OUR FARM TO GLASS STORY
When Tom Barse and Carolann McConaughy bought their farm in Mount Airy, Maryland in the Spring of 2008, they wanted to find a way to create a sustainable agricultural operation on a small scale. They knew that making a living using traditional farming practices was impossible on just 47 acres, so they searched for crops and farm products that would demonstrate that a small
farm could be profitable in central Maryland. Tom was involved in sheep breeding and growing wine grapes in the 70's and early 80's, and Carolann worked with horses most of her life, including breeding her own horses and raising them in Mount Airy. Tom was an avid home brewer since 1972, and Carolann started an apiary at their home in Hyattstown, Maryland several years before. Soon, a combination of animal husbandry and specialty crops were decided on, and a hopyard was established and a small flock of Leicester Long Wool sheep - a heritage breed - was acquired. The apiary was moved to the farm, and new hay fields were planted on land cropped by a local farmer. Then Tom was selling hops to local brewers and Carolann was selling wool products, sheep, and honey from the farm. Business was good, but the farm was still not self-supporting. Tom was home brewing more than ever since he had a seemingly endless supply of hops, and wondered whether he could brew and sell beer as an agricultural product on the farm. Working with other farmers, brewers, and local elected officials, Tom helped get Maryland's Farm Brewery law enacted in 2012. Shortly thereafter Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm was established, and the tasting room opened in June of 2013. We proudly say we are Maryland’s first farm brewery. Cascade and Chinook hops make up most of Stillpoint's one acre hopyard, but expansion plans are underway, and new plantings of Willamette, Centennial, Nugget, Triple Perle, and others from Cornell University Agricultural Extension's clean hop program are underway. Although the hops are not organic, natural practices to assist with pest and disease control are utilized, including allowing the sheep to graze in the hopyard for w**d control and to strip the lower leaves to reduce disease pressure from downy and powdery mildew. Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm specializes in classic styles of beer "improved with Maryland hops". The brewery produces 5 year round beers and rotates a couple of seasonal
releases. In August of 2015 a new series, "Stillpoint Reserve" was launched. These beers focus on locally sourced ingredients, including grains, fruits, herbs, honey, and other Maryland products. Tom and Carolann, and all of the folks at Milkhouse are excited to share their journey with you. Please come out and visit the tasting room and share a perfect pint or two. Please check out our website to find Milkhouse Brewery suppliers in your area.
