Dundalk’s Key Brewing is closing its taproom later this month and moving production of its beer to Monument City Brewing’s Southeast Baltimore facility in what the companies describe as a “strategic partnership” that will allow them to maintain separate brands.
Key Brewing’s taproom will move to 1 N. Haven St., where Monument City has had its brewing operations since 2017, including an open taproom in a German-designed brewhouse.
Both craft breweries have been operating in the Baltimore area for nearly a decade and are distributed throughout Maryland.
“We’re brewing something big for Baltimore and we’re stronger together,” said Ray Schissler, a partner of Key Brewing, in a release Wednesday. “For 10 years, we’ve called Dundalk home and our relationships with Eastern Baltimore County’s vibrant communities will continue.”
In 2015, Key Brewing, opened its 1,200-square-foot taproom at 2500 Grays Road with just one beer offering. Since then, the brewery has added to its lineup with favorites like Dundalk Calling and seasonal products.
Monument City Brewing Co. operates out of its 17,000-square-foot industrial warehouse in Kresson, a neighborhood northeast of Highlandtown. Its core lineup includes Penchant Pils and the longtime favorite 51 Rye.
“The craft beer industry has seen some significant changes over the past four years. As independent breweries, we need to be creative, evolve and meet the needs of our customers and communities,” said Ken Praay, founder and CEO of Monument City Brewing, in the release.
Praay said the partnership between the breweries will allow “two strong and seasoned brands” to focus on production efficiencies and take advantage of shared resources.
“We’re stronger together and will have the opportunity to expand our product lines, innovate new products and serve our community for years to come,” Praay said.
Some of Baltimore’s local craft breweries have been struggling since the coronavirus pandemic as the industry faced supply chain challenges, staffing shortages and a wave of consolidation.
Pariah Brewing Co., a Hampden craft brewery with West Coast roots, shuttered in April amid financial troubles, according to court records. North Baltimore’s Full Tilt Brewing closed last year, while Baltimore’s DuClaw Brewing and Frederick’s Flying Dog Brewery were both acquired by out-of-state companies.
Meanwhile, Diageo, the beverage company that owns Guinness, decided last year to shut down a beer production plant on the Baltimore County site of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, the Irish brewing giant’s first American outpost in more than 50 years. A taproom and experimental brewery remain open.
Baltimore Sun reporter Amanda Yeager contributed to this article.