The Search for the Holy Grain

Alas, nothing lasts forever. Bye and bye, and for various reasons, some of our favorite establishments are forced to close their doors. This then is a page both nostalgic and melancholy, devoted to our Best Brew Pubs, Beer Bars, and Beer Retailers that are no longer with us.

Mad Science Brewing Company
1619 Buckeystown Pike
Adamstown, MD 21710
(240) 409-8723

Mad Science is a farm brewing operation headquartered at Thanksgiving Farms, a Nursery and Garden Center in rural Adamstown, MD.
The beer is not actually made on the premises, but is contract brewed at a few other local breweries, while Mad Science gets their brewery set up.
Mad Science had five of their beers on tap...a double IPA, a fest beer, a Helles, an Irish Red, and a black IPA.
You can only obtain Mad science beer right here in the taproom, and the operation is open March through Christmas.
The small bar seats 4 imbibers, and there is room for another dozen or so at tables in the taproom.
There is seating for many more folks outside, and a play area for the kids.
I consumed one of their Autumn Fest beers, which was excellent and true-to-style.
Those who want beer to go, can choose from a traditional growler, or a 64-oz. metal growler with a resealable top.
There is often a food truck on the weekends.
You can keep your logo pint glass with your first pint...refills are discounted.
Mad Science is also dog-friendly for those who enjoy getting out in the country with their fur children.

Mad Science closed for good in late 2023.

Bardo Brewing
25 Potomac Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
(762) 233-7070

Bardo Brewing is an outdoor microbrewery in a vacant lot across from Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
The whole setup is visible behind the bar. The bar, and all of the seating is home-made rustic planking.
Some of the seating is under the South Capitol St. overpass, and about 500 more can sit on the river bank.
Initial plans called for a dog park, bike shop, flush toilets, and a kiddie playground; not all of these features were completed at the time of our visit (July, 2017).

Bardo's is closed.
A new tropical-themed brewery is supposed to open up in the Spring of 2022.

Gaël Brewing Company
4180 State Route 14
Geneva, NY 14456
315-220-0190

Microbreweries come in all sizes and styles...there are breweries with a British slant, those that specialize in German lagers, and those that proffer Belgians.
And of course we have an abundance of American craft breweries.
But when was the last time you were in an Irish microbrewery?
Gaël Brewing is a microbrewery in a small stand alone building several miles outside of Geneva, NY.
One room large, the small bar has no bar stools but there are several chairs scattered about.
Gaël serves six of their own Irish style beers.
The brewing operation is in the back and not visible to drinking customers.
The beers are tasty, if not true to style.
Gaël's tasting room serves up their beers in pints or half-pints, as well as filling growlers and grumblers.
Flights are available.
Tours are given on Saturday.

Stop the presses!
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Gaël Brewing has been bought by Big aLICe Brewing who will open their third location there!

Bacchus Brewing Company
15 Ellis Dr
Dryden, NY 13053
(607) 844-8474

Bacchus is a production brewery just off the highway in Dryden, NY.
The spacious facility has a tiny tasting room with a small service bar and perhaps 6 chairs filling the space.
When this questor asked about the large capacity brewery, it was pointed out that the main Taproom is at Americana Vineyards (already posted on this site), and that they have many commercial accounts.
On this day they had 6 beers on tap, which change whenever they make a new batch.
Available beers may include a blonde ale, a red rye, Bacchus IPA, Flora's Fate, or Cyclhops IPA.
Bacchus sells beer in pints.
If you want more to take home, they have growlers.
If you really want more Bacchus beer, you can take home a keg.

According to Yelp, Bacchus Brewing is closed.

Olde Mother Brewing Co.
911 E. Patrick St.
Frederick, MD
301-624-1700

Olde Mother has moved.
View write-up on this website!

