Beer lovers get ready! An international beer is making its way to the area, and they are ready to bring some new and creative beers to Baltimore.
Guinness is opening its first brewery in the United States since the 1950's, and it's opening in Halethorpe in Baltimore County.
"Guinness hasn't had a home in the United States in about 60 years, and the reason we are here now is because this is the most dynamic and exciting beer market in the world and we wanted to take advantage," explained Guinness Brewery Ambassador Ryan Wagner.
So why Baltimore? Wagner explained that Guinness is passionate about history, and this brewing site used to be Maryland Distilling back in 1933 after prohibition, so the location has been on their radar for quite some time.
“Being in Baltimore we have got history coming out of our ears. Guinness gets to take advantage of that, gets to take advantage of all the history this space represents, and just tell a really great story, that new chapter in a book that is 259 years old,” said Wagner.
The famous Guinness Stout will still be imported from Ireland, but coming to Baltimore is Guinness Blonde, the first beer designed for the American Market, as well as other new and creative beers they are workshopping.
"We are going to start some new iconic beers here in the states," exclaimed Wagner.
And along with new beers, Guinness is bringing 200 full-time jobs, an economic investment to the area, and a spot where people will come across the nation to see, bringing more people to the area.
"As a Baltimore kid born and raised I can tell you it means an awful lot. This is a very special place. To see the number of regulars we have seen come in, even to our test taproom before we open this space, this is meaningful."
A taproom that will feature 40 unique beers, which you can sample starting at 3 p.m. on Friday during their grand opening. Depending on the weather, you may also get to see how they grow their hops and barely, and get a tour of the space.
Guinness says they will not be running full tours until the end of the month, but they are excited to hopefully host hundreds of thousands of people over the years.
“We just want people to come in, enjoy beer, enjoy what we are making, and also explore the space and find out what excites them about this place," said Wagner.