CUMBERLAND \u2014 A new drinkery\u00a0and hops farm, the 1812 Brewery, will soon open on Mason Road and serve locally brewed beer.<\/p>\n
The establishment will be managed by 24-year-old Cory McCagh.<\/p>\n
McCagh, a 2011 graduate of Allegany High School and 2015 graduate of James Madison University, has decided to combine his love for hops farming with a fully functioning brewery.<\/p>\n
The establishment is east of Cumberland on the site of a former dairy farm purchased by the McCagh family.<\/p>\n
\u201cOriginally, the barn was built in 1812,\u201d McCagh said. \u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0where the name comes from.\u201d<\/p>\n
In excess of 2,500 square feet, the two-story barn has been converted into a brewery with vats and tanks in place. The barn features original brick walls supporting a towering roof with woodwork featured in the tables, chairs and decor.<\/p>\n
The property also features a hops growing trellis system in the back towering 20 feet high. McCagh\u00a0said hops are perennial and get taller each year they mature.<\/p>\n
\u201cI originally wasn\u2019t planning on doing a brewery,\u201d McCagh said. \u201cI had been doing just the hops. But we will have a Class 8\u00a0farm\/brewing license.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCagh explained the origin of the idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to a hops forum last spring. It was in Leesburg, Virginia.\u00a0But, it was split into a grower\u2019s forum and a brewer\u2019s forum. But I\u00a0was just there for the hops aspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, the whole book included the brewery side. They sort of went into the new classes like the Class 8. If you are growing hops, you can potentially go into doing a Class 8\u00a0farm\/brewery license. That is when I kind of heard about the license.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCagh said it was a logical step to expand into brewing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t know what we were going to do with the property,\u201d McCagh said. \u201cThis is literally a farm, so what better place to do a farm\/brewery.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCagh is a member of Comptroller Peter Franchot\u2019s \u201cReform on Tap\u201d Task Force, which will perform a comprehensive review of state laws that govern the manufacturing, distribution and sale of craft beer.<\/p>\n
Maryland is looking for ways to become more competitive in the brewing industry\u00a0and\u00a0House Bill 1283\u00a0received much attention recently, more for its shortcomings than its supporting guidelines. The bill has cumbersome limits on barrelling and hours of operation, among other stiffling regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was invited to be part of the\u00a0task force,\u201d said McCagh. \u201cIt\u2019s based on House bill 1283, which is hindering a lot of different breweries. They want to redo the bill. May 24 will be the first meeting. They are looking for input from breweries.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 1812 Brewery will feature IPA, Pale Ale, Cream Ale and Rye Ale.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will do those to start out,\u201d said McCagh. \u201cWe will test a few different things and see what people like and try some seasonal stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Early names selected for the beers include Dolley\u2019s Cream Ale, named after Dolley Madison, Evitt\u2019s Pale Ale, Folck\u2019s Mill Pale Ale and Rocky Gap Rye.<\/p>\n
The American flag in 1812 had 15 stars and 15 stripes. This feature will also become a source for beverage titles, according to McCagh.<\/p>\n
Cory\u2019s father, Sean McCagh, is a partner in the business.<\/p>\n
The McCaghs\u00a0hope to open the 1812 Brewery in mid June. The venue will feature a tasting room, live music and finger foods. The establishment will be used for functions such as\u00a0weddings. A side building is available for changing for weddings and other functions.<\/p>\n
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