Many small breweries have a “Cheers” effect, you know — where everyone knows your name and they’re always glad you came. Brewery Fire in Taneytown, Maryland, at the northern end of Carroll County, is a small brewery and taproom in a small town, but its founder and brewer, Jesse Johnson, is a big man with a big heart.
Meet the Man
One of the first things you're likely to notice when first meeting Jesse Johnson, co-founder and brewer, he is a big man, with a quick smile. Get to know him a little your you'll discover he is humble, with a big heart. Jesse never set out to be the face of a brewery. His origin story begins with a friend who was into homebrewing, a taste for experimentation, and a moment of personal frustration.
So how did the name Brewery Fire come about? “I was in healthcare management, always on call,” Jesse recalls. “One weekend, a staff member called out, and I texted my buddy, ‘Well, going to work.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of there.’ I replied, ‘It fuels my brewery fire.’ And that was it.”
Jesse Johnson - founder, co-owner, brewer at Brewery Fire
The name stuck—despite Jesse’s own early reservations—and so did the dream. In a state brimming with breweries, Carroll County was a quiet gap. At the time, there were only three breweries in the entire county. The duo entered and won the Carroll Biz Challenge, and Brewery Fire became the first new brewery in the area in over a decade.
The Beer and the Taproom
Brewery Fire operates on a three-barrel system—small even by craft standards—but that’s by design. Jesse isn’t chasing scale; he’s chasing flavor, creativity, and connection. “At our peak, including contract brewing, we were doing about 450 barrels a year. But these days, most of our beer is brewed right here, in-house.”
And that beer? It’s often a direct expression of the local landscape. Jesse sources honey from his friend Wade’s apiary, rhubarb and carrots from neighboring farms, and pumpkins from nearby Local Homestead Products. “We’ve used lavender from Sykesville, Maryland, hops from Manchester. Every year, a local bed-and-breakfast down the road does a pear and blueberry cobbler as one of their breakfast items and we do a Saison based on that—it’s become a tradition.”
The key, Jesse believes, is in offering something for everyone. Light lagers for the Bud Light drinkers. Barrel-aged stouts and Saisons for the connoisseurs. And most importantly, a space where everyone feels welcome.
Brewery Fire tap handles
The connection to the community is more than just ingredients. Brewery Fire’s taproom doubles as a cultural hub, hosting trivia nights, bingo, fundraisers, and what Jesse calls one of their best events—open mic night. “We’ve got a lot of regulars who are musicians. Some nights we’ll have 15 to 20 people performing.”
“I quit my job on May 24, six years ago. It’s been a blend of science and creativity ever since.”
Jesse’s own journey from casual homebrewer to full-time pro is defined by passion and persistence. “I quit my job on May 24, six years ago,” he says. “It’s been a blend of science and creativity ever since.”
Murals, Metal and Magic
“In the context of art, “Easter eggs” refer to hidden messages, symbols, or features deliberately embedded by the artist for viewers to discover. These can range from subtle visual details to obscure references, often intended as inside jokes, tributes, or layered meanings that add depth and reward close observation.”
If the beer doesn’t hook you, the art will. Step into Brewery Fire’s beer garden and you’re surrounded by murals filled with symbols and Easter eggs. It’s a kaleidoscope of geek culture and personal passions—fantasy, sci-fi, favorite bands—all seamlessly painted by the artist Jesse first discovered at Elder Pine Brewing & Blending.
Jesse approached the artist about doing artwork for Brewery Fire. “He loved the project so much, he said, ‘Whenever I come, I never pay for beer. Just give me a price you can afford,’” Jesse recalls. “Then he tells me he doesn’t even drink beer. He just believed in what we were building.” That artist was Kirk Seese of BB Murals (bbmurals.com). You can see some of Seese’s work, including the mural at Brewery Fire, at bbmurals.com/commercial-murals.
Brewery Fire beer garden murals
The murals aren’t just decoration; they’re an invitation into Jesse’s world, into the soul of the brewery, and into a deeper story of creative community. One sign inside the taproom is even done in Elvish and Klingon script, each version translating to one message: “Beer Garden.”
Staying with the creative theme, Jesse had special tasting holders created that look like swords. “I am a lover of retro video games and fantasy books such as Lord of The Rings. The swords pay homage to LOTR and The Legend of Zelda.”
