Destination: Camden Yards and the Heavy Seas Brewery in Baltimore
If you’re in town to see the Orioles play ball at Camden Yards, Charm City is one hometown host that makes it easy to turn your visit into a weekend to remember. Several side trips illustrate the local history of our national pastime, and a stop at the Heavy Seas Brewery will give you an opportunity to toast to its good health.
A former railroad center that’s just two blocks from the birthplace of Babe Ruth is now the home of Camden Yards. All photos by Paul Jean
Learn about Baltimore’s Love Affair with Sports
The Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards is a remarkable day trip destination from several perspectives.
Camden Station was built in 1856 by the B&O, and it became one of the longest continually operating terminals in the country.
Housed in the beautifully restored Camden Station – once the grand terminus and headquarters of the B&O Railroad and now one of just a few surviving metropolitan railroad stations in the United States – the building, itself, is a fine historic artifact.
The lobby retains its 19th century look and feel, and the recommended tour begins by strolling through a recreated B&O passenger car – complete with moving scenery of the surrounding countryside and lively commentary by notable passengers.
Baltimore Sun sports writer Bob Maisel shares his thoughts on traveling with the teams his town loves, setting the tone for the rest of the museum.
Over a dozen exhibition galleries follow, bringing to life the history of the Orioles and featuring hometown favorites Babe Ruth and Cal Ripkin, Jr. The Colts and their pride-and-joy Johnny Unitas are also profiled, as well as and those relative newcomers, the Baltimore Ravens.
College, minor league baseball, amateur baseball and other sports are by no means ignored. The Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame shares the stories of over 200 Maryland athletes in baseball, football, swimming, tennis and other sports.
Carl Ripkin, Jr. is highlighted in one of the many displays honoring the history, players and fans of the Baltimore Orioles.
Camden Station is steeped in history, as the site of the first bloodshed of the Civil War. On the steps just outside, Massachusetts volunteers clashed with angry protestors as troops marched to Camden Yards. Riots, Railroads and the Coming of Mr. Lincoln will be on exhibit until the end of 2011, examining the Pratt Street Riot, President Lincoln’s four trips through Camden Station, and the role that the B&O played in the War Between the States.
The museum’s Thomas J. Winstead Gallery hosts an exhibit commemorating the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Civil War.
Celebrate the Babe
While he only played for Baltimore for five months, Babe presides over Orioles Park at Camden Yards in perpetuity.
Want to know more about Baltimore’s favorite Bambino? Follow the 60 baseballs painted on the sidewalk starting in front of the Babe Ruth statue at Camden Yards to visit his birthplace and home.
The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum – at 216 Emory Street in what was once the gritty, blue-collar corner of Baltimore called Pigtown – celebrates one of the most revered athletes of all times: George Herman” Babe” Ruth.
Fans flock to the tidy brick rowhouse, considering it hallowed ground and imagining an eager young boy playing ball out front. But Babe’s early years were less than idyllic – his parents ran a tavern, sold lightning rods and had little time for their kids.
At the age of seven, Babe was sent to St. Mary’s – a reform school for ruffians and orphans – where he got a good dose of discipline and learned about the industrial arts. He also played quite a bit of baseball.
A trail of baseballs leads from Camden Yards to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum.
Babe got his start with the Orioles in 1914, but was sold to the Boston Red Sox after a few short months. In 1919 he was again sold, this time to the New York Yankees, and the legendary “curse of the Bambino” began.
The museum proudly displays the extremely rare 1914 Baltimore Orioles rookie card of the man who would become “the Sultan of Swing,” as well as the series of molded noses that transformed Stephen Lang into Babe Ruth for a 1991 film. But perhaps the most touching display case contains Babe’s shirt, bat, mitt and hymnal from St. Mary’s.
Hours:
From April – September, open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (7 p.m. on game days).
From October – March, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesday – Sunday.
Both museums are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Admission:
Combo ticket is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children 3 – 12.
Parking:
Arrive early in the day and grab an on-street, metered spot near Camden Station.
Garage parking is available Downtown and near the Inner Harbor.
See the room where one of the most celebrated players in the history of baseball was born on Emory Street in Baltimore.
Talk (and Drink) Like a Pirate
If you’d like a little beer with your baseball, hop in the car … no pun intended … and take a tour of the Clipper City Brewing Company, maker of Heavy Seas Beer. It’s only 10 minutes away and there’s plenty of free parking.
The pirate culture runs deep and the accent is contagious at the Heavy Seas Brewery.
Every day is Talk like a Pirate Day at Heavy Seas, although you will have to sign up ahead of time for one of their popular Saturday tours. And nabbing a spot with founder and managing partner Hugh Sisson is especially entertaining.
Hugh starts the visit with a rousing prayer for the successful union of hops, malt, water and yeast. I was not surprised when I later learned that he is, in fact, a failed actor – Hollywood’s loss is definitely Baltimore’s gain.
On this tour you’ll walk amid a dozen or so towering tanks and their tendrils of hoses. Take in the sweet-sour aroma of fermenting beer, hear the occasional gurgle, smell the hops you’ve crushed in your hands and taste the roasty toasty barley.
Hugh hops up on his brewhouse to explain the science of malting and the series of fortunate events that follows. He speaks of starches and molecular bonding, but all you really need to know is that they’re making magic here.
Hugh Sission leads a lively tour of the works, and you’ll learn about the art and the science of brewing.
Whether you are a hop head, a malt lover or somewhere in between, you will appreciate the dedication of the Heavy Seas mission of “combining big flavor profiles with a sense of balance and finesse.” These aren’t just pretty words – they’re really doing it.
A tour of the works costs $5, and that includes a souvenir pint glass and five tokens to exchange for beer tastings. Arrive early or stay after the tour to cash them in and try some of the Heavy Seas fleet of extremely quaffable beers – Small Craft Uber Pils, Peg Leg Imperial Stout, Loose Cannon IPA or whatever’s on tap.
Make reservations online for a tour and tastings at Heavy Seas Brewery.
Heavy Seas hosts special events all year long. Upcoming: a Beer and Bacon Fest in September and a Chili and Cheese Fest in November.
Argh! We’ll be there!
Story copyright 2011 Elaine C. Jean. All rights reserved.
Photos copyright 2011 Paul N. Jean. All rights reserved.