Olde Mother offered 6 taps of their own beer, including a pale ale that was outstanding.
The other subjects included 2 sours, an Irish red, an oatmeal stout, and an orange honey wheat.
The bar seated about 10 patrons, and four picnic tables had room for at least 32 more...most seats were occupied by clientele of all ages, whose only aspect in common seemed to be that they loved to consume great beer.
This great beer could be obtained in pints, tastes, flights, or growlers.
"So," you may ask, "where can I get this Olde Mother beer?"
Just right here.
Olde Mother's 1.5 bbl system puts out just enough to be enjoyed at this locale where it is brewed, at least for now.
The staff was friendly and informative, the crowd lively, and the beer excellent.
Need any more reasons to visit Olde Mother?

Old Mother is not at this location anymore.
Visit their bigger and better brewery at 526 N. Market
Street !

Bike TrAle Brewing Company
101 Loudoun Street Southeast Leesburg, VA 20175
(571) 293-0050

Bike TrAle Brewing Company is a microbrewery located in downtown historic Leesburg, withing walking distance of 4 or 5 other breweries and several very good beer bars.
The venue is located in what must have been a residence in an earlier time. The small tap room was packed on a beautiful warm April evening with people talking and drinking with their friends.
Bike TrAle had 12 of their beers on tap during our visit; an IPA, a hefeweizen, a couple of Belgians, and others.
My choice was the Gold Velvet, a 7% pilsner that was outstanding.
The crowd was upscale, professional, and casual...it reminded me of Annapolis without the boats.
Everyone seemed to know one another, and was having fun.
You can't get Bike TrAle beer anyplace other than here, brewed fresh from their 4-bbl. system.
The outdoor courtyard was also full of guests enjoying the live music.

After two years in operation, Bike TrAle closed its doors.
Dynasty Brewing of Ashburn, VA will be opening a new location there.

Corcoran Brewing Company/ B Chord Brewing 205 E Hirst Rd Purcellville, VA 20132 (540) 441-3102 Corcoran Brewing Company originally opened in 2011 in Waterford, VA, where the family was already operating a winery. As the demand for beer grew, the Corcoran Family moved the brewing operation to Purcellville, six miles from the original location. Corcoran brews both traditional styles and experimental beers. At the time of our visit, they had 16 different beers on tap. I had a pint of Catoctin Ale, an English-style pale ale, at 5.5% and 35 IBU's. I don't know...it may have been the friendly ambience of the tap room, the knowledge and professionalism of my barkeep, or the balminess of a warm summer's day...but this beer was one of the best that I have ever documented. The taproom offered about 7 tables, a couch, and a foosball table. There was also plenty of room for moving around and mingling if things got crowded. Beer was sold by the pint or in flights of five. Growlers could be filled, and beer could also be taken home in 22-ounce bombers. Trivia Night, live music, a mug club, and a weekend food truck add to the many things that make Corcoran a great place to visit, and a must stop on Purcellville's brew trail. Both Yelp and Tripadvisor report that Corcoran Brewing is permanently closed.

Crystal Ball Brewing Company
1612 West King Street
York , PA 17404

Crystal Ball Brewing is a neat little gem tucked off the main drag in West York.
You may have trouble locating the place as there is little visible signage.
It is difficult to identify just what this building was originally intended to be, but make no mistake, it is a brewery now.
As we entered, tentatively, we were greeted by a galloping brew-dog, and could see some guys in the back standing around drinking...must be the right place!
At the time of our visit, Crystal Ball offered a Coconut Porter (made with real toasted coconut), a Bacon Stout (brewed with locally produced bacon smoked right on premise), an IPA and a Belgian-style Tripel.
All beers are brewed within arm's reach in their 10-barrel system.
Crystal Ball will usually have about 4 or so beers on tap, and, at this time, are open on Saturday from 12 noon-5 PM for samples or growler fills.
Crystal Ball beer can be found in many establishments in the region.
Jesse, the co-founder of Crystal Ball, explained that the brewery has plans on canning their beer, and moving into larger markets such as Philadelphia and Baltimore.
I took home 3 growlers, and can vouch for the tastiness and quality of the product.
Beer lovers should make Crystal Ball an essential stop when Questing in York.

