Forward Brewing

What Forward Brewing does

Forward Brewing is a privately-held, founder-owned nano brewery and full-service restaurant operating from a single location at 418 Fourth Street in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, Maryland. The building has been in the founders' family for 30 years and was renovated in 2019 while preserving the original footprint and façade; a nano brewing system housed in the rear of the building enables on-site production of roughly 10 core beer SKUs spanning kolsch, hazy IPA, stout, rye pale ale, and sour styles at 4.5%-7.8% ABV. Co-owners Cam Bowdren and Claire Fitch Bowdren operate the business alongside a head brewer (Warren Hendrickson), assistant manager and event coordinator (Cherish Brooks), and a head chef (Alex Garcia), with broader staffing in the 11-50 range.

The business runs a direct-to-consumer go-to-market with three primary revenue streams: on-site taproom beer sales (drafts priced $7.00-$8.75), a full restaurant menu of sandwiches, tacos, soups, salads, snacks, and desserts priced $9-$19, and a recurring annual membership called the People's Pour at $275/year launching July 1, 2026 that delivers two monthly 32oz howler fills plus merchandise and event discounts. A full bar of cocktails, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic options, plus digital and physical gift cards sold via Toasttab, round out the offering. Online ordering and carry-out are fulfilled through Toasttab, and private event hosting is offered for partial or full taproom buyouts.

Forward differentiates on a sustainability and Chesapeake Bay stewardship narrative — the Save the Bay IPA donates 10% of sales to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Forward Momentum Initiative with the Severn River Association supports oyster planting funded by Annapolis Boat Kolsch and Sailor Oyster Beer sales. Recurring community programming (weekly Run Club, Tuesday Night Bike Club, Thursday Trivia) and named beer collaborations with Crooked Crab, Pherm, and LaxFish/Fish For A Cure anchor local engagement. The company is bootstrapped with no institutional investors, no parent entity, and no public listing.

Name

Forward Brewing

Legal name

Forward Brewing

Website

https://forwardeastport.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forward Brewing is a founder-owned nano brewery and full-service restaurant in Annapolis's Eastport neighborhood, selling on-site craft beer, a full food menu, cocktails, and a new annual $275 membership to local residents and visitors from a single taproom location.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewery and Brewpub Restaurant

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Brewpub dining
• Taproom service
• Private events
• Nano brewery

Headquarters

HQ city

Annapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Taproom Beer Sales: On-site sales of craft beers including flagship Boat Day Kolsch and seasonal offerings. Beers range from 4.5% to 7.8% ABV with prices from $7.75 to $8.50
2. Restaurant Food Sales: Full restaurant serving sandwiches, tacos, soups, salads, snacks, and desserts. Food prices range from $9 to $19
3. People's Pour Membership: Annual membership at $275 providing two 32oz howler fills monthly, 10% off beer-to-go and merchandise, and access to members-only party
4. Cocktails, Wine, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Full bar service including cocktails, wine, cider, seltzer, and non-alcoholic options
5. Gift Cards: Digital and physical gift cards available through Toasttab platform

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forward Brewing operates a nano brewery and full-service restaurant in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, MD, brewing a rotating selection of on-site craft beers (flagship Boat Day Kolsch, hazy IPAs such as Save the Bay IPA and Verdant Skies, lagers, sours, and seasonal specialties) and serving a Chesapeake-inspired food menu including sandwiches, tacos, soups, salads, snacks, and desserts. The company sells directly to consumers through its taproom, carry-out via Toasttab, online ordering, gift cards, private event hosting, and an annual People's Pour membership subscription.

