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.
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With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, it might be a good time to bone up on some of the better dark beers in the market.
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Oregon’s signature grape, Pinot Noir, has scaled the heights of quality. Hugh takes a look at some recent releases.
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Chile has established a niche in the American market, where its budget friendly wines have become quite popular.
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Al has turned up a trio of very affordable high-quality Chiantis with a ton of personality and promise.
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Hugh continues with his exploration of South Africa’s wines, which offer planet of pleasant surprises.
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Although South Africa has been around for centuries, their wines are not particularly well known here in the States. Hugh sets out to remedy that.
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Hugh and Al agree, the Margaret River region of Australia is their favorite down under. The wines offer refinement, precision, and pleasure.
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Many big wineries not only offer a premium line of wines, they also offer a line of reduced-price wines under a “second label”. Hugh explains.
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Once the darling of the bargain hunters, Fetzer has returned to the market in a big way and is offering remarkable bargains.
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We all need to stretch our dollars a little bit after the holidays. Al has some recommendations for some high-quality, low-price whites.