DuClaw Brewing Company Closes on Bel Air South Parkway

BEL AIR, MD — DuClaw Brewing Company shuttered its Bel Air location after a final hurrah on New Year's Eve. The bar hosted a party complete with music and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets were $50, and DuClaw reported that they sold out in advance.

The farewell was a long time coming. DuClaw owner David Benfield had reportedly been in the process of transferring ownership since last spring.

Benfield, who grew up in Harford County and started DuClaw there in 1996, expanded the concept to Arundel Mills, BWI and Bowie over the years. He decided to sell the Bel Air and Bowie locations to "focus on the beer" and "not worry about running a restaurant," he told the Baltimore Business Journal in April, noting the Arundel Mills and BWI restaurants are franchised. Ultimately, he sold the Bel Air and Bowie businesses to the Frankis Restaurant Group, which operates The Greene Turtle in Aberdeen and Bel Air.

Owners Bob and Bill Frankis plan to change the name of DuClaw to "Humagalas," according to The Aegis, which reports the name does not mean anything, but their idea is to serve locally sourced food accompanied by craft beers; the new restaurant will reportedly open in March.

The business is located at 16 Bel Air South Parkway, Bel Air, MD 21015.

• DuClaw Brewing Moves to Rosedale
• The Greene Turtle to Return to Bel Air

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