Main Attractions: FeBREWary Highlights Maryland’s Range of Craft Breweries

Nationally, Maryland is most known for its crabs. From crabcakes to different soups and dips, the crustaceans are synonymous with the state’s image. But Maryland has another, lesser-known treasure: a wealth of small craft breweries. These businesses get the chance to showcase their talents in FeBREWary, a month-long celebration of craft beer with events held all across the state. The breweries also develop a beer especially for the occasion, called “Cupid’s Curse.” FeBREWary offers the chance to showcase some of Maryland’s most unique small businesses.

Many of Maryland’s craft brewers are located in Main Street Maryland communities, which affords those seeking to take a trip to sample some of Maryland’s best brews even more to explore. Main Street Maryland communities, as designated by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, have central business districts with plenty for visitors to see and do. Some communities, such as Frederick, are home to multiple breweries in close proximity to restaurants, retail, galleries and more. The department has also supported craft breweries outside of Main Street Maryland towns, including Union Craft Brewing in Baltimore City.

In Mount Airy, a Main Street Maryland community located in Frederick County, Red Shedman Farm Brewery occupies the same 250 acres of sprawling farmland as its sister company, Linganore Winecellars, which has been one of Maryland’s largest wine producers since the 1970s. Established in October of 2014, the brewery is owned by Victor Aellen, son of the owners of Linganore, making the two businesses a family affair.

In a few ways, Red Shedman is not quite like other Maryland breweries. Director of Operations Chelsey Jenkins explained that they are classified as a farm brewery, meaning they primarily fall under state jurisdiction rather than county laws. As a farm brewery, they also use hops grown on their farm when they brew their beers. They can also produce no more than 15,000 barrels of a particular brew annually.

As a small-but-growing operation, the Red Shedman team handles all aspects of the business themselves, including distribution. As such, their products are currently not sold outside of Maryland, and the furthest south their beers and ciders can be found is in Bowie in Prince George’s County. The team recently acquired their own canning line, which Jenkins said will be a boost for their production capacity.

In warmer months and on weekends, the farm is often abuzz with activity. Visitors travel to sample the beers, wines, and ciders produced on the grounds while often taking in live music or enjoying a festival, such as their annual Bluegrass, Brew and BBQ Festival in April. This year’s festival, Jenkins said, is shaping up to feature 30 different breweries, as well as four local barbecue vendors and four bluegrass bands. The taproom is also open year-round for tastings.  Seasonal offerings are often a big success: for their Cupid’s Curse contribution, Red Shedman offered up a barrel-aged shoofly pie porter with notes of molasses and cinnamon and a distinct bourbon scent originating from the barrel. Other popular beers include their Suicide Blonde, a White IPA, and their Vanilla Porter.

According to Jenkins, one of the best parts of being in business there is being a member of Frederick County’s business community. “We help each other out whenever we can,” Jenkins said. “There have been times when we’re brewing, and we’re, say, a bag short on grain. We can go to other brewers — who are theoretically our competition — and they’ll help us out. There’s a lot of love and support out here.”

If you are looking to visit a brewery and explore Maryland’s many unique small towns, see below for a full list of breweries located in Main Street Maryland communities:

Du Claw Brewing, Bel Air

Independent Brewing Co., Bel Air

Burley Oak Brewing, Berlin

Smoketown Brewing Station, Brunswick

Realerevival Brewing, Cambridge

Bull and Goat Brewery, Centreville

1812 Brewery, Cumberland

Key Brewing, Dundalk

Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, Ellicott City

Manor Hill Brewing, Ellicott City

Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick

Midnight Run Brewing, Frederick

Monocacy Brewing Company, Frederick

Olde Mother Brewing, Frederick

Rockwell Brewery, Frederick

Steinhardt Brewing, Frederick

Antietam Brewery, Hagerstown

Frey’s Brewing Company, Mt. Airy

Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm, Mt. Airy

Red Shedman Farm Brewery, Mt. Airy

Evolution Craft Brewing, Salisbury

Rubber Soul Brewing, Salisbury

Backshore Brewing Co., Ocean City

Fin City Brewing Co., Ocean City

Ocean City Brewing Co., Ocean City

Pub Dog Brewing Company, Westminster

“Main Attractions” is a regular series highlighting Main Street Maryland communities. Main Street Maryland is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program created in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. These communities receive assistance for improving the economy, appearance and image of their traditional downtown business districts. For more information on Main Street Maryland, visit http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/programs/MainStreet.aspx