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Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House will be home for Guinness Blonde as well as new innovative beers
This week, Guinness—part of the Diageo family of brands—debuted a new brewery outside of Baltimore, Maryland which represents the first Guinness brewing operation on US soil in more than 60 years. Called the Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, the site will be the home of Guinness Blonde, along with new beers created for the US market.
The first part of the brewery’s name takes inspiration from the brand‘s Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, where it has experimented in beer for more than a century. The second part of the name, “Barrel House,” is a nod to the long history of the brand’s brewers maturing beer in wood barrels, a tradition this new brewery intends to continue.
Led by Brewmaster Peter Wiens and Head Brewer Hollie Stephenson, the brewing team has already begun producing beers for the on-site taproom. Visitors can tour the 10-barrel brewery and try the variety of beers made on-site.
The initial line-up will include beers like “Guinness IPA” and “Crosslands Pale Ale,” a beer made entirely with Maryland-grown malted barley and hops. Whilst the brand’s classic stouts will continue to be brewed at St James’s Gate in Dublin, guests at the Maryland brewery can still enjoy those stouts alongside the new American innovation beers in the brewery’s taproom.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said: “Our administration is proud of Maryland’s robust and growing brewing industry and we are excited to welcome a legendary brewer like Guinness to our great state. In addition to more than 200 new jobs, this new facility’s full-time brewing and hospitality operations will bring a new source of tourism to Baltimore County and to Maryland.”
The brand anticipates the brewery will attract more than 300,000 visitors in its first year of operation. In addition to tours and taproom tastings, visitors to the brewery will also be able to experience a full restaurant (opening later this summer), with a menu that takes inspiration from popular local dishes, as well as Guinness’ unmistakable Irish heritage. The grounds also include a performance area for future concerts and local community events.
Diageo Beer Company USA Chairman and Diageo Global Chief Sales Officer, Tom Day said: “I cannot wait to see people enjoying the fantastic beer our brewers have made in this historic and beautiful building. I am proud that we have created something special and quintessentially Guinness here in Maryland.”
Guinness is a two-time winner of the World Branding Awards, taking home the global award for stout.
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