An Eastern Shore Brew Tour


Ever wanted to leave for the beach in the morning, knowing you can't check in until nearly dinner time?  There are options!  Like beer.  The Eastern Shore of Maryland has, over the last fifteen years, become a haven for new brewers.  Access to materials, relatively low cost of doing business, and a regular tourist industry have helped to build a notable craft beer culture that is itself worth the vacation, and is a great diversion on a hot afternoon.

The first stop between Baltimore-Washington and Ocean City is Eastern Shore Brewing, a few miles west of Route 50 in St. Michael's.  ESB has a tasting room only, but you can grab a bite to eat next door at Gina's Cafe.  St. Michael's is a thriving destination by itself for vacations, and you can also check out the winery and distillery on the same block!  Tasting flights of five are available (though not during  evening music performances).  Four beers- a variety of ales, are available year round, with a rotating seasonal selection that includes porters and stouts.  My favorite brew
from my visit was one of the staples: St. Michael's Amber Ale (5.5% ABV), a nice blend of malt and hops.

Got kids?  Better food options exist further along the drive.  RAR Brewing in Cambridge offers a full menu plus an expansive list of 23 year-round beers, plus specialty and seasonal brews.  The list is largely made up of ales, along with a sour and wheat beers.  One of the best beers that I had on my last beach trip (out of 17 that I tried!) was here- the Groove City Hefe (5.2%).  The food menu is excellent and affordable, with a great atmosphere in downtown Cambridge, working shore community with a major resort.  On my last trip the tap room was full on a Friday afternoon, with vacationers and locals cheering on the USA Women's Soccer Team against France.

A great lunch and tasting can be can be found in Salisbury at Evolution Craft Brewing.  Evo has one of the largest distribution networks of the Eastern Shore breweries, with outstanding products to boast.  It's "No. 3" IPA and "No. 6" Double IPA are perennial best-sellers, but you can enjoy a tasting menu at the brewpub in Salisbury, along with excellent eats. Over multiple trips I have visited both the Public House and Tasting Room (open after 3p), and have never been disappointed with either.  The menu includes not only typical Maryland bar fare and seafood, but vegetarian and gluten free options, as well as charcuterie and desserts.  For my palate, the Brutale Dripa (6%), a Brut IPA, is fantastic on a summer afternoon, and the award-winning Delmarva Pure Pils (4.8%) was one of the best finds of my recent trip.

There has been a weeding out of breweries in the Ocean City region over the last three years, leaving  two in city limits, along with powerhouse Burley Oak in nearby Berlin.  (This being Maryland, think Burr-luhn!)  Burley Oak is a must-stop for a beer lover, with a unique lineup of beers strongly emphasizing sour ales.  On my last trip, the Homegrown Session IPA (4%) was a great find, with a "dank" take on the IPA.  The tasting room, like ESB, is beer only, so bring your own food, and leave the kids at home.  (Excellent pizza is available across the street!)

The oldest Ocean City brewery, Fin City, is located at Hooper's Crab House off of Route 50 before crossing the bridge over the Isle of Wight Bay.  The most upscale dining location of the three breweries, beer offerings here extend beyond Fin City's ample selection.

Backshore Brewing Company, located on the Boardwalk at 10th Street, remains my personal favorite, with a clear ocean view, excellent flatbreads and other pub staples, as well as a remarkable rotating selection of beers. Their finest products tend towards porters and stouts, and since my last trip was on a hot summer day... I didn't go in that direction.  Instead I had a mix of ales, settling on their XXXXXX IPA (6.6%).  Really, a crab flatbread and IPA by the ocean... a vacation can't get a lot better than that!

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