Rams Head Tavern

Mix an air-conditioned restaurant, a hot day in mid-summer, attentive service, a cool, rustic atmosphere, and satisfying food together and what do you get? The glory of Rams Head Tavern in all its historic yet modern and important yet laid-back splendor. Here, we take some time to explore the dining options, observe the oh-so-cool interior, and reflect on what makes Rams Head Tavern such an Annapolitan staple.

For starters, there is nothing like drinking and eating in one of Annapolis’s oldest taverns, where people smart enough to be in Annapolis drank and ate long ago. Talk about upholding a tradition! At Rams Head Tavern, beer from around the world or from just around the corner can be ordered. Some highlights of imported beer include the following: Duchesse de Bourgogne from Belgium, Morretti from Italy, Red Stripe Lager from Jamaica, Sapporo from Japan, Guinness Stout from Ireland, Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale from England, Paulander Hefe-Weizen from Germany, and Skullsplitter Orkney Ale from Scotland. The list goes on and on. Within the States, Rogue Shakespeare Stout from Oregon, New Belgium Fat Tire from Colorado, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from California, Evolution Primal Pale Ale from Salisbury, and Flying Dog Raging Bitch from Frederick are all available. It’s important to note that Rams Head Tavern carries four brews from the Fordham Brewing Company, which was, at one time, in Annapolis. A little over five years ago, Fordham Brewing Company teamed up with Old Dominion and moved its operations out to Delaware. Even with this distance, Rams Head is proud to provide the four Fordham brews and several Old Dominion specials.

For some reason, wines don’t seem as tavern-esque as beers. Nonetheless, Rams Head carries a wealth of wines like pinot grigio, riesling, chardonnay, cabernet, and the likes. Cocktails are also featured at the bar, most notably the Ram-Mosa and the Tavern Manhattan, both crafted with a Rams Head twist.

The beers and wines listed above (and the ones not listed) are all comparably priced, but are even more affordable at happy hour. These hours span from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. The draft beers, house wines, and rail drinks all come to a low $2.75 during these hours. Between 5 and 7 p.m., the option of complimentary food comes into play. Ask the server for more. If Sunday rolls around and you sense the need for happy hour, attend Rams Head’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. With the purchase of an entree, you are awarded a $10 all you can drink slew of Bloody Marys. Live jazz music is also served up at brunch starting at 11 a.m.

Naturally, food must be paired with drinks. At Rams Head, there are brunch, lunch, and dinner options. Brunch is available everyday and features treasured items like quiche, egg preparations, and smoked salmon dishes. Lunch features items like shrimp salad (see bottom), fresh fish preparations, Nova Scotia salad (see right),and our favorite, “Beer, Piggy Piggy,” a dish of slow-cooked pork finished with Fordham’s Copperhead Ale sauce and served on a roll with slaw and cheese. Dinner supplies hungry guests with traditional pub fare with a twist, manifested in dishes like “Chicken Chesapeake,” a chicken and crab dish smothered in a jalapeno sauce. Dessert must consist of the “Old Dominion Root Beer Float,” which pairs beer, ice cream, and whipped cream.

As drinks go well with food, so does incredible history go with eateries. The site, www.ramsheadtavern.com, tells of the tavern’s marvelous history. You can read it at your leisure, but suffice it to say the tavern has been around since the early 1700s and was once home to the brewing operations of Benjamin Fordham (of Fordham Brewing Company). Between Fordham’s time there and the Rams Head we know today, it has been a part-time inn and even hosted a ghost that ostensibly still makes appearances. The fact that Rams Head Tavern was once a humble brewing and now entertains thousands (thanks to Rams Head on Stage and Rams Head Live!) is truly a testament to its importance and favor in the public eye.

The long history of the tavern is present in its surface features. The walls are brick, the hallways are narrow, and the floors are wooden.

In recognition of this local success story, you can give Rams Head your business, sport Rams Head apparel, and join their “World Beer Club.” Additionally, Rams Head rents out some of its space for social gatherings. To learn more about this beloved Annapolitan gem, head to the site linked above or go to the eatery at 33 West Street. Hours of operation are listed on the site. Rams Head Tavern adds a new facet to “eating local.”