Facebook tells us that in January, 2020, Crystal Ball announced that they had poured their last beer.

Baachus Brewing
Company
at Americana Vineyards
4367 E Covert Rd.
Interlaken, NY 14847
(607) 387-6801

Bacchus Brewing Company is a micro- brewery in Dryden, NY, just outside of Ithaca.
They have recently been purchased by Americana Vinyards in Interlaken. So if a Questor is imbibing on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail and becomes thirsty, said Questor can stop at the Americana Vineyards, and go downstairs to the beer tasting room and have any of the 10 Bacchus beers on tap.
The taproom at Baachus is the size of a large one-car garage with a bar that seats 6, several tables and a shelf along the longer wall.
The Americana has a cafe in a nearby building. If one desires a beer with lunch, tell the waitress - she will travel to the bar building, go downstairs, get your beer, and return.
Baachus beers are also available on the other side of Cayuga Lake at Americana Vineyard's Crystal Lake Cafe, as well as on tap at local watering holes.

Sadly, Yelp lists Bacchus Brewing as permanetly closed.
There is, however, a Bacchus Brewing still open in Brisbane, Australia!

Under The Rose 559 E 4th Street* Reno, NV 89512 (Old Address) (775) 657-6619 Who wouldn't want to see the Babe's last homer, Johnny's last TD, Brooksie's last DP, Ray's last tackle? Some moments in a career are memory magic. And so I ask you who would not want a last pour from Under the Rose? One of Reno's 4 th St. Breweries UTR operated a taproom at this location since it was founded. Thinking they would brew and sell beers to retailers, people kept asking UTR when they would open a taproom. So one week they decided to scavenge the wood and empty space at their brew works to carve out what became a bocci ball- and ping pong table- successful taproom. Open on weekends their popularity grew to the point where the “not in the Larry David sense” affable owner decided to open a brewpub in midtown Reno. We had caught him not only on his last day but in his last hour. After learning their would be no sweet syrup with his Berliner Weiss, he admitted it was an America style that was inferior to the original. I had the DIPA and the Hop Diddley Ocho, two very serviceable beers. Better than the Depot but not beers worth crossing the country for. I asked if we could tear the corrugated steel and plywood bar down after the last beer was served or maybe take a seat with us as a memento. He confessed the taproom would live on as a rental for special gatherings. Just then the RenoBrewBike arrived and a dozen beer drinkers, mostly women, arrived at the door for their $1 off beers. As we surrendered our seats to the brew crew, a tear formed in each eye. I had expected so much more from Reno beers and it was just not to be, but if ever I crossed this way again, by God I would go to midtown and have a DIPA at the new place where Under the Rose would rise again. *According to The Reno Gazette Journal* and Yelp, Under the Rose has closed permanently.**

Round Town Brewery
950 S White River Pkwy W Dr Indianapolis, IN 46221
(317) 493-1375

Voted Beer Advocate Class of 2016 Best New Brewery for Indiana, Round Town Brewery is located less than a mile from Lucas Oil Stadium in an industrial park near the river.
Round Town's mission statement tells us: (We are) here to serve Indianapolis and the surrounding area with a selection of quality consistent beers. We strive to meet Indianapolis' needs when it comes to finding the right beer for each individual palette.
I had the 3-beer sampler.
The Irish Coffee Ale was a little thin but made up for it with a very nice malt and slight coffee flavor.
The Blue Dog English Porter was a traditional English-style (very earthy, which is not my favorite taste) and slightly thin.
The KISS IPA, a West-Coast style at 7.2% ABV and 80 IBUs was well crafted with a good malt backbone. I did taste their Happy Face Pale Ale too, but was not too impressed.
Their brewer tells us,
"My aim is to perfect the classic styles that we already love.
I would be happy and proud for Indy beer drinkers to consider Round Town as their ‘home town' beer. "
Questors visiting Indianapolis would be well served to visit Round Town Brewery and try these beers for themselves.

