What Union Craft Brewing does

Union Craft Brewing is an employee-owned craft brewery founded in 2011 in the Medfield neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, that began brewing operations in 2012 with the release of its flagship Duckpin Pale Ale. The company produces a portfolio of roughly 30 SKUs organized into five lines: year-round core beers (Duckpin Pale Ale, Zadie's Lager, Divine IPA, Skipjack Pilsner, Lil' Dipper Hazy IPA, Steady Eddie IPA, G.O.A.T. IPA, Double Duckpin DIPA), seasonals (Old Pro Gose, Mountain Girl Hefeweizen, Fest Beer Lager, Blackwing Schwarzbier, Snow Pants Oatmeal Stout), community collaborations (Ottobeer, Eyewitness Brews, Thirst Down, Camp Small, Forever Merriweather, Testudo, Pajama Pants Mocha), a non-alcoholic range (Hopwater Springs sparkling hop water, Gutterball NA beer), and a premium Workshop barrel-aged and sour series (Chessie VSOC, Darker Spot, City of Shadows, Energy & Optimism, Bourbon & Cherise, Vibration x3, Hot Spot). Product branding is deliberately local, with names tied to Baltimore and Maryland references including Orioles legend Eddie Murray (Steady Eddie IPA), duckpin bowling (Duckpin Pale Ale), Chesapeake skipjack boats (Skipjack Pilsner), and UMD terrapins (Testudo Premium Lager).

The brewery operates from 1700 W 41st Street inside the Union Collective, a former Sears warehouse repurposed as a multi-tenant hub for small local manufacturers that also houses Carroll & Son Fine Foods (food service), Vent Coffee Roasters, Baltimore Spirits Company, Old Westminster Winery, ANXO Cidery, The Charmery, and Movement Gym. Brewing is described as traditional craft methods with an emphasis on regional identity rather than proprietary technology, and the company holds no patents or formal certifications in the input data. Beer is sold through four interlocking revenue streams: on-site draft and packaged sales at the taproom and beer garden (UNION Hall), packaged distribution through regional beer distributors to retail accounts, ticketed events (concerts, comedy, sports watch parties, community leagues, anniversary celebrations) and private event rentals, and direct-to-consumer merchandise via the Shopify-based Gearhaus online store. Pricing for merchandise runs from $2 accessories to $60 apparel; the 14th Anniversary event in June 2026 was priced at $14 GA and $100 VIP.

The company employs 11-50 people, is privately held with an employee stock ownership program, and discloses no external investors, funding rounds, acquisitions, or subsidiaries. Its go-to-market blends direct-to-consumer taproom sales, event-driven traffic, a distributor channel supported by a dedicated Distributor Portal, and a Shopify e-commerce channel for merchandise. Customer engagement relies on a Mailchimp newsletter, organic social, event partnerships with organizations such as Queer City Sports and All Good Presents, and locally-themed collaborations that reinforce the Baltimore-rooted brand identity.

Name

Union Craft Brewing

Website

https://unioncraftbrewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Employee-owned craft brewery founded in 2011 in Baltimore's Medfield neighborhood, producing a 30-SKU portfolio across core, seasonal, collaboration, non-alcoholic, and barrel-aged lines for on-site taproom sales, regional distributor distribution, events, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Taproom beer sales
• Craft beer distribution
• Barrel-aged beer
• Brewery merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. On-site Beer Sales: Draft and packaged beer sales consumed on premises at the taproom and beer garden. Includes flights, individual pours, and growler fills.
2. Beer Distribution: Packaged beer (cans, 6-packs) sold through distribution network to retail accounts. Beer Finder tool helps consumers locate products near them.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store (Gearhaus) selling branded merchandise including apparel, glassware, hats, accessories, and specialty items. E-commerce platform for direct consumer purchases.
4. Event Tickets and Private Events: Revenue from ticketed events including concerts, comedy shows, and anniversary celebrations. Private event bookings for celebrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Union Craft Brewing is a Baltimore-based craft brewery that produces and sells a portfolio of beers — flagship, seasonal, community collaboration, non-alcoholic, and barrel-aged workshop varieties — alongside branded merchandise. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through the Union Hall taproom and beer garden, wholesale through a regional distributor network to retail accounts, and online through the Gearhaus Shopify store. The brewery also operates an event venue hosting live music, comedy, sports watch parties, private events, and brewery tours.

