Did you know that Governor Larry Hogan designated the month of February as Maryland's month to celebrate the state's many craft breweries? It's true! There will be events held all month long -- you can check them out here -- but if you're not familiar with the local breweries, here's a basic guide to some that you can find around Maryland. (Keep in mind you'll need to be 21 years old to access these homepages.)
This Frederick brewery is actually the largest in MD, and in the top 50 largest craft breweries in the country (sitting pretty at 37, nationally!). If you're a fan of Hunter S. Thompson, you probably recognize the artwork on the beer's labels as that of Ralph Steadman -- and if you're a fan of WTMD's Five O'Clock Shadow segment, you know Flying Dog is a major supporter of local music.
(Photo from Flying Dog Brewery)
Union Craft has been brewing in Baltimore since 2011, beginning with the locally-beloved Duckpin Pale Ale. They now offer an enormous varieties of brews, many of which have a distinctly Maryland/Baltimore vibe (something we definitely can get behind!) like Rye-Baby, Pink Flamingo, Chessie and Black-Eyed Saison. They also host fun events like their 2018 Pinewood Derby, in case you want to relive your Boy Scout days!
(Photo via Union Craft Brewing Company)
Orioles fans, this is the craft brewery for you! Peabody Heights Brewery takes pride in the fact that it's situated on the former home of the Baltimore Orioles minor league franchise-- way, way back in the day! The beautiful location is perfect for parties and weddings, and there are plenty of events going on for the public, like the upcoming fifth annual Mac & Cheese Cookoff!
The owner of Baltimore's Heavy Seas is seriously committed to beer -- in fact, he helped make brewpubs legal in Maryland back in 1987! Now, people in Maryland and all over the East Coast get to enjoy a wide variety of pirate-themed brews. (So even if you're outside of the Old Line State, you can still find your favorite ale.) If it really is a pirate's life for you, the brewery offers an all-ages tour.
(Photo via Heavy Seas Brewery)
Spending some time in Columbia? You should definitely stop by Black Flag Brewing! This brewery prides itself on stepping away from the ordinary, and that means the beers you'll get there are anything but. Food trucks stop by most days (the website has the schedule, so you'll always know when to come and snack on your favorite foods while enjoying a Flagship IPA or a Mambo Sauce). Just remember, this brewery's shut on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Head to the base of the smokestack at McHenry Row, and you'll find Diamondback Brewing Company! There's plenty of beer on tap if you're thirsty, and the company also features pop-up food nights so you can enjoy a bite to eat, too. (Cat lovers, take note -- Diamondback has an utterly adorable brewery cat named Inky on staff! We wonder if it can recommend a brew for us...)
(Photo via Diamondback Brewing Company)
This Bel Air brewery is the perfect place to bring your friends, your date, or even your dog! It offers a taproom and a patio so you can while away a lazy day downtown. And there's a huge variety of beers with fun, tongue-in-cheek names. If you get hungry while you're there, just grab a bite from one of the visiting food trucks that come to this location six days a week (everything from brick oven pizza to pulled pork).
Hate the idea of boring beer? So does DuClaw! This Baltimore brewery bestows its brews with names like Sweet Baby Java, Dirty Little Freak and Funk, which means ordering them is just as fun as drinking them. And DuClaw keeps the fun going at its restaurant locations in Hanover and at BWI Airport. Suddenly, that four-hour delay doesn't sound so bad, huh?
