4 MD Breweries Compete In Great American Beer Festival

MARYLAND — Four Maryland breweries will compete in the Great American Beer Festival to be held Oct. 10-12 in Denver.

The festival is the nation’s largest for professional brewers and hands out some of the industry’s most sought-after accolades. Bronze, silver and gold medals will be awarded for dozens of styles of beer and ciders in more than 100 categories.

Beer is still the star of the competition, but organizers are casting a wider net with the addition of categories for ciders, canned cocktails, hard seltzer, hard soda, hard tea, hard kombucha, other malt-based beverages, and all non-alcoholic beverages.

The event also features competition in ciders, hard seltzers and, new this year, canned cocktails and hard teas.

Maryland breweries competing for medals include:

Guilford Hall Brewery: 1611 Guilford Ave, Baltimore

The business describes itself: "A European-style dining experience in a revitalized historic Baltimore site. Located in the original 1898 Crown Cork & Seal factory in Station North; our brewery complex features hand-crafted lagers and ales with recipes derived from Bavarian brewing traditions. Our spirited brewpub, intimate beer garden and open concept event space are perfect for your next gathering, small or large."

Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Thursday: 4pm-11pm
Friday: 4pm-Midnight
Saturday: 11am-Midnight
Sunday: 11am-9pm

Independent Brewing Company: 418 N. Main St., Bel Air

The business describes itself: "Independent Brewing Company is Harford County’s premiere production brewery established in 2015, featuring a large taproom and patio located in the heart of historic downtown Bel Air, MD. Independent Brewing Company is conveniently located at the top of the popular Ma and Pa Trail and is family friendly, bicycle friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcomed outside on our patios, tents, and grassy areas and always leashed. Dogs and all other animals are NOT permitted inside the taproom.

"Independent features 26 rotating taps of small batch artisanal ales and cider, many are brewed with locally grown ingredients from Harford County and brewed to be gluten free. We have a daily rotating calendar of local food trucks on premises offering a variety of fresh, seasonal, and local cuisine. We fill 32 oz cans on site and have a variety of 4 and 6 packs to go. IBCo offers an array of bottled craft sodas with cane sugar, organic juices, and other non-alcoholic beverages as well - including Nitro Cold Brew Coffee, Homemade Root Beer, and Kombucha on Tap."

Hours:

Monday: noon to 9 p.m.

Tuesday-Thursday: 4pm-11pm

Friday: 4pm-midnight

Saturday: 11am-midnight

Sunday: 11am-9pm

Nepenthe Brewing Co., 3626 Falls Road, Baltimore

The business offers food, including daily specials like the vegan mushroom poutine, empanada puffs, a big aloha burger and a chicken cordon bleu sandwich. Snack offerings range from house wings with a sauce to beer-battered broccoli, beer queso fundido and garage fries.

All sandwiches are served with house Old Bay chips and house pickles. Selections include a Baltimore Blues Burger that's made of Seven Hills Farm beef topped withPoint Reyes bleu cheese, balsamic caramelized onions, applewood smoked bacon, pear jam, fresh arugula, and walnut oil. Or try the Korean Cheesesteak with shaved ribeye, pepper jack, house kimchi, bulgogi sauce, and pickled veggies, on a hoagie.

Hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Thursday: 5pm-9pm

Friday: 5pm-10 pm

Saturday: noon-10 pm

Sunday: noon-8 pm

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W 41st St #420, Baltimore

The business describes itself: From live concerts from local musicians to national touring artists, monthly bingo, karaoke, makers markets, and an annual pinewood derby – We love to have fun at UCB. Carroll and Son Fine Foods'‘A Restaurant About Nothing’ is located inside UNION Hall and serves a rotating menu of snacks, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. Get an up-close look at the brewery and learn about our brewing process while being mildly entertained by our knowledgeable staff. Tickets are $10/person and they include: a flight of beer (three 7 oz pours,) an insider’s look at tri-clamp fittings, and a few terrible jokes. Take A Tour! We sell cans, bottles, fill growlers & crowlers.

Hours:

Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Saturday: noon-10 pm
Sunday: noon-8 pm