Brewery Fire flight paddle swords
Heroes, Patrons and Challenges
He’s not chasing perfection—at least not in the traditional sense. “At our size, duplication is really hard. Consistency is a challenge. But I like that. I’m still learning. Guys like George Humbert at Pub Dog, they’re my heroes. They make it look easy.”
Mike and Gene, Brewery Fire club members enjoy a beer
Brewery Fire has five core beers on tap at any given time, with six additional taps reserved for seasonal experimentation. Among them, Executor IPA—the brewery’s flagship and Jesse’s first perfected homebrew recipe—still holds a special place, even if he admits, “I can’t drink it anymore. I’ve had too much over the years.”
One of his personal favorites? Autumn Twilight, a 12% barrel-aged IPA inspired by Sierra Nevada’s now-mythical Barrel-Aged Torpedo. “It’s the best beer I’ve ever made,” he says without hesitation. “If I could pour it and share it with anyone, it’d be Dustin Davidson, the bassist from my favorite metal band, August Burns Red—and, as it turns out, the brother of Paul, a brewer at Elder Pine.”
Like every brewery, Brewery Fire has faced its share of trials. COVID tested their resilience. But thanks to a loyal base, strong community ties, and a supportive landlord—who also happens to be Jesse’s friend and a behind-the-scenes partner—they managed to survive. “We always had a good group here,” Jesse says. “Even when times were hard, people came to hang out. We built camaraderie.”
“Real wood fermentation, long barrel aging, aged hops—everything about it is intentional. That’s what I love.”
Jesse also values the relationships that extend beyond the taproom—whether it’s swapping bottles with friends or discovering exceptional beer from like-minded brewers. He’s a fan of the barrel-aged beers and added Elder Pine Brewing & Blending (Gaithersburg, MD), Sapwood Cellars (Columbia, MD), and Pen Druid (Sperryville, VA) as favorite examples. “They do it the right way,” he says. “Real wood fermentation, long barrel aging, aged hops—everything about it is intentional. That’s what I love.”
Approaching 6 Years, What’s Next
As the brewery approaches its sixth anniversary, Jesse has his eye on the future. “We’re expanding,” he says with a grin. Brewery Fire plans to add a new location, approximately 12 miles away in Westminster, later this year.
“We hope to be open and operating by October of 2025, but, as with any new brick and mortar, there is always the chance of that being pushed back.”
Jesse added, “The brewery will stay here in Taneytown. After we open the second taproom and get a few months under our belts there, we hope to expand the brewing operation here in town.”
Talking about his vision for the new location, “We will have a small but tasteful menu with weekend specials. Our focus will be on quality, not quantity. We want to provide a quality environment, experience, and products not found elsewhere in the county.”
“As a bourbon, whiskey, and scotch lover, our second location will have an emphasis on high-end spirits, available by pour or flight, and we will also serve local spirits.”
In preparation for the special anniversary, “We just brewed a barleywine that’ll age in bourbon barrels, and we’re releasing a barrel-aged version of Executor IPA for the anniversary.”
That celebration—complete with new merch, special beer drops, live music, and food trucks—is a highlight for the taproom regulars and the brewery’s beer club, many of whom helped build the very bar they now drink at.
When asked what keeps him going—the science, the business, or the art—Jesse doesn’t pick one. “It’s a mash-up,” he says. “The science of fermentation, the creativity of flavor, the people, the feedback. I’ve been doing this for six years now, and I still love the challenge.”
Closing Thoughts
In a world increasingly driven by speed, scale, and sameness, Brewery Fire is a reminder of what makes craft beer special: small batches, made by people you can talk to, in places that feel like home.
So, the next time you find yourself driving through the rolling farmland of Carroll County or in need of a road trip, keep Brewery Fire in your mind. Step inside, have a pint, and ask about the murals. Chances are Jesse will pour your beer himself—and maybe even tell you where the hidden Easter eggs are.
Brewery Fire was the Maryland brewery profile featured in the June/July 2025 issue of Mid-Atlantic Brew News.
Brewery Fire
4337 Old Taneytown Rd, STE B
Taneytown, MD 21787
breweryfire.com
Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 4-8 PM (summer hours)
Wednesday 4-9 PM
Thursday 3-10 PM
Friday 12-10 PM
Saturday 12-10 PM
Sunday 12-5 PM
All times subject to change for holidays or private events.
