Our STORY
It all started in 1980… Hugh Sisson, a Maryland native, theater grad school major, and all-around good guy, joins his family’s restaurant & bar, “Sisson’s” located on Cross Street in South Baltimore.
Craft beer wasn’t even on the radar back then. But, Hugh quickly recognized that to run a business, you need to do something to be different.
Light bulb moment: “What if we turned Sisson’s into a brewpub and brewed our own beer?”
Solid plan, right? Problem: Brewpubs weren’t legal in Maryland at the time.
In 1987, Hugh worked with Maryland legislators to draft a bill to legalize brewpubs in Baltimore City – the bill passed on first attempt. Fast forward to 1989, “Sisson’s” becomes the first brewpub in the state of Maryland.
After the brewpub scene for a few years, Hugh felt the need for a bigger stage (theater-pun intended.) In 1994, he left “Sisson’s” for his next business venture… and the rest, friends, is nothing short of Maryland craft beer history.
CHEERS TO NEARLY
30 years
Hugh Sisson opens Clipper City Brewing Company in Halethorpe, Maryland. The first batch of beer is “Classic Pale Ale” - officially brewed on December 8, 1995.
1995
Clipper City acquires the Oxford Brewing Co., Maryland’s first production craft brewery – bringing together Maryland’s first pub brewer and first production brewery under one house. Clipper City produces beers under both brand names.
1999
Clipper City introduces a new brand of bold, flavorful, high ABV beers - called “Heavy Seas”. Winter Storm, an Imperial ESB, becomes the first product under the “Heavy Seas” brand.
2003
Loose Cannon IPA is produced for the first time. It rapidly becomes the company’s flagship beer, a local and regionally recognized favorite. Shortly after, “Heavy Seas” branded beers rapidly eclipse the sales of both the “Clipper City” and “Oxford” brands.
2005
Clipper City Brewing Company officially rebrands as Heavy Seas Beer. The country is in a recession, and times are tough, but the brewery grows 36% that year.
2010
The brewery undergoes significant expansions – a new 60 BBL brewhouse and a 250 BPM bottling line are installed.
2014
The Heavy Seas Taproom officially opens. Heavy Seas is selected by “Beer Connoisseur Magazine” as its national Brewery of the Year.
2017
Heavy Seas adds a 15BBL brewhouse to its facilities - allowing us the ability to brew small batch, experimental or Taproom exclusive beers.
Heavy Seas also installs a new 100 can-per-minute canning line.
2018
The Heavy Seas Taproom undergoes renovations, allowing more space for guests and larger brewery experiences.
