Local Brewer wins top award
Barley & Hops (B&H) Head Brewer, Eric Gleason, has swept Maryland’s Annual Comptroller’s Cup craft beer competition. He took the top honor for Best In Show for Ambulette, a Belgian pale ale, which also earned first place for best pale ale, and a gold medal in its subcategory.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot will be at B&H, 5473 Urbana Pike, Frederick, Md., on Monday, Dec. 5th at 2 p.m. to present the award. The gathering is co-hosted by the Brewers Association of Maryland. The competition is open to all licensed breweries who are members of the Brewers Association of Maryland; 288 entries were received this year.
The competition focuses mainly on 11 core categories based on a collection of BJCP-recognized styles.
B&H also took first place for best wheat beer for Vinz Clortho – Keymaster of Gose, a collaboration with Manor Hill (Howard County), second place for best IPA for Hoppen Dazs, a Belgian IPA, and third place for best wheat beer for Banana Hammock, a Hefeweizen. In addition to the top honors, B&H earned a total of seven gold, four silver and five bronze medals, out of the 20 entries they entered in the competition.
“It is a real surprise and a great honor to be winning all these awards” said Gleason. “When I came to Barley & Hops last August [2015], there were only five house beers and 8 guest beers. My mission was to bring back the seasonal beers that craft beer fans crave and seek out. I want to make beers that are always seasonal, fresh and compelling. Changing our focus and our image as a craft beer destination has been a challenge, but we are clearly winning so far.”
Gleason has been a professional brewer for about six years, and this is his second time claiming the coveted “Best in Show.” When asked to describe the secret to his success, he said “I focus on making clean, ‘technically correct’ beers first, then I add my own personal touch. I have a very straightforward approach to brewing. I take a traditional or modern [beer] style and give it a simple and subtle twist to make it interesting.”
"I saw Eric's talent early on and gave him the leeway to make the changes we needed to make at Barley and Hops to update and stay current with what's going on in the craft beer marketplace,” said Lori Keough, new owner of Barley and Hops. “We've overcome some large hurdles this year and can finally move forward unleashed." Barley and Hops is the first and only woman- owned craft brewery in the State of Maryland. They offer a full-service restaurant menu, classic cocktail bar, and live music on Wednesdays and Fridays.
For more information contact Lori Keough at info@barleyandhops.net or call (301) 668-5555.
