One More for Old Baltimore: @HeavySeasBeer Tap Takeover at @BigJimsDeli Next Thursday
Steve Fogleman, Baltimore Beer Baron

Yesterday, Big Jim’s Deli owner Anna Epsilantis announced that she is closing the South Baltimore stall that has become an institution after five decades in business.

Today, we’re announcing a chance for you to have one more beer at Big Jim’s with a Heavy Seas Tap Takeover on Thursday December 14 from 5:00 p.m. until “the last customer leaves”, according to Epsilantis.

Baltimore Beer Week co-founder Joe Gold, a native of nearby Brooklyn, has visited Cross Street Market regularly since he was 5 years old. “We’d do the shopping there every Saturday with my grandmother and I’d be the guy that carried the bags.” He’s known Epsilantis for more than 30 years. Gold, whose day job is with Heavy Seas Brewing, was stunned when he heard the news of the impending closure and put together the tap takeover to give her a proper send-off.

“It’s an icon, it’s an Attman’s,” he said. “It’s a destination place because the food is fantastic and it’s like Cheers. When you grow up with something like that, it’s in your DNA. You can get a sandwich anywhere, but you won’t meet people like that.”

Heavy Seas founder Hugh Sisson, whose family history also has deep roots on Cross Street, is expected to be in attendance to hoist a pint to Anna and Big Jim’s Deli.

While Loose Cannon is a mainstay at Big Jim’s Deli, Epsilantis is looking to her customers to determine which Heavy Seas products to put on the rest of her draft lines. She’ll be taking suggestions on their Facebook page. See you there!