RAR Brewing
RAR Brewing is a privately held Maryland craft brewery founded in 2013, operating six taproom, restaurant, and cocktail venues across Cambridge, Annapolis, and Salisbury from a 10-barrel system, selling core beers, food, merchandise, and private events direct to consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What RAR Brewing does
RAR Brewing is a privately held craft brewery and multi-venue hospitality operator founded in summer 2013 in Cambridge, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The company converted an 80-year-old former pool hall and bowling alley into its flagship 46-seat taproom and headquarters, producing well-balanced American-style craft beer on a 10-barrel brewing system. Its core product lineup includes Nanticoke Nectar (Flagship IPA), Bucktown Brown (American Brown Ale), Country Ride (Core Pale Ale), Pulp (Pale Ale), RAR Lite (Lager), Stunts! (Sour Ale with Tangerines), and Grapefruit Nectar (IPA).
The business operates six distinct on-premise concepts across Maryland: the main Cambridge Taproom, Chessie Burger (burgers, wings, fries), The LabRARtory (beer-inspired specialty cocktails), The Dive Club (nautical-themed tapas and cocktail experience), Chessie's Wharf in Annapolis (38 draft taps), and Chessie's Campus in Salisbury (36 draft taps plus kitchen). The company monetizes through on-site beer and food sales, direct-to-consumer beer shipping to 11 states (currently on hold), branded merchandise (glassware, apparel, stickers, e-gift cards), and private event venue rentals for groups of 46-99 people.
RAR Brewing is founder-owned and bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional investment or parent company. Its go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, supported by an Arryved-powered online store, Toast Tab online ordering, OpenTable reservations, Untappd and social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter), and a Beer Finder tool for Maryland retail distribution. Operating geographies are concentrated in Maryland, with shipping extending brand reach to select U.S. states.
RAR Brewing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RAR Brewing
- Legal name
- RaR Brewing
- Website
- https://rarbrewing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RAR Brewing is a privately held Maryland craft brewery founded in 2013, operating six taproom, restaurant, and cocktail venues across Cambridge, Annapolis, and Salisbury from a 10-barrel system, selling core beers, food, merchandise, and private events direct to consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RAR Brewing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Brewery & Taproom Hospitality
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Craft Beer Retail & Bottle Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAC)
Keywords
Where RAR Brewing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
RAR Brewing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Taproom Beer Sales: Direct beer sales across multiple taproom venues including main taproom, The LabRARtory (cocktails), and The Dive Club. Features rotating draft selections and specialty cocktails.
- Food Service: Restaurant operations through Chessie Burger (burgers, wings, hand cut fries) and Chessie's Campus (36 draft selections with full kitchen).
- Beer Shipping: Direct-to-consumer beer shipping in 4-packs to 11 states (Alaska, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C.). Limited to 6 four-packs per order.
- Merchandise: Online store sales of branded merchandise including apparel, glassware ($15), stickers ($12 Otis Mystery Sticker Pack), and e-gift cards.
- Private Events: Venue rentals for private events at multiple locations with capacities ranging from 46-99 people, featuring full bar service, AV equipment, and catering options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Glassware - $15 per glass |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sticker Pack - $12 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beer 4-Packs for Shipping |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
RAR Brewing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RAR Brewing is a craft brewery and multi-venue hospitality operator that produces American-style craft beer on a 10-barrel brewing system and sells it directly to consumers through six branded venues in Maryland, an online merchandise shop, and direct-to-consumer beer shipping to 11 states. The portfolio includes flagship and seasonal beers, a restaurant concept (Chessie Burger), specialty cocktail bars (The LabRARtory, The Dive Club), and additional taproom locations in Annapolis and Salisbury.
Product overview
RAR Brewing is a craft brewery based in Cambridge, MD on the Chesapeake Bay, founded in summer 2013 in an 80-year-old former pool hall and bowling alley. The company operates as a multi-venue hospitality business featuring a 10-barrel brewing system. The core product portfolio includes the main Taproom in Cambridge (with 12-tap draft system) and the core beer lineup (Nanticoke Nectar IPA, Bucktown Brown, Country Ride Pale Ale, Pulp Pale Ale, RAR Lite Lager, Stunts! Sour Ale, Grapefruit Nectar IPA). Supporting venues include Chessie Burger (restaurant), The LabRARtory (specialty cocktails), The Dive Club (nautical-themed cocktail experience), Chessie's Wharf (Annapolis), and Chessie's Campus (Salisbury). Additional revenue streams include an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise (glassware, stickers, apparel), direct-to-consumer beer shipping, private event hosting, and e-gift cards. The entire operation is powered by Arryved for commerce.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The LabRARtory: Specialty cocktails venue created to represent off-the-wall flavors of their beers in cocktail form, featuring unique beverage creations beyond traditional beer offerings.
- The Dive Club
Products and services
- Craft Beer Core Lineup Year-round and seasonal craft beers produced on a 10-barrel brewing system, including the flagship Nanticoke Nectar IPA, Bucktown Brown American Brown Ale, Country Ride Pale Ale, Pulp Pale Ale, RAR Lite Lager, Stunts! Sour Ale, and Grapefruit Nectar IPA. Sold for on-premise consumption, retail distribution in Maryland, and direct-to-consumer shipping.
