In May 2021, I traveled to Williamsport, MD, just south of Hagerstown, to meet Stephen Perez and Lucas Pinyan of Homaide Brewing. They first came to my attention at the Love Thy Beer event in February 2020, and I was immediately impressed with their beer. At that time they were still looking for a home for their brewery. I'd since learned they had moved into Cushwa Brewing’s former location. I wanted to learn more about the guys behind the beer.
The Homaide Brewing team includes Stephan Perez, Lucas Pinyan, plus business partner Dylan Krzywonski. Stephen and Lucas had been sharing their beer at beer festivals for sometime and had gained some attention. Then at the Love Thy Beer event in February 2020, they ended up winning the Cupid’s Curse prize for best beer as voted by festival participants, which garnered even more attention. They now have that trophy displayed proudly in their taproom window.
Lucas and Stephen were both looking to setup their own breweries at the same location in Martinsburg, WV thinking that area needed a brewery. That location fell through and they decided rather to join forces with a new philosophy, “failing separately or succeeding together.”
“Failing separately or succeeding together.”
The Cushwa Connection
At a business mixer in Hagerstown, Garrett Chambers of Cushwa suggested they should take over the space they were moving out of. Thinking about it, it just made sense and they settled on the place in May 2020 and opened November 17, 2020. Not only did they inherit the location, but also the 5-barrel brewing system.
Lucas noted that, “The Cushwa brothers have been very helpful to us. They have been a big help, since they have brewed on that system and know it well.” Stephen added, “Cushwa invited us here, knowing it would draw additional people to the area.” They make the polar opposite kind of beer so there is no fear of stepping on each others toes. They have been pleasantly surprised at how communal and cooperative breweries are.
COVID timing worked well to getting the brewery opened. It gave them time to access their situation, and get their canning system in place, knowing that was going to be key to their success since kegs weren't selling due to COVID restrictions.
COVID restrictions now allow 100% capacity but still requires 6-feet distancing, so at 1,200 sq ft taproom, that doesn't get many more people indoors. Outdoor seating has helped a lot.
Homaide enjoys making Belgian-styled beers with their playful yeasts. A current favorite is the collaboration brewed with Washington County neighbor Antietam Brewing, a Biére de Mars named Joie De Vivre. Another customer favorite is Honey Bunches of Beer, a nontraditional honey, oat granola cream ale with a Belgian yeast twist. Fight Milk is a session milk stout @4.3% ABV. So good that they had a hard time getting it into kegs since they kept drinking what they had produced. And, at session strength they plan to make it available year round.
The taproom is cosy and well accented with wood in tables and overhangs. Stephan created the large black and white mural in the taproom of the three partners and their wives. He said had to include the wives since they allow them to be in this brewery business. The inside secret is that behind the mural still exists the old Cushwa sign.
Homaide Taproom mural
Most beer is available only in the taproom with some available at local package good shops. That gives you more reason to stop in to the taproom, which is decidedly children and dog friendly.
Future plans include eventually opening a farm brewery that could host music events. They do, however, plan to keep the current location. They will be expanding soon, building a bigger barrelhouse, teaming with River Bottom Roasters (coffee) next door.
Washington County Breweries
While in the area you should include nearby breweries in your stay including:
- Cushwa Brewing (same business park),
- Antietam Brewing (140 Western Maryland Pkwy, Hagerstown, MD), and
- Upper Stem Brewery (20150 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, MD).
Homaide Brewing Company
10212 Governor Lane Boulevard Suite #1012,
Williamsport, MD 21795
833-466-2433
info@homaidebrewing.com
homaidebrewing.com
facebook.com/homaidebrewing
Homaide: Untappd
This is an expanded version of the article I wrote for the Mid-Atlantic Brew News — June/July 2021 edition.
Mid-Atlantic Brew News (MABN) is a bimonthly publication for beer enthusiasts with over 30,000 copies distributed across the Mid-Atlantic region, with a focus on craft beer happenings across six states (MD, DE, VA, NJ, PA, WV) and DC.
