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 represents 24.7% of the entire beer market in the US.
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 the reason we love Fredrick and the brewery scene in Bend, Oregon.
That said, here are the criteria we used to rank the Frederick breweries below:
- The quality of the beers (mostly taste)
- The variety of the beers
- The vibe of the indoor seating area
- The outdoor seating environment
- Food Options
The Downtown Frederick Breweries
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 that have developed 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
So, what happened with the Frederick brewery scene in 2024? Most of the activity in regard to new breweries occurred in the area surrounding Frederick.
For example, Stone Silo Brewery opened in January 2024. Stone Silo is a new brewery ~25 minutes from Frederick towards Damascus (and it’s a great spot!).
There was unfortunate news with another popular brewery near Frederick. Red Shedman Farm Brewery, located and owned by Linganore Winecellars, had a significant fire on September 26 that destroyed the building (the day before a critical StopMPRP fundraiser).
Give credit to Linganore as they held the fundraiser the next day and continued operating Red Shedman in an alternate facility.
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.)
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 Show was held partially at Attaboy (a great way to encourage male participation!).
- 400 Sagner Ave # 400, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.301.338.8229
- www.attaboybeer.com
- facebook.com/attaboybeer
- Favorite Beer: Darlin Clementine (New England Hazy IPA)
2. Olde Mother Brewing
Why We Love It: Olde Mother Brewing Company has much going for it. 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 almost ten years, so it has had time to perfect its brew-making 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.
- 526 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.240.877.7392
- www.oldemother.com
- facebook.com/OldeMother
- Favorite Beer: Hank (American Lager)
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 maybe the longest menu of beers in the area, 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.
- 340 E Patrick St Suite 100-102, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.240.651.0057
- steinhardtbrewing.com/
- facebook.com/Steinhardtbrewingcompany
- Favorite Beer: Munich Helles
4. 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 outdoors 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.
- 340 E Patrick St #104, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.240.578.4152
- www.idiombrewing.com
- facebook.com/idiombrewingco
- Favorite Beer: Crash The Party (Festbier)
5. 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 once was 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 featured prominently around Frederick, including at Frederick Keys games at Nymeo Field and Brewer’s Alley downtown.
- 1781 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.240.457.4232
- monocacybrewing.com
- facebook.com/MonocacyBrewing
- Favorite Beer: Brewtiful Lager (American Lager)
6. Rockwell Brewery
Why We Love It: The Rockwell Brewery on East Street has been around since 2017 and 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 really shook up the Frederick Brewery scene in 2023 when it opened its Rockwell Riverside location. This large taproom is a super cool place to hang out and drink craft beer, and they also have cocktails!
In fact, when Nicole and I recently visited, she had several of their craft cocktails made from Rockwell Seltzer.
- 8411 Broadband Drive k, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.301.732.4880
- rockwellbrewery.com
- facebook.com/rockwellbrewery
- Favorite Beer: Speed of Darkness (Dry Irish Stout)
7. Midnight Run Brewing
Why We Love It: This is a different sort of place that provides a different 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 are 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!).
- 912 N East St, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.240.651.1424
- midnightrunbrewing.com
- facebook.com/MidnightRunBrew
- Favorite Beer: Blonde Bombadil (Barleywine)
8. 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 furnishing and seating. The tap list is shorter than most breweries, likely by choice.
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.
- 400 Sagner Ave #100, Frederick, MD 21701
- +1.240.446.9034
- rakbrewing.com
- facebook.com/RAKBrewingCo
- Favorite Beer: Baby Got Bock
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 find a chance to 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 at places like The Ordinary Hen 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.
- 4200 Sundown Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882
- +1.301.256.3118
- https://www.elderpine.com/
- facebook.com/elderpinebeer
- 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 pretty near our house. Stone Silo is around 25 minutes from Frederick 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.
- 28800 Kemptown Rd, Damascus, MD 20872
- +1.301.256.3118
- stonesilobrewery.com
- facebook.com/stonesilo
- 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 driving up as 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.
- 10210 Governor Lane Boulevard #2010, Williamsport, MD 21795
- +1.301.223.3434
- cushwabrewing.com
- facebook.com/cushwabrewingco
- 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, it truly feels like you are visiting a farm when you are at Milkhouse.
The taproom is cozy and small, and we recommend you try to visit on an outside weather day 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.
- 8253 Dollyhyde Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.301.829.6950
- milkhousebrewery.com
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/MilkhouseBrewery
- 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.
- 7115 Damascus Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882
- +1.240.745.5390
- sillyyakbeer.com
- facebook.com/people/Silly-Yak-Beer-Company
- 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!
- 50 N Main St, Union Bridge, MD 21791
- +1.443.937.6170
- floodzonebrewery.com
- facebook.com/thefloodzoneub
- 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 summer camp for boys 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 sitting area is beautiful and filled with character.
The beers are good, and they serve up seltzer and lemonades, both of which we’ve tried and enjoyed.
- 4017 Damascus Rd, Laytonsville, MD 20882
- +1.301.774.2337
- waredacabrewing.com
- facebook.com/WaredacaBrewingCompany
- 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, wedding and events venue, distillery, winery, and 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!
- 11836 Auburn Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
- +1.301.271.0099
- springfieldmanor.com
- Favorite Beer: Citrus IPA
9. 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 but also wine, hard seltzer, and mead and makes cocktails from all of these.
They recently started wine tours involving off-road vehicles and tasting, which Nicole and I plan to do!
- 8601 Mapleville Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.240.394.6336
- freysbrewing.com
- facebook.com/FreysBrewing
- Favorite Beer: Juicy Tidbits - MIlkshake IPA
10. 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.
- 13601 Glissans Mill Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771
- +1.301.703.5474
- redshedman.com
- facebook.com/RedShedman
- Favorite Beer: Post-Fire Porter
11. Prospect Point Brewing
Why We Love It: This is another farm brewery but very close to Frederick. Prospect Point sits ~4 miles and 10 minutes from downtown Frederick and is very easy to get to if you are in the city.
Prospect Point is a place where you can bring your kids and dog and 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.
If it’s an indoor day, you can still visit Prospect and enjoy their comfortable tap room.
- 5500a Jefferson Pike, Frederick, MD 21703
- +1.240.997.9265
- prospectpointbrewing.com
- facebook.com/prospectpointbrew
- Favorite Beer: Belgian Wit
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!
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.