Yelp has reported Round Town brewery permanently closed.

Old Soul Brewing
10970 S Cleveland Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33907
Phone: (239) 334-4334

Old Soul Brewing is a microbrewery in Ft. Myers.
Although it has an address on the main drag, it is several blocks back into a labyrinth of small offices and warehouses.
We weren't comfortable there and didn't go back.
The facility had one room, maybe 30' x 30' with the bar in the far corner. The only light was from behind the bar and the front windows.
When someone entered, everyone there turned to watch them walk across the empty space.
The were six beers on tap, two of them guests, and no food was offered.
The brewing operation is not evident.

Neither is the brewpub now!
Yelp reports that Old Soul is permanently closed.

Manu Forti Craft Beer at the 7 Sports Bar & Grille
14 E Franklin St
New Freedom, PA 17349
(717) 759-8707

The Manu Forti Brewery is the creation of brothers Aaron and Mick McKee who began as homebrewers.
In February, 2014, the brothers began brewing with a 2-barrel system inside of the well-established 7 Sports Bar & Grille in the small town of New Freedom, just north of the Maryland line and a tad west of Route 83.
Manu Forti means "with a strong hand" and comes from the McKee Clan's motto.
7 Sports Bar carries 8 draft beers, two of which are Manu Forti beers.
At the time of our visit, they offered Sucker Punch, a strong ale, and Oktoberfist, a peach-infused Oktoberfest.
The only place one can get Manu Forti beers as of now is on tap at 7 Sports. Growlers can be filled to take home.

Not any more!
Manu Forti ceased operation in late summer of 2018. No reasons were given.
7 Sports Bar is still in operation.
Manu Forti's 2 bbl. system was shipped off to another brewery.

16 Mile Brewing Company
413 S. Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
302.253.8816

The 16 Mile Brewery is a microbrewery with a tasting room.
Located not far from the beach in rural Georgetown, Delaware, 16 Mile is so named because Georgetown is "16 miles from anywhere" in Sussex county.
16 Mile makes three ales...a golden, an amber, and a darker American-style which actually tasted British to me. All three were clean and well-crafted, and are marketed locally in their state-of-the-art 22-ounce lined aluminum bottles.
You can also get growlers filled at the brewery.
16 Mile is a brewery well worth visiting and a beer well worth drinking.
Make it a stop on your next trip to the shore.

Newsflash!
16 Mile Brewery abruptly closed it doors in September, 2018.
The move seemed to catch patrons and the community in general by surprise.

Heinzelmännchen Brewery
Dieter Kuhn & Sheryl Rudd, Owners
545 Mill Street • PO Box 2075
Sylva, North Carolina 28779
828-631-4466

The Heinzelmannchen Brewery, Sylva NC, is a one-man operation.
That one man is Dieter Kuhn.
He has a cooker, and one
10-barrel fermenter.
Dieter uses lager recipes, but an ale yeast to make his five brews. After a three day ferment, he kegs the beer for further conditioning. He has several commercial accounts and does a good growler business.

Wait! They did do a good growler business.
After 13 years in business, Heinzelmännchen Brewery closed its doors in July, 2017.

Cape Coral Brewing Company
829 Miramar St
Cape Coral, FL 33904
(239) 257-1573

Cape Coral Brewing is a micro brewery a few blocks from downtown Cape Coral.
The storefront looks as if it had been a convenience store in a past life.
The place was closed the evening of our visit, but the owner heard us shaking the door and let us in. The bar is along the side wall away from the door with a few tables scattered about.
The brewing operation is in the rear.

Cape Coral Brewing closed for good in October, 2017.
The location now seems to be one of the several Tap Rooms for Big Storm Brewing located in Tampa Bay.

