USA, MD: Checkerspot Brewing pushes back opening date

Checkerspot Brewing has pushed back its expected opening date until 2018 amid construction delays on its building near M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Baltimore Business Journal reported on August 18.

The new brewery had planned to open in September, right before the start of football season. But the company's co-founder, Judy Neff, said construction on its space at 175 W. Ostend St. is running behind schedule. She was initially hoping to start setting up brewing operations in June, but won't get into the space until some time in the fall.

If all goes as planned, Checkerspot will be open in January, Neff said. Heading into the project, Neff said she knew there could be delays, but she was shooting to be open during the Ravens' season to attract customers before and after home games. Checkerspot was announced in January, when Neff founded the brewery along with her husband, Robert, and friend Steve Marsh.

In the meantime, Neff said Checkerspot has been refining its recipes and is working on the list of beers it will start brewing in the 10,000-square-foot space once it is open.

An IPA is the only definite beer Checkerspot has settled on so far, Neff said.

"We’ll definitely be brewing a range of different styles," she said. "We’re trying to have something for everybody."

Once the brewery is open, Neff said she's confident it will pull in large crowds from the surrounding area. Its taproom will be within walking distance of M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards. The space is also across from Caves Valley Partners' $250 million Stadium Square mixed-use development currently under construction, which includes offices and hundreds of apartments.

"It’s great being able to be within walking distance of downtown, Federal Hill, Cross Street Market, being right by the casino and what’s going to be an entertainment district," she said.

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