A soap maker and a tattoo artist walk into a meadery. This might sound like a comedic set-up, but rather, far from it, it’s the sort of unlikely trio of Baltimore craftsmen who have quickly come together to help combat the novel coronavirus and its rapid spread across the city and state.

In early March, when Maryland confirmed its first case of COVID-19, the Mount Royal Soap Company started using its 20-quart stock pot, typically reserved for making artisanal suds and skincare products, to start testing recipes for hand sanitizer, a scarce resource since the very start of the pandemic.

At the time, there was already a global run on antibacterial products like Purell, and the Remington soapery founders wanted to supply their neighborhood in a time of need. The three-man team infused their first version with a so-called “four thieves” blend of essential oils—said to have been used during the Middle Ages to ward off the Black Death plague—and started selling directly to local customers out of their 700-square-foot corner store.

“It got to the point where we were making batch after batch after batch,” says Sam Kiffer, one of Mount Royal’s co-founders. “As things escalated, it became apparent we needed a larger capacity.”

Luckily, they quickly found a bigger boat, located five minutes away at Charm City Meadworks on Biddle Street. Having collaborated in the past on events and workshops, the business owners had been friends for years. With mead sales down following social distancing measures implemented by Governor Larry Hogan, the meadery’s 7,500-square-foot warehouse offered ample room for production, and Meadworks founder James Boicourt was looking for a way to keep his staff of nearly 20 employed.

Then the Mayor’s Office called, requesting 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, and this new joint venture was up and running, with Meadworks and Mount Royal converting into a hand sanitizer factory overnight.

“The last few weeks has been this huge scramble to move forward as fast as possible,” says Boicourt. “We started out doing test batches of 30 or 40-gallons. Now we’re trying to get to a point of 1,000 gallons a day.”

Working seven days a week, their joint staffs runs several shifts, including nights, to meet demand and ensure employee safety, with workers practicing social distancing and wearing personal protective gear like gloves and masks.

Together, they’re now producing some 4,000 bottles each day, packaged in two, four, or eight ounce units for area hospitals, nonprofits, and city and state services, including the Baltimore City Police Department, Fire Department, and the U.S. Postal Service. The general public can also purchase their own sanitizer on Mount Royal’s website.

“The urgency is really what drives us,” says Kiffer. “So much has happened and changed, we’ve learned so much.”

And they’re hoping to ramp up production, having invested in new equipment that could bring their daily capacity to 25,000 bottles, a fivefold increase. But Meadworks’ existing infrastructure, including two 1,200-gallon mixing tanks, has already played an important role.

As makers of a fermented honey beverage, “We’re used to working with viscous liquids,” says Boicourt, helping them to produce a thicker gel formula, which is still scented in the “four thieves” style, in addition to the World Health Organization’s more liquid version, which is better suited for spray applications.

But with a worldwide spike in demand and disrupted supply chains across most sectors, sanitizer manufacturers, big and small, have been struggling to source key ingredients, which include alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerin.

“It’s a shock to the system,” says Boicourt. “Even if Purell runs three shifts, they can’t keep up. But the hope is that all of these smaller producers can help fill in the gaps,” with other alcohol producers across the state joining in, like Baltimore Spirits Company in Medfield, DuClaw Brewing Co. in Rosedale, and Lyon Rum on the Eastern Shore.

For that reason, though, none of this could be possible without their third partner, Waverly Color Company, a producer of high-end tattoo ink run by Bill Stevenson. Also co-founder Waverly Brewing in Hampden, he operates out of a studio just down the street from Mount Royal’s Remington shop. With the closure of non-essential businesses and the tattoo trade on hiatus, his stockpile of plastic bottles was the last piece of the puzzle, being another in-demand item with a backorder through summer.

“It was the perfect fit at the right time,” says Stevenson, whose right-hand man is working the line, too. “The nature of community is to immediately figure out what can be done for your people, it’s a natural reaction to think what can I do. And that’s what we’re doing.”

These days, Boicourt is running the logistics from home, having had a high-risk lung condition since childhood, while his Meadworks teammates, like general manager Elliot Madre, act as his eyes and ears on the ground. In addition to wrangling orders, Mount Royal co-owner Pat Illes helps oversee operations at the warehouse, while Williams has been churning out liquid soap back in Remington, teaming up with Bayview’s Pompeian Olive Oil to source a larger tank for increased production.

