By Timothy Long

Fall can be a great time on the Eastern Shore

There is a myth, actually an assumption, that blue crab season ends when summer ends. The season actually runs well into fall.

Here’s how it works. Crab season begins somewhere between early April and May, that’s when crabs who stayed in Maryland waters over the winter become available. But the supply is limited. The supply grows in June as the blue crabs begin to migrate up Chesapeake Bay. July and August are the peak months of the season, which is probably why people think that blue crab season ends when August does. But in reality, September and October are when you will find the meatiest crabs, and the best prices. Once November starts, the blue crabs begin to migrate south back down the bay.

My first crab picking experience occurred in West Virginia. Stop laughing. It was an annual summer party we would have at the fraternity house. A warm weather excuse to get together and tap kegs. A few brothers from Maryland bought two bushels of blue crabs before heading to the hills to join us. They cooked them up in our kitchen. And this kid from outside of Pittsburgh learned how to pick crabs. A live crab doesn’t want to let go once it has hold of your finger.

Everyone remembers their first crab pick experience, and how many Band-aids they had on their fingers afterwards. The great part for me was that I learned how to pick crabs before moving to Virginia after college. It gave me a bit of credibility, which I certainly needed at the time.

Everybody has their favorite crab house, probably more than one. Mike’s Bar & Crab House in Riva, MD is a blast. And Cantler’s Riverside Inn in Annapolis is legendary. I love both places. But my heart still belongs to my first love, The Crab Claw in St. Michaels.

When I first moved to the area, my friend and fraternity brother, Andy, had a sailboat. It was a 38-foot Catalina named The Sugar Magnolia. We would sail and dock or anchor all over the bay. And one of our favorite spots was The Crab Claw. An afternoon of sailing followed by tons of crabs and pitchers of beer was an easy sell for a bunch of guys in their twenties.

Just like many people in the area, I have many fond memories of that great place. My wife and her sister have been going there since they were kids. Even one of our famous chefs, Chef Jose Andres, praised it as one of his favorite places for simple comforting seafood. But now for the bad news. After 61 years of delighting the community, The Crab Claw is closing.

My wife, my sister-in-law, and I, along with our dog, Crosby, went for one last visit. It’s the kind of place that never really changes, which is great. We ate and drank like in the old days. We sat outside, as tradition dictates. So does having a dog with you. We enjoyed our blue crabs, clams, and other delights. The occasion was sad and wonderful, all at the same time.

We were told that the closing date is November 9th. I strongly suggest that you go before it closes. Either because you love the place, or because you want to experience this iconic crab house before it’s gone. Picking crabs and drinking beer on the deck of The Crab House is a classic way to enjoy the Eastern Shore. Do yourself a favor and go.

When on the Eastern Shore, there are beers from two breweries there that are personal favorites of mine; Dog Fish Head and RAR.

RAR’s Nanticoke Nectar seems to be on tap at almost every bar in the area. And there’s a good reason. The hops, along with grapefruit and orange, hit you right up front. You also get hints of pine and floral notes. Then comes the malt, with caramel and biscuit sweetness. This is a fantastic IPA. Their Groove City Lager is clean, refreshing, and incredibly easy to drink. It has a light malt character with just enough sweetness to give it some personality. The finish is crisp and clean. A great warm weather beer.

With Dogfish Head, I always go with an IPA. The 60-minute IPA is a classic for a reason. Citrus, grapefruit, pine flavors come through without turning the beer into a hop grenade. It has just enough malt to keep the bitterness at bay. It’s bigger louder brother, the 90-minute IPA really turns up the volume with more hops, more malt, and more alcohol. It’s rich and full bodied with citrus, pine, and caramel. And if you’re really up for a strong beer, try the 120-minute IPA. At 16% ABV, it’s a heavy weight compared to its little brothers.

What do you call a meal that doesn’t start with bourbon? Breakfast. Thank God we came across the Washington Street Pub in Easton at lunch time. It was closed for renovations last time we were in town. The renovations are great. But what really stood out was the bourbon collection. My wife, Leigh, said it reminded her of Louisville. I didn’t think it was quite there, but it is an impressive collection. The best I’ve seen in the area.

The bartender, Kim, recognized me, which was a little scary. A bartender remembering you can be either good or bad. It was good. Kim used to bartend at Rumors in DC, one of my old haunts. I remembered her as well. She made us a couple of their signature Walnut Old Fashions with Buffalo Trace Bourbon and walnut bitters. They were as perfect as the crab cakes we had for lunch.

So, ignore the myth. Crabs in the fall are the best crabs; big, meaty, and often more affordable. Enjoy them with a couple of great Eastern Shore craft beers. I suggest visiting both Easton and St. Michaels. They’re right by each other and are both walkable and beautiful. And while you’re there, stop by and see Kim at the Washington Street Pub. She’ll take great care of you. And she’ll help you peruse that great bourbon selection. Cheers!!

About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup.com

Tim’s Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18yr Bourbon

I’m seeing this bourbon on more and more shelves, so it’s time to recommend it. I tried it in Louisville back in February and fell in love with it. On the nose you get oak, caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit. The age really starts to show on the palate. There’s plenty of oak, but it’s accompanied by brown sugar, vanilla, leather, baking spice, and hints of dried fruit. This is a mature, sophisticated bourbon that’s not dominated by oak. It has deep caramel and vanilla, with the kind of rich and silky long finish that reminds you why patience is a wonderful thing. It’s 90 proof and a little pricey at around $175 a bottle. But it would make a great addition to any collection.

Aganorsa Leaf Habano Toro Cigar

This is a bold, flavorful Nicaraguan cigar that delivers plenty of bang for the buck. It’s a medium-to-full-bodied smoke. First, you get cedar, earth, and tobacco with a healthy dose of pepper. The cedar and pepper flavors grow as you get into it, with earthy, walnut, and coffee notes coming out. It finishes with pepper, chocolate, and honey flavors. At $12 per stick, it will blend wonderfully with that Elijah Craig 18 yr in your hand. Enjoy.

This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.