The Brass Tap-Towson, Towson

Though the staff at the Brass Tap take beer very seriously, they nevertheless turn drinking it into a game. Customers get a point for each of the pub's 200-plus craft beers that they try. At certain milestones, they get gift cards or a T-shirt along with a new title, working their way up from Rookie to Beer Guru. And if they conquer the challenge three times, they win the coveted Repeat Offender 900 shirt.

Thankfully, the bar makes it easy to sort through its hundreds of beers. It divides its menu by beer type, diving much deeper than the rudimentary ale vs. lager. Resident beer aficionados can recommend bottled barleywines and porters, or fill mugs with imported brews on draft.

At locations with kitchens, beer even permeates the food, with cooks crafting chipotle mustard for the house-baked pretzels using pale ale, and making cheese dip with Samuel Adams.

As for entertainment, each Brass Tap regularly hosts local bands, and trivia and happy hours find weekly spots on the schedule.