Maryland Beer Updates: February 2025

Maryland Beer: Big Changes, Celebrations & New Brews on Tap

The Maryland craft beer scene is as lively as ever, with big announcements, fresh releases, and exciting events on the horizon. From Guinness shaking up its approach to local brewing to anniversary celebrations and new collaborations, here’s everything beer lovers need to know.

Guinness Baltimore Blonde Moves Back Open Gate Brewery

Guinness fans, take note—Baltimore Blonde is no longer hitting store shelves. Diageo, the parent company of Guinness, has decided that this crisp golden ale will now be brewed and poured exclusively at the Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe.

This marks a significant shift in the beer’s journey. After ceasing Maryland production over a year ago, Diageo had partnered with New York’s FX Matt to keep Baltimore Blonde flowing. But now, that collaboration has ended, and Guinness’ U.S. operations are evolving yet again. This move follows the closure of Guinness’ short-lived Halethorpe major production facility, which shut down just three years after opening.

For fans of the brew, it’s a bittersweet moment. While you won’t be able to grab a six-pack at your local shop, you can still enjoy it straight from the source at Open Gate Brewery.

Upcoming Brewery Anniversaries & Special Events

1812 Brewery (Cumberland, MD) Gears Up for 8th Anniversary Bash

Maryland’s first farm brewery is celebrating eight years of fresh, local beer on June 7, 2025. The party starts at noon on their spacious farm patio, featuring live music, food trucks, and many award-winning brews. Stay updated on the festivities at facebook.com/1812Brewery.

Falling Branch Brewery (Street, MD) Adds a Food Truck & Upgrades Taproom

Exciting updates from Falling Branch Brewery—they’ve added a full-time food truck, meaning you can now enjoy great beer with delicious bites every day the brewery is open. Plus, the taproom just got a serious upgrade with huge 12’ x 12’ glass overhead doors, bringing in natural light and fresh air.

Mark your calendars for these can’t-miss events at Falling Branch:

• StoutFest (Feb 22-23) – Over a dozen breweries pouring their best stouts.

• Valentine’s Beer Dinner (Feb 14) – A four-course pairing experience.

• Charm City Trivia (Every Friday starting Feb 21) – Grab a pint and test your knowledge.

New Beer Releases & Taproom Upgrades

Stone Silo Brewery’s (Damascus, MD ) Fresh Lineup & First Anniversary Celebration

Stone Silo is keeping things exciting with a mix of new beer releases:

• Nojo – A crisp Japanese Rice Lager

• Fireside – A Spiced Winter Ale to keep you cozy

• 4648 – A rich Chocolate Milk Stout

• Whistler Hefeweizen – A classic German-style wheat beer

• Stoned Franc – A barrel-aged chocolate cherry porter brewed in collaboration with 61 Vineyard

• They also just celebrated their first anniversary on January 12, 2025! Plus, their covered patio is now insulated for year-round comfort, so you can enjoy the farm views with a pint in hand. Follow their latest events at stonesilobrewery.com/events.

Sapwood Cellars (Columbia, MD) Expands with Albura Taqueria

Big things are happening at Sapwood Cellars—their new kitchen and expanded tasting room are finally nearing completion! Albura Taqueria is expected to open by late February or early March, offering top-notch food to pair with their innovative brews. Get updates at sapwoodcellars.com.

Craft x Craft: A Celebration of Collaboration in South Baltimore

The South Baltimore Brewery District—featuring Pickett Brewing, Checkerspot Brewing, Wico Street Beer Co., and M8 Beer—is hosting a 10-day celebration of craft beer and community from April 3-13.

Some highlights from the lineup:

• April 3 – Rising Tide Collaboration Beer Release: A special brew crafted by all four breweries.

• April 4 – Women’s Collaboration Brew Release: A hazy IPA celebrating women in the beer industry.

• April 5 – Historical Walking Tour & Beer Science Fair: Explore Baltimore’s brewing past and get hands-on with beer ingredients.

• April 6 – Barrel-Aged Beer Collaborations: Four breweries partner with local distilleries for unique barrel-aged creations.

• For full details, check out sobobrewdistrict.com.

New Openings, Closings & Milestones

Hub City Brewery Officially Opens in Hagerstown

The Maryland beer scene just got a new player! Hub City Brewery celebrated its grand opening on January 31, 2025, with live music, food from Diego’s World, and a spiced rum demo by their head distiller. Plenty of parking, plenty of beer—what more could you want? Stay updated at hubcitybrewery.com.

Gateway Craft Brewing (Salisbury, MD) Closes

On January 15, Gateway Craft Brewing in Salisbury, MD posted on social media that they would be closing permanently. The post stated, “2025 is starting off on a sad note. Unfortunately, we must close Gateway Craft Brewing permanently. For the past 4 years we have enjoyed sharing our beer and the company of our customers and friends. Tim's recovery from the surgery is coming along fine, but he continues to have difficulty walking, making it painful to complete all the tasks needed to maintain the brewery. If we can't make beer, we are unable to bear the costs of keeping it open. It has been very painful coming to this decision. Thank you for your help and support in giving us the opportunity to further the craft beer vibe here on the Eastern Shore.”

Riley’s Mill Ale Works (Chestertown, MD) Has a Soft Opening

Riley’s Mill Ale Works at 860 High Street, Chestertown, MD had their soft opening on Saturday, January 18, 2025. While they will be brewing their own beer, they are offering a selection of guest taps for now. The venue is offering a calendar filled with live music evenings. Keep up at facebook.com/RileysMillAleWorks.

Bog Turtle Brewery (Rising Sun, MD) Celebrates 5 Years

After relocating from Oxford, PA, Bog Turtle Brewery has thrived in Maryland for five years, even after opening just as the pandemic hit in 2020. Owners Steve Applegate and Chris Davis credit their success to strong community support—and, of course, great beer. Cheers to many more years!

Closing Thoughts

Maryland’s craft beer scene is buzzing with activity, from new releases and special events to milestone anniversaries and bold new collaborations. Whether you’re a fan of hazy IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, or crisp lagers, there’s something on tap for everyone. Which event or new brew are you most excited for? See you at the taproom!