Up In Oak

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White Oak Tavern

The White Oak Tavern
10030 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City MD, 21042
(410) 680-8974
www.thewhiteoaktavern.com

When you're thirsty in this heat, you're pretty gosh-darn thirsty. So, let's make sure you stay properly hydrated by introducing you to White Oak Tavern, a beer-focused gastropub that opened this past spring in Ellicott City.

Named for Maryland's state tree, this farm-to-table-focused joint is all about existing in harmony with nature, from the 30+ local craft beers on tap to the small plates of sustainably sourced fare to the woodsy theme permeating the space.

More: Best Bars with a Rotating Beer Menu in Baltimore

Despite the somewhat deceptively simple exterior – the tavern is tucked in the corner of an old shopping center – the interior has a warm, rustic feel: oak benches line wood-planked walls, gleaming silver taps dispense a rotating beer list, mosaic-like light fixtures emit a soft glow, and chalkboard menus announce the day's specials.

But you're thirsty, we get it. That's hard when you're standing within spitting distance of massive, massive amounts of beer. Luckily, the bar pours pints of whatever awesome drafts are on tap that week, like Brewer's Art Coup de Boule, Left Hand Sawtooth Nitro, and Public Works Fair-Shake APA.

More: E.S.P. Eat. See. Play. Baltimore

Now that your thirst has been quenched, it's time to line your stomach with American-influenced small plates, like smoked brisket empanadas, kielbasa corndogs and shrimp and jalapeno hushpuppies, all with conveniently suggested beer pairings. On any random day you might find musicians strumming away on their guitars, a four-course specially curated meal, or a celebration of the latest local beer release.

Yes, calling this a regular ol' tavern might be simplifying a bit...but with an ice-cold beer in your hand, who cares?

By Arielle Sachar