A gargoyle, 2,700-year-old ingredients, the Walking Dead, and Civil War history!

Western Maryland Distributing will provide a new experience for the 2018 George Washington Whiskey Rebellion Fest, brought to you by the Community Trust Foundation. Allegany Museum is adding craft beer tastings to its traditional tastings of whiskey, rum, vodka and brandy. While we cannot confirm exactly which beers the brewers will offer, here are a few that caught our eye.

The Terrapin Beer Co. from Athens, Georgia offers a “killer blood orange flavor, and a horrific amount of hops”. This is Terrapin’s Walking Dead Blood Orange IPA. Of course, where the Dead Walk we also find Lucille, a stout brewed with blackstrap molasses and vanilla. Lucille is aged on hickory, maple, and white ash, the three woods used to produce baseball bats.

Dogfish Head from Delaware brews Midas Touch, made with 2,700-year-old ingredients found in drinking vessels from the tomb of King Midas! All true! You can read about the Molecular Archaeology Project at https://www.penn.museum/sites/biomoleculararchaeology/?page_id=143. The Dogfish SeaQuench Ale is brewed with lime juice, lime peel, black limes and sea salt, and Men’s Health called it the ‘…world’s most thirst-slaying beer” by.

Stone Brewing from Escondido, Ca say their mascot gargoyle helps them ward off the “modern-day evil spirits of beer”- cheap ingredients, pasteurization, and chemical additives”. Their Stone Virtuale IPA has notes of tropical fruit and uses Citra and Mosaic hops, a new variety that imparts complex and broad aromas. Stone’s Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout  tastes of deeply dark fruit flavors with rich chocolate and coffee overtones.

Antietam in Hagerstown was Maryland’s first craft brewery, and claim the Antietam Battlefield and Antietam Creek as their back yard. Their Clara B’s Trappist-Style Dubbel is named for Clara Barton who, because of her work during the Civil War, became known as the ‘Angel of the Battlefield’.  Clara B’s has notes of raisins, dried fruits, spices, caramel and candied sugar. Antietam’s General’s Golden Ale is a golden ale brewed with wheat and a blend of American and New Zealand hops.

The Fest opens on Friday June 8, 6-10pm. Enjoy live Colonial games, mingle with a national-renowned ‘George Washington’ living biographer and other re-enactors, get souvenir photos, and a goody bag. Sample dozens of whiskies and other spirits, and craft beers. Enjoy the open beer and wine bar, and continuous delicious canapes by Good Carma. All at Allegany Museum, 3 Pershing St Cumberland.

Only $50 per ticket ($75 at the door). Purchase through the Whiskey Rebellion Facebook page or through the booking button here or through the Book Center, Cumberland, or Main St Books, Frostburg.