Mr. Boh and Lisa Hoffberger

This past week Baltimore City celebrated the return of Natty Boh on tap. All over the city bars were filled to capacity awaiting the return of their old friend Mr. Boh and no one was disappointed. Three hundred kegs were emptied in the first week and much of it within the first few hours of being sold. As you can see, Mr. Boh was very pleased.

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

David and Jan Hoffberger

Among the throngs of Natty Boh enthusiasts were members of the Hoffberger family who were majority owners of the National Brewing Company for the better part of the twentieth century. Incidentally, you can also thank the Hoffbergers for a lil’ ol’ Bawlmer institution we like to call the Orioles.

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

Rachel Anne Warren – The Beer Fairy of Baltimore

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

Magical things can happen while enjoying a tasty beer. Funny jokes become hilarious, attractive people become stunning, the world’s problems have all been solved a million times over by people made temporarily brilliant by the worlds third most popular beverage after water and tea. On this night at Nacho Mama’s in Canton 5 kegs disappeared in just under two hours. Magic.

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

Beer, when enjoyed responsibly, has also been known to cause euphoria as shown here.

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

Behold the winner of this week’s prestigious and highly coveted, “You Sir, Have What May Have Been One Of The Most Fabulous Hats In The Room That Night And Though I’m Sure You Told Me How You Earned It The Relaxing Effects Of Natty Boh Seemed To Have Also Been Working On My Brain Muscle But Cheers To You Anyway My Friend Whose Name Escapes Me” award.

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

Yet more euphoria, the bar was inundated with good vibes

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

It’s hard to nail down Baltimore’s love affair with Mr. Boh but I think we can all agree that it has something to do with tradition. Communities are built on the stories that we create together and Natty Boh has been woven into the history of this town for decades. So much so that it’s become part of the mythos that we associate with our culture. It’s the kind of phenomenon that takes years to solidify and, because of that, it can’t be easily replicated.

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

Peter Hoffberger

Photo by Brooke Hall, story by Justin Allen.

"It takes a village to unite the most divided people on earth."

You’re Invited: Budrus film screening

When: Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 7:30 PM

Where: MICA’s Brown Center

"This film will single-handedly change how many people view the conflict. It’s that good, and that important." The Boston Globe

"The must-see documentary of the year."  Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

Watch the Budrus trailer.