belgian inspired brews 10 barrels at a time.
The large tasting room features an L-shaped bar and plenty of high top seating. Large windows offer a view into the brewhouse, and the white accent wall spotlights RAR’s beer artwork. Hanging on the brick wall behind the bar are chalkboards with everything you need to know.
The beers on tap during our visit included…
- Nanticoke Nectar – a 7.4% ABV IPA – RAR’s flagship brew that starts with citrus notes that progress into bold grapefruit and pine, then finishes clean with a balanced, hoppy bitterness. A subtle yet deep English malt profile elevates the hop notes while a slight sweetness underlines the brew.
- 1st Meal – a 7% ABV Breakfast Stout with huge aromas of maple syrup, coffee, and chocolate; taste follows with smoky maple pancakes and layers of creamy house coffee
- Wood’r – a 5.9% ABV Hopped Up American Wheat brewed for Ocean Odyssey’s 30 year anniversary
- Walk of Shame – a 7.4% ABV American Blonde with big notes of coffee from Rise Up Coffee, and bold coffee from Salazon Chocolate Co.
- Groove City – a 5.4% ABV German Style Hefeweizen; golden-yellow and hazy in appearance; a faint sweetness followed by a distinctive wheat note; notes of banana and clove on the finish
- Hell Track – a 5% ABV American Wheat
- Albino Shades – a 5.9% ABV American Pale brewed with an obnoxious amount of Falconer’s Flight, Equinox, Simcoe and Mosaic hops giving notes of fleshy papaya, and grapefruit pith
- Pulp – a 6.2% ABV Pale Ale with layers of orange sherbet, lemon lime, and citrus hard candy; nose follows with a huge orange punch
We sampled all 8 beers on tap, and while they were all delicious, I especially enjoyed Albino Shades. The fresh, hop-forward pale ale was quite delectable and satisfying.
Beers are available in an 8- or 16-ounce pour ranging in price from $3.50 up to $6, and flights of 4 beers are also available. Some beers are available to go in cans, crowlers, and growlers. We visited the day after RARtoons Fall Edition, so I was lucky enough to snag a Darth Vader RAR growler to go.
Guest taps pour various ciders, a Nectar Shady is available, and local wines can be purchased by the glass.
RAR Brewing is open noon to midnight daily, with hours extended to 2 AM on Friday and Saturday. Check RAR’s Facebook page for upcoming events.
