Five local breweries collaborate on historically inspired America250 beers drawn from colonial recipes and Anne Arundel County’s Revolutionary heritage, rolling out ahead of the Fourth of July
ANNAPOLIS – As America marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is partnering with local breweries to Be Revolutionary in a way only this region can.
Answering our call to celebrate 1776 with creativity and craft, breweries across the county have come together to develop a series of beers inspired by the flavors, ingredients, and stories of the Revolutionary era.
This coordinated effort will culminate in the release of four unique, limited‑edition brews rolling out this summer as the Fourth of July approaches—uniting history, community, and local makers in one bold, collaborative toast to America’s milestone year.
“America’s 250th invites us to honor the past while inventing new ways to recognize it, and our brewery partners have answered that call with creativity, craft, and community,” said Kristen Pironis, CEO of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. “Drawing inspiration from colonial ingredients and Chesapeake heritage, they’ve created beers that are uniquely Maryland and unmistakably celebratory. From tavern ales to cherry shandies, these brews invite residents and visitors alike to pull up a chair, raise a glass, and celebrate the stories that bring us together.”
As part of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County’s commitment to Be Revolutionary during America’s 250th anniversary, local breweries have crafted a special lineup of beers that reinterpret the flavors and traditions of the Revolutionary era. Instead of simply replicating the past, each brewery has taken its own creative approach—drawing on regional agriculture, colonial‑era ingredients, and the inventive spirit that shaped early American brewing. The result is a mix of styles that range from cherry‑forward shandies to tavern‑inspired ales and molasses‑driven porters, offering today’s drinkers a modern way to connect with the past. Four limited‑edition releases will debut throughout the summer as the Fourth of July nears.
Click here to download images of the beer can artwork of the special America250 brews
Old Barn Brewery – Oatmeal Molasses Porter
- Release date: Released on May 16, currently available while supplies last
- Description: The “Oatmeal Molasses Porter” is a rich, colonial‑inspired brew built on generous amounts of oats and deep, dark blackstrap molasses. The result is a smooth, full‑bodied porter with a velvety mouthfeel and a warm, lingering sweetness that nods to early American brewing traditions. Hearty, rustic, and unmistakably flavorful, it captures the resourceful spirit of 18th‑century craftsmanship in every sip.
- Where to find it: Available on tap at Old Barn Brewery
Crooked Crab Brewing Company and Forward Brewing Collaboration – Crab Crab Revolution
- Release date: June 4
- Description: “Crab Crab Revolution” is a citrusy, refreshing, and revolutionary classic American pale ale brewed at Crooked Crab Brewing in collaboration with Forward Brewing. This balanced brew features Maryland-grown Bear Branch pale ale, rye, & golden honey malts, and is hopped with citrusy Vista & Cascade hops. Clocking in at a sessionable 4.8% ABV for Summertime enjoyment. We encourage you to “Be Revolutionary” responsibly!
- Where to find it: Available on tap at both Crooked Crab and Forward Brewing, as well as 4-packs of 16oz cans to go at both locations. Limited distribution is available to beer retailers around Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
- “Collaborating with our friends from Forward Brewing just made sense. We are both community gathering places that bring people together, so it seemed fitting that we put our heads together to come up with a recipe that we feel captures a classic American style using local Maryland ingredients. We decided to brew a classic American Pale ale using the finest local malt from our friends at Bear Branch up in Westminster, focusing on our Maryland roots with a little malted rye for flavor and balancing things out with citrusy and floral Cascade & Vista hops. This beer is the perfect companion for summer barbecues and celebrations,” said Adam Osborn, head brewer at Crooked Crab Brewing Company.
Pherm Brewing Company – Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Cherries
- Release date: June 13
- Description: The “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Cherries” is a bright, cherry shandy crafted with a refreshing blend of cherry and lemon, inspired by historic Chesapeake recipes. Brewed with traditional ingredients—Maris Otter, red wheat, and East Kent Golding hops—it delivers a crisp, fruit‑forward profile that nods to 18th‑century brewing practices while feeling unmistakably modern. This limited release offers a spirited, summer‑ready toast to America’s 250th and was aptly named by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County CEO Kristen Pironis.
