Noting the burgeoning craft beer market in Europe, Fordham has commenced shipping craft beer to the United Kingdom with the help of Heathwick, LTD. The first wave of exports delivered Copperhead Ale, Tavern Ale, Doppelbock and Helles Lager, which are being offered in pubs and liquor stores all over London. Intended to be session beers, these four styles provide an accessible introduction to the flavors and nuances of the craft beer world.

Jim Lutz, President and CEO of Fordham and Old Dominion Brewing, stated, “There are a growing number of beer drinkers in the United Kingdom looking to try something different.  They are focusing on actually tasting their beers and they want something flavorful and drinkable.  That is where the range of styles and taste within Fordham Brewing can deliver.”

Fordham and Old Dominion have been brewing high quality beverages in Dover, Delaware since 2003.  They provide tours of the brewery (located at 1284 McD Dr., Dover, DE) and provide samples of their products, such as Scotch Ale, Oak Barrel Stout, Baltic Porter and Copperhead Ale every Wednesday at 5:00 and 6:00pm, Friday at 4:30 and 6:00pm and Saturday at 12:30 and 2:00 pm.

So here’s the deal: we’ve got two prize packages you can win…

Prize Pack #1: Ready For Confetti (blue) and The Rose Hotel t shirts, Robert Earl Keen sunglasses, keychain and REK Burlab flip-flop bag.

Prize Pack #2: Ready For Confetti (white) Robert Earl Keen t shirts, Ready For Confetti cap, keychain and REK Burlab flip-flop bag.

Here’s how you enter to win it: leave a comment with the situation least likely to be ready for confetti (i.e. A Forest Preservation Rally) and our panel of judges will pick some Grand Prize winners to get ready for Robert Earl Keen’s Ready For Confetti Show!

Enter as many times as you want, and be creative. We’ll announce the winner next Tuesday before the show right here on the blog.

And remember, if you haven’t picked up tickets yet, make sure you do so right away because there are only a few left!

Brandon and Val... your discerning panel of judges. Impress us!

But, the fun doesnt stop right here.  At the plunge, make sure you check out the Rams Head Ice Lodge/ Beer Garden. The tent opens at 8am and will be serving up great drinks and tons of rockin’ music beginning with Sticktime, and followed by the Eastern Shore’s favorite band, Hot Tub Limo. Then, we’ll turn things up a notch with multi-platinum rockers Fuel playing songs from their hit albums “Sunburn” and “Something Like Human” and end on a high note with high octane Celtic group The Rovers closing out the day.

Wait… did i say closing out the day? No way- The party might end at the Plunge. But, we’re moving the party to the Rams Head ( Rams Head Tavern Annapolis, Rams Head Shore House, Rams Head Roadhouse & Rams Head Tavern Savage). Stop by one of the Rams Head restaurants for the “Thaw Out” post plunge party from 4-7:00pm. Enjoy $3 Arctic Shooters, $4 Polar Bear Cocktails and $5 Plunge Bombs. WooHoo!

Good luck! And stay warm.

The recipe for the “Big Thaw Bock” was created by Brewmaster Walter Trifari of the Old Dominion Brewing Company. The final product is a 7.5% ABV. The Bock is a bottom- fermented golden lager that has a full-bodied mouth feel followed by a spicy citrus hop flavor and aroma. The beer will be available at Rams Head located in Annapolis, Crownsville, Stevensville, and Savage Mill, Maryland.

We asked our friends that follow us on twitter @RamsHeadGroup & our facebook friends, why they love attending the beer releases at the Rams Head. This is what they had to say….

“ Great and cheap way to enjoy awesome beer and great food with your friends!” says @KrisForinger

“I like seeing local friends, supporting local business and adding to my glass collection. Plus an affordable brew!” says @Good4thePalate

“Getting the cool glasses to keep and drinking lots of cheap delicious beers ” says Vanessa W.

“Friends, Music, the awesome glasses, and of course, the BEER! ” says Molly H.

“The beer … glasses are cool too” says E. Burton H

Patrons can relax and enjoy the new brew with the company of their friends and other beer lovers at the Rams Head.Big Thaw Bock is a perfect beer to enjoy as the chill of winter melts away and a new, lush world is revealed! See you February 2nd!! 

Rules of the Contest:

1- Must be 21+ to enter the contest

How to enter the contest:

Jump onto your Twitter page and repost this info: @RamsHeadGroup celebrates Baltic Porter #Beer Release this Thursday, Nov 3 fr:4-6pm. $4 glass w.$1 each pour #RHBeerRelease

We will pick a random winner re-tweet, but just remember, the more you tweet it, the more times you get entered in the contest. Contest starts right now and will end tomorrow (Nov 3) at 3pm

What can you win?

You will receive 1 Baltic Porter Beer Release Glass to add to your collection

-and-

A $10 Rams Head Gift Certificate that can be used for the Baltic Porter Beer release party!

Baltic Porter Beer: The Porter is a bottom-fermented lager brewed to meet your need for warmth on a cold winter’s night. Hints of licorice, toffee and chocolate soothe the palate and bring out the rich flavors and aroma this style is known for.

The Rams Head Group is pleased to release Old Dominion Brewing Company’s winter beer, Baltic Porter, on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 from 4-6pm.                    

