The Brewers Association of Maryland is throwing not one, but two beer festivals this spring. Let’s take these in order.
First, and closer to most of our readership, Love Thy Beer will be held at on Friday evening, April 8, 2022 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. This event was supposed to be held in February, showcasing winter beers, but the Omicron variant pushed it back, so instead of winter warmers and stouts, we get maibocks. We’re not mad about that. Look for about thirty Maryland breweries, including Astro Lab and Denizens, which must make the grueling half-mile trek up Georgia Avenue to serve you, as well as a few that are new to us, like Homaide Brewing Co. and Olde Mother Brewing Company. The mostly complete brewery list is online, and tickets start at $55. Most of the breweries pouring are going to send either brewers or representatives, so it’s a good chance to talk shop with the people who know the beer best. McGinty’s Public House, which knows a thing or two about beer pairings, is providing the food, included in admission. Want to get in an hour early, at 6pm? You can do that!
Saturday, May 22 has the bigger event, the Maryland Craft Beer Festival is back in Frederick, once again taking over Carroll Creek Linear Park from 12-5pm. There will be more than two hundred beers available for sampling from forty-ish breweries, including a few up and comers that aren’t even open yet. “But DC Beer,” you say, “how am I supposed to get to Frederick?” Well, friends, fear not, because we at DC Beer have a bus, leaving from the city proper! You could use a rideshare service, but that seems hella expensive. Better hang out with us, get some swag, and get into the Maryland Craft Beer Festival early, like the VIPs you are. Interested? You should be.
More Festival details are available at its site, and just a reminder that proceeds from the Maryland Craft Beer Festival directly benefit the legislative and promotional efforts of the Brewers Association of Maryland and its members, so one way of supporting your local Maryland brewery is to go to events like this. Also, if you’d like to attend both Love Thy Beer and the Maryland Craft Beer Festival, the Brewers Association of Maryland will throw you a discount. Early bird pricing for the Festival ends on March 20. The Brewers Association of Maryland will be back in the fall, too, with the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival. stay tuned.