Blue and Gray Brewing Co.
3300 Dill Smith Dr.
Fredericksburg , VA , 22408
(540) 538-2379

The Blue & Gray Brewing Company is in a stand-alone building in an industrial area just south of downtown Fredericksburg.
The Pub, known as Lee's Retreat, is a long rectangular room with chairs, tables, and lots of space.
Dominating the far end of the venue is a large, beautiful wooden bar, where the taps dispense many of Blue & Gray's craft beers.
Food can also be ordered off an ample menu.
Around back is the brewery, where you can get merchandise, fill growlers, or take home bottles of Blue & Gray beer.

Blue & Gray Brewing is now part of the Adventure Brewing Company. They have 2 locations...one in Stafford, VA and one right here where Blue and Gray was.

Assawoman Bay Brewing Company
4435 Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, MD 21842
phone: (410) 524-4100

As of the end of summer, 2014, Maryland's newest brewery was Assawoman Bay Brewing Company.
Brewer Jason Weissberg, who presides over the 15-bbl. system, was helpful and informative in giving me an impromptu tour on a sunny October morning.
The craft brewery takes its name from the body of tidal water that separates Ocean City from the mainland of the Delmarva peninsula.
Assawoman Bay shares a building with Shallow Waters restaurant, and their beer can be enjoyed on tap there.
Assawoman Bay beers can also be had at 45th Street Taphouse and O. C. Steamers which are also located near the brewery in the 45th Street Village.
Additionally, the beers can be found at the 9th Street Taphouse in lower Ocean City.
Anywhere you can drink them, Assawoman Bay beers are worth the drinking.

Good luck with that.
Early in 2017, Assawoman Bay reported they were moving to a bigger location.
Soon thereafter, they reported they were closing for good.

	Mad Horse Brew Pub 34 E Broad Way Lovettsville, VA 20180 (703) 687-7628 Doesn't look like a place to find a brew pub...a quiet residential street in the sleeply Loudon County town of Lovettsville...yet here it is! Not any more it's not! Mad Horse closed in 2017. Word on the street was that after an inspection, there were too many issues to fix and they called it quits. Mad Horse was at one time a funeral home. Too bad they closed...I hear people were dying to get in.

Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company
429 West 3rd St.
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-322-5050

First let us say that Bavarian Barbarian is not a brew pub... it is a microbrewery where a crew of thirsty Questors can walk in off the street, during tasting hours, and be treated to a sampling of Bavarian Barbarian's tasty beers. Brewer and Barbarian Chief Mike Hiller will be glad to explain the brewery's philosophy and processes, while pouring you a sample of his Hammerin' Ale, Headbangerz' Brown, Weldspatter IPA, and Steel Drivin' Stout. The brewery now supplies kegs for local venues, has plenty of room for expansion, and will begin bottling bombers as these words are being written. Growlers are also filled on premise.

HOLD IT! BAVARIAN BARBARIAN IS NO LONGER OPEN...VISIT THEIR WEBSITE FOR A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

Shenandoah Brewing Company 652 S. Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
703.823.9508 - info@shenandoah.com

Shenandoah is the area's first and only brewery, and brew-on-premise facility rolled into one. The bar is small, and serves fresh on draft about 8 of Shenandoah's award-winning beers...

Whoa! Not any more they don't!
Shenandoah was sold in 2011.
So long, Anning. Shenandoah was a fun place.

Craggie Brewing Company
197 Hilliard Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 254-0360

Craggie closed its doors in December, 2012, because their brewer went to Oskar Blues. The space is now occupied by Hi-Wire Brewing.

Craggie is on a side street several blocks from downtown Asheville.
Like many of the breweries in the area they have a "tasting room" open part time. There is seating for about 50 in the bar area but the brewing equipment is roped off.
Craggie features live music, and the band is in the open space, with plenty of standing room.
The garage doors are open in good weather but beer is not allowed outside. The crowd is quite eclectic...young, old, and in between.
They serve four of their regular beers as well as some Test Beers.