Their soap bars are flying off the shelves, too, with large donations made to the Douglas Homes in East Baltimore and the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup. Sanitizer has also been handed out to the Service Employees International Union’s local chapter and the nonprofit Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition.

“We realized early on that this pandemic is going to infect everyone, but it’s going to affect certain segments of our population worse than others,” says Illes, noting a pay-it-forward option for purchases that benefit local community organizations in need. “We want to make sure everyone in our community is getting the resources they need to protect themselves.”

For Mount Royal, this newfound mission has given them new meaning, and it might live on past the days of this current pandemic.

“We haven’t thought about what an end date would look like, but we hope this is a jumping off point for us,” says Kiffer. She and her teammates are excited by the possibility of providing jobs and essential products using their environmentally and ethically sourced ethos for the city and state in the long term.

“There’s this broader idea that manufacturing needs to be more regional going forward, because what happens when the next crisis happens?,” says Williams. “Maybe we’ll be a little bit better prepared here in Baltimore. This is an ode to the city’s manufacturing history, for sure, and we’re humbled to be a part of it in some small way.”

EAT

Aug. 24: Camp Sandlot

Sandlot, 1000 Wills St. Sat. 7 p.m.-Sun. 10 a.m. $30-60.

If you had “eat s’mores” or “go camping” on your summer bucket list, look no further than this overnight campout at Sandlot. Grab a tent, grill, and sleeping bag for this first-ever event that invites attendees to camp out on the Harbor Point bar’s volleyball courts and waterfront beach. Spend the evening roasting weenies and marshmallows under the stars, and then indulge in an a la carte pancake breakfast before heading back to the comfort of the indoors.

DRINK

Aug. 24: Vent’s First Anniversary Party

Vent Coffee Roasters, 1700 W. 41st St. 6-11 p.m. $10.

Somehow, it has already been a year since this do-good coffee roaster moved into its first brick-and-mortar space in Union Collective. This Saturday, the Vent team is celebrating with a caffeine-fueled anniversary party complete with free espresso shots, coffee cocktails, and $1 cold brews or drip cups to benefit Baltimore Ceasefire 365. To balance out the java intake, sip on beers by Union Craft Brewing, snack on cupcakes from City Seeds, and, at the end of the night, raise a glass of bubbly to another year of kick-ass coffee.

SEE

Aug. 23: Honeyland Screening and Tasting

The SNF Parkway, 5 W. North Avenue. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $8-11.

We can always count on the Parkway Theatre to not only play some of the most-talked-about films and documentaries, but to also find creative ways to transform a screening into a community-wide event. This Friday’s showing of Honeyland, an award-winning environmental documentary about the last female wild beekeeper in Europe, is no exception. Before the 7 p.m. movie, try honey samples from local business Hon’s Honey and grab a honey-based drink from Charm City Meadworks and Baltimore Spirits Company.

HEAR

Aug. 25: The Union Shakedown

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. 1-10 p.m. $20.

It’s always a party when revered local guitarist Cris Jacobs plays at Union Craft Brewing, but this Sunday’s vendor fair and concert mash-up takes it to a whole new level. After spending a few hours browsing through locally made wares such as handmade glass pieces, vintage T-shirts, and vinyl records, pack the brewery to hear a group of singer-songwriters, including the likes of Grahame Lesh, Elliott Peck, and Nathan Graham, join Jacobs onstage for a recreation of their 1982 concert at the Baltimore Civic Center. If that’s not enough to get your attention, there will also be a liquid light show throughout the rockin’ concert.

DO

Aug. 25: Field Day

Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. 12-5 p.m. Free.

Who says there’s no place for sack races and water balloon tosses in adulthood? On Saturday, Charm City Meadworks and Graft Cider will host this end-of-summer field day, featuring team activities like tug of war, dizzy bat, and egg spoon races that are sure to trudge up some (possibly embarrassing) middle school memories. In between relays, enjoy eats by From the Heart food truck, sip on a collaboration mead from the host purveyors, and get in line to attempt to sink City Council President Brandon Scott and Councilwoman Danielle McCray in the dunk tank.

EAT

May 4: Cocina Rebelde

Monument City Brewing Company, 1 N. Haven St. 12-7 p.m. Free.

