Baltimore loves a hometown hero, and Union Craft Brewing has earned that status one pint at a time. From the crisp, approachable Duckpin Pale Ale to a calendar full of community initiatives, Union celebrates Charm City’s grit and heart while keeping the beer delicious and easy to love. This spotlight covers what to drink, what the taproom feels like, how to build a smart tasting flight, and how to plan a visit that pairs pints with local flavor.
- Address: 1700 W 41st St #420, Baltimore, MD 21211
- Website: https://www.unioncraftbrewing.com/
What You’ll Learn
- How Union Craft Brewing champions Baltimore pride and community
- Why Duckpin Pale Ale and other core beers win over first-timers and fans alike
- What the Union Collective campus offers beyond beer
- Food options, smart pairings, and tips for planning your visit
- Flights, freshness pointers, and local add-ons to round out a Baltimore day
Why Union Craft Brewing Matters in Baltimore
Union Craft Brewing helped define what Baltimore craft looks like: grounded, welcoming, and built to bring neighbors together. The brewery’s name is a promise—beer creates community, and community makes beer better. You feel that ethos at every touchpoint: label art that nods to city icons, events that raise funds for local causes, and a taproom that doubles as a neighborhood living room.
What sets Union apart:
- Approachable first, nuanced second: Union’s beers favor balance and clean finishes. You can hand Duckpin or a house lager to a macro drinker and make a believer. And if you’re chasing more depth, seasonal and limited releases layer in hops, roast, fruit, or oak without losing structure.
- Place-based identity: From beer names to collaborations with Baltimore makers, Union builds a sense of local pride into the brand.
- Union Collective: The brewery anchors a larger community of local producers. On site, you’ll find neighbors making coffee, spirits, and snacks—an easy way to build a Baltimore tasting loop under one roof.
Key takeaway: Union is where Baltimore’s beer story feels connected—beer, people, and place moving in step.
The Beers: Duckpin, Core Classics, and Seasonal Hits
Duckpin Pale Ale: Baltimore’s Friendly Hop Standard
Duckpin Pale Ale is a crowd-pleaser that still satisfies hop fans. It’s aromatic and crisp, with citrus and pine notes over a lean malt base. Bitterness refreshes, then steps back, which makes it a go-to for pairings and a perfect “first craft” beer.
What you’ll notice:
- Aroma: grapefruit, orange zest, light pine
- Palate: cracker-like malt base with balanced bitterness
- Finish: clean and dry, inviting another sip
Pairing ideas:
- Smash burger with sharp cheddar
- Fish tacos with lime crema
- Pepperoni pizza or buffalo wings
Why it works: Duckpin hits the sweet spot—expressive hops, tidy bitterness, and a dry landing. It welcomes newcomers and keeps regulars happy.
Lagers and Pilsners: Crisp, Clear, and Food-Friendly
Union’s lagers show off brewhouse discipline: bright clarity, sturdy foam, and noble-leaning hop snap. These are your calibrator beers—ideal to start a flight or reset between bigger flavors.
Pair with:
- Pretzel with mustard or beer cheese
- Fried chicken sandwich or fish and chips
- Caesar salad or shrimp cocktail
IPAs and Rotating Hop Projects: Aroma First, Clean Finish
Expect West Coast-leaning IPAs with citrus, pine, and a dry exit, alongside seasonal or limited hazy variants that deliver tropical fruit and a plush mouthfeel. No matter the style, Union aims for saturated aroma without cloying sweetness.
Pair with:
- Italian sub or charcuterie board
- Grilled chicken salad with lemony dressing
- Jerk wings or chorizo tacos
Wheat Beers, Sours, and Fruited Specials: Bright and Balanced
When wheat or fruited sour releases hit the board, look for refreshing acidity and fruit that tastes fresh, not candy-sweet. These are smart picks for warmer days and seafood pairings.
Pair with:
- Ceviche or crab dip
- Goat cheese salad with citrus
- Lemon tart or cheesecake
Dark Ales and Seasonal Stouts: Rich, Composed, Layered
Cooler months bring porters and stouts with cocoa and coffee accents. The through-line is structure—carbonation and roast balance sweetness so a pint stays engaging.
Pair with:
- Smoked brisket or blue cheese burger
- Chocolate brownie or pecan pie
How Union Brews: Balance, Freshness, and Sessionability
- Fermentation control: Healthy yeast and tight temperature management keep profiles clean. Lagers stay crisp; hop-forward ales avoid distracting esters so aroma leads.
- Hop strategy with intention: Late kettle additions and dry hopping build saturated aromatics while bitterness supports rather than punishes.
- Lean grists and attenuation: Drier finishes keep beers food-friendly and easy to drink over an afternoon with friends.
- Freshness culture: Busy tap lines, cold storage, and clear date codes protect hop oils and carbonation snap.
Result: Pints that taste bright and balanced—ideal for a community taproom where you might stay for a second round.
Taproom Atmosphere: Union Collective Energy
The Union taproom sits inside Union Collective, a multi-tenant campus that houses Baltimore makers and hosts frequent events. The space blends industrial charm—steel, wood, and tanks—with warm service and neighborhood energy.
