A look at 9 new breweries in Md.

2018’s entries in the drive to bring craft beer to the masses

Michael Tonsmeire, left, and Scott Janish in the taproom of Sapwood Cellars, which they expect to open in Columbia in June. (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun )

Brian Arnold, left, of Nepenthe home brew, will open a brewery and restaurant with his wife, and Brendan Kirlin, pictured, as co-owners in Hampden. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun )

Rob Neff, left, Steve Marsh and Judy Neff are opening Checkerspot Brewing Co. near M&T Bank Stadium. (Judy Neff)

In recent years, Maryland has seen plenty of breweries open as the thirst for craft beer continues to reach the masses.

That won’t change in 2018. Keep an eye on these beer companies planning to make their debuts later this year:

Crooked Crab Brewing Company: This Odenton brewery is in the final stages of a build-out inside a warehouse building within the Telegraph Commerce Center. Beer is already in the tanks, and it plans to open on Feb. 17.

“There’s a really strong community [in Odenton] that we’d love to be a part of,” co-owner Dan Messeca said in July.

8251 Telegraph Road. 443-432-5051; crookedcrabbrewing.com.

Suspended Brewing Company: Currently giving weekend tours, this Pigtown brewery has its city liquor board hearing on Thursday. If all goes well, it will announce a grand opening date for later that month.

912 Washington Blvd. 410-926-8847; suspendedbrewing.com.

Balt County Brewing: Like countless other new breweries, this Hunt Valley brewery hit a minor snag when the delivery of some of its equipment was delayed. It’s now eyeing St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) as opening day.

10950 Gilroy Road. 410-812-5190; baltcountybrewing.com.

Checkerspot Brewing Company: Located near M&T Bank Stadium, this brewery — led by Judy Neff, her husband, Rob Neff, and Steve Marsh, formerly of Heavy Seas Beer — plans to open by the end of April, after some delays. It’s been busy, though, brewing collaborative beers with locals like Waverly Brewing Co. and Key Brewing Co.

175 W. Ostend St. checkerspotbrewing.com.

Slate Farm Brewery: In Whiteford, less than a mile from the Pennsylvania line, a family farm plans to open a brewery on March 16. The beers will be made with their own crops like strawberries, pumpkins and peppers.

2128 Whiteford Road. 443-528-7443; slatefarmbrewery.com.

Sapwood Cellars: This Columbia brewery from homebrewers Mike Tonsmeire and Scott Janish will produce India pale ales, wheat beers, barrel-aged brews and sours. They hope to open in June.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what people think of the stuff, and to start turning beer into my living, and not just something I do in my basement,” Tonsmeire said in January.

8980 Route 108. sapwoodcellars.com.

Nepenthe Brewing Co.: The Woodberry homebrewing supply shop will expand and move to Hampden’s Falls Road. There’ll be a taproom, brewing facility and a kitchen. Don’t fret, homebrewers — they’ll still sell supplies so you can make your own.

3622-3626 Falls Road. 443-438-4846; nepenthehomebrew.com.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House: The maker of the world’s most famous stout chose Relay in Baltimore County for its first U.S. brewing operation since the 1950s. On schedule to open this summer, the brewery will focus on other styles of Guinness, including its American blonde lager. While you wait, a nearby temporary taproom is open Thursday-Sunday.

5001 Washington Blvd. newguinnessbrewery.com.

Wet City: The Mount Vernon craft-beer bar is building its own on-site nanobrewery (even smaller than a microbrewery, it will use a two-barrel brewhouse — so expect limited quantities). They’re early in the process — construction and inspections are still in order — but hope to begin brewing in late spring and have their own beer on Wet City’s taps in the summer. 223 W. Chase St. 443-873-6699; wetcitybrewing.com.

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