DC Beer’s Adam and Richard visit Brendan and Bailey O’Leary and Kenny Allen in Montgomery County to talk about their up-and-coming brewery True Respite Brewing Company.

A Long, Fraught Road to the Opening of True Respite

Brendan and Bailey began drawing up business plans for True Respite in 2014 while living in Colorado. When searching for a brewery location, they found that Montgomery County was a perfect spot: a “beer friendly” local government; few existing breweries; and close to family. Soon after, they met Kenny, a local brewer who was eager to join forces. 

Like many beer entrepreneurs, however, Brendan and Bailey had initial difficulties finding the right location for True Respite. Finally, in April 2018, just as they were planning to abandon their business plan, they found a willing landlord in an office park in Derwood, Maryland. 

A Growing Brewery with a Commitment to Sustainability

Less than two years later, True Respite is increasing production and expanding distribution. It employs a Blichmann 3.5-barrel system used primarily for experimental beers and a 15-barrel A.B.E system that can produce two brews in 10-12 hours. The brewery just bought two new 30-barrel fermenters and a canning line, looking to maximize production. It now distributes beer throughout Maryland, Delaware, and DC.

Bailey is leading True Respite’s sustainability efforts. She is instituting recycling and sustainable waste generation efforts and is looking into composting the brewery’s waste. The brewery has also teamed up with the Rockville Watershed Committee to help keep the area’s water clean-- while also brewing a new beer using locally foraged spicebush called the “Croydon Creek Spicebush Amber.”

A Focus on Beer Variety

True Respite rarely brews the same beer twice. While focusing primarily on Hazy IPAs, its brewers are constantly creating new iterations to provide their customers with fresh, new brews.

One recent beer is called “Hey Bud,” a fruity and complex Double Hazy IPA using fresh Strata and Mosaic hops. Another is the “Hazelnut Mocha Latta,” a balanced Imperial Milk Stout using Muntons light chocolate malt, lactose, and coffee, hazelnuts, and vanilla.

You can check out True Respite’s current beer listing here. 

Upcoming Local Events 

True Respite has some fun beer activities in the coming months. On Black Friday, it is putting up a biergarten at the Clarksburg Premium outlets. The brewery is also hosting the second annual Holiday Artist Fair on December 7. You can find a full calendar listing of events here. 

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