When Tom Barse and Carolann McConaughy bought their farm in Mount Airy, Maryland in the Spring of 2008, they wanted to find a way to create a sustainable agricultural operation on a small scale. They knew that making a living using traditional farming practices was impossible on just 47 acres, so they searched for crops and farm products that would demonstrate that a small farm could be profitable in central Maryland.
The couple decided to combine their interests, Tom was an avid home brewer since 1972 and Carolann had a keen interest in horse breeding and animal husbandry. Soon, a hopyard was planted, an apiary was built and a small flock of Leicester Long Wool sheep was acquired. Business was good, but the farm was still not self-supporting. Tom wondered whether he could brew and sell beer as an agricultural product on the farm. Working with other Maryland farmers, brewers, and local elected officials, Tom helped get Maryland’s Farm Brewery law enacted in 2012. Shortly thereafter Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm was established, and the tasting room opened in June of 2013. Tom and Carolann are proud to have Maryland’s first Class 8 farm brewery.
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