Mark’s Score 8.8
To talk about the craft brewing industry on the Delmarva without talking about RAR, would be like talking about football without ever mentioning the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is not the largest local brewer, it is not the most well-known local brewer, but RAR are masters of their craft and inspirational innovators. According to Stacker, RAR made 5 of the top 20 beers in Maryland in 2024, with their “Hyde” rated as the second-best beer in the state. RAR is also a powerful player in the revitalization of downtown Cambridge. They have a number of taprooms and eateries that take up nearly an entire block of Popular Street. They also just recently opened a taproom in Annapolis.
RAR, which stands for ReAle Revival (reflecting their desire to be part of the revitalization of downtown Cambridge), had humble beginnings when two local friends, Chris Brohawn and JT Merryweather started craft brewing in 2013. In 2015 they bought an old pool hall on Popular Street and hired a new head brewer, Randy Mills. Their foray into dining began inauspiciously with illegal steamed hotdogs. Now, ten years later, they serve an extensive beer and food menu.
There are so many good restaurants in downtown Cambridge it took me a while to get around to RAR. But once I tried them for the first time I have been a loyal customer. I tend to stop at RAR for lunch after hiking in Blackwater. Beer and bar food is not east on the waist, so I need to justify visits to RAR by first getting in some exercise.
My preference for beer tends toward wheats and sours and RAR has an extensive selection of both. Though they claim their flagship beer is Nanticoke Nectar, an IPA. After my hike in Blackwater, I was ready for a RAR beer and some hearty bar food. RAR has an extensive list of beers. I don’t know how I missed them before, but I was intrigued by their selection of lactose sour beers. I knew that sour beer was made with lactic acid (that is what makes them sour) but I had never heard of adding lactose to beer. I ordered the “Slash Puppy,” and a Chessie Chop sandwich with a side of mac and cheese.
The sandwich and Mac and Cheese were good hearty fare, though I wouldn’t rate them as particularly memorable. As for the “Slash Puppy,” never having had a lactose beer before, I was taken aback when the waitress delivered something that looked like a glass of milk. OK, I knew it had lactose, so I guess I should not have been surprised. So, did I like it? I did. If you have never tried a lactose sour, give it a go, though I suspect it is not to everyone’s taste. But that is the thing about RAR, you are going to get well crafted innovative beers. I admire their innovative spirit. Which is reason enough to keep coming back.
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