Product overview

Union Craft Brewing is a Baltimore-based craft brewery founded in 2011 with operations beginning in 2012. The company offers a diverse portfolio of beers across core, seasonal, community collaboration, non-alcoholic, and experimental workshop categories. Core products include flagship Duckpin Pale Ale, Zadie's Lager, Divine IPA, Skipjack Pilsner, Lil' Dipper Hazy IPA, Steady Eddie IPA, G.O.A.T. IPA, and Double Duckpin DIPA. Seasonal offerings feature Old Pro Gose, Mountain Girl Hefeweizen, Fest Beer Lager, Blackwing Schwarzbier, and Snow Pants Oatmeal Stout. Community collaborations include partnerships with Ottobar (Ottobeer), WJZ (Eyewitness Brews), 98 Rock/JSS (Thirst Down), Camp Small, and Merriweather Post Pavilion. The non-alcoholic line includes Hopwater Springs sparkling water and Gutterball NA beer. The Workshop series features barrel-aged experimental beers including Chessie VSOC, Darker Spot, City of Shadows, Energy & Optimism, Bourbon & Cherise, Vibration x3, and Hot Spot. The company also operates a Gearhaus merchandise store selling branded apparel, glassware, hats, and accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flagship and Core Craft Beer Line Year-round core craft beers including Duckpin Pale Ale (the flagship, smooth and hoppy pale ale launched 2012), Zadie's Lager (crisp classic light lager), Divine IPA (juicy, tropical, clear IPA), Skipjack Pilsner (light crisp pilsner), Lil' Dipper Hazy IPA (low-ABV hazy), Steady Eddie IPA (tropical bold IPA honoring Orioles legend Eddie Murray), G.O.A.T. IPA (crisp fruity IPA honoring Ed Reed), and Double Duckpin DIPA (double IPA). Sold on draft and in 6-pack cans at the taproom, through regional distributors, and at retail.
• Seasonal Craft Beer Line Rotating seasonal craft beers including Old Pro Gose (tart, lightly salted gose), Mountain Girl Hefeweizen (banana-clove hefeweizen), Fest Beer Lager (Oktoberfest-style lager), Blackwing Schwarzbier (medal-winning dark lager), Snow Pants Oatmeal Stout (winter stout with roasted chocolate and pine), and Foxy Red IPA (autumn red IPA with pine, citrus, and malt depth). Available on draft at the taproom and through distributors during their seasonal windows.
• Community Collaboration Beers Limited-edition collaboration beers co-created with local partners including Testudo Premium Lager (Maryland-made lager with terrapin theme), Ottobeer (Kolsch with Ottobar music venue), Eyewitness Brews (with WJZ news), Thirst Down (hoppy lager with 98 Rock and JSS), Camp Small (with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks), Forever Merriweather (exclusive lager at Merriweather Post Pavilion concerts), and Pajama Pants Mocha (Snow Pants Oatmeal Stout with Vent Coffee Roasters and cacao nibs).
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages Zero-proof offerings including Hopwater Springs (non-alcoholic sparkling water with natural hops, 0 alcohol, 0 calories, 0 carbs) and Gutterball (the brewery's first non-alcoholic craft beer, inspired by Duckpin Pale Ale with light, bright hop character).
• Workshop Barrel-Aged Series Limited-quantity experimental barrel-aged beers including Chessie VSOC (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Very Special Old Chessie), Darker Spot (Imperial Stout Bourbon Barrel-Aged for 44 months), City of Shadows (Barrel-Aged Stout blend of Imperial Stout and Barleywine), Energy & Optimism (Sour Ale aged 9 months with green tea and yuzu), Bourbon & Cherise (Pale Sour Ale aged in Bourbon barrels with cherries), Vibration x3 (Dark Sour Ale aged in Red Wine and Bourbon barrels with black currants), and Hot Spot (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, and chili).
• Branded Merchandise (Gearhaus) Online merchandise store (Gearhaus) selling branded apparel (t-shirts $20–$22, joggers, work shirts), hats ($10–$40), glassware ($7–$22), accessories (koozies, magnets, stickers $2–$16), collectibles (embossed metal signs, totes, anniversary glasses), and gift cards (from $10). Operated via a Shopify storefront.
• Private Event Venue and Bookings Rental of the Union Hall taproom and beer garden for private celebrations, corporate gatherings, rehearsal dinners, and community events, with on-site food service from Carroll & Son Fine Foods and access to the brewery's draft beer lineup.
