Frederick Distillery Trail Guide
Explore 8+ craft distilleries across Frederick County producing whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, and more. From downtown cocktail bars to rural farm distilleries, discover Maryland's emerging spirits scene.
About the Frederick Distillery Trail
Frederick County features a growing cluster of craft distilleries emphasizing local grains, organic production, and diverse experiences. The trail includes urban downtown tasting rooms where you can enjoy craft cocktails, as well as rural farm distilleries where you can experience grain-to-glass production firsthand.
Many distilleries source local ingredients and produce small-batch artisan spirits. The trail offers a unique opportunity to taste Maryland's emerging craft spirits scene, from award-winning organic whiskeys to innovative flavored liqueurs and canned cocktails.
🌾 Grain-to-Glass
Many distilleries produce spirits from locally-sourced grains, milled on-site.
🏆 Award-Winning
Frederick distilleries have earned recognition for quality and innovation.
🍸 Craft Cocktails
From traditional pours to innovative canned cocktails, diverse drinking experiences.
🎯 Unique Experiences
Axe throwing, production tours, and rural farm settings.
Downtown Frederick
Walkable cluster of distilleries in the heart of historic downtown - perfect for a tasting crawl.
McClintock Distilling Company
Downtown📍 35 South Carroll St., Frederick, MD 21701
📞 202-557-9914
Tenth Ward Distilling Company
Downtown📍 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701
📞 301-606-8645
True Standard Distilling
Downtown📍 10 N. Carroll Street, Frederick, MD 21701
📞 (240) 415-8753
Rosie Cheeks Distillery
Downtown📍 10229 Woodsboro Pike, Building 1, Walkersville, MD 21701
📞 202-834-6686
Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery & Distillery
Downtown📍 11836 Auburn Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788
📞 301-271-0099
Fordham Lee Distillery
Downtown📍 Production-focused (no tasting room)
📞 240-870-2207
Rural & Farm Distilleries
Scenic distilleries in rural settings offering farm experiences and mountain views.
Dragon Distillery
Rural📍 1341 Hughes Ford Rd., Suite 108, Frederick, MD 21701
📞 301-378-2154
Puerto Rico Distillery
Rural📍 402 5th Avenue, Brunswick, MD 21716
📞 240-457-4038
Planning Your Distillery Trail Day
Suggested Itineraries
Downtown Crawl
- Start at McClintock Distilling (free tours)
- Cocktails at Tenth Ward Distilling
- Visit True Standard (reservations)
- Total time: 3-4 hours
- Walkable, no driving needed
Urban + Rural Mix
- Morning: Dragon Distillery (axe throwing)
- Afternoon: Downtown crawl
- Evening: Dinner in Frederick
- Total time: Full day
- Short drive between stops
Mountain Adventure
- Morning: Hike Catoctin Mountain Park
- Lunch: Springfield Manor (wine/beer/spirits)
- Afternoon: Rosie Cheeks Farm Distillery
- Total time: Full day
- Scenic mountain drive
Tips for Distillery Trail Success
- Designated Driver: Absolutely essential - spirits have higher alcohol content than wine/beer.
- Call Ahead: Many distilleries require reservations, especially for tours.
- Pace Yourself: Plan 2-3 distilleries maximum per day for a responsible experience.
- Food: Eat before and during tastings. Many downtown spots have food nearby.
- Transportation: Consider rideshare, taxi, or tour services for safe travel between stops.
- Purchase Bottles: Support local distilleries by purchasing bottles to enjoy at home.
- Cocktail Classes: Some distilleries offer classes - great for learning mixing techniques.
- Combine Experiences: Pair with brewery visits, winery stops, or downtown dining.
Spirits You'll Find
🥃 Whiskey
From traditional bourbons to innovative grain-to-glass expressions, Frederick distilleries produce diverse whiskey styles using local grains.
🍸 Gin
Classic London dry gins and botanical-infused varieties, perfect for cocktails or neat sipping.
🧊 Vodka
Clean, smooth vodkas including organic options, ideal for mixing or enjoying straight.
🌴 Rum
Puerto Rican-style rum and other cane spirits, with unique local variations.
🍋 Liqueurs
Flavored spirits like ginger liqueurs and creative infusions for adventurous palates.
📦 Canned Cocktails
Ready-to-drink cocktails for convenience, featuring distillery recipes and quality spirits.