Whether your idea of enjoying winter is a tough day on the slopes or an evening with a crackling fire, Baltic Porter is just the remedy to warm your spirit. This Dominion Baltic Porter has hints of licorice, toffee and chocolate to sooth the palate. Using German Pilsner, Crystal, Dark specialty malts and a touch of rye gives this porter a fill-bodied taste.

Rams Head will have limited edition glasses for the beer release. The special glass for Baltic Porter will be available for $4 at 4pm on release day.And, only $1 for each additional pours.

Raise your mug to those who were bold enough to brave the Baltic and join us at your local Rams Head restaurant this Thursday for the release party.

Rams Head Tavern Annapolis

Rams Head Roadhouse

Rams Head Shore House

 This week, meet Nicole P. our Rams Head Restaurant Marketing Director

What state were you born in? Florida

What is your job title at the Rams Head?  How long have you worked for Rams Head?Restaurant Marketing Director . Almost 5 years

Best concert you have been to at a Rams Head Venue? It’s a toss-up between Dead Weather or Manchester Orchestra at Rams Head Live

At a movie theater which arm rest is yours? I take both. That’s how I roll

What is your favorite concert so far? Wow, this is hard. But, I would have to say it’s a toss up between, The Goo Goo Dolls in (99), Dead Weather at RHL, Deftones (2003), These arms are snakes (2008) or Bleed the Dream

What was your first concert? Live / Counting Crows @Merriweather when I was 11

What is your favorite midnight snack? I love Ice Cream!

What are a few favorite things you love to do? I love hanging with my daughter, going to concerts, photography, special efx for movies, hanging with my fam/friends, baking and getting tattooed

 What is your favorite movie? Almost famous, sixteen candles, or love stinks

What’s your favorite adult beverage to drink?  framboise -belgian beer….yummy!

Did you ever own a Barenaked Ladies Cd? Haha , yes I did! But, that was a long time ago. Don’t judge.

Have you ever been told you look like a famous person?  I have. I used to get Molly Ringwald all the time.  Now a few of  my friends call me Molly

What’s your favorite meal of the day? Breakfast!!!

If you could be a particular singer or musician, who would you be? Alison Mosshart. She rocks!

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?  Picked up a stranger, drove 4 ½ hrs to NYC for the Lost City Angels show, and missed it. Is that crazy?

Do you have tattoos? If yes, how many and where are they?  Yes, I have tattoos, and too many, I lost count

Do you play any instruments? Drums, but I never said I was good.

What band do YOU think is most influential? Led Zeppelin

Your favorite songs of all times? I have a few: ‘Tiny Dancer’ by Elton John, ‘Sometime around midnight’ by The Airborne Toxic Event, ‘Radio’ by Alkaline Trio or ‘Lover, you should’ve come over’ by Jeff Buckley, “Temptation of Adam” by Josh Ritter

What cd is in your cd-player right now?  The Foo Fighters album ” Wasting Light”.

What song gets you pumped for the weekend? Junior Senior- ” Move Your Feet “

“Nothing can bring back the joyful memories of being a kid than the sweet refreshing taste of a Root Beer Float” says, Rams Head Vice President, Erin McNaboe. So,put this date on your calendar! Free Root Beer Float Day on Monday, October 3rd!!  In celebration, Rams Head will be offering our patrons a FREE Old Dominion Root Beer Float with purchase of any food purchase.

At any Rams Head restaurant location from 11am-11pm on Monday, October 3rd the locally owned restaurants will be scooping out free Root Beer Floats, featuring Vanilla ice cream and Old Dominion root beer.

Between the smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream and the frothy, delicious Old Dominion root beer, it’s difficult to imagine a person who doesn’t love root beer floats. According to the Old Dominions website, www.olddominion.com. Our root beer grew out of original authentic American recipes found at the Library of Congress. Dominion root beer has captured an old-fashioned taste that is full-bodied, rich tasting & aromatic.

 Locations:

Rams Head Tavern Annapolis | 33 West Street, Annapolis MD | P: 410.268.4545

Rams Head Tavern Savage Mill | 8600 Foundry St, Savage MD | P: 301.604.3454

Rams Head Roadhouse | 1773 Generals Hwy, Annapolis MD | P: 410.849.8058

Rams Head Shore House | 800 Main Street, Stevensville MD | P: 410.643.2466

More info visit: www.ramsheadtavern.com

This week, meet Kris S. our Rams Head On Stage Talent Buyer

What state were you born in? Hoosierville !

What is your job title at the Rams Head?   Talent Buyer

How long have you worked for Rams Head?  Since 1998… Too much math

Best concert you have been to at a Rams Head Venue?  Lyle Lovett at On Stage and Earth Wind & Fire at Live are a tie !

What is your favorite song that you can never stop rocking out too?   ‘Cult of Personality’ Living Colour

What is your favorite book?  Currently ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ by Garth Stein  Also love Barbara Kingsolvers books, the rest Historical accounts of bravery & triumph

Where’s the coolest place you have gone on vacation?  Ambergris Cay, Belize   or maybe it was Ireland… although the covered wagon trek in the Grand Tetons was amazing !

Which are your top bands or singers?   Jonatha Brooke, Foo Fighters, Wood Brothers, St. Germaine, Jon Cleary, Sergio Mendes & 311

What’s your favorite album?  Triple tie between Songs in the Key of Life, Innervisions, or Nightfly