Denizens Brewing Owners Eye Silver Spring for Venue

The owners of Denizens Brewing Co. are talking to restaurants about forming a partnership to open a venue in Montgomery County this summer, if Gov. Martin O’Malley signs into law changes that regulate breweries. 

Last week, Maryland legislators passed a law that will allow Montgomery breweries of all sizes to sell pints even if they don't have a restaurant, reports the Baltimore Business Journal. Breweries previously needed a full restaurant license to serve pints.

Another change lets Maryland breweries to sell their beer directly to restaurants and bars, rather than selling to the Department of Liquor Control for it to be distributed by a county agency.

Denizens Brewing Co. owners Emily Bruno, Julie Verratti and Jeff Ramirez were prompted by the legislative change to locate in Montgomery County, says the business publication. Bruno and Verratti are Silver Springs residents.

Denizens plans to have a restaurant, and the owners are in talks with some existing restaurants that may join as partners.

"When we saw the laws were changing, we decided on Montgomery County because we are from here," Bruno said. "We're excited to be reinvesting in our community."