USA, MD: Shorebilly Brewing Co. to open in Ocean City

Dan Robinson, owner of Pickle's Pub, Hammerheads and Guido's Burritos in Ocean City, is launching Shorebilly Brewing Co., delmarvanow.com reported on September, 25.

Danny Robinson said construction starts soon on his brewery, at 10th Street on the Boardwalk at the site of what’s now an ice cream shop. It will be the only brewpub in Ocean City proper.

“This area is already known for great beer,” he said. “If we can say, ‘Hey, this is brewed only a few blocks from here,’ bars will be anxious to get this on their taps. It will be available in as many places as I can get it.”

So far, he’s having a pilot brewing system built in St. Michaels. When it arrives, he and his brewmaster will experiment with different flavors. They will brew year-round; whether the bar is open year-round remains to be seen.

“The market’s going to decide what the people like and ... want. We’ll make whatever,” he said.

He’s waiting on permits, so construction should start in early October. Robinson said he will put a webcam inside the brewery when construction begins, and will solicit comments and input about how it should be built.

“Every step of the process will be community participation,” he said.

Beer served at the Boardwalk will be brewed on site. Any additional beer that ends up on taps throughout town will have to be brewed off site. Robinson also owns Pickles Pub at Eighth Street, Guido’s Burritos on the Boardwalk and the adjacent Hammerhead’s bar. Shorebilly beer will be served at each.

Another interesting selling point may come in the packaging.

Robinson said he hopes to brew and sell his beer in cone-top aluminum cans. They’ll look like the Tin Man’s head, and come with a bottle cap instead of a pull tab. Robinson said they haven’t been in use since the 1940s.

“You gotta differentiate yourself somehow,” he said.

02 October, 2012