FeBREWary to celebrate Maryland's craft beer industry
Beer lovers rejoice.
Gov. Larry Hogan has again designated the second month of the year as craft beer month, affectionately calling it, "FeBREWary."
Spearheading the effort is ShoreCraftBeer.com, a leisure website which aims to bring together the region's craft breweries, restaurants, bars and hotels throughout the month and beyond. Ann McGinnis Hillyer, director of ShoreCraftBeer.com said she wants to, "further develop beer culture on Delmarva."
Although summer and fall usually works well for beer-related festivities, FeBREWary’s organizers — the Maryland Office of Tourism, Brewers Association of Maryland and Shore Craft Beer — aimed to create a winter event. Once they decided to tap into the romanticism associated with February, the month-long celebration was born.
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"People are looking to get out and do things, but at the same time, they don’t want to necessarily go outside," said Hillyer. "So, we came up with an excellent opportunity for people to travel across the state, and go to different locations in their own backyard that they probably wouldn't normally. Not to mention, it’s just a fun way to experience Maryland through beer."
The FeBREWary campaign will kickoff at The Globe in Berlin on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 4:30 p.m. The press event is open to the public and will feature beer tastings, as well as a discussion with brewers, hoteliers, travel professionals and Maryland’s Senator Jim Mathias on how beer acts as fuel for the region's economic engine.
"We want people to say, 'I am spending the weekend in Ocean City or Salisbury ... and I'm going to check out the breweries,' " said Mathais, adding he intends to continue selling the Eastern Shore as a craft beer destination, not just a beach getaway.
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Promoting local craft beer to increase state tourism is not a new concept on Delmarva.
Delaware has positioned itself as an ideal destination through its Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail, Toast Our Coast and Good Libations Tour in Kent County.
"People who drink craft beer tend to spend more money on other things," said Tony Russo, editor for ShoreCraftBeer.com. "Restaurant checks are usually higher, tax revenue increases and breweries have been proven to even improve neighborhoods."
Next month, beer lovers should be on the look out for "Love on Tap" happy hour specials, love stories, specially brewed beer, promotions, prizes, events and exclusives around the region that emphasize how craft beer brings people together, such as Evolution Craft Brewing's beer dinner Feb. 23.
The culmination of the month-long celebration will be held at Seacrets, on Feb. 25 from noon until 4 p.m. The Shore Craft Beer Fest: Love on Tap event will also highlight Ocean City as an off-season "beercation" destination with local hotels offering packages to beer travelers.
"Last year’s event drew hundreds of out-of-state visitors to the shore on a winter weekend and many have already purchased tickets to the upcoming fest," said Hillyer.
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A full calendar of FeBREWary events can be found here. In terms of safety, there are hotel-and-brewery packages available that include transportation to and from events from participating hotels.
For more information on the events and related FeBREWary activities on the Shore visit ShoreCraftBeer.com. For information on the Shore Craft Beer Fest: Love on Tap at Seacrets and to buy tickets, visit ShoreCraftBeerFest.com. For more information about Shore Craft Beer contact Ann McGinnis Hillyer 410-703-1970.
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