Blackwater Distilling plans tavern, expanded facility on Kent Island
The maker of Sloop Betty vodka and Picaroon rum announced Thursday it plans to open a tavern on Kent Island next year, where it will offer food, drinks, retail sales and classes on cocktails.
Blackwater Distilling, currently located in an industrial park off Route 8 in Stevensville, plans to move to 405 Cleat St. by the spring, giving the restaurant visibility from Route 50. [READ MORE on CapitalGazette.com]
Guild, G&F earn “More Tourism Jobs for Marylanders” Award
We are very excited to announce that Grow & Fortify, the Maryland Distillers Guild, Maryland Wineries Association and Brewers Association of Maryland were recognized at the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit for the “More Tourism Jobs for Marylanders” award!
This award was based on job growth, economic impact, community impact, and marketing to visitors. Congratulations to these 3 industries that are a blend of manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and well paying jobs for Marylanders!
Springfield Manor wins Best in Class & Double Gold in San Francisco
Throughout October & November 2017, Springfield Manor Distillery will showcase its Award Winning Lavender Gin on the San Francisco Double Gold Tour. Participation in this event is offered only to Double Gold winners of the 2016-2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Springfield Manor’s Lavender Gin was awarded a Double Gold – as well as the coveted Best of Class – 2017 Best Flavored Gin. The competition featured 2253 spirit entries from all corners of the world – including 260 gins, a significant increase in the number of entries from previous years.
Comptroller Peter Franchot tours Waldorf businesses
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) toured a Waldorf distillery, sports complex and health clinic Friday afternoon in the company of state and county elected officials. Franchot and Del. Edith Patterson (D) presented each of them with citations and proclamations commemorating their accomplishments.
The first stop was BlueDyer Distilling Co. on Industrial Park Drive. Co-founder Ryan Vierheller was on hand to describe the history of the company, which is named after an ancestor of his who was a grain farmer, miller and distiller in Southern Pennsylvania in the 1720s.
Franchot presented Vierheller with a proclamation in recognition of its first national award, which it received this year from the American Distilling Institute for its aged rum. The distillery had been in business for less than a year when it received the award. Franchot also praised the economic benefits that the distillery will bring to the area.
“We have manufacturing here in Southern Maryland,” Franchot said of the distillery. “This sector is going to be a huge manufacturing hub in the state of Maryland.”
Nodding to past, Sagamore Spirit aims to develop rye whiskey’s future at Port Covington distillery
When entering the new Sagamore Spirit distillery, you begin inside the rectangular visitors’ center, where the Kevin Plank-owned company presents the history and what it hopes is the future of rye whiskey.
The past can be seen through an interactive touch-screen that illustrates Maryland’s rich history with the spirit, and a centerpiece of old glass bottles by local brands that have come and gone. Sagamore’s ambitious future can be seen for sale everywhere else: apparel (branded with Plank’s Under Armour logo), spicy barbecue sauce and neat rows of rye whiskey bottles.
Lyon Distilling in 10Best
Vote Maryland!
Lyon Distilling Co. is in the running for USA Today’s 10Best.com’s “Best Craft Rum Distillery.”
Rum lovers have numerous options to choose from at Lyon Distilling Company. This micro distillery on the Chesapeake Bay makes white rum, dark rum, Sailors Reserve Rum, Overproof White Rum and Overproof French-Oak Finished Rum (the later two at 126 proof).
County hopes how-to guide will nurture craft beverage industry
Partly through conscious policymaking and partly through inertia, Frederick County has become central to Maryland’s craft beverage industry.
Now, the county seeks to expand that industry with a guide designed to help the owners of new breweries, distilleries and wineries navigate some of the complexities such businesses often encounter.
The county wanted to create an easy how-to guide with suggestions, steps and resources for owners of both large and small craft beverage operations, said Katie Albaugh, an agriculture business development specialist with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
“This is really for everyone. It doesn’t matter what size you are,” Albaugh said.
The Baltimore Whiskey Co. is Moving!
The Baltimore Whiskey Company is moving in 2018. Check out their new video announcement.
“Peril has descended on The Baltimore Whiskey Company. Will Eli die for his passion? Will his body ever be found?! Next time on BWC!”
Made in Maryland: Metro Baltimore’s craft spirits
Jaime Windon remembers working around the clock four years ago to open what would be Maryland’s second distillery, Lyon Distilling Company, on the Eastern Shore town of St. Michaels.
Today, Lyon flourishes along with 17 other fully licensed spirits’ makers in the state, and another dozen or so in the planning stages, says the president of the Maryland Distillers Guild. These companies make gin, whiskey, vodka, brandy, rum and liqueurs.
Recent changes in Maryland laws have made it easier for distillery owners to reach their customers at farmers’ markets and festivals. Consumers’ commitment to local sourcing has also spurred a tourism boom locally and at distilleries around the country. Nationally, there are more than 1,300 craft distillers that pull in $2.4 billion in retail sales, according to the American Crafts Spirits Association. Restaurants that want to showcase local spirits in their cocktails bring in additional revenue.
