We're going to stop pretending like Maryland and Virginia don't have some sort of drinking rivalry.
Because we could write off as coincidence the fact that the Virginia Wine Festival and the Maryland Wine Festival just happened to take place over the same September weekend...
But now, the two states' beer fests are also happening at the same time. HMM. This is starting to look pretty suspicious.
The Maryland Beer Fest in Columbia is set for Saturday, Oct. 20 -- the same day that the weekend-long Northern Virginia Brewfest begins in Centreville.
The Commonwealth's beer festival, to be held at Bull Run Regional Park, will feature more than 40 breweries, including Long Trail Brewing Co., Schlafy (look for their pumpkin ale!), Old Dominion (of course), Flying Dog Brewery and Fox Barrel Ciders.
You'll also find plenty of food, live music and craft vendors. Admission -- which includes a BrewFest glass and four beer sampling tickets -- is $30 at the event or $20 in advance. Additional tickets are $1 each.
The Old Line State's fest is on a smaller scale, but one flat rate gets you everything you'll need. Held at the Victoria Gastro Pub (8201 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia), the fest will offer beer from nine state breweries, including Clipper City, Eastern Shore Brewing and Stillwater Aristanal Ales.
General admission ($50) includes all beer tastings, hors d'oeuvres, and tasting glasses and bottle openers that you get to keep.
Which state's beer fest will be victorious? Oh, let's face it. We're talking about beer. Everybody wins.
