Over 200 people gathered in Frederick on Monday, December 5 from 2-3:30 pm for the 11th Annual Maryland Craft Beer Competition Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the Brewers Association of Maryland. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and other dignitaries were on hand to help hand out the awards including the prestigious Comptroller’s Cup awarded to Maryland’s Top Beer. Frederick brewery Barley and Hops won the top honor with their innovative Ambulette brew; second place went to Union Craft Brewery’s Double Duckpin and third place went to Evolution Craft Brewing for their Chardonnay Migration. The original competition was held earlier this year, in August, where over 280 entries were judged by local and regional judges including Grand Master judge Jeff Sanders, using Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines. The “Best in Category” winners were announced following the competition but today’s event unveiled the TOP three best including the top prize, the Comptroller’s Cup. For a list of other winners, go to https://marylandbeer.org/comptrollers-cup-prelim-results.
“It is a real surprise and a great honor to be winning all these awards,” said Eric Gleason, Brewer at Barley & Hops. “When I came to Barley & Hops last August [2015], there were only five house beers and eight guest beers. My mission was to bring back the seasonal beers that craft beer fans crave and seek out. I wanted to make beers that were always seasonal, fresh and compelling. Changing our focus and our image as a craft beer destination has been a challenge, but we are clearly winning so far.”
“I saw Eric’s talent early on and gave him the leeway to make the changes we needed to make at Barley and Hops more updated and stay current with what’s going on in the craft beer marketplace. We’ve overcome some large hurdles this year and can finally move forward unleashed,” said Lori Keough, new owner of Barley and Hops.
“This is the showcase of the industry’s talent,” said Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Brewers Association of Maryland. He added,” We are producing phenomenal beer throughout Maryland, and are honored to have the comptroller award the cup to the top beer.”
About the Brewers Association of Maryland
The Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM), founded in 1996, is the non-profit trade association of Maryland brewing companies. The mission of BAM is to promote, protect and
grow Maryland beer through marketing, advocacy and education. There are 50+ licensed breweries in Maryland. For more information, log onto www.marylandbeer.org or call 410-252-9463.
The brewing industry in Maryland dates back to the American colonial period, when the first brewing company in the colony opened in the mid-1600s. With a rich brewing history of over 300 years, BAM is committed to continuing the proud tradition of crafting world-class beer in the Old Line State. Maryland craft breweries continue to grow and support local communities, from small business owners to the family farm.