• Brewery Tours and Tastings Ticketed brewery tours and tasting experiences at the Baltimore brewery, sold via the Etix ticketing platform.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carroll & Son Fine FoodscoreOthersLocated inside the Union Craft Brewing taproom, providing food service for visitors. Represents a key operational partnership enhancing the taproom experience with on-site dining options.
• The CharmeryminorOthersBaltimore ice cream shop with products available at the taproom for sweet treats alongside beer offerings.
• Vent Coffee RoastersminorOthersLocal Baltimore coffee roaster providing coffee offerings at the taproom location within Union Collective.
• Movement GymminorOthersFitness facility co-located within the Union Collective building alongside Union Craft Brewing.
• Queer City SportscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sports organization running cornhole leagues at Union Craft Brewing. 6-week summer league with weekly games, creates recurring community events driving foot traffic.
• All Good PresentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConcert promotion company organizing ticketed music events at Union Hall including performances by The Budos Band, Neal Francis, Eggy, and other artists.
• Old Westminster WineryminorOthersMaryland winery providing white and red wine options at Union Craft Brewing taproom.
• Baltimore Spirits CompanyminorOthersLocal Baltimore distillery providing spirits for draft cocktails served at the Union taproom.
• ANXOminorOthersWashington D.C. cidery producing gluten-free cider options available at Union Craft Brewing.
• Club Pilates RotundaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitness studio partnering for Pilates & Pints events combining exercise classes with beer sampling.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Burley Oak Brewing Company: Maryland Eastern Shore craft brewery with taproom and regional wholesale presence. Comparable as a state-level craft peer competing for Maryland retail and on-premise accounts.
• Waverly Brewing Company: Baltimore neighborhood craft brewery with an on-site taproom. Comparable as a local craft competitor in the same metro, competing for similar 21+ neighborhood patrons and on-premise consumption occasions.
• Attaboy Beer: Baltimore craft brewery with a taproom and small-batch production. Comparable as a same-market independent peer of similar scale competing for local distribution and consumer attention.
• Checkerspot Brewing: Small Baltimore craft brewery focused on neighborhood taproom service. Comparable as a same-city independent craft operator competing for local draft and taproom traffic.
• Manor Hill Brewing: Howard County, Maryland brewery with a large brewpub and restaurant operation. Comparable as a Maryland craft competitor combining production brewing with substantial on-premise hospitality and events.
• Heavy Seas Beer: Baltimore-based craft brewery founded in 1995 with a taproom and regional distribution. Directly comparable as a same-market Maryland craft brewer competing for shelf space, taproom visits, and local on-premise accounts.
• Flying Dog Brewery: Frederick, Maryland craft brewery with a taproom and broad East Coast distribution. Comparable as a long-standing Maryland craft brand with similar core/seasonal portfolio structure and regional wholesale ambitions.
• Oliver Brewing Company: Baltimore craft brewer with a taproom and restaurant concept, founded in the early 1990s. Comparable as a same-city craft competitor combining brewing, on-premise hospitality, and community programming.

Broad incumbents

• Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: Mid-Atlantic craft brand now owned by The Boston Beer Company with a brewpub and broad distribution. Comparable as a larger, established craft incumbent with similar East Coast regional positioning and a brewpub-style visitor experience.
• Guinness Open Gate Brewery Baltimore: Diageo-owned experimental brewery and taproom located in Baltimore's Halethorpe neighborhood. Comparable as a major-resource craft-style competitor operating in the same metro with greater marketing budget and parent-company scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UnionBrewing
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnionCraftBrewing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/union-craft-brewing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Union Craft Brewing