You’ve landed on this page because you are looking for the Best Breweries in Frederick, MD. We’ve got you covered!
The Frederick Breweries scene is tremendous. Frederick has become one of the premier brewery destinations in Maryland. The selection, variety, and close proximity of several high-quality breweries in Frederick make it perfect for those who love craft beer.
Rankings: Best Breweries in Frederick MD
What Makes a Great Brewery to Visit?
The popularity of local breweries and craft beer has exploded in recent years. The craft beer market now accounts for 24.7% of the US beer market.
The concept of a great brewery is simple: brew some great craft beers and provide visitors with a comfortable environment to hang out and enjoy them.
Nicole and I visit them frequently, and it’s part of what we love about Fredrick and the brewery scene in Bend, Oregon.
That said, here are the criteria we used to rank the Frederick MD breweries below:
- The quality of the beers (mostly taste)
- The variety of beers
- The vibe of the indoor seating area
- The outdoor seating environment
- Food Options
The Downtown Frederick Breweries (Frederick Beer Trail)
In this article, we first list our favorite Downtown Frederick Breweries. These are all breweries in downtown Frederick or within the city.
Downtown Frederick is a great place to visit if you are a beer or brewery lover. The cluster of breweries around Carroll Creek Park and Market Street makes for an excellent brewery crawl in Frederick!
What's New in 2025 in the Frederick Brewery Scene
As usual, there were some openings, closings, and upgrades in the Frederick brewery community in 2025.
Sandbox Brewhouse opened in May 2025 in the facility that was the original Rockwell Brewery. Rockwell has now moved permanently to its larger Riverside location.
The biggest upgrade to a Frederick brewery was probably RAK Brewing, which upgraded its tasting room and formed a new partnership with DOP Pizza and now share a home.
(This was a game-changer for Nicole and me; it’s now our go-to spot in Frederick for pizza and beer after a hike or bike ride!)
The Breweries Near Frederick MD
Because there are so many great breweries in Maryland in the area immediately surrounding Frederick, we’ve added them to the 2025 list in a separate section.
Below, after our ranking of downtown Frederick breweries, we list our favorite breweries around Frederick that are slightly outside the city.
Did we miss a place? Did we rank something too high or low? Let us know in the comments.
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book or purchase through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)
Map of Downtown Frederick Breweries
1. Attaboy Beer
Why We Love It: Attaboy has it all. Excellent downtown location right off Carroll Creek Park. Roomy indoor beer hall. Rotating set of beers on tap. Regular food trucks. The outdoor seating area is pleasant despite being surrounded by a parking lot.
Attaboy has become a Frederick landmark and is today also a popular event location (Attaboy Barrel House).
In fact, Nicole and I first visited Attaboy a few years ago, when the Frederick Wedding Expo was held in part at Attaboy (a great way to encourage male participation!).
2. Olde Mother Brewing
Why We Love It: Olde Mother Brewing Company has a lot to love.
First is the downtown location right on North Market Street. It’s only a few blocks north of the main downtown drag in Frederick.
It’s also been around for ten years, so it has had time to perfect its brewing techniques. The menu always features high-quality beers, including mainstays ‘Hank‘ (American Lager) and Impressionist (Hazy IPA).
But our favorite reason to visit Olde Mother is the associated restaurant in the back of the brew house. Fifty Fifty Burger makes arguably the best burgers in Frederick.
3. Steinhardt Brewing Co.
Why We Love It: Steinhardt is one of the several breweries near Carroll Creek Park’s east section, making for a great Frederick beer crawl. Steinhardt is a significant operation and has what’s maybe the longest beer menu in the area, with everything from ales to lagers to stouts.
If you like Flemish and Belgian-style ales, Steinhardt also produces several of these to try.
It’s a great place to visit on a nice day when you can sit outside along the creek and watch pedestrians go by. Live music inside is also a regular thing at Steinhardt.
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Top Rated Hotels in Frederick
- Best Overall Hotel. The Visitation Hotel
- Best Luxury Hotel. The Visitation Hotel
- Best Bed and Breakfast. 10 Clarke B&B
- Best Downtown Location. The Wedgewood Inn
- Best Hotel for Families. Homewood Suites by Hilton Frederick
- Best Budget Hotel. Best Western Bend North
Looking for a rental? Check out the best Airbnb and VRBOs in Frederick.
