Maryland Beer Updates: March 2025

Sapwood Cellars Ascends: Maryland Brewery Ranks Among Nation’s Best in Untappd Community Awards

In a landscape dominated by giants, Sapwood Cellars of Columbia, Maryland, is quietly and confidently making national waves. The brewery recently earned the second-highest number of medals in the Untappd Community Awards, placing them between none other than Tree House and Hill Farmstead. That’s right—Maryland’s own Sapwood Cellars is officially in the same sentence as two of the most revered names in American craft beer.

With nine beers placing in the top three nationally in their respective styles, Sapwood has proven it can master a wide range of brewing traditions. Standouts include their decadent Imperial/Double Oatmeal Stout, a nuanced and tart Flanders Oud Bruin, and a boldly expressive Rye IPA, each showcasing the brewery’s technical skill and creativity. In total, 96 Sapwood beers were recognized among the best in Maryland for 2024, a staggering feat that speaks to the depth of their lineup.

It’s not just about what’s in the glass, either. Big things are happening on-site, too. April marks the long-awaited debut of Albura Taqueria, the brewery’s own kitchen, along with an expanded tasting room. Much like their beers, the kitchen promises globally inspired tacos with bold, unexpected flavor combinations. Imagine Korean gochujang next to Oaxacan mole, and all these are paired with beers that challenge and delight the palate.

In a move that marks a new chapter, Sapwood is also introducing its first year-round core beer: Albura Lager. This Mexican-inspired lager—brewed with corn masa and Virginia-grown Pilsner malt from Murphy & Rude will anchor their tap list with an easy-drinking, flavor-rich option. The name “Albura” is Spanish for “sapwood,” tying the brewery’s identity full circle in a nod to its roots and future.

Other Brew News

Michael McCagh at 1812 Farm Brewery near Cumberland MD has announced, “We are operating on a 10-barrel system; however, we will finish construction on a new 15-barrel system in the Summer of 2025.” Get ready for more good beer from this group.

Whether a local or passing through, 1812 also hosts a Farmer's Market on the first Sunday of the Month, April through December.

And they will celebrate their 8th anniversary on June 6 and 7!

You can visit 1812 Farm Brewery, just 5 minutes off Interstate I-68, for award-winning craft beer in a stunning farm setting! Relax on the spacious patio or inside our historic taproom. They also feature a playground and soccer field in our family / pet-friendly environment. They also feature rotating food trucks and live music events. Learn more at 1812Brewery.com

Guilford Hall Brewery (Baltimore, MD)  has a new head brewer, Ben Little. Ben has worked at many breweries over his time and has incredible knowledge of all things craft beer. GHB will also starting to release a new series of beer... stay tuned.

GHB’s Biergarten Courtyard is open all spring and summer long, and they are also dog friendly. If you want to learn more about how the beer is made, they also have Brewery Tours every Saturday at 1 PM, get your tickets at guilfordhall.com.

GHB will host their Tmave Pivo Beer Release Pairing Dinner on April 23rd at 6:30 PM. It is a fully curated menu to pair perfectly with their newest Czech Style Dark Lager, a 5-course dinner and unlimited Tmave Pivo brews for one set price.

In addition to the Tmave Pivo, which will be released in April, a Maibock will be released in May, and an Italian Pale Lager in June.

Keith Kohr is the Head Brewer and Co-Owner Waredaca Brewing Company in Montgomery County. Keith shared, “We are excited to announce we will be opening The Barn at Waredaca Brewing coming May 2025. This will be a reservable open-air pavilion that provides some of the best views on the farm, as well as gives guests the ability to plan on having a space for their event even during our busiest days. We are taking early reservations via our "Barn Raisers Club", sign up ends in april, which among other discounts, allows you to prepay for your reservation of The Barn for your event in 2025 or 2026 at a discounted rate. Find out more at orderwaredaca.com

 Jake Blackmon, at Hub City Brewery in Hagerstown, reports they have a new hard cider and hard seltzer available in the taproom. Plus, they will host a Farmer's Market and Food Truck Festival every Sunday from 12-4 pm starting April 6.

Brewery and the Beast: More Than Just Beer

While traveling through Garrett County—Maryland’s westernmost region—I had the chance to meet up with friends for lunch at the county’s newest (and currently only) brewery: Brewery and the Beast. I also had the opportunity to meet the owners and get a behind-the-scenes look at their operation. I was impressed by their thoughtfully crafted menus and curious to learn more about the culinary backgrounds driving their mission to bring fresh food and drink options to the area.

Some breweries start with hops or spreadsheets. For Brandy Wilt and Craig Frazee, it began with a lifelong passion for food, hospitality, and flavor. What started as a food truck—Bar-B-Q’ed Beast—has grown into one of Maryland’s most thoughtful brewpubs, where every beer reflects their culinary roots.

Brandy’s background in Hospitality and Tourism was shaped by a study abroad tour of Europe’s gastronomic heartlands—breweries, vineyards, cheese caves, foie gras farms. With 18 years in the industry, she learned not just to serve, but to curate taste-driven experiences.

Craig trained at the New England Culinary Institute and cooked at The Four Seasons at Pebble Beach and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Maui. The two met in 2012 on a military base and soon shared a vision: blend culinary expertise with craft beer.

That dream took shape in 2021, when they transitioned their food truck into a brick-and-mortar brewpub. Craig studied at the Siebel Institute, and together, they built their brewery from the garage up—learning from books, brewers, and each other.

Today, their beers are adventurous, often inspired by flavors from their kitchen. Case in point: the Coconut Pawpaw Smoothie Sour—a tart, tropical nod to indulgence.

“We’re still learning,” says Brandy. “But our culinary background gave us a strong foundation.”

More than a brewery or a restaurant, theirs is a personal fusion of food and beer.

Sandbox Brewhouse Celebrates Ribbon Cutting in Frederick

Sandbox Brewhouse has opened its doors at 880 N East St #201, Frederick, MD, where the original Rockwell Brewing (Rockwell opened a new location in May 2023) once occupied. This isn’t just a place to grab a pint—it’s a community hub built on craft, connection, and creativity. “Following our grand opening on March 14, we proudly hosted our official ribbon cutting on March 21, marking the start of something truly special in Frederick.”

Led by longtime local brewmaster John Burroughs, with over 15 years in the Frederick beer scene, the tap list already showcases his expertise. Favorites include the creamy Nitro Stout, citrus-kissed Blood Moon Stout, crisp Bonnie Blonde Ale, and lime-zested Key West Blonde. Hop lovers can explore the fan-favorite True Grit Hazy IPA or bold New World Samurai, an 8% American IPA. They also offer more adventurous pours like the Lemongrass Saison (Wonderlust) and our soon-to-launch Raspberry Rye IPA (Riversong).

The Sandbox is dog-friendly, and they’re building a backyard dog park to match. With live music weekly, rotating food trucks, and plans to expand into coffee and pastries in the mornings, we’re becoming an authentic brewhouse experience.

Whether you come for the beer, the vibe, or the wagging tails, The Sandbox looks like a great place to play.