If you know me — or if you’ve ever taken a gander at the biography that runs with my column — you know I’m a creature of habit about which barstools I gravitate toward, when I’m carousing (or avoiding people) around town.

The back bar at Lures. The stool just off to the right at DRY 85. One of the high-tops at Fox’s Den. By the fireplace at 1747 Pub at Reynold’s Tavern.

While my usual haunts will still get tired of seeing me as we head into Christmas, this time of year is a little different.

It’s when I transform from a relaxed lover of autumn weather to a holiday-obsessed, ornament-swinging nightmare who wants nothing more than to deck the halls, avoid the malls and get lost in Snowflake Alley in my favorite town — that I’m also lucky enough to call home.

So, in honor of the “shop local, shop small” spirit that makes our Main Street mentality extra special during the holiday season, I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite unexpected places to grab a great beer in downtown Annapolis.

Preserve

164 Main St.

Since restaurateurs and husband-and-wife duo Michelle and Jeremy Hoffman opened the doors to Preserve in 2015, there has been no shortage of accolades bestowed upon them for their eatery with a flair for fermentation. This includes recognition in 2016 and 2017 in Washingtonian magazine’s 100 Very Best Restaurants.

But, whenever I’ve had a bad day or Patrick and I want to sneak off for a date, the bar at Preserve is almost always at the top of my list. Their rotating draft lift is modest, but the four lines are always dedicated to something local and often different.

(Not too long ago, I fell for the killer combination of their potted liver mousse with a crisp, malty pour of Manor Hill’s Taylor’s Row IPA.)

Not digging what they have on draft? They also have a quality bottle list, if you’re looking for something more traditional, but still American.

Short version: If you’re looking to score the next big thing in beer, Preserve isn’t what you want. That said, their classic, unhurried, local-forward approach to beer is a great choice if you’re out and about with non-beer drinkers — particularly on a date — or you just need to relax.

Galway Bay Irish Pub and Restaurant

63 Maryland Ave.

If it’s December and you’re at Galway Bay off State Circle, you’re probably there for the original “dark beer” (Guinness) or their famous eggnog. (Truth be told, there’s a good chance if you see me there, I’m kicking around with the same agenda.)

But what you may not realize is that the team behind Galway Bay has an affinity for great craft.

As with Preserve, this is not a beer nerd’s reflexive vision of paradise. It is, however, where you can embrace the jovial, raucous warmth of a traditional Irish pub, as you sip on their exclusive Naptown Brown ale from RAR Brewing or an unexpected seasonal from Southern Tier out of Lakewood, New York.

Also, they have this sneaky habit of bringing on super rare beers, out of nowhere, and then they’re gone in a flash. RAR’s Pulp Friction — a blink-and-you-miss-it juicy IPA — graced their taps recently and brought me to a happy place.

Short version: It’s an Irish pub with a craft streak that will keep you happy during a night out on the town with friends. And they may even surprise you with something special out of left field.

Federal House Bar & Grille

22 Market Space

Guess what, Annapolis? While you weren’t looking, Federal House became one of the best destinations for Maryland craft in town. (No, this is not a drill.) Long gone are the days of big beer macros tying up the majority of their three sets of drafts. Instead, it’s now a sea of mostly craft, a lot of which is made right here in Maryland.

Hysteria. Jailbreak. Evolution. Union. Heavy Seas. Raven. Oliver’s. Key. (Just to name a few.)

Heck, following the Grand Illumination of this year’s Annapolis Christmas tree, I hopped over there with a pal for a pint of Burley Oak’s coffee and cream ale.

Yes, depending on the time of day (or day of the week) you choose to go, it can be a bit crowded, given its tourist- and midshipmen-friendly location. But that doesn’t change the fact that I find myself recommending it to more and more people as a great option when they’re in the mood for a local Annapolis, local beer experience.

Short version: This Annapolis waterfront landmark has utterly transformed their approach to beer, and it’s not a gimmick. Be mindful of when you visit, if you’re not looking for a party, but otherwise you’ll be rewarded.

Liz Murphy lives in Annapolis with her husband, Patrick, and their two lazy dogs, Horatio and Nugget. She runs her own Annapolis-based beer blog, Naptown Pint. You can reach her at liz@naptownpint.com