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4. RAK Brewing Co
Why We Love It: RAK Brewing burst on the Frederick brewery scene in late 2023 when taking over the space initially occupied by Smoketown Brewery. It now resides in the same Carroll Creek brewery cluster with Attaboy, Steinhardt, and Idiom.
RAK focuses on providing an upscale brewery experience. The taproom is elegant and sophisticated (and can get quite crowded), with upscale furnishings and seating. The tap list is shorter than most breweries, likely by choice.
As mentioned in the intro above, RAK made significant improvements to its facility in 2025, including partnering with DOP Pizza, which is now on-site.
If you are wondering, the brewery’s name is short for “Random Acts of Kindness,” a tribute to the owner’s various non-profit endeavors.
5. Idiom Brewing Co.
Why We Love It: Idiom is next door and attached to Steinhardt, also along Carroll Creek. And let me tell you, Frederick residents LOVE Idiom and its beer. So, if you want to visit a brewery that the locals think is best, head to Idiom.
The indoor taproom is a fun place to visit, but my preference is the outdoor area along the creek. There are generally ~18 beers on tap, so there is plenty to try.
Idiom is also one of the beers you will quite likely find on the menu in many Frederick restaurants.
6. Rockwell Brewery
Why We Love It: The Rockwell Brewery on East Street, open since 2017, closed in 2025, but their Riverside location is now their main facility. It’s a great place that Nicole and I love!
Rockwell serves a solid list of craft brews. My Rockwell favorites tend to be the IPAs, and the B.I.G. Juicy New England IPA is pretty popular around town and an award winner.
But Rockwell also serves seltzers and cocktails! In fact, when Nicole and I recently visited, she had several of their craft cocktails made from Rockwell Seltzer.
7. Brewer's Alley
Why We Love It: In many ways, Brewer’s Alley is the heart of downtown Frederick.
With a full-service restaurant, multiple bars, including an amazing rooftop, it’s more than just a brewery. It sits in a building with a ton of history, which, among other things, was once Frederick’s town hall.
But Brewer’s Alley is still at heart a brewery, and should be on your visit list in Frederick.
Brewer’s Alley shares an owner with both Monocacy Brewing (where all of their beers are made) and Bentztown, another great food and drink venue in Frederick.
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124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.301.631.0089
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- Favorite Beer: Kolsch
8. Monocacy Brewing Company
Why We Love It: Monocacy Brewing is a Frederick mainstay.
It’s slightly north of downtown on North Market, close to the intersection with Schifferstadt. The brewery is in an interesting building that was once the Ebert’s Ice Cream plant.
The best thing Monocacy has going is the beer itself. High-quality ales and lagers are always on tap, and it seems to be the kind of brewery that knows what it’s good at and sticks to it. In fact, the Brewtiful Lager might be my favorite local Frederick Beer.
Monocacy Beers are also prominently featured around Frederick, including at Frederick Keys games at Nymeo Field and at Brewer’s Alley downtown.
Book Your Frederick Area Hotel or Vacation Rental
9. Midnight Run Brewing
Why We Love It: This is a unique place that offers a distinct brewery experience and is worth visiting.
Midnight Run is also on the north side of downtown, in the middle of a strip mall. You won’t be blown away by the tap room or beer garden.
But Midnight Run embodies the entire concept of ‘craft beer.’ As Jimmy, the bartender, explained on our last visit, the owners, Rick and Brent, are Frederick County school teachers whose real passion is making beer. Midnight Run is the result.
The resulting tap list is beers that are truly unique. They don’t tend to fall into the usual categories, and they are also on the strong side (so moderate accordingly!).
10. Sandbox Brewhouse
Why We Love It: In May 2025, Sandbox Brewhouse took over the original Rockwell Brewing location on East St in Frederick.
Nicole and I have checked it out and love it. It’s a family-run brewery that’s laid back and casual.
It’s also the perfect place to get a beer before or after a meal at Showroom. They share a parking lot!
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880 N East St, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.301.664.2618
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- Favorite Beer: Bonnie's Blonde
Breweries Near Frederick, Maryland
Now that we’ve listed our favorite breweries in downtown Frederick, below is a list of breweries near Frederick but slightly outside town.
