Maryland Beer Journal & Atlas
Beer Across The Free State
Maryland Beer Journal & Atlas (MBJA) — Our purpose is in our name — only Maryland, only beer. We tell the stories of the people and places that make Maryland beer unique. Maryland traverses many landscapes, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains, Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay, historic small towns, and all points in between. And the beer is as diverse as the landscapes.
Guinness, Garrett, and Grain
On November 21, Guinness Open Gate in Baltimore hosted Garrett Oliver, the famed head brewer at Brooklyn Brewery, for the release of their collaboration brew, Fonio Stout. This beer was the last in a series of collaboration beers highlighting the use of fonio grain as a brewing ingredient.
From Homebrewing to Hustling: Tom Pagano’s Journey to Mystique Barrel Brewing and Lager House
Nestled in the vibrant community of Pigtown, Baltimore, Mystique Barrel Brewing and Lager House is more than a brewery; it’s a testament to passion, resilience, and creativity. For Tom Pagano, owner and brewer, it represents a culmination of over a decade of dreaming, planning, and hands-on experience in nearly every facet of the beer industry.
Celebrating Craft Beer and Community: Beer From Here Festival
On August 3, 2024, Guinness Open Gate Brewery, just outside of Baltimore, opened its gates to breweries from across Maryland for the first Beer From Here beer festival. I talked with Ryan Wagner, Guinness’ National Ambassador, and Jon Zerivitz, Union Craft Brewing Co-founder and Maryland Brewer’s Association Senior Marketing Strategist about the event and Maryland beer.
Suspended Brewing Closes
Suspended Brewing Co. in the Pigtown section of Baltimore City, posted on their website on January 1, 2024, that their taproom is now closed. Mystique Barrel Brewing and Lager House are to open there in 2024.
Checkerspot: A Baltimore Brewery on the Move
Judy and Rob Neff opened Checkerspot Brewing in 2018. A craft brewery with a taproom creates a certain kind of kinetic energy. It can change a neighborhood, attracting patrons from around the block or across the country. Currently there are 17 breweries within Baltimore City proper, the majority established within the last five years. Checkerspot Brewing is one of those and has become an important part of the city’s changing vibe.
Guilford Hall Brewing: New Beer History
Guilford Hall Brewery is just one of many brewing establishments that have opened within the heart of Baltimore. The city has a rich history as a beer town, and these modern takes on insuring that tradition continues and even grows.