Hey DC Beer Fam, it’s Jordan, your favorite hop-head here with another Beers Around the Way (BATW) Spotlight. First off, Happy New Year! For my first article of 2025, I wanted to highlight something you may’ve missed from one of our DMV breweries, Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company (LIBCO). Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company is Prince George’s County’s first Black-owned brewery. Currently operating as a contract brewery, they deliver “legendary craft liquids” that honor their founders’ creativity and commitment to community.
This past fall, LIBCO re-partnered with Forward Brewing in Annapolis, Maryland to brew their collaboration beer, Maryland Maverick, a hazy double IPA crafted to celebrate Governor Wes Moore’s dedication to forging a dynamic new future for Maryland. Initially brewed and released as a taproom exclusive at Forward in 2023, this vibrant DIPA was brewed with wheat, oats, and double dry-hopped with Mosaic, African Queen, and Southern Sublime hops–with Mosaic Incognito in the whirlpool–resulting in a refreshing yet robust beer with tropical and dank blueberry aromas.
Being a fan of IPAs, this beer already had my attention, but the nod to Maryland’s first Black governor, Wes Moore, is just an awesome piece of history. Describing the historic nature of this beer Andrew Dill, LIBCO Co-Founder, explains, “This liquid captures Governor Wes Moore’s progressive spirit and Maryland’s culture. We’re proud to offer a liquid that not only refreshes but inspires.”
The beer comes in at 8% ABV and is available in 16 oz. cans in Maryland and DC. LIBCO and Forward kept things Maryland by working with local artists Lee Snead and Jordan Shack to capture a label that embodies the beer’s bold purpose. You can learn more about Liquid Intrusion and Maryland Maverick’s location on LIBCO’s website, https://www.libcobeer.com/. In 2025 LIBCO will continue with multiple distribution releases around the area. LIBCO Co-Founder Jasmine Dill adds, “Our partnership with Forward Brewing has allowed us to expand this fantastic liquid from a local exclusive to a limited regional release.”
Our editor, Jacob Berg, is not usually a fan of Mosaic hops, but adds that the use of Incognito really accentuates the blueberry notes in the beer, along with some dankness and tropical fruit flavors, while the malt bill brings to mind slightly toasted freshly baked bread, “a really well done double IPA!”
For those following the beer space, we’ve seen a number of closures, pivots in drinking habits, and reduced enthusiasm regarding craft beer that has created gaps industry-wide. The ability for local and intra-state breweries to collaborate and gain exposure to new markets is a great way to fill those shortcomings and generate excitement across communities. Originally a limited taproom release at Forward Brewing last year, this brew now reaches craft beer lovers across Maryland and DC. Maybe you’ll even see it at metrobar on February 8 for metrobar’s annual Cheers and Beers: Black Brewer’s Tasting Party.
This is an impressive bit of brew news that needed a spotlight, and is something I think many of you would enjoy. I’d also have been remiss to not commend the Liquid Intrusion family for their historic feat as a Black- and woman-owned business ahead of the February and March months. It’s never a bad time to show love and I hope you all have grabbed or will grab some Maryland Maverick, or any of their other awesome liquids (‘South of DC Cream Ale’, ‘The African Queen & Her 7 C’s IPA’, and the ‘Saison du Zest’, Lemongrass Saison.
Make your way around the DMV this winter/spring while supply lasts and be sure to let us at DC Beer know what you think!!
Cheers!