Most of these are no more than 30-45 minutes away, and make for a great brewery day trip around Frederick. Check out the map below if you want to combine several into a fabulous brewery outing.
Map of Breweries Around Frederick
1. Elder Pine Brewing
Why We Love It: It will take you about 40 minutes to reach Elder Pine from Frederick, but this is a brewery we highly recommend you visit.
The first reason is fabulous beer! Elder Pine makes some of the best craft beer I’ve had anywhere in Maryland. In fact, you’ll find it on the menu in many restaurants in Frederick.
But Elder Pine is a great place to visit, with an enchanting tap room and an even better outdoor seating area amongst tall pine trees.
There is a decent hike around the corner as well.
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4200 Sundown Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882
- +1.301.256.3118
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- Favorite Beer: EP Pils
2. Stone Silo Brewery
Why We Love It: Stone Silo Brewery opened in January 2023, which was pretty exciting for Nicole and me because it’s very near our house. Stone Silo is about 25 minutes from Frederick, heading towards Damascus.
What started as a small operation with a modest taproom has gradually expanded over the last year. There is now an expansive patio seating area, and maybe their best feature is the killer view from the grass seating area out back.
You can grab a few Adirondacks in the back when the weather is decent and enjoy Stone Silo brews while watching the sunset over the Maryland countryside.
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28800 Kemptown Rd, Damascus, MD 20872
- +1.301.256.3118
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- Favorite Beer: Stoned Franc (Barrel Aged Chocolate Cherry Porter)
3. Cushwa Brewing Co
Why We Love It: This is the place if you are anywhere near Hagerstown and need a beer.
Cushwa Brewing Co (technically in Williamsport) is also worth making a special trip from Frederick if you want to try an outstanding brewery.
The first time Nicole took me here, I was not impressed as we drove up. Cushwa is in the back of an office complex next to a highway.
But, like so many breweries these days, you can judge them from the outside.
Cushwa brews up incredibly delicious craft beer. They also serve really good pizza, so visit them when hungry as well.
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10210 Governor Lane Boulevard #2010, Williamsport, MD 21795
- +1.301.223.3434
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- Favorite Beer: Flow Deluxe (West Coast Style Pils)
4. Milkhouse Brewing
Why We Love It: Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm has been brewing, selling, and serving craft beer for over 10 years.
Located near Mount Airy, MD, it truly feels like you are visiting a farm when you are at Milkhouse.
The taproom is cozy and small, and we recommend visiting on a nice day outside because sitting outside at Milkhouse is special. The farmhouse is elevated and has excellent views over the Maryland countryside.
The beers are solid as well. We’ve often bought Milkhouse beer to drink at home and love it.
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8253 Dollyhyde Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.301.829.6950
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- Favorite Beer: Catoctin Heritage Rye Kölsch
5. Silly Yak Beer Company
Why We Love It: Are you on a gluten-free diet? Chances are you don’t drink much beer. Silly Yak Beer Company near Damascus is trying to change that.
Silly Yak is Maryland’s only brewery dedicated to gluten-free beer production. But Silly Yak is worth visiting even if you aren’t celiac and just appreciate good beer.
It’s about 30 minutes to Silly Yak from Frederick towards Damascus. Silly Yak Brewery is on a lovely farm setting, and you can enjoy it inside or outside.
It’s also the home of Two Story Chimney Ciderworks if you prefer cider.
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7115 Damascus Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882
- +1.240.745.5390
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- Favorite Beer: Gluten-Free Hazy IPA
6. Flood Zone Marketplace and Brewery
Why We Love It: The town of Union Bridge, Maryland, is a sleepy place, and the Little Pipe Creek that runs through it has a propensity to flooding.
But it does have a bustling brewery and restaurant called The Flood Zone, and it is well worth visiting if you are in the area.
The Flood Zone is a sprawling facility with tons of indoor and outdoor seating. It also has The Food Spot, which serves delicious flatbreads and other pub food.
As far as the beers, this is a brewery that isn’t afraid to experiment. Try the Green Bell Chilles Pale Ale!
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50 N Main St, Union Bridge, MD 21791
- +1.443.937.6170
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- Favorite Beer: Green Bell Chiles Pale Ale
7. Waredaca Brewing Company
Why We Love It: Waredaca Brewing is a lovely spot with a fascinating history as a brewery. This farm was originally a boys’ summer camp in the Maryland countryside. It has also been an active horse farm and event center.