- RAR Taproom (Cambridge) Main brewery taproom and headquarters at 504 Poplar St, Cambridge, MD featuring a 12-tap draft system with rotating beer lineup, 46-seat capacity, handcrafted Cedar bar top, local artist artwork, and the Chessie Burger food menu.
- Chessie Burger Restaurant at 508 Poplar Street, Cambridge, MD serving creative, food-truck-driven fast food including burgers, wings, and hand-cut fries. Functions as the food program for the brewery and accepts private event bookings up to 99 people banquet-style.
- The LabRARtory Specialty cocktail bar at 502 Poplar St, Cambridge, MD offering cocktails inspired by RAR's beer flavors and the brewing process. Available for private events with a 46-person maximum, full bar, and a 110" HD video wall.
- The Dive Club Nautical-themed cocktail experience at 501 Poplar St, Cambridge, MD on Captain Bernard's ship, featuring tapas, tropical cocktails, 90-minute dining intervals, wheelchair-accessible seating, and reservations via OpenTable. 50-person maximum for private events.
- Chessie's Wharf (Annapolis) Annapolis taproom at 609 Melvin Ave featuring 38 draft selections from the Cambridge brewery plus rotating guest selections, with private event capability for up to 75 people.
- Chessie's Campus (Salisbury)
Companies that use RAR Brewing
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RAR Brewing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
RAR Brewing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
RAR Brewing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Victory Brewing Company: Established Pennsylvania craft brewery with taprooms, restaurants, and broad regional distribution. Comparable as a multi-venue craft hospitality operator, though at materially larger scale.
- Dogfish Head Brewery: Larger Delaware-based craft brewer with broad distribution and multiple taprooms. Comparable product category and Mid-Atlantic presence but at significantly greater scale and distribution reach.
- Yuengling: America's oldest brewery, with significant Maryland and Mid-Atlantic distribution and an on-premise hospitality presence. Comparable as a regional beer brand competing for the same Maryland consumer, but at much greater scale and a non-craft positioning.
Direct peers
- Union Craft Brewing: Baltimore-based craft brewery operating a taproom and distributing across Maryland. Comparable as a Maryland craft competitor with similar multi-channel taproom, events, and distribution approach.
- Flying Dog Brewery: Frederick, Maryland craft brewery with a taproom and broad distribution of flagship brands. Comparable as a Maryland craft producer competing for the same regional taproom traffic and shelf space.
- Heavy Seas Beer: Maryland craft brewery founded in 1995, operating a taproom and distributing flagship beers across the Mid-Atlantic. Highly comparable as a Maryland-based regional craft producer with taproom and retail distribution overlap.
- Burley Oak Brewing Company: Berlin, Maryland craft brewery on the Eastern Shore with a tasting room and food service. Comparable Maryland Eastern Shore craft competitor with overlapping geography and on-premise model.
- Evolution Craft Brewing: Salisbury, Maryland craft brewery with public house taproom and food service. Direct geographic peer competing in the same Eastern Shore Maryland market with a similar brewery-plus-restaurant operating model.
- Tin Roof Brewing Company: Maryland craft brewery (Mount Airy) operating a taproom and distributing across the state. Comparable as a Maryland craft producer competing for taproom traffic, retail shelf space, and local loyalty.
Regional players
- Troegs Independent Brewing: Pennsylvania craft brewery with flagship distribution reaching Maryland. Comparable craft product category and multi-taproom operating model, but headquartered and primarily distributed in a different Mid-Atlantic geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RAR Brewing social profiles
Digital presenceRAR Brewing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RAR Brewing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
RAR Brewing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RAR Brewing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RAR Brewing
What does RAR Brewing do?
RAR Brewing is a craft brewery and multi-venue hospitality operator that produces American-style craft beer on a 10-barrel brewing system and sells it directly to consumers through six branded venues in Maryland, an online merchandise shop, and direct-to-consumer beer shipping to 11 states. The portfolio includes flagship and seasonal beers, a restaurant concept (Chessie Burger), specialty cocktail bars (The LabRARtory, The Dive Club), and additional taproom locations in Annapolis and Salisbury.
Is RAR Brewing a public or private company?
RAR Brewing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RAR Brewing founded?
RAR Brewing was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RAR Brewing based?
RAR Brewing is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does RAR Brewing make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Taproom Beer Sales are the primary driver. The others are food Service, beer Shipping, merchandise and private Events.
Who are RAR Brewing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Victory Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Brewery and Yuengling. Direct peers are Union Craft Brewing, Flying Dog Brewery, Heavy Seas Beer, Burley Oak Brewing Company, Evolution Craft Brewing and Tin Roof Brewing Company. Troegs Independent Brewing is listed as a regional player.
Does RAR Brewing have an API?
No public API is recorded for RAR Brewing.
What industry is RAR Brewing in?
RAR Brewing's product category is Craft Brewery & Taproom Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAA, Beer Brewing & Brands, with a secondary code of THAFALAA, Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service). Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.