You may not know it, but the Baltimore Checkerspot is the state butterfly. It's a creature that wouldn't be able to exist without a flourishing natural environment. The brewers at Checkerspot Brewing pay homage to the state mascot not only in their name, but also in their brewing process, which involves using local, natural ingredients.

Checkerspot's taproom just opened a few weeks ago with a lineup of its house-brewed beers on tap. Try the 39Rye-ve, a Maryland-style amber rye ale brewed with locally sourced, whiskey-inspired ingredients. The Locally Delicious enlists the same local barley (and a list of other local ingredients) to create a kettle sour with a hint of peaches, nectarines, blackberries, and blueberries. Although the kitchen isn't yet open, the taproom offers a few snacks and hosts local food trucks on the weekends.

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