But today, it mainly focuses on beer production. It’s a great day trip from Frederick, just down the road from Silly Yak near Damascus. The outdoor seating area is beautiful and full of character.
The beers are good, and they serve up seltzer and lemonades, both of which we’ve tried and enjoyed.
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4017 Damascus Rd, Laytonsville, MD 20882
- +1.301.774.2337
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- Favorite Beer: Saison Du Camp
8. Springfield Manor
Why We Love It: Springfield Manor sits 15 minutes north of Frederick on Route 15 towards Thurmont. It’s a lovely place with a lot going on.
Springfield Manor is a historic estate on an elevated plateau next to the Catoctin Mountains. Today, it serves as an inn, a wedding and events venue, a distillery, a winery, and a brewery. It’s one of the most interesting places to stay around Frederick.
But its best feature is the views from the outdoor seating area, which is the main reason we love it.
The craft beers are great; if your wife or girlfriend prefers wine, you can visit, and you’ll both be happy!
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11836 Auburn Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
- +1.301.271.0099
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- Favorite Beer: Citrus IPA
9. Liquidity Aleworks
Why We Love It: If you are making a day trip to Mount Airy, then consider stopping in Liquidity Aleworks for some craft beers.
Mount Airy has a quaint downtown, and Liquidity Aleworks is in the heart of it on Main Street, located in what used to be a bank. It’s a bustling high energy place on weekends, and the beers are great.
The Walker’s On Main food truck is a permanent fixture at the brewery and serves the best burgers in town. Perfect!
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8 N Main St, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.301.703.1165
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- Favorite Beer: The Mount
10. Frey's Brewing Company
Why We Love It: If you like farm breweries out in the countryside, Frey’s Brewery near Mount Airy is another brewery near Frederick you should try.
Frey’s setting is idyllic. Set in a valley surrounded by fields and hills, the large outdoor patio is one of our favorite places to enjoy craft beer. Frey’s also has a converted barn for indoor seating.
Frey’s not only produces beer, wine, hard seltzer, and mead, but also makes cocktails from all of them.
They recently started wine tours that include off-road vehicle rides and tastings, which Nicole and I plan to do!
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8601 Mapleville Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.240.394.6336
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- Favorite Beer: Juicy Tidbits - MIlkshake IPA
11. Red Shedman Farm Brewery
Why We Love It: Red Shedman Farm Brewery is the business partner of Linganore Winecellars, located between Mount Airy and Frederick. Both are long-established entities in the area, highly popular, and great places to visit.
Unfortunately, the Red Shedman Brewery suffered a significant fire in September 2024. To their credit, they’ve kept the business going, continuing to produce beer and use the rest of the Linganore property to host guests.
Note that while this is a great place to visit, the current Red Shedman taproom is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6pm.
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13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.301.703.5474
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- Favorite Beer: Post-Fire Porter
12. Prospect Point Brewing
Why We Love It: This is another farm brewery but very close to Frederick. Prospect Point is ~4 miles and 10 minutes from downtown Frederick and very easy to reach if you are in the city.
Prospect Point is a place where you can bring your kids and dog, sit outside, and enjoy craft beer. It is on Carroll Farms and has beautiful countryside views from the outdoor seating area. Weekends usually include food trucks and live music.
Even on an indoor day, you can still visit Prospect and enjoy their comfortable taproom.
Read Our Detail Reviews of The Best Breweries in Frederick!
If you are ever in our other favorite place, be sure to check out the Best Breweries in Bend, Oregon! Otherwise, read below for a detailed review of all the Frederick Area Breweries we visit!
An Outing from Frederick to Elder Pine Brewing is a Chance to Try Maybe the Best Craft Beer in Maryland.
Olde Mother Brewing has been serving up its craft beer in downtown Frederick MD for 10 years. It's also a Frederick …
Stone Silo Brewery near Damascus makes for the latest, best brewery excursion from Frederick, MD.
There's lots of great reasons to visit Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery, and Brewery. But we tell you what we like best …
Silly Yak Brewery is a great Frederick Maryland excursion to a brewery in a farm setting. With Gluten-Free beer and cider!
This Monocacy Brewing review explains why this brewery is a solid member of the Frederick MD brewery scene.
