Hugh Sisson
Host, Cellar NotesAs General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.
In the mid-eighties, Hugh Sisson saw the potential for a small brewery in Baltimore, an historically "big beer" town. After researching the industry at its heart - in Germany, England, and the U.S. west coast - Hugh, with the help of Senator George W. Della, Jr., successfully lobbied the Maryland General Assembly to pass legislation required to open a brew pub in Maryland.
After the inception of craft brew in Baltimore, Hugh immersed himself in the development and market recognition of both Sisson's and its beers. He is a member of the Master Brewers Association of America, the Institute for Fermentation and Brewing Studies, and sits on the Executive Committee for the Brewers Association of Maryland. He has served as President of the Cross Street Irregulars Home Brew Club and along with Al Spoler, he has been co-hosting Cellar Notes since 1992.
-
Sometimes you need to splurge a little to get a gift for somebody special. Hugh has some ideas for premium gifts that won’t break the bank. -
Party-goers know it’s polite to show up with a bottle of something. Here are some Ideas that will be well received.
-
Many of Tuscany's best reds are pricy bottles, but Al has found a very affordable category, Toscana Rosso. -
Somewhere along the way, Aussie shiraz lost its reputation. Hugh wants to see if it has reclaimed some of its old glory. -
France's premier café wine is Beaujolais: easy to like easy to understand, occasionally brilliant. Hugh takes a look. -
There's more to Spain than Rioja and Priorat. Al looks at three wines from lesser-known regions that should be on your radar. -
This time of year, we like to roll out some of our big bottles for entertaining at dinner. If Bordeaux comes to mind Hugh thinks we ought to try the region known as Saint Emilion. -
There is something about the mellow richness of viognier that makes it perfect for Autumn sipping. -
Unjustly vilified by Hollywood, merlot offers a great deal of flavor, soft texture and fine, relaxing drinking. -
It's fall and time for Al to go on the hunt for tasty zinfandels with a lot of character.