Before Cocina Luchadores owner Rosalyn Vera opens her Upper Fells Point restaurant for Cinco de Mayo service on Sunday, she’ll hop on the popular food truck Wilde Thyme for a one-of-a-kind collaboration between the two female-owned purveyors. Stop by Monument City Brewing to try the duo’s drool-worthy menu, featuring homemade sope topped with picadillo and tzatziki, a chipotle falafel bowl, sabih tacos, and corn with tzatziki and queso. Wash it all down with a beer from the Highlandtown brewery or a glass of Jamaican mint agua frescafrom the pop-up, and revel in another great local foodie partnership.

DRINK

May 3: Shake Your Tail/Tailfeather Summer Dance Party

Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. 7-11 p.m. Free-$5.

There aren’t too many times when the expression “shake your tail-feather” can be taken literally, but this animal-inspired dance party at Charm City Meadworks is certainly an exception. In honor of Baltimore Wildlife Week, channel your inner possum, oyster, or crab, knock back a few dry meads, and dance the night away to support this do-good cause that brings awareness to urban wildlife preservation. If you’re feeling confident in your wild get-up, stick around to win the costume contest, and, while it’s not up to us, bonus points should go to anyone dressed as a Baltimore oriole.

SEE

May 4: Kinetic Sculpture Race

Locations vary. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free to spectators.

Objects typically written off as junk—think used bicycles and gears—will be front and center during this human-powered and slightly lunatic sculpture race. During this signature citywide event hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum, cheer on your favorite rideable structure as it races around the Inner Harbor and through Patterson Park. Stick around afterward to see which contraptions win outrageous prizes such as the “Grand Mediocre East Coast Champion Award.”

HEAR

May 4-5: The Baltimore Mixtape

The Crown, The YNot Lot, The Windup Space. Sat. 4 p.m.-1:45 a.m., Sun. 4 p.m.-12 a.m. $20-40.

If we could design our dream lineup of local acts, it would look pretty damn similar to the schedule for this weekend’s inaugural Baltimore Mixtape. Spanning across two days and three Station North venues, this music and arts festival will feature 62 actsfrom a wide variety of genres, with everyone from folk singer Caleb Stine and producer James Nasty to R&B duo Chiffon and hip-hop collective Soul Cannon sharing the bill. Snag a one- or two-day pass to catch as many sets as possible and be sure to stay up to hear headliners like indie quintet Super City, punk band War on Women, and rapper Kotic Couture.

DO

May 3-4: Flower Mart

Mt. Vernon Place, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.

This time-honored Mt. Vernon tradition signals the start of the spring with tons of flowers, extravagant hats, and the festival’s signature lemon-peppermint sticks. Spend the weekend browsing through wares by local arts and crafts vendors, area food trucks, and, of course, flower carts that will decorate the neighborhood during this weekend-long family-friendly affair.

Those of us who are city residents tend to regard our relationship with nature as an afterthought. Our interaction with wildlife typically involves securing our trashcan lids to deter rats and the occasional smell of fresh-cut grass feels like nothing short of a revelation.

But, in truth, people living in urban areas are surrounded by nature—whether we realize it or not. And the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) wants to remind city residents there are things they can do to protect biodiversity and watershed health right in their own backyard. For the second year in a row, the national organization is hosting Baltimore Wildlife Week from May 3-11, a chance for community members to come together to increase green space, mitigate nuisance flooding, improve water quality, and beautify neighborhoods.

“We were really inspired by similar events in Los Angeles and Seattle, but this is the only event like this on the East Coast,” says Holly Gallagher, NWF regional education manager. “In Baltimore, specifically, it will be a lot about focusing on pollinators, the Chesapeake Bay watershed and iconic species that people can relate like orioles and oysters.”

The organization has worked with a number of partners over the past eight months to plan the week-long program including the National Aquarium, Waterfront Partnership, Blue Water Baltimore, neighborhood associations, and what may seem like an unlikely partner in Charm City Meadworks—which has really embraced the cause and ran with it.

“We produce a product that relies heavily on clean water, bees, and other pollinators every day,” says Derek Vaughn Brown, marketing coordinator at Charm City Meadworks, which is making a special mead with local ingredients for the occasion. “It’s hard to sit idly by when you make something that relies on nature and so we’ve help take the lead on bringing people together and creating some fun events.”

Those events kick off these weekend in the Meadworks taproom, first with a dance party where urban creature costumes are encouraged and a portion of the proceeds go to Baltimore Wildlife Week. The taproom will also feature a pop-up exhibition curated by local artist Bridget Parlato, a show where scientists will discuss their research and get “gonged” if it gets too wonky, and a Jones Falls Watershed walking tour on Sunday that benefits Blue Water Baltimore and Baltimore Heritage.

