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S TA F F CO R N E R
M
aryland’s craft beer industry
has seen amazing growth in
recent years as Marylanders
are increasingly brewing their
own beer. Now, the farmers that
grow the hops themselves are also getting
involved in the business. As of the end of 2015
there are 60 breweries licensed to operate in
the state and begin providing Maryland beer.
The increase in demand is evident with 2015
sales up 24% from 2014 and breweries having
sold over 6.2 million gallons of product.
This growth in the industry means requiring
more hops, and Maryland farmers have been
eager to provide. Traditionally, hops have
been brought in from out of state as Maryland
farmers stopped growing the crop in the past
due to unfavorable conditions. However,
conditions have changed, and Maryland farmers
have begun dividing their farms and growing
hops here again to fill the demand for local
ingredients. Local ingredients make the best
quality products in any industry, so it makes
sense to have Maryland hops for Maryland beer.
According to the Hope Growers of America’s
2015 Statistical Report, Maryland farms grew 15
acres of hops last year after not growing enough
to be recorded for four years previously. While
providing for Maryland brewers, the increase
in craft beer sales and the quality that comes
from locally grown hops have led to several
Maryland farmers deciding to take their own
product and begin brewing it themselves.
Maryland’s General Assembly
made the opportunity for farmers
possible by creating the Class 8
Farm Brewery License in 2012.
This license allows for farmers to
brew their own beer from Maryland
hops and sell it, but was limited to
their farm and certain events. In
2014, the Assembly continued their
support and expanded the law by
giving farm breweries the ability to
sell their product to wholesalers.
Taking advantage of the industry’s
growth, Carol McConaughy and
Tom Barse, of Stillpoint Farm in
Frederick County, Maryland were
the first Maryland farmers to begin
growing hops again and provide
the local ingredient to Maryland
Homegrown
HOPS
MA R Y L A N D B R EW P U B
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