Monocacy Brewing Company Captures Bronze at the Great American Beer Festival
Monocacy Brewing Company has proudly placed Frederick on the national brewing map by winning a Bronze Medal at the esteemed Great American Beer Festival (GABF) held in Denver, Colorado. The brewery's celebrated offering, Riot Rye Pale Ale, earned this accolade in the competitive Rye Beer category, highlighting not only its exceptional craftsmanship but also its commitment to producing high-quality craft beer.
Riot Rye is a distinctive pale ale boasting an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 6.4% and an impressive International Bitterness Units (IBU) rating of 70. Brewed with locally sourced rye from the Midwest, this ale impresses with its harmonious blend of hop bitterness and malt complexity. Monocacy Brewing describes Riot Rye as "a ruckus of complex flavor," perfectly embodying the brewery's dedication to creating unique yet accessible beers that resonate with a broad audience.
Owner Anne Brown expressed immense pride in the recognition, stating, "We are incredibly honored that Riot Rye is being recognized on a national stage at an event as prestigious as the Great American Beer Festival. This beer represents who we are as a brewery and showcases the skills of our hardworking brewing team. We're proud to represent this community as well as the State of Maryland and share a bit of Frederick's flavor with beer lovers across the country."
Crafting Riot Rye paves a challenging road due to its high rye content, necessitating meticulous care during the brewing process to maintain a smooth grain mixture. This complexity stands as a testament to the brewing team's dedication to quality and their expertise in fermentation.
The Great American Beer Festival is the pinnacle of American beer competitions, where thousands of unique entries compete across more than 100 categories. Out of all participating breweries, only four from Maryland received medals, marking this win as a significant achievement.
Karl Knoop, General Manager of Monocacy Brewing Company, added his sentiments, saying, “Riot Rye has always been a special beer for us – it’s a true labor of love for our brewing team, and seeing it recognized at this level is an incredible source of pride. We’ve always believed that great beer can be both an economic driver and a point of pride, and this recognition proves that a local Frederick brewery can make a national impact.”
Fans of Monocacy Brewing can savor Riot Rye either on draft or by purchasing 4-packs of 16-ounce cans available at the brewery's North Market Street taproom and various retailers throughout Maryland. The brewery itself is housed in the historic Ebert’s Ice Cream Factory, recognized as the largest brewing facility and beer garden in Frederick. Visitors to Monocacy Brewing Company can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere under the canopy of historic trees, complete with delicious offerings from an on-site food truck, along with engaging live music and trivia nights.
Frederick has long been celebrated as a craft beer destination in Maryland, and the recent accolade won by Monocacy Brewing Company further enhances that reputation. As a locally owned brewery deeply integrated into the community, it plays an instrumental role in the development of beer tourism in Frederick, inviting both locals and visitors to enjoy the rich brewing culture available.
About Monocacy Brewing Company: Dedicated to a simple principle, “Quality, it’s in our nature,” Monocacy Brewing Company has been brewing innovative beers that reflect quality and passion from its foundation in the historic Ebert's Ice Cream plant in Downtown Frederick, Maryland. Committed to maintaining independence and local ownership, the brewery sources top-notch ingredients while continually supporting its community. Patrons can discover a rotating selection of year-round and limited-release brews in a welcoming taproom and expansive garden, representing the spirit of Frederick’s vibrant craft brewery scene.