“The easiest way to physically show people how close we are to nature is take this two-mile walk from Druid Hill Park down to Round Falls,” Brown says. “The idea is to walk along the river, ask thought-provoking questions, and realize nature is all around us.”

Beyond that, there are a ton of other environmental events throughout the week, including a volunteer cleanup on May 6 at Camden Yards, where NWF created a 10,000-square-foot oriole habitat to try and attract the real birds to the stadium. Plus, community conservation forum will take place at Whitelock Farm in Reservoir Hill, the B’More Wild Fest & GreenScape will take over Middle Branch Park, and the first community-preserved forest in Baltimore City will be celebrated in the Glenham-Belhar neighborhood.

“Our big goal is to make these events accessible to different neighborhoods and utilize underused space in the city,” Gallagher says. “We try to focus on issues that are important to people—whether it’s reducing trash, saving money on energy bills, or improving your mental and physical health by having a green space to walk to.”

Gallagher stresses that, while this is a wonderful week to focus on the environment, NWF is working on these initiatives in urban areas all year-round. In fact, last year the organization helped establish Baltimore City as a certified Community Wildlife Habitat, something that may come as a surprise when you choose to only see brick, Formstone, and concrete.

“The more we work with community residents, the more these neighborhoods will change,” Gallagher says. “If kids grow up with that change already instilled in them, there are more likely to have that environmental stewardship as a priority from the start.”

It’s easy to think of wine in simple terms of red or white, but as the industry has evolved, we’ve seen a shift toward embracing the eccentric. Now, it’s not uncommon to see shelves stocked with colorfully designed bottles (and cans) that incorporate ingredients like java and dragon fruit.

“Shopping for wine has changed a lot,” says William Layton, co-owner of Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery in Dorchester County. “It used to be that people knew they liked their merlot or chardonnay, but as time has gone on, labels have gotten more creative. People are seeing it as more of an adventurous thing, rather than just a sit-down-with-dinner kind of thing.”

To showcase all of the innovative blends that the local scene has to offer, the Maryland Wineries Association (MWA) is gathering more than 20 vineyards from across the state for the inaugural Weird Wine festival at Union Collective on Sunday, May 5.

Organizers are transforming one of the vacant spaces inside the multi-purpose warehouse into a whimsical wonderland (think twinkling lights, bubble machines, and neon paper lanterns) where guests will sample wines made with everything from crabapples and heirloom tomatoes to fish peppers and Black Lotus flowers. There will also be a DIY popcorn bar, charcuterie and focaccia from Well Crafted Kitchen, live watercolor portraits by Frederick artist Goodloe Byron, and a pop-up shop with wine for purchase.

Grow & Fortify, the consulting firm for local craft beverage organizations including the MWA, hopes that the turnout is a mix of seasoned wine enthusiasts and millennials who might have misconceptions about how approachable Maryland wine can be.

“We’ve really noticed a portion of that millennial generation that hasn’t embraced local wine as much as we hoped they would,” says Grow & Fortify’s chief strategy officer Kelly Dudeck. “It’s funny, when they do come to events they’re usually asking us, ‘Can you tell us which one tastes most like,’ and they’ll name one of the big non-Maryland brands out there.”

The breadth of the state’s wineries will be fully represented at the showcase, where attendees will be able to sip outside-of-the-box blends from Baltimore City and beyond. Highlights in the lineup will include a bourbon barrel-aged blueberry wine from The Urban Winery in Silver Spring, a wine made from French-American hybrid grapes by Romano Winery in Southern Maryland, and the popular mango comapeño mead from our own Charm City Meadworks.

James Boicourt, co-founder of the Mt. Vernon meadery, says that the flavor was partially inspired by his farmers’ market neighbor Joao Narona, who imports his comapeño chili peppers from Veracruz, Mexico.

“We were messing around with mango meads, and I thought it needed a little zip of something to perk it up,” Boicourt says. “There’s a misconception that traditional meads have to be sweet, but we generally do a lot of dryer, lower ABV meads that are light and super refreshing. That’s more of a rarity.”

Layton has adapted to a similar style. He says that he and his team are always thinking of unconventional approaches to winemaking.

“I’m not growing merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and other grapes most people are familiar with anyway,” he says. “Our grapes are a little different, so we feel free to do different things and not stick within the same confines. We just like to experiment and see what happens.”

