Gateway Brewing is a small craft brewery located in north Salisbury, Maryland that has been making waves in the local craft beer scene since its opening in July 2020. The brewery is situated on Northwood in a small strip mall which has been lovingly updated by Lynn and Tim Gavigan to become a warm and inviting space that is perfect for beer enthusiasts.
The taproom is small and homey featuring limited seating options for visitors at a concrete bar inside to enjoy their beer. They hope to add an outside area to welcome visitors in the warmer months at some point. The walls are adorned with a variety of things including a painting made by their mascot, a Corgi named Dewey who is owned by a loyal customer. The ambiance is unique and “caters to beer geeks 100%,” according to Lynn.
Because this site is so small, you will find the owners working behind the bar. They are welcoming, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, always eager to help patrons navigate the selection of local beers that the brewery offers. Lynn told me how her husband loves the classic beer styles, focusing especially on European and German style beers, but he does not adhere religiously to the Reinheitsgebot, the German beer purity laws that requires beer to be made only of water, hops, and barley. Yeast was recognized and necessary but was not mentioned in these regulations.
Gateway Brewing has a reputation for brewing quality beer and usually has at least 5 beers on tap. The brewery offers a wide range of beer styles, from crisp and refreshing lagers to hoppy IPAs and rich stouts and will “never add lactose to anything.” The brewery also features a rotating selection of seasonal and limited edition beers, which keeps things interesting for regular visitors.
5 of the Most Popular Beers at Gateway Brewings
Among Gateway Brewing’s most popular beers, are the following five which are described and reviewed on the website, “Untappd.”
- Special K IPA, New England/Hazy IPA/Session IPA. 7% ABV, N/A IBU
- Bally Shannon Irish Stout, Irish Dry Stout, 4.9% ABV, N/A IBU
- Copperhead, Strong American Ale, 7.1% ABV, N/A IBU
- High Tide Brown Ale, Belgian Brown Ale, 7.9% ABV, N/A IBU
- Kaeng Khiao, Wit Bier with Thai spices, 5% ABV, N/A IBU
Gateway Brewing is not just a brewery, but a community hub as well. The brewery regularly hosts events, including live music performances and trivia nights, which draw in crowds of people from all over the area. The brewery also partners with local food trucks, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy delicious food alongside their beer.
Gateway Brewing is a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates craft beer. The brewery’s dedication to quality and unique flavors make it stand out in a crowded field, while the welcoming atmosphere and community events make it a place where people can come together and enjoy great beer. Whether you are a local or just passing through, Gateway Brewing is definitely worth a visit.
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Author: Ann McGinnis Hillyer
Ann's father was in the Corps of Engineers so she was born in Africa and moved all over the world and the United States growing up. After graduating cum laude from Duke University, she started her marketing career at an airline based out of Dulles International Airport. She furthered this career in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds before helping launch StateVentures, LLC, the publisher of OceanCity.com, Annapolis.com, and other state and regional geodomains. Here, she focuses on tourism and tourism marketing through a broad media mix including online, print, and social media efforts. While at the airline, she worked with Jim Koch and the Boston Beer Company, brewers of Sam Adams beer. This love of craft beer and the craft beer industry as well as her interest in tourism, led to the founding of ShoreCraftBeer.com and the effort to make the Shore a craft beer destination.
