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.
Hub City Brewery: Maryland Beer Grows in Hagerstown
The craft beer industry thrives on innovation, passion, and community—and nowhere is that more evident than at Hub City Brewery, the latest addition to Maryland’s brewing scene.
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.
Behind the Beer: Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery
Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery (CRAB) is a small brewery tucked neatly between Washington, DC, and Annapolis in Crofton, MD. Chesepiooc (pronounced “chess-uh-pee-auck”) is not used in many conversations these days. It comes from the Algonquian language, meaning “village at a big river.” Joe Esposito founded the brewery about six years ago (Feb 2018) with the idea of being intentionally small in size but large in beer and community.
Maryland Brewery Updates: Oct 2024
And so it continues! Open, close, move, grow — the business cycle for breweries, large and small, continues to shift, creating new partnerships, voids, and opportunities. But it's the season for Oktoberfest, autumn seasonals, barrel-aged beauties, and otherwise great beer-drinking weather. Enjoy!
The Other One Brewery: A Brewer's Journey
Nate Todd opened The Other One Brewery in Ocean City MD in 2023. Beginning with a homebrewing kit resulted in a deep passion for brewing. He served as head brewer at Backshore Brewing here for that operation's last two years, and wound up purchasing much of Backshore's equipment when the company closed in November 2021.
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.
Berlin Beer Company: The Ground Floor - June 2024
I first met Adam Davis in August 2022 while he was at Burley Oak Brewing in Berlin, MD. Not long after that, Adam announced he would plant his own flag in the sand with the Berlin Beer Company (BBC), a 3-minute drive and less than a mile from Burley. I have been following his progress ever since. In June 2024, Adam showed me around the progress at Berlin Beer Co.
Upper Stem Brewery: Crafting Tradition and Community
Upper Stem Brewery is a licensed farm brewery in Washington County, just northeast of Hagerstown, MD. In April 2020, as the world grappled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan Winger decided to launch his brewery, a risky move given the uncertain times. Yet, they navigated the challenging waters through ingenuity and a small canning operation, providing curbside delivery that kept the dream alive.
A Hidden Gem: The Story of 1812 Brewery
In early March 2024, I visited the 1812 Brewery outside Cumberland, Maryland. I'd heard about the brewery from local friends and had hoped to visit myself, but the timing was never right. So, when traveling to western Maryland for a friend’s retirement party, I asked if I could stop by and learn more about the brewery and its people, and they welcomed our meeting.
Burnish Beer Co: Shaking Off the Rust
Burnish Beer Company celebrated their second anniversary in October 2023. For a relatively new brewery, they have come a long way in that short time. But then, the Burnish team has brought a lot of experience and a diversity of talent to this brewing venture.
Liquidity Aleworks
Liquidity Aleworks in Mt. Airy MD, opened their taproom doors to the public on November 10, 2022. The building Liquidity sits in was built in 1904, and formerly housed the First National Bank and Farmers and Merchants Banks. The taproom is bright and open and decidedly family oriented.
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.
Pickett Brewing in Pigtown
With Pickett Brewing and Suspended Brewing already with a presence, and Checkerspot Brewing moving to the neighborhood soon, plus Wico Street Brewing opening their taproom soon, Pigtown is becoming a craft beer hotspot in Baltimore.
Burley Oak Brewing: Not Conceptually Just Brewers
Burley Oak Brewing is a decidedly small brewery in Berlin, MD. ”Not conceptually just brewers, we think about making the coolest beverages. A little unconventional with some convention thrown in.”
Franklins: Restaurant, Brewery, General Store
You might ask yourself, “What is Franklin‘s?” Is it a restaurant? Is it a brewery? Is it a general store? The answer to any of these would be, yes!
Forward: a Quaint Eastport Brewery
Forward Brewing is a small brewery doing some big things. Located in the quaint neighborhood of Eastport, just south of Annapolis proper, Forward has done a lot with their small footprint.
Streetcar 82 Brewing
Most of the locals know S82 is a deaf-owned brewery. Some new customers only become aware this when they see the staff communicating with their hands. “We don't tell you we are deaf, you find out after you come through the doors.” Some may wonder if they are welcomed, but of course the answer is a huge yes.
Whatever You Dig, Dig Deep!
Dig Deep Brewing (Cumberland, MD) officially opened September 13, 2019. Located in the heart of Cumberland in the historic Footer Dye Works Building, they are conveniently located with easy access to recreational attractions such as the C&O Canal and the Great Allegheny Passage trail.