It was just after 12 noon when we, the intrepid Host Our Coast team, rounded a corner on Talbot Street in St. Michaels, chancing upon a sign that seemed directed at us. The sign read:

BEER

Clearly, unseen forces were bestowing good fortune upon us, and that is how we found the Eastern Shore Brewing Company. Started by Adrian and Lori Moritz, this house of beer is the only microbrewery on the eastern shore of Maryland. Lori invited us up to the bar and asked if we'd like a flight of beer. As if it was a question! The answer was easy enough.

"Yes!"

We worked our way down the draft line. First was the Lighthause, an easy-going light beer with more flavor than your usual watered-down light beer. They also had a Cherry Lighthause. Both were very agreeable on their way down the hatch.

While we were tasting, Lori told us more about the microbrewery, how it was a long-running dream which finally came to fruition. Since then, they have been very smart about how they handle their materials. "We were taking our first batch of spent malt to the dump, and I thought, 'this isn't right,'" Lori said. Now they have deals with local farmers who take their spent grain and use it for cow feed and compost, so nothing is wasted in the brewing process.

Next we tried the St. Michaels Brew, made with caramel-malted barley and saaz hops, and after that the Magic Hefeweizen, and after that the Duck Duck Goose stout... basically, we tried them all. All of the beers by Eastern Shore Brewing could be characterized by smoothness, balanced flavor, and drinkability. No matter what you prefer in a beer – if you like something laid-back, or have eccentric tastes, this microbrewery is bound to have something you like.

Look for Eastern Shore Brewery's beers whenever you're in St. Michaels. It's now being served in Ava's, St. Michaels Crab & Steak House, and many other places.

Written by Erik Yount. Photography by Errol Webber.