Robin Godwin: Pickett Brewing Company Opening This Summer in Pigtown

Pickett Brewing Company will open in the coming weeks at 1130 S. Paca St. in Pigtown. Pickett takes over a 6,500 sq. ft. warehouse that was previously used for industrial storage.

Pickett Brewing is owned by home brewer, United States Coast Guard veteran, and former IT professional Jason Howard alongside Kate Conway, who worked in nonprofit operations. Howard and Conway are neighbors in Baltimore County. Howard will handle brewing at Pickett and Conway will run operations.

Pickett Brewing is named after the street Conway and Howard live on. They both joked that if Howard’s garage door was open, neighbors knew he was in there brewing beer. The logo for Pickett Brewing has Howard’s garage on the left and the glass garage door of the brewery on the right.

Howard is friends with the landlord who convinced Howard to take a look at the Pigtown warehouse. He saw the large garage door on the front and immediately felt the same “open garage door vibe.” The owners also like being in a walkable neighborhood like Pigtown and being close to the stadiums, the growing entertainment district around Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, and Federal Hill.

Howard and Conway also like being in an area with other breweries as Suspended Brewing Company is already open in Pigtown, Wico Street Beer Co. is coming soon to the neighborhood, and Checkerspot Brewing Company is just a few blocks away in Stadium Area. Howard said he loves the vibe of Scott’s Addition in Richmond, Virginia which has more than 15 breweries.

Conway and Howard said they’ve received a lot of support from Pigtown Main Street and Checkerspot, and have already met many of their neighbors.

The taproom at Pickett Brewing has 14 taps which will pour different ales from the brewery’s seven-barrel brewing equipment. Howard said they brew “seasonally-appropriate ales” with more fruit in the summer and darker malts in the winter.

Beers include the Short Jorts, which is a cherry blonde ale; the Pigtown Pale Ale; and several IPAs. Pickett Brewing will also make a root beer and hopes to brew a hard seltzer in the future.

Pickett Brewing will serve a variety of snacks and will partner with food trucks for events.

The taproom is painted white and black with reclaimed wood accents in the tables, bar, and shelving. It has exposed brick walls and exposed rafters and beams on its 14 ft. ceilings. The tables and bar are made of wood from the pews of a former Federal Hill church.

Local artist Patrick Harnett completed several murals on the inside and outside of the building. The interior has a projector that will play Ravens and Orioles games, and a lounge area with a couch. Conway and Howard want guests to feel at home at Pickett Brewing.

The front of Pickett Brewing has a large glass garage door that will be rolled up when weather permits.

Conway and Howard said they will open the doors to neighbors in August and hope to have a formal opening soon after.

Initially, Pickett Brewing will open at 12pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They said it will likely close between 8pm and 10pm on Friday and Saturday and around 6pm on Sunday. They noted, however, the schedule will change during Ravens home games.