Product overview

Forward Brewing is a neighborhood brewery and restaurant located in Annapolis, MD, operating a nano brewery system. The core offering consists of craft beers including flagship Kolsch (Boat Day Kolsch), IPAs (Save the Bay IPA, Cashmere, Verdant Skies), seasonal and specialty ales (Midsommar, Blood of the Goat, Dubh Dorcha), and sour varieties (Chromatic Crush). The company also operates a full-service restaurant offering snacks, sandwiches, tacos, and desserts. Services include online ordering via Toast Tab, event hosting, and a membership program (People's Pour). Community engagement through regular events like Run Club, Bike Club, and Trivia nights. The brewery emphasizes sustainability with environmental initiatives including collaborations with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Severn River Association.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Craft Beer (On-site Brewed Selection) Small-batch craft beer produced on-site using a nano brewing system. The rotating lineup spans kolsch, IPAs, lagers, sours, pale ales, and stouts, priced $7.00-$8.75 per draft. Select beers are brewed in collaboration with other breweries (Crooked Crab Brewing Co., Pherm) and specific styles raise funds for environmental and community causes including Save the Bay IPA (Chesapeake Bay Foundation) and Forever Protected (Scenic Rivers Land Trust). Targeted at craft beer consumers and Eastport neighborhood visitors.
• Restaurant Food Menu Full restaurant menu served dine-in and via carry-out, featuring Chesapeake-inspired dishes including Maryland crab roll, shrimp salad wrap, bay scallop tacos, rockfish tacos, and BBQ shiitake tacos alongside snacks, soups, salads, and desserts. Priced $9-$19.50 per item. Targeted at neighborhood diners, families, and visitors seeking local Eastport dining.
• Bar Beverages (Cocktails, Wine, Cider, Non-Alcoholic) Full bar service beyond the on-site brewed craft beer, including signature cocktails, organic and regional wines, cider, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic options such as Athletic Brewing, Untitled Art, Wild Bay Kombucha, and Saratoga Sparkling Water. Priced $3.25-$10.50. Targeted at non-beer drinkers and designated drivers in the taproom.
• People's Pour Annual Membership Annual subscription membership program at $275 per year providing two 32oz howler fills each month for one year, a 10% discount on all beer-to-go and merchandise purchases, and access to member-only events. Targeted at regular taproom patrons seeking recurring value.
• Private Event Hosting and Buyouts Private event hosting service offering partial taproom reservations or full taproom buyouts for private parties, corporate gatherings, birthdays, and community events. Includes access to the on-site food menu and craft beer selection. Booked via [email protected]. Targeted at private event hosts and corporate event planners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10% of Save the Bay IPA sales donated to Chesapeake Bay Foundation with minimum $5,000 commitment
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 202310% of all sales from Save the Bay IPA donated to CBF to support their mission fighting for effective, science-based solutions to Chesapeake Bay pollution. Minimum commitment of $5,000 from April 1 - August 31, 2023 across all states except Illinois, Hawaii, Alaska.
• HASI (Housing and Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Collaboration with HASI (Annapolis-based climate investment firm) on Save the Bay IPA. Joint effort to support Chesapeake Bay environmental causes.
• Fish For A Cure (F4AC) / LaxFishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat Day Kolsch (flagship beer) collaboration with Fish For A Cure and LaxFish lacrosse community fundraising group. Supports LHAAMC Cancer Survivorship program providing psychosocial services to cancer patients and families. LaxFish has contributed $412,000 to date to the program.
• Severn River AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForward Momentum Initiative partnership to raise funds with goal of planting 5 million oysters in the Severn River. In-house sales from Annapolis Boat Kolsch and Sailor Oyster Beer support this fundraiser.
• Crooked Crab Brewing Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Crab Crab Revolution American Rye Pale Ale brewed with Vista and Cascade hops. Refreshing, crisp beer with citrus finish.
• PhermminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Forever Protected juicy pale ale with Golden Honey and Vienna malt, dry hopped with El Dorado and Anchovy hops. Proceeds benefit Scenic Rivers Land Trust. Also collaborated on Chromatic Crush sour ale for Annapolis Pride.
• M8 BrewingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGuest tap featuring M8 Fraser Island Pacific Ale dry hopped with Galaxy and Vic Secret varieties from Baltimore's M8 Brewing.
• Dewey Beer Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGuest tap featuring Dewey Beer Co. El Trono Mexican lager.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crooked Crab Brewing Company: Maryland craft brewery and brewpub with similar taproom-driven model. Direct collaboration partner on Crab Crab Revolution, indicating overlapping customer base and product category in the Annapolis/Baltimore craft beer scene.
• Pherm Brewing: Annapolis-area craft brewery collaborating with Forward on Forever Protected and Chromatic Crush. Operates a taproom with comparable neighborhood-brewery positioning and community-event focus in the same Maryland market.

Regional players

• Dewey Beer Co. Maryland/Delaware coastal craft brewery featured as a guest tap at Forward. Comparable craft beer producer and taproom operator in the broader Mid-Atlantic region with overlapping beer styles and customer demographics.
• M8 Brewing: Baltimore-based craft brewery featured as guest tap (Fraser Island Pacific Ale). Operates a similar neighborhood taproom model with on-site brewing and serves as a comparable Maryland craft producer.
• Boatyard Brewing Company: Annapolis-area craft brewery and restaurant operating a taproom with food and beer in the same local market. Directly comparable brewpub format and competing for overlapping Eastport/Annapolis customers.
• Black Flag Brewing Company: Maryland craft brewery operating a taproom in the greater Annapolis region. Comparable small-batch brewing approach with community-event-driven customer engagement.
• RAR Brewing: Cambridge, MD craft brewery and taproom with similar nano-scale operations and Eastern Shore community positioning. Comparable business model of direct-to-consumer craft beer sales without significant distribution.
• True Respite Brewing Company: Maryland craft brewery and taproom operator in the broader Mid-Atlantic region. Comparable size, community focus, and rotating taproom beer lineup with on-site food service.

Broad incumbents

• Heavy Seas Beer: Baltimore-based regional craft brewery with broader distribution footprint and taproom. Larger-scale Maryland competitor that competes for the same regional craft beer consumer with significantly greater production capacity.

Others

• Athletic Brewing Company: Non-alcoholic craft beer brand whose products are sold at Forward's taproom. Operates as a complement/supplier within Forward's bar program rather than direct competitor, and represents the broader non-alcoholic beverage category trend Forward has incorporated into its offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/forwardbrewing
• Instagraminstagram.com/forwardbrewing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forward Brewing