E-Malt.com News article: USA, MD: Flying Dog to create farm brewery in Loudoun

A month after Gov. Terry McAuliffe visited Lucketts to announce plans to establish the region’s first commercial-scale hops production and processing facility at Shadow Farm, Frederick, MD-based craft brewer Flying Dog unveiled its own venture on the 53-acre property, leesburgtoday.com reported on December, 19.

The brewery said it is in the final stage of forming a partnership to create a separate farm brewery destination in Loudoun. If all goes to plan, Farmworks Brewery will open next summer.

The brewery will occupy 5 acres of the property and will include a 15-barrel brewhouse, cellar, coolship and tasting room and hospitality area, along with a large barrel-aging and sour beer facility.

“At Farmworks Brewery, we plan to bring the same brewing energy, passion and talent that our fans have grown to love from Flying Dog,” Brewmaster Matt Brophy stated. “Agriculture is such an important part of brewing, and having access to the resources at Shadow Farm will allow us the freedom to experiment and innovate with a whole new collection of beer styles. It’s a unique setting, and we plan on brewing some pretty unique beers.”

The setting will provide brewmasters with the opportunity to explore “highly-experimental” beers, using robust barrel aging, wild fermentation and sour beer programs.

The Flying Dog announcement builds on the vision of Jonathan Staples, who launched James River Distillery in Richmond earlier this year and purchased Shadow Farm with the hopes of growing hops and other ingredients necessary for brewing and distilling.

The hops facility, called Lucketts Mill Hopworks, will be operated by Cumberland, MD-based Organarchy Hops and will supply Farmworks and other regional breweries with annual crops of Virginia-grown hops. It will also provide a central location where hops growers will be able to bring their crops for processing and packaging.

“Creating this facility opens up the door for all growers to focus on their crop and expanding their yards instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for their own equipment. We are now able to assist new growers with processing and supply chain management, as well as work hand-in-hand with area universities on how to grow quality hops in this region,” Organarchy owner Solomon Rose stated.


26 December, 2014