While most people know the staff at Maryland Homebrew as the purveyors of hops and yeast and all things beer, the company is growing in reputation for residential winemakers as well. The growth was enough to press the owners into moving to a larger space.
Manager Chris Ames estimates that wine has grown from roughly 10 percent of the company's business to 45 percent in the 12 years he's worked there. Crushers, de-stemmers and tubing fill a dedicated room at the expanded location, along with kits, corks, cans of fruit purées and other wine ingredients. The store also rents some of its equipment.
But that's not all that's new at Maryland Homebrew. The company just added a refrigerator full of cheese-making kits as well. Care to make your own ricotta or mozzarella, anyone?
Still, beer-making supplies are the No. 1 reason customers come to Maryland Homebrew, and they do come from all over the United States, says Ames.
There are about one million home-brewers in the United States, according to the American Homebrewers Association. There are only two states that have not yet legalized home brewing. Thankfully, Maryland isn't one of them.
Maryland Homebrew, 6770 Oak Hall Lane, #108, Columbia. 410-290-3768. www.mdhb.com