Brewers Association of Maryland
1783 Forest Drive #343
Annapolis, MD 21401
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Veteran-Owned Olde Mother Brewing Co. Produces Maryland’s Best Beer
Callisto Oatmeal Stout named “Best in Show” at the state’s annual craft beer competition
(Baltimore, Md.) – The “Best In Show” title for the 2022 Maryland Craft Beer Competition was earned by Olde Mother Brewing Co., a veteran-owned brewery located in Frederick, Md., for its Callisto Oatmeal Stout. The winning beer was recognized at the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival after judges selected it from a slate of gold-medal winners representing 20 style categories. Entries in this year’s competition range from modern and novel recipes to well-known, traditional beer styles.
“The fact that a traditional beer style won this competition tells us that, while the trendy beer styles may take over for short periods of time, a timeless beer like an oatmeal stout can be a showstopper when properly executed,” said Keith Marcoux, co-owner of Olde Mother Brewing Co. and veteran of the United States Air Force.
Callisto is Olde Mother’s approach to the classic Oatmeal Stout and is produced with two varieties of oats. The beer’s flavor is characteristically roasty with coffee, chocolate, and biscuit cookie notes. Subtle hints of malt sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel round out the taste, making Callisto a well-balanced and easy-to-enjoy beer for cool-weather sipping. Callisto can be purchased at local beer shops in four packs of 16 oz. cans and on draught at the brewery’s taproom.
“We are honored that Callisto won,” said Sean Curly, Olde Mother’s head brewer, “a lot of energy went into getting that beer to where it is today. We refined the beer from the ground up. Our team explored everything from water chemistry to specialty malt ratios, color and maintaining head retention.”
Preliminary judging for the competition was hosted in late October at 1623 Brewing Company and received more than 300 entries from 50 local breweries. This year’s judges were comprised of certified examiners from the Beer Judge Certification Program and trained industry professionals. Judges reconvened at the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival to select the competition’s overall winners.
“As our competition grows, so does the overall quality of entries,” said BAM’s Kelly Dudeck. “Maryland’s breweries are crafting high-quality beer and our competition is dedicated to providing our members with the recognition they deserve.”
Pub Dog Oktoberfest, a malty and crisp Märzen-style lager, was named the competition’s second-highest-scoring beer and is currently available on draught at the Westminster brewery. Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co.’s third-place entry, Compendium, is a barrel-aged blend of wild-fermented ales that presents sour flavors. This beer is released in small batches and is currently available exclusively in 500 mL bottles at the brewery’s Gaithersburg tasting room.
2022 Maryland Craft Beer Competition Gold Medalists, By Category
Pale Ale | Haze For Days, Crooked Crab Brewing Company
American IPA | West Coast IPA, Monocacy Brewing Co.
Specialty IPA | Juniperis IPA, Checkerspot Brewing
Double IPA | Contraband, 5th Company Brewing
Juicy or Hazy IPA | Sandbar, Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.
Sour Beer and Wild Ale | Compendium, Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co.
Smoked or Wood-Aged | Barrel Aged Liquid Luxury, Oliver Brewing Co.
Fruit Beer | Squeegee Master with Cranberry and Lime, Silver Branch Brewing Company
Spiced Beer | Reveille Coffee Stout, Waredaca Brewing Company
Pale Lager and Pilsner | Festbier, Olde Mother Brewing Co.
Amber, Dark Lager and Bock | Pub Dog Oktoberfest, Pub Dog Brewing Company
Amber Ale and Brown Ale | Winter Storm, Heavy Seas Beer
Porter and Stout | Callisto, Olde Mother Brewing Co.
Wheat Beer | Liquid Sun, Rock Bottom Bethesda
Belgian Style Beer | Christmas Ale, Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.
Specialty/Experimental Beer | Le Blanc Fort, Pooles Island Brewing Co.
Session Beer | Relaxed Fit, DuClaw Brewing Co.
Strong Beer | 27 Anniversary Ale, Heavy Seas Beer
Historical Beer | Ceciltucky Common, 5th Company Brewing
Local Ingredient | Bloom, Landmade Farm Brewery
The Maryland Craft Beer Competition takes place annually and judges locally brewed entries from members of the Brewers Association of Maryland. The competition serves as an industry fundraiser and helps local breweries promote the quality of their beer. Full competition results and information about Maryland’s craft brewing industry can be found on the Brewers Association of Maryland website.
About the Brewers Association of Maryland
The Brewers Association of Maryland, founded in 1999, is the non-profit trade association of Maryland brewing companies. The mission of BAM is to grow, promote, and protect the Maryland craft beer industry. Representing 116 licensed, operating Maryland breweries, the Brewers Association of Maryland is committed to producing memorable beer experiences for craft beer consumers. Events produced and promoted by the Brewers Association of Maryland are fundraisers, directly benefiting the state’s craft brewing industry.
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