You’ve probably heard the rumors that craft beer is "dying." People point to the rising costs of aluminum cans or the way everyone seems to be clutching a hard seltzer these days. But honestly, if you stepped onto the grass at Carroll Creek Linear Park this past May, you’d know that narrative is mostly just noise.
The Maryland Craft Beer Festival 2025 wasn't just another excuse to drink in a park; it was a loud, sudsy proof of life for an industry that has had a rough few years.
We’re talking about more than 40 breweries showing up in Frederick. This wasn't just the "big guys" like Heavy Seas or Flying Dog (who, by the way, have had their own wild journey recently). It was about the tiny farm breweries from the Eastern Shore and the experimental labs in Silver Spring pouring stuff you literally cannot find in a liquor store.
If you missed the spring session, don't sweat it. Maryland’s beer scene isn't a one-and-done deal.
Why the Maryland Craft Beer Festival 2025 actually mattered
Most folks think these festivals are just about getting a tiny glass and trying to drink your ticket's worth in four hours. That’s a mistake. The 2025 event was basically a massive "thank you" to the fans who kept these businesses afloat when grain prices went through the roof and interest rates made expanding a nightmare.
Frederick has become the unofficial capital of Maryland beer for a reason.
The layout at Carroll Creek is iconic—it's scenic, it's walkable, and it handles a crowd of 4,000 people without feeling like a crowded subway car. This year, the Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM) really leaned into the "25 years of craft" theme.
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Did you know that back in 2005, there were fewer than 1,500 breweries in the whole country? Now, Maryland alone has over 140. That's insane growth.
The VIP experience: Is it actually worth the extra cash?
Look, I’m usually the first person to tell you to save your money and just get the General Admission pass. But for the Maryland Craft Beer Festival 2025, the "Super VIP" pass was a different beast.
They limited it to just 200 people.
It included:
- Access to a private beer garden.
- Rare releases that "tapped out" before the GA crowd even got through the gates.
- Actual real-life bathrooms (if you know, you know).
- A free rum cocktail from True Standard Distilling for when you needed a break from the hops.
If you’re a "whale hunter"—those people who only care about the rarest, most barrel-aged, high-ABV stuff—the VIP entry at noon is the only way to go. By the time General Admission started at 1:30 PM, some of the most anticipated kegs were already kicking.
The unexpected trends of the 2025 season
If you walked through the festival expecting nothing but hazy IPAs, you probably left surprised. The 2025 Maryland Craft Beer Festival highlighted a massive shift in what we’re actually drinking.
The Return of the Lager. For years, brewers hid behind "hops" to cover up flaws. Now? Everyone is making crispy, clean pilsners and helles lagers. Checkerspot Brewing and Silver Branch have been leading this charge. You can’t hide a mistake in a light lager. It’s the ultimate test of a brewer's skill.
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Non-Alcoholic (NA) isn't a joke anymore. Believe it or not, some of the longest lines weren't for the 10% Stouts. People are looking for "sessionability." They want the flavor of a craft beer without the 3 PM headache. Several Maryland breweries debuted NA versions of their flagships this year, and they actually tasted like... well, beer.
The "In-Planning" Booths.
This is my favorite part of the BAM festivals. They always host a few breweries that haven't even opened their physical doors yet. It’s like getting a preview of the 2026 or 2027 scene. You’re drinking beer from a guy who’s currently brewing in a garage but is about to open a multi-million dollar taproom in Bethesda or Annapolis.
What about the "Wanderland" merger?
One thing that caught people off guard this year was the announcement that the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival and the Hops & Harvest Festival were merging into something called Wanderland.
Scheduled for October 4, 2025, at Merriweather Park in Columbia, it represents a shift in how we celebrate local drinks. Instead of just "beer," it’s an "immersive celebration" of wine, spirits, and art. It's a bit of a gamble. Some purists just want a beer fest to be a beer fest. But honestly? Bringing more people into the fold is how these small businesses survive.
Survival of the local taproom
We have to be real for a second. 2025 has been a "flat spot" for the industry. While 49% of breweries are still growing, nearly as many are seeing production drop. We've seen more closings than openings lately.
Why?
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- Consumer behavior is changing. Gen Z drinks less than Millennials did at their age.
- Competition for shelf space at Wegmans or Safeway is brutal.
- Inflation has made a $9 pint feel like a luxury for some families.
That’s why festivals like the Maryland Craft Beer Festival 2025 are vital. They cut out the middleman. When you buy a ticket, that money goes back into the Brewers Association of Maryland to help with legislative stuff—like making it easier for farm breweries to operate or fixing weird old Prohibition-era laws that still haunt the state house in Annapolis.
Don't forget the Western Maryland crowd
While the Frederick event gets the most "hype," the Western Maryland Craft Beverage Festival in Frostburg (August 31, 2025) is the hidden gem. It’s tucked away in Hoffman Park, basically in the woods. It’s cooler, it’s more relaxed, and the proceeds go to the Allegany County Animal Shelter. If you hate crowds but love a good porter, that’s your spot.
How to handle your next Maryland beer event
If you’re planning to hit the late-season fests or looking ahead to the 2026 circuit, there are some "pro moves" you should know.
- Hydrate like it's your job. Most festivals now offer free water stations. Use them. For every three samples, drink a full cup of water. You’ll thank me at 6 PM.
- Download the app. Usually, BAM uses an app like Untappd or a custom digital guide to show the tap list. Mark the "must-haves" before you arrive so you aren't wandering aimlessly.
- Eat early. The food truck lines at Carroll Creek get legendary around 2:30 PM. Grab your Bao buns or BBQ pork tacos early so you aren't drinking on an empty stomach.
- Talk to the brewers. Most of the people pouring the beer aren't just hired help; they’re the owners or the head brewers. Ask them about the hops. Ask them why they chose a specific yeast. They love talking shop, and you’ll learn way more than you would from a label.
Looking ahead: What’s next?
The Maryland Craft Beer Festival 2025 proved that while the "boom" might be over, the "culture" is solid. We’re seeing more minority-owned breweries, more female head brewers, and a lot more creativity in how these spaces are used—think yoga in the taproom or local artisan markets.
If you want to support the scene, don't just wait for the big festivals.
- Visit a farm brewery. Places like Lone Oak or Hopkins Farm offer an experience you just can't get in a city.
- Buy local at the liquor store. Look for the "Maryland Beer" seal. It matters.
- Check out FeBREWary. Every February, the state goes all out with "Love Thy Beer" events and special releases.
The Maryland beer scene isn't going anywhere. It’s just growing up. It’s becoming more about the community and the quality than just seeing how many different IPAs you can cram onto a menu.
If you’re ready to dive in, start by checking the Brewers Association of Maryland website for the 2026 schedule, which usually drops in late autumn. Grab an early bird ticket—they almost always sell out, and the discount usually covers the cost of your first food truck meal. Be sure to check the specific entry requirements for your chosen venue, as many of these parks are "rain or shine" and require pre-purchased digital tickets for entry.
Keep an eye on the transition to larger, multi-beverage events like Wanderland, as these will likely be the new standard for the Mid-Atlantic festival circuit moving forward. Capacity is often capped to ensure a better experience, so waiting until the day of the event to buy tickets is usually a losing move.