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WWBG: Crafts Of Baltimore

By WTOP Staff

WWBG

Editor’s Note: This weekly column is sponsored by Georgetown Square Wine and Beer (10400 Old Georgetown Road).

I have to be honest. Before I did research for this blog post, I had no idea how deep of a history Baltimore has when it comes to beer. Other than the Heurich Brewery, which was incorporated in 1890, D.C. hasn’t had much to offer until 2011, when DC Brau became the first package brewery in D.C since 1956! (No offense).

This is not the case for Baltimore. With over 100 old breweries in the city’s past, Baltimore was and once again is a great city for beer lovers. From Natty Boh (established in 1885) to Clipper City (established in 1995) Baltimore has provided Marylanders with great local beer options.

Baltimore’s beer industry is thriving more than ever. Until recently, most of these breweries were not made available to us in Montgomery County (more to come soon). Here are some great Baltimore Micro Breweries that we currently carry.

Union Duckpin Pale AleUnion Craft Brewing

Founded in fall of 2011, Union dominates taps in Baltimore area bars and restaurants. After successfully launching its first brew Duckpin Ale in cans, Union has quickly become a top craft can seller. Duckpin Ale itself is a great brew, especially in the summer months. At 5.5% abv, this is an easy drinking, smooth beer. It has just enough hops but isn’t too overpowering, with good citrus notes. Also available is the Union Balt Altbier and Union Blackwing Lager.

Baltimore Beer WorksBaltimore Beer Works

Also known as RavenBeer or Baltimore-Washington Beer Works, this Edgar Allen Poe-inspired brewery set out to make easy drinking German-style brews. Since launching the Raven Special Lager in 2012, Baltimore Beer Works brews have been flying off the shelves.

I personally love the sampler pack they offer that includes The Raven, Pendulum Pils, Tell Tale Heart IPA and the special Cask Double Bock.

Full TiltFull Tilt

Full Tilt is another great story about home brewers taking their brews and turning those into a fully operational business. Incorporating names such as Berger Cookie Stout, Camden Cream, Fleet Street Wheat and Patterson Pumpkin, Full Tilt infuses Baltimore’s culture and landmarks into its beers.

Full Tilt’s Baltimore Ale and Berger Cookie Chocolate Stout are on our shelves now.

The Brewer's ArtThe Brewer’s Art

Situated in a historic townhouse, The Brewer’s Art is a fantastic Belgian restaurant that happens to brew incredible beers. Voted 2009′s No. 1 bar in America by Esquire Magazine, The Brewer’s Art is a must visit if in Baltimore and a must buy if you see their beers on a store’s shelves.

Currently, we have Resurrection (Abbey Style Dubbel) and their Ozzy (Belgium Pale Ale). Sidenote: Ozzy is changing its name to Beazly, thanks to a cease and desist letter from Ozzy Osbourne’s lawyers.

Community discussion guidelines: Our sponsored columns are written by members of the local business community. While we encourage a robust and open discussion, we ask that all reviews of the businesses — good or bad — be directed to another venue, like Yelp. The comments section is intended for a conversation about the topic of the article.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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