Frederick Craft Beverage Trail
Frederick ranks #17 globally for craft beer
Explore Frederick's thriving craft beverage scene with 25+ breweries, wineries, and distilleries. From downtown Frederick's Carroll Creek Brewing District to scenic countryside estates, discover why Frederick is a destination for craft beverage enthusiasts.
Plan Your Trail
🍺 Downtown Frederick Cluster
Walkable brewery crawl along Carroll Creek. All locations within 10-minute walk of each other.
- Steinhardt Brewing Company
- Attaboy Beer
- Monocacy Brewing
- Brewer's Alley
- McClintock Distilling
- Tenth Ward Distilling
🍷 Countryside Wine Loop
Scenic drive through Frederick County's wine country with mountain views.
- Black Ankle Vineyards
- Linganore Winecellars
- Springfield Manor Winery
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard
⛰️ Catoctin Mountain Trail
Combine craft beverages with hiking and outdoor adventure.
- Catoctin Breeze Vineyard
- Springfield Manor Winery & Distillery
- Smoketown Creekside (nearby)
- Catoctin Mountain Park
Quick Comparison
| Establishment | Type | Location | Food? | Music? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olde Mother Brewing Company | Brewery | Downtown Frederick | BYO | ✓ | Beer enthusiasts |
| Attaboy Beer | Brewery | Downtown Frederick | Trucks | ✓ | Beer enthusiasts |
| Monocacy Brewing Company | Brewery | Downtown Frederick | Trucks | ✓ | Beer enthusiasts |
| Brewer's Alley | Brewery | Downtown Frederick | ✓ | ✓ | Beer enthusiasts |
| Rockwell Brewery | Brewery | Frederick (Riverside) | BYO | ✓ | Beer enthusiasts |
| Smoketown Creekside | Brewery | Jefferson (10 min from Frederick) | BYO | ✓ | Beer enthusiasts |
| Black Ankle Vineyards | Winery | Mount Airy (20 min from Frederick) | Picnic | Occasional | Scenic tastings |
| Linganore Winecellars | Winery | Mount Airy (20 min from Frederick) | Picnic | Occasional | Scenic tastings |
| Springfield Manor Winery | Winery | Thurmont (25 min from Frederick) | Picnic | Occasional | Scenic tastings |
| Catoctin Breeze Vineyard | Winery | Thurmont (30 min from Frederick) | Picnic | Occasional | Scenic tastings |
| McClintock Distilling | Distillery | Downtown Frederick | - | - | Cocktails |
| Tenth Ward Distilling | Distillery | Downtown Frederick | - | - | Cocktails |
| Springfield Manor Distillery | Distillery | Thurmont (with winery) | - | - | Cocktails |
🍺 The Breweries
Frederick's craft beer scene has earned international recognition. These breweries represent the best of Frederick's innovative brewing culture.
Olde Mother Brewing Company
📍 Downtown FrederickA long-standing Frederick favorite with a broad tap list, welcoming taproom, and frequent live events. Olde Mother is a reliable stop for visitors who want current local beer culture in an active downtown brewery.
Attaboy Beer
📍 Downtown FrederickKnown for their innovative cobbler series sours and creative flavor combinations. A favorite among craft beer enthusiasts for pushing boundaries.
Monocacy Brewing Company
📍 Downtown FrederickLocated in a historic industrial building along the Monocacy River. Offers brewery tours showcasing their production facility and brewing process.
Brewer's Alley
📍 Downtown FrederickFrederick's original brewpub since 1996. Combines a working brewery with a full-service restaurant in a beautifully restored historic building.
Rockwell Brewery
📍 Frederick (Riverside)Rockwell's Riverside location is now the brewery's main Frederick taproom, pairing award-winning beer with a larger event space, regular concerts, and a full kitchen.
Smoketown Creekside
📍 Jefferson (10 min from Frederick)Picturesque brewery alongside a creek with wood-fired pizza and beautiful outdoor seating. Perfect for families with children.
🍷 The Wineries
Frederick County's wine country offers stunning vineyard views and award-winning wines. From Tuscan-inspired estates to historic farms, experience Maryland's best wineries.
Black Ankle Vineyards
📍 Mount Airy (20 min from Frederick)Maryland's most acclaimed winery featuring Tuscan-inspired architecture and estate-grown Mediterranean varietals. Award-winning wines with stunning vineyard views.
Linganore Winecellars
📍 Mount Airy (20 min from Frederick)Maryland's largest and oldest winery on a 230-acre estate. Family-owned for over 45 years with a wide variety of wine styles and beautiful grounds.
Springfield Manor Winery
📍 Thurmont (25 min from Frederick)Historic 1774 manor house on 35 acres with lavender fields, winery, and distillery. Unique lavender wine and beautiful mountain views.
Catoctin Breeze Vineyard
📍 Thurmont (30 min from Frederick)Small-batch winery with estate-grown grapes and beautiful mountain views. Known for their Chambourcin and welcoming atmosphere.
🥃 The Distilleries
Frederick's craft distilleries are pushing boundaries with innovative spirits, from organic gin infused with foraged botanicals to experimental absinthe.
McClintock Distilling
📍 Downtown FrederickFrederick's first organic distillery creating spirits using locally foraged botanicals and sustainable practices. Award-winning gin and whiskey.
Tenth Ward Distilling
📍 Downtown FrederickBoutique distillery in a historic downtown building specializing in experimental and historical spirits. Known for their absinthe and Geneva gin.
Springfield Manor Distillery
📍 Thurmont (with winery)Part of the historic Springfield Manor estate. Known for their unique lavender-infused gin and farm-to-bottle approach.
Trail Tips
🚗 Designated Driver
Book a tour company or assign a DD. Many breweries are walkable downtown, but wineries require driving.
📅 Best Times
Weekends for live music, weekdays for quieter tastings. Fall is peak season with harvest events.
🍽️ Food Pairings
Many breweries have food trucks on weekends. Wineries welcome picnics - bring snacks!
🐕 Pet Policies
Most breweries are dog-friendly outdoors. Wineries vary - call ahead if bringing pets.
💳 Reservations
Weekend tastings at popular wineries book up. Make reservations 1-2 weeks ahead.
🎁 To-Go Sales
Most breweries sell cans/growlers to-go. Wineries offer bottle sales. Perfect for souvenirs!
Start Your Frederick Craft Beverage Adventure
Whether you're a beer enthusiast, wine lover, or cocktail connoisseur, Frederick's craft beverage scene has something for you. Plan your visit and discover why Frederick ranks #17 globally for craft beer.