Things are happening inside the former foundry at 1700 Union Avenue in Baltimore. Delicious things. Things that start with barley, hops, water and yeast. Welcome to Union Craft Brewery.
We traveled to Baltimore’s historic Woodberry neighborhood to spend an afternoon with Brewmaster Kevin Blodger and designer Jon Zerivitz to learn more about the beer that’s been taking over Baltimore.
Why Beer?
Kevin | I think beer is such an important part of life for so many people. How many marriages, life-long friendships, businesses and settled arguments have been started with a pint of beer? It gives me a great sense of pride that I am able to craft this beverage that so many people love. I can’t sing, I can’t paint so I like to think I express myself artistically through the beers I brew. I really love beer and the history and passion that comes with it. I’m really happy that we here at Union are able to then share this passion for beer with Baltimore and beyond.
“I can’t sing, I can’t paint so I like to think I express myself artistically through the beers I brew.” –Kevin Blodger
Why Baltimore?
Jon | Baltimore is our home. It’s a hard scrabble, blue collar town that deserves a great locally brewed beer at the end of the day.
You’re on tap in all the best local restaurants, what is UNION Craft doing right?
Jon | We’re making a great product that’s approachable. Its a product people can be proud of and we strive to continue to be great neighbors to our local community. We invite all of our accounts that buy our beer to visit the brewery and see the faces and the hands of our crew that put so much into it.
What do you want drinkers of UNION Craft to know about the beer?
Kevin | I want people that drink our beer to know how much we care about the beer they are drinking. I am probably the biggest critic of my beer, I’m always striving to make it better than it already is. So I hope that they can appreciate that for us the most important thing is not the name or the logo or marketing we do, it’s the liquid. Without great liquid Union is nothing, so we keeping working hard to make great beer.
You’ve said, “This brewery is very much about supporting the arts.” What are you doing to support local artists.
Jon | We work with local artists to design labels, posters, flyers, etc. We donate beer to gallery openings, house concerts, and arts related charity organizations like the Young Audiences of Maryland, Art With A Heart, & Believe In Music. We even showcase work from local artists in our taproom.
Let’s talk about your packaging. It’s stellar. Where do you find inspiration for the design?
Jon | Our design, like everything we do is inspired by Baltimore. It’s a classic package design that includes some more modern elements. Its real, authentic, & timeless. Like the way we approach our beers – with one foot in the past and one in the future.
What’s next for you guys?
Jon | We just continue to grow and evolve. We will expand our distribution area, expand our packaged beer line, expand our barrel aging program and expand our involvement in our community.
