Tap The Keg: Howard County Beer Week Starts April 1 -- Bars, Restaurants And Liquor Stores

Craft beer takes over Howard County in early April with a week -- actually, eight days -- of special tastings and menus built around interesting Maryland brews.

Howard County Beer Week runs April 1 to 8.  The organizers have recruited a different restaurant every day -- along with liquor stores and some home brewers -- to celebrate local beers.  Go for tastings of rare beers at TBonz Taphouse in Ellicott City or a beer brunch at Kloby's Smokehouse or a special menu at White Oak Tavern.

Check the Beer Week's Web site for all the featured events.  The list includes a cross-section of Howard County's thoughtful casual joints.  These are all places where you'll get unusual, interesting food focused on the great barbecue, great burgers, great burritos part of the spectrum.  And, of course, you'll get great beer.

Howard County is a great place for craft beer.  There are so many great options that my 2012 post about "Liquor In The Suburbs" does a good job, but still misses some new locals like Ale House Columbia.  But you could scan all the HowChow posts about beer or concentrate on checking out the local breweries that should open this spring.