Ruhlman Brewing

I think these guys have a great idea — Craft Beer + Disc Golf. Unfortunately the experience isn’t quite developed yet. The tasting room is small, and bringing a large group overwhelmed the employees. They may have just been having an off day. Either way, it’s not built for more than maybe 5 people at once. We felt as though we were bothering them and they didn’t want our money.
The disc golf course is ok, although you will find yourself sifting through overgrown plants and weeds every hole. You will certainly lose a disc, maybe 5 and end up with some poison ivy. We developed a tactic of only throwing the disc 20 – 30 feet ahead, just so we could find it. I actually opted not to finish all 18 holes because I saw that the next hole was going back into the woods. Most of the course is in the woods, although it did look like some holes are out in the open, through fields of hops. We didn’t make it to those holes though.
Regardless, it’s a brewery and a golf course and I want to support that idea. The beers we had weren’t bad (Red Ale, Pale Ale, IPA). I’d give them all ~3/​5 stars. No chemical taste, like other reviewers reported. Maybe I’ll try again in a few years.

I came here for the second time this past Saturday. I had the same funky chemical taste in one of the beers. I distinctly remember an off flavor the last time I came here. Several in my party noticed the same thing. Clearly something is wrong with the cleaning process, like they are not properly rinsing their lines and equipment with sterile hot water. The beers that did not have this funny taste were still off by quite a bit. Sour flavors are a result of something going wrong in the brewing process… pH is not right for example. The place has a wonderful setting, and is family friendly. We really had fun, but dreaded the beer. Like Rod S said, I want them to succeed. They are 15 minutes from my house, and they have a live band on the weekends. But their beer is just awful… it tastes like an amateur’s first attempt.

I was there a few weeks ago, sampled 3 different brews. Didn’t experience a strange taste like Rod S did, everything tasted good but it was all on the flat side, thin weak heads. I hope they improve their beer quality because it’s a cool place in a quiet country setting. In the meantime they have some work to do before they join the list of my favorite mid-​atlantic breweries, which includes DC Brau, Heavy Seas, Lost Rhino, Port City, and Flying Dog.

I’m giving Ruhlman’s brewery 3 stars because I want them to succeed, I really do.
I stopped by the brewery to sample their beers one Saturday afternoon. They are located on a quiet country road and the people there were very friendly and helpful. Went into the tasting room/​store and the gentleman behind the counter poured samples of all 6 of their beers. Right away I noticed a strange off-​flavor that’s hard to describe (chemical maybe?). It’s a flavor I’ve never tasted in a commercial beer before. It doesn’t make the beer undrinkable but it’s not very pleasant. I bought a growler (mint chocolate stout) and a 6-​pack (pale ale), thinking maybe there was a problem with their draft lines. When I tasted the beers at home, there was that same strange off-​flavor.
I would like to go back and give them another try but I can’t afford to buy beer I don’t enjoy.

This brewing company is a must see!
There is a national brewing magazine that lists all notable breweries in the nation and I was so surprised to see that Maryland only had two breweries listed. One was on the Eastern Shore and one was in the town of Hampstead – Rulhman Brewing Co. I actually learned about this town gem while I was on the West Coast vacationing and chasing beer and nature. I was so excited to check this place out once I had landed back home in Maryland and lucky enough for me it was one of the best brewing companies I have ever been to (and I went to over 13 companies just on this last vacation alone)!
It is a family-​run company and they have a small selection of quality, staple beers and some seasonal. I had a tasting of all of the current offerings – IPA, Tavern Pale Ale, Red Ale, Milk Stout, Chocolate Stout, and Dark Knight. Not a single beer disappointed. The Tavern Pale Ale was my favorite because it was surprisingly dark and rich in color and flavor. It was perfect! The Dark Knight is high in alcohol content and in flavor! The Chocolate Stout is smooth and has a scent of mint in it. It was obvious that every single beer that I tasted here was made with love, purpose, and soul. All beer is sold in six packs, twelve packs, singles, growlers, or kegs.
On to the atmosphere. The brewery is on a farm and has a disc golf course that is over a mile long! On weekends they have concerts with local bands and local food trucks. As I have already said, it is a family owned business, so anytime you go you will run into one of the Ruhlman family. They are all incredibly knowledgeable about the beer and the brewing process and are more than willing to talk to you about it. You can also take a brewery tour if you don’t feel like kicking back, listening to music, and playing disc golf in the sun.
Overall, I fully feel that this brewery is possibly one of the best establishments that Maryland as a state has to offer. Fantastic beer, great atmosphere, beautiful, and friendly. There’s nothing more I could as for. Well done, Ruhlmans! Well done!
Anyone that lives in the area or is traveling through MUST check out this hidden treasure!