What it feels like:
- Vibe: Lively but conversational—families, dog-walkers, hop-chasers, and after-work crews mix easily
- Service: Friendly and pairing-savvy; staff can translate “citrusy and dry” or “malty but not sweet” into the right pour
- Seating: Bar rails for solo tasters, high-tops and communal tables for groups, and seasonal outdoor space when the weather cooperates
- Events: Live music, markets, fundraisers, game-day gatherings, and release parties make the calendar a draw on its own
Community-first touchpoints:
- Charity nights and collaborations with local nonprofits
- Partnerships with nearby producers for co-branded releases and pop-ups
- Neighborhood celebrations that keep the space rooted in Baltimore’s creative scene
Food: Pairing-Ready Plates and Local Partners
Good beer shines with the right plate. Union’s food setup often features in-house offerings or rotating partners that speak Baltimore’s language: crab-forward snacks, salty bites, char, herbs, and a touch of heat.
Great pairings:
- Lager/Pils + pretzel with mustard or Old Bay fries: Carbonation and hop snap cut salt and seasoning.
- Duckpin + fish tacos or lemony salad: Citrus hops echo dressing and herbs.
- West Coast IPA + pepperoni pizza or pit beef sandwich: Bitterness balances fat and char.
- Fruited Sour + goat cheese salad or shrimp cocktail: Acidity refreshes; fruit notes mirror citrus.
- Stout/Porter + chocolate dessert or smoked ribs: Roast and cocoa meet sweet and savory.
Pro tip: Salt amplifies bitterness. If your plate leans salty (crab chips, Old Bay fries, cured meats), pick a lager, wheat, or fruited sour before your firmest-bitter IPA.
Build a Smart Flight
Taste clean to bold to catch the details:
1) Pilsner or Helles (calibrate clarity, foam, snap)
2) Duckpin Pale Ale (aroma-first hops, dry landing)
3) IPA (compare bitterness and aroma density)
4) Fruited Sour or Wheat (contrast with acidity and lift)
5) Seasonal Dark (porter/stout) to close with roast and cocoa
Flight tips:
- Sip water and, if possible, a small lager taster between aromatic beers to reset your palate.
- If two hop-forward beers share a base but swap hop varieties, taste side-by-side to feel the difference.
Local Flavor: Make It a Baltimore Day
A Union visit pairs well with Baltimore’s best features—sports, waterfront views, and neighborhood eats.
Ideas to round out your itinerary:
- Hampden + pints: Stroll nearby shops on Falls Road and 36th Street, then land at Union for a flight.
- Harbor loop: Explore the Inner Harbor or Canton waterfront; return for a lager and a snack.
- Game day: Pre-game with Duckpin, then head to a stadium or a neighborhood bar to keep the Baltimore vibe going.
- Maker crawl: Hit Union’s neighbors at the Collective—pick up coffee, snacks, or spirits—and build a local gift pack.
Insider tips:
- Weekends and event nights fill fast—arrive on the early side for prime tables.
- Bring an insulated bag if you’re grabbing to-go cans; heat dulls hop aroma and softens carbonation.
Practical Planning
- Address: 1700 W 41st St #420, Baltimore, MD 21211
- Website: https://www.unioncraftbrewing.com/
- Best times: Weekday afternoons for focused flights and staff chats; early evenings and weekends for full energy; release days for the buzz
- Parking and access: On-site and nearby options; rideshare is easy from Hampden and surrounding neighborhoods
- Tours: Availability varies—check the website for current offerings and special events
- To-go beer: Expect core cans (Duckpin, lagers, IPAs) and seasonals; limited drops may carry purchase limits
- Merch: Baltimore-forward apparel, glassware tuned to lagers and hoppy ales, and label-art prints for the home bar
- Keep it cold: Store cans in the fridge and drink hop-forward beers fresh for peak aroma
Union’s Community Impact: Beer That Gives Back
Union’s civic heartbeat runs through its programming:
- Fundraisers and collaborative releases with local nonprofits
- Event partnerships with artists, food makers, and neighborhood groups
- Inclusive, family-friendly environment that brings new faces into craft beer
Why it matters: A brewery that welcomes everyone builds the next generation of craft fans. Union turns casual visits into community touchpoints—good beer as a gateway to local pride.
Sample Sessions
One-Hour “Crisp-to-Hop” Sprint
- Start: Pilsner (10–12 oz)
- Build: Duckpin Pale Ale
- Close: IPA or a small pour of a seasonal specialty
- To-go: Mixed 4-pack—one crisp, Duckpin, one IPA, one rotating release
Easy Evening (90–120 Minutes)
- Begin: Lager + pretzel or Old Bay fries
- Move: Duckpin + fish tacos or lemony chicken
- Add: IPA + pepperoni pizza or pit beef
- Finish: Stout/Porter + chocolate brownie or a shared dessert
Why Beer Travelers Should Visit Union Craft Brewing
- Baltimore identity in the glass: Names, art, and flavors that reflect the city’s voice
- Approachable excellence: From Duckpin to seasonal IPAs, beers land bright, balanced, and food-friendly
- Union Collective advantage: Build a local producer crawl without leaving the campus
- Welcoming taproom: Staff who guide you to the right pour and a space that makes it easy to stay awhile
Conclusion: Plan Your Visit to Union Craft Brewing
Set your route to 1700 W 41st St #420 and check unioncraftbrewing.com for hours, events, tours, and current taps. Start with a crisp lager to calibrate, make Duckpin your hop baseline, and add an IPA or seasonal for contrast. Pair your pours with something salty, citrusy, or charred, and leave time to explore the Union Collective neighbors and nearby Hampden. If you’re looking for a brewery that channels Baltimore pride into balanced, memorable beer—and backs it up with community action—Union Craft Brewing is your next stop.
