Checkerspot Brewing Company Wins National Competition, Will Partner with Samuel Adams
Last month, South Baltimore’s Checkerspot Brewing Company was selected as the winner of the Samuel Adams’ Brewing the American Dream Brewer’s Experience Competition. Checkerspot will collaborate with Samuel Adams on a beer and receive mentorship from Samuel Adams’ parent company Boston Beer Company.
After filling out an application to participate, Checkerspot was selected for the finals and competed in a “beer bash” in New York last month showcasing its juniper berry-flavored Juniperus IPA. Checkerspot received the call that it won on September 13th, the day after co-owners Judy and Rob Neff purchased a new building for their brewery in the Carroll-Camden Industrial Area.
Judy Neff said it was an amazing couple of days of good news. She developed Juniperus IPA when she was just a homebrewer and said it has been one of the top-selling beers at Checkerspot.
Neff also said it was really exciting meeting Samuel Adams Founder Jim Koch. She credited him for “giving back so much” to the brewing community.
Last week, Boston Beer Company flew the Neffs to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO.
Judy Neff said she does not have any details yet on the collaboration with Samuel Adams as they are just beginning to develop it. It will be regionally distributed by Boston Beer Company.
Judy Neff said they will work with Boston Beer Company to develop a growth plan for the next 10 to 15 years. Checkerspot has its taproom in South Baltimore, currently self-distributes its beers in Maryland, and will soon partner with Legends Distributing to enter the Washington, D.C. market.
The Neffs started demolition last week for its new 18,000 sq. ft. brewery at 1421 Ridgely St. Checkerspot hopes to relocate from 1399 S. Sharp St. prior to June of next year. The new building is just a few blocks west of Checkerspot’s current location.
From Checkerspot Brewing Company’s Facebook page
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
