Saturday 26th of November 2011 01:30:17 PM

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Each time I've visited Barley & Hops was during off-peak hours, and the restaurant was rather sparse. I figure this place does most of its business serving dinner to folks shopping at nearby Francis Scott Key Mall, and it doesn't have much of a late evening crowd. Other than the easy parking and nearby shopping, there was nothing especially outstanding about this place. Their beer selection was average, and their best year-round beers are Annapolis Rocks Pale Ale and Hoptopsy ESB. Their seasonal beers are more impressive, such as 80 Shilling Scottish Ale, Cornucopia Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Sugarloaf Saison, and Weizen Heimer Hefeweizen. They now also host an annual homebrew competition with the winning recipe receiving full-scale treatment at the brewery. If you're in the neighborhood for some shopping, it would be worth a visit for lunch and a sampler of their ~8 beers.

Monday 18th of January 2010 03:50:21 PM

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Despite the banal surroundings, B&H has a very cozy atmosphere inside and I've enjoyed a couple of visits now with my family. The food is pleasant and hearty - have never been disappointed with a meal I've eaten here.

To be fair, I can't remember that much about the beers I've had at B&H... which leaves me somewhat ambivalent about the experience. I'll need to go back again in order to 'refresh' my memory (and my palate). I do recall, however, that the selection is relatively small.

Wednesday 5th of March 2008 08:46:51 AM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

Located in a shopping plaza and with an exterior reminiscent of countless American bistro chains, one couldn't be blamed for being sceptical.

Inside is warm and friendly, with plenty of wood and, inexplicably, a larger-than-life statue of The Blues Brothers.

There are five (or so) core beers (almost always) on tap, with a seasonal selection and, usually, a special offer on the hand pump. Personal favorites include the Schifferstadt Stout and the Annapolis Rocks Pale Ale.

Food prices are mid-range, and my wife and I have found the quality to be a little inconsistent, although I think it has been better lately.

Barley and Hops is very family friendly, offering a Children's Menu and Kids Eat Free Sunday. A favorite of my kids is the Picasso Pizza.

Service is friendly and knowledgeable.

Tuesday 1st of January 2008 02:02:00 PM

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This is a comfortable brewpub located at Riverview Plaza so there is plenty of free parking. The bar area is next to the fermenting tanks and separated from the dining area by etched glass panels. There are both tables and booths for dining and also what appears to be a small covered patio area for good weather days. The tap list when I visited included 5 standards and one seasonal on tap and cask. I enjoyed the cask conditioned Winter Warmer as well as the Schiefferstadt Stout. Unfortunately I will miss the Bourbon Barrel Stout cask coming early in January. The menu has a good selection of burgers and sandwiches as well as more upscale entrees.

Sunday 23rd of December 2007 09:03:48 PM

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Barley and Hops is the other Brewpub in Frederick. A decidedly more adult crowd frequents B&H, and accordingly it has a more laid-back and adult feel than the other brewpub in town. Situated in the parking lot of a Target, it's a seemingly strange place for a brewpub, but it's a high traffic area near the mall and there's plenty of parking. Of the beers I've had, my experience has been mixed, but I attribute that to the fact that they've recently undergone a change of guard in the brewhouse. Their new head brewer is the former lead brewer from the Wild Goose Brewery, and the guy knows his stuff. I had the winter warmer on cask and it gets the job done... malty but not overpoweringly sweet, characteristically undercarbonated (cask), and a really nice hop aroma from the Amarillo hops added to the cask. A good beer from a good brewer...I look forward to trying his future releases.