- Where to find it: Available on tap at Pherm Brewing and available for purchase in packaged 12 ounce six packs.
- “This collaboration is a labor of love for our immediate home, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and the USA. Celebrating America250 with a unique American craft beer is deeply important and a source of pride for us as we embrace both our historic roots in the ingredient selection, and to ‘Be Revolutionary’ with a melting pot of ingredients and flavors to commemorate the historic year. Having family members who have served, and team members of Pherm who have served, it’s an honor to do what we can to express our gratitude and appreciation with a refreshing Summer Ale,” said Henry Jager, founder and brewmaster at Pherm Brewing Company.
Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery – Beers of the Revolution 250
- Release date: July 4
- Description: Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery’s “Beers of the Revolution 250” series pays tribute to the Founding Fathers with four distinct, historically inspired ales. The centerpiece, George Washington’s Tavern Ale, is a Colonial Ale brewed as closely as possible to a surviving George Washington recipe. Thomas Jefferson’s Secret Porter, a robust honey porter, pays homage to both Jefferson’s brewing – and his other secrets – at Monticello. The lineup continues with Sons of Liberty Ale, a strong golden ale honoring Samuel Adams, the Patriots of Boston, and their rebellious spirit that sparked a movement. James Madison, our fourth President and inspiration for the fourth beer in the release, proposed the appointment of a Secretary of Beer in 1809 to ensure young America’s continued beer production and to protect the domestic beer market. His proposed Cabinet-level position never materialized, but he remains an important part of America’s beer history. Secretary of Beer Colonial Ale is brewed in honor of our ‘Founding Beer Father.’ Together, these beers offer a flavorful journey through the tastes and traditions that shaped America’s earliest drinking culture.
- Where to find it: Available on tap only at Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery, 2408 Crofton Blvd, Crofton, Maryland.
- Information provided by Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery.
Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will celebrate America’s 250th with a Fourth of July weekend full of events staged in a way only our region can—historic pageantry, neighborhood traditions, and waterfront spectacle woven together. Highlights include Movies Under the Liberty Tree on July 3 and a full July 4 lineup of bike parades in West Annapolis and Eastport, Piscataway Nation dance performances, children’s storytelling, a food festival at People’s Park, the downtown parade to Church Circle, a USNA Electric Brigade concert, and a grand finale of fireworks over Spa Creek.
This celebration is part of our broader effort to Be Revolutionary. Earlier this year, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County launched the Be Revolutionary: America250 Exploration Trail, a countywide, gamified experience that invites residents and visitors to engage with the bold people, places, and ideas that have shaped the region from 1776 to today. More than 50 historic, cultural, and community partners have embraced their own revolutionary stories, whether rooted in the 18th century or born this year, and joined the free Bandwango trail pass. Local innovators like Chesepiooc Brewery and Crooked Crab Brewing Company appear alongside museums, farms, libraries, waterfront landmarks, and small businesses, contributing special activations and programming that connect the past to the present.
As the nation marks this milestone, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County invites everyone to discover the stories, experiences, and partnerships that make this destination revolutionary in every era. For suggested itineraries, partner happenings, and everything you need to experience America 250 in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, visit the America 250 section of the Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County website—your hub for planning, exploring, and celebrating this anniversary across the destination.
About Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is a nonprofit, partnership-focused destination marketing and management organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming destination and promoting tourism for visitors, partners, and the community.
The tourism and hospitality industry in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County significantly impacts Maryland’s economy. In 2024, visitor spending injected $4.3 billion into the state economy, attracting more than 7.2 million visitors, and sustaining more than 27,000 jobs (both directly and indirectly), according to the 2024 Economic Impact of Tourism in Maryland Report.
That daily impact — an average of $11.9 million in visitor spending — strengthens small businesses, supports the hospitality workforce, and enhances quality of life for residents across the region. For more information, please visit www.VAAAC.org.