
Breweries with the most highly ranked beers in Maryland
Breweries with the most highly ranked beers in Maryland
After an explosion of growth in the craft beer industry, the market is undergoing a shift, causing beer lovers to stay alert to keep track of their favorites.
The last decade saw an explosion of craft breweries that operate on a smaller scale and offer a wider, and sometimes more experimental, selection of beer. In 2024, there were a total of 9,496 craft breweries in the U.S., a 104% increase from 2015.
However, that growth is tapering off. According to the Brewers Association, 2024 was the industry's worst year for brewpub, microbrewery, and taproom closings, with 519 drawing their last pint.
Changing consumer preferences may be contributing to this trend. While beer and cider still have the largest market share of alcoholic drinks, consumers are reducing their alcohol consumption. Gallup found that between 2023 and 2025, the percentage of people who consumed alcohol within the last 24 hours dropped eight percentage points to 28%, while the percentage who hadn't had an alcoholic drink in over a week increased eight percentage points to 40%.
Brewers are also facing another enemy: Climate change. Rising temperatures and drought have caused shifts in the growing season and decreased production in noble hops, an essential beer ingredient. Researchers predict that by 2050, climate change could cause an up to 18.4% decrease in hop yields.
Still, all is not doom and gloom. Although the craft beer industry is facing challenges, new brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms keep opening—428 opened in 2024—and brewers keep flexing their creative muscles to develop new beer flavors with the best ingredients they have.
Stacker compiled a list of the breweries with the most beers ranked in the top 100 in Maryland using data from BeerAdvocate as of August 2025. Any ties were broken by the highest-ranking beer.

#24. Independent Brewing Co.
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #100. Carpe Diem (Imperial IPA)

#23. Antietam Brewery & Restaurant
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #95. Lil' Ben's Milk Stout (Sweet / Milk Stout)

#22. Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #93. Hefeweizen (Hefeweizen)

#21. Brookeville Beer Farm
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #92. Interdependence IPA (American IPA)

#20. Key Brewing Co.
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #69. Dundalk Calling (Imperial IPA)

#19. Nepenthe Brewing Co.
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #66. Space Jellyfish (New England IPA)

#18. Silver Branch Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #60. Beyond The Gnome World (Saison)

#17. The Brewer's Art
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #52. Beazly (Belgian Pale Strong Ale)
#16. Jailbreak Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 1
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #25. Dusk Till Dusk (American Imperial Stout)

#15. Peabody Heights Brewery
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 2
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #97. Astrodon (New England IPA)
--- #84. Thirstay Pale Ale (American Pale Ale)

#14. Oliver Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 2
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #67. Forearm Smash (Imperial IPA)
--- #48. BMORE HAZY (New England IPA)

#13. Diamondback Beer
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 2
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #39. Greener Machine (Imperial IPA)
--- #23. Hop Broth (Imperial IPA)

#12. Monocacy Brewing Co.
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 3
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #96. Barrel Aged Brewtus (American Imperial Stout)
--- #83. Radiance DIPA (Imperial IPA)
--- #74. Riot Rye (Rye Beer)

#11. Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 3
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #81. Imperial Stout Aged In Bourbon Barrels (American Imperial Stout)
--- #59. Chocolate Mint Stout (American Imperial Stout)
--- #42. Barrel-Aged Stock Ale (Old Ale)

#10. Manor Hill Brewing
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 4
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #85. Porter (American Porter)
--- #72. IPA (American IPA)
--- #54. Citra Splendor (Imperial IPA)

#9. Monument City Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 4
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #76. Pagoda Pale Ale (American Pale Ale)
--- #37. SOBO (Imperial IPA)
--- #35. NOBO (New England IPA)

#8. Evolution Craft Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 4
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #20. Lot #6 Double IPA (Imperial IPA)
--- #18. Rise Up Coffee Stout (American Stout)
--- #14. Rise Up RIS (Russian Imperial Stout)

#7. Sapwood Cellars
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 4
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #51. Flaked (Oatmeal Stout)
--- #40. Rings of Light (American Pale Ale)
--- #10. Snip Snap (New England IPA)

#6. Union Craft Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 4
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #71. Divine (American IPA)
--- #56. Rye Baby IPA (Rye Beer)
--- #1. Double Duckpin (Imperial IPA)

#5. Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co.
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 5
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #62. Asleep on the Forest Floor (New England IPA)
--- #55. Tmavé Pivo (Czech Dark Lager)
--- #46. Summon the Moon Lord (English Barleywine)

#4. Cushwa Brewing Company
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 5
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #43. NeePaa (New England IPA)
--- #36. Natural Progression (New England IPA)
--- #32. Face Chop (Imperial IPA)

#3. Heavy Seas Beer
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 7
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #41. The Red Eclipse (American Imperial Stout)
--- #24. Schnee Boot (Eisbock)
--- #17. Blackbeard's Breakfast (Imperial Porter)

#2. RAR Brewing (Real Ale Revival)
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 19
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #8. Hyde - Galaxy (American IPA)
--- #4. 10 Layers (American Stout)
--- #2. Hyde (New England IPA)

#1. Burley Oak Brewing Co.
- Number of top beers in Maryland: 23
- Highest ranked beers in Maryland:
--- #6. Head Stash (Imperial IPA)
--- #5. Citralaxy (Imperial IPA)
--- #3. J.R.E.A.M. - Blueberry Cobbler (Fruited Kettle Sour)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.