November 13, 2011
Heavy Seas is only open on Saturdays for tours, or during special events. I have been here twice to judge homebrew competitions and once for their annual Chili, Cheese, and Beer Festival. It is a functioning business/brewery with not much in the way of seating, but that is fine with me. They have been creating some fantastic firkins of late, though their availability is sparse.

October 10, 2011
This is one of the better brewery tours I’ve been to based on a variety of factors. If you’re looking for a tour where you get to meet the brewer and talk shop, then this is not that sort of tour. It’s a larger brewery and they attract larger tour groups. Only Saturdays, only at certain times. Mine was led by the lady in charge of marketing. I had tried to reserve it online the previous night, but found that it was full. I just chose to show up anyway, and I guess they’re not terribly concerned with the reservation process, because I still got in. Sampling is done beforehand, but you can also duck out from the tour to get a refill, or save some for the end. It’s not a very large gift shop, but you have the typical brewery schwag plus various sizes of beer: cases, six packs and bombers. The samples consisted of their more standard varieties, and lacked the specialty brews that drive me to visit the breweries in the first place. Their popular pumpkin had come out recently when I visited, and they didn’t have it on tap or for sale at the store (they had run out that day). I was able to buy it at a store later though. This is very good beer though, in my opinion. Even those standard varieties that they have on tap are excellent, but they also do quite a few more experimental specialty brews that are even better. Typical weird, industrial location but it’s well worth the visit if you’re around.

November 8, 2010
Took the tour this past weekend. $5 gets you a Heavy Seas souvenir pint glass and 5 6-oz samples, just walk up to the bar and give them a token to get your next one. Bartenders were nice and quick, though the one was a bit condescending, intentionally or not (I asked for Loose Cannon for my first sample, and he strongly suggested I start with something weaker, as if I’ve never had a hopped up IPA before...). I got there around 1 PM for the 2 PM tour, which was great because it got pretty crowded by 2. The tour was given by the marketing director (I think her name was Kelly). She provided an informative and entertaining tour, and was incredibly genuine and nice when we spoke to her afterwards (she told us the name of the one store that still had The Great Pumpkin on the shelves!). They also had 22 oz singles and 6 packs for sale, as well as some Summer Ale on clearance for only $5 and one last remaining case of Hang Ten. They actually had a few bottles of the Summer Ale open to use as your samples, if you wanted to try it before buying the sixer. Overall it was a swell experience, would definitely go back for another round of samples if I happen to be in the Baltimore area.

November 10, 2009
I showed up to take a tour and was given a beer and shown the door into the brewery. Since I had spoken to the owner in advance, they just let me walk around and check stuff out on my own. They were quite generous with the beer sampling, also.

November 9, 2009
A good brewery tour, given by the owner himself. A witty, funny guy, who obviously loves beer. Five bucks, buys you a pint glass and five samples. A pretty decent deal, if you ask me. They had six on tap when I was there. All were decent, and two were from the "Heavy Seas" line of beers. Hoped to get Below Decks or Peg Leg on draft, but maybe next time? In an industrial complex right down the road from the INFAMOUS Lansdowne Skatepark..........which might be even more important than this great brewery. Nearly on top of the old ’78-98ish? National Brewing Company (can we say Colt 45?) facility. Stop by and have some fun, I did!

March 30, 2008
These tours are getting so popular that reservations are now suggested. Besides the basics, these tours can provide other little tidbits of information, like who they are contract brewing for, what’s being discontinued, or new styles coming soon. In addition to the samples, they also offer 6pks and full cases to go. Have to echo the other raters here Hugh is one hell of a good tour host.

December 8, 2007
Hugh gives one of the best tours out there. The staff knows what they are doing and the samples (you now have to pay, but you keep the cool glass) are generous.

July 30, 2007 [ Updated March 10, 2008 ]
Not a fancy place from the outside-it’s in an Industrial Park Just outside Baltimore City. Nice size tasting room w/souviner & beer sales. Got a nice Pllsner glass to keep & 6-8 oz samples f/$5 good value. Had 4 beers on tap & bottles of most beers they had available/in season. Nice informative tour-pretty basic but nice. Are doing them 2 Saturdays a month in Summer @ 1:00 & 2:30 (Early tour is much less crowded). Hours may change w/the seasons-Check the Website-it’s very current. Was told Hugh Sisson gives half of them (he did not give ours). Good friendly staff & crowd I’d highly recommend this place...... Took this tour again on 3/8/08 & was lucky enough to have Hugh give this one & it was even better than last time. Everything they have in stock is available to sample!