AleCraft Is Best Maryland Brewery For 2019: Homebrewers

BEL AIR, MD — Bel Air has bragging rights to the best brewery in Maryland, according to the American Homebrewers Association. Each year the organization asks its members to vote on their favorite beer and favorite brewery. Then it publishes the results in its bimonthly magazine, which is entitled Zymurgy (the Greek word for "fermentation").

AleCraft Brewery on South Main Street in Bel Air was the favorite brewery in Maryland. The favorite beer in the Old Line State, according to Zymurgy, is Loose Cannon IPA by Heavy Seas.

"Being recognized by the homebrewing community means a lot to us," AleCraft's Vice President of Brewing Operations Ken Roberson said. "Not only do we share a common passion of brewing with them, but they appreciate how much effort goes into developing and brewing authentic beers, so to have them choose us over all of the other craft breweries in Maryland is very rewarding, and validates the approach we’ve taken at AleCraft to focus on very high quality, hand-crafted beers."

Eryn and Brad Streett founded AleCraft Brewery along with Roberson, building on the success of the home brew supply store they opened on Office Street in 2013.

Less than two years after opening their single-barrel brewery on South Main Street in Bel Air, the brewery produces four to six two-barrel batches of beer each week and serves them in an art-deco-themed taproom. The brewery and taproom are housed with the brewing supply store.

AleCraft’s beers are sold at select bars, restaurants and liquor stores in Harford and Cecil counties.

"Our goal is not to become the next regional brewery, but to continue to produce small batches of the best beer in the area for our taproom customers, and the nearby communities," Alecraft co-founder and brewer Brad Streett said. "We love the fact that our taproom has become much more than a bar, but a gathering place for the community to relax in a conversation-friendly environment with great beers and food."

AleCraft Brewery is at 319 South Main Street in Bel Air.

See the list of best breweries and beer by state from Zymurgy.

These are the top five breweries in the country, according to Zymurgy's 2019 list:

1. Bell’s Brewery, Comstock, MI
2. Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, MI
3. Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa & Windsor, CA
4. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA & Mills River, NC
5. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE

These were the top five beers:

1. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale*
2. Russian River Pliny the Elder*
3. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale*
4. Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)
5. The Alchemist Heady Topper*

SEE ALSO:

• AleCraft of Bel Air Moves to Bigger Venue
• AleCraft Opening Brewery In Bel Air