Among Layton’s showcased varietals will be his award-winning lemonade wine and the Rise Up Red, an estate red infused with fresh brewed coffee from Easton-based Rise Up Coffee Roasters. In fact, many of the state’s so-called “weird” wines are crafted using local produce. Dudeck explains that this, in turn, helps to sustain Maryland agriculture as a whole.

“It’s not only through grapes,” she says, “but when these guys are using some of the more odd ingredients like crab apples, fish peppers, tomatoes, and peaches, they’re getting them from Maryland, too.”

Participants agree that the event will serve as a good representation of what’s to come as the winemaking industry continues to evolve.

“In general, [the local scene] tends to have a pretty creative, inventive spirit,” Boicourt says, mentioning big players like Old Westminster Winery and the Millstone Cellars founders who went on to start Graft Cider in New York. “We’re doing some really unconventional, wonderful things, and that ilk is really catching on.”

EAT

Feb. 2: Valentine’s Pajama Brunch

Miss Shirley’s Café, 513 W. Cold Spring Lane. 7:30-9 a.m. Free-$27.99.

Valentine’s Day might not be for another few weeks, but we’ll take any excuse to indulge in cheesecake-stuffed French toast or red velvet pancakes on a Saturday morning. Keep your pajamas and slippers on from the night before and treat the whole family to this two-course brunch, featuring special breakfast boxes for the kiddos and tons of sweet and savory entrees for the grown-ups. Stick around for crafts, balloon art, and Valentine’s Day-themed activities that will leave everyone ready for a mid-morning nap.

DRINK

Feb. 3: Super Bowl Sunday

Locations, times, and prices vary.

Let’s face it: It’s hard to find a reason for a Baltimore fan to get hyped for this year’s Super Bowl. But luckily, local watering holes around the city are throwing watch parties with enough drink specials to give us something to cheer about. Spend Super Bowl Sunday booing the New England Patriots with bottomless brews at Mother’s Grille, knocking back $3 cans of Natty Boh at R. House, or bellying up to the bar at any of our best places to hate-watch the game. And remember: There’s always next year for the Ravens.

SEE

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day

The SNF Parkway, 5 W. North Ave. 7-9 p.m. $8-10.

After a week of fighting the chill of the polar vortex, we’re practically begging Punxsutawney Phil not to see his shadow on Groundhog Day. Whether the all-knowing groundhog declares six more weeks of winter or not, celebrate this hair-brained harebrained tradition by watching Harold Ramis’ 1993 comedy of the same name this Saturday night. Settle into the (warm) Parkway Theatre and laugh along with the inimitable Bill Murray as he relives Groundhog Day over and over in this crowd-favorite flick.

HEAR

Feb. 1: Live at the Hive

Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $5.

Not only is Charm City Meadworks known for its wide range of still and sparkling meads, but the Mt. Vernon space also draws crowds for its one-of-a-kind events like gear swaps, video game tournaments, and this Friday’s multi-genre concert series. Pack the meadery to sip $5 drafts and slushies while jamming to a headline performance by standout local MC Eze Jackson, along with DJ Mac Hewitt, Ring WorldØØØ, and Revvnant—a new project from local songwriter Elias Schutzman.

DO

Feb. 1: Earth Treks Rendezvous

Earth Treks Hampden, 1700 W. 41st St., Suite 400. 6-10 p.m. $20.

Whether you’re a first-time climber or just taking advantage of the discounted day pass, stop by Earth Treks Hampden on Friday night for its monthly community climbing meet-up. Get to know other local enthusiasts, sip on free cider and beer from Union Craft Brewing, and check out equipment and accessories from vendors like Buddy Boulders and Banjo & Bean.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Nov. 18: OyFest IV

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 12-5 p.m. $10-12. 410-467-0290.

This Saturday, indulge in the Chesapeake Bay’s great bivalve with seasonal shucks at Union Craft Brewing’s fourth annual OyFest. With The Local Oyster and True Chesapeake Oyster Company, enjoy brackish beauties served in a variety of ways—raw, grilled, chowdered—by Baltimore’s finest chefs, including Zack Mills of Wit & Wisdom, Bryan Voltaggio of Aggio, Lou Sumpter of Woodberry Kitchen, and Ben Lefenfeld of La Cuchara. And while champagne and a fine white wine might be the perfect pairing, we can attest to the complimentary nature of a Duckpin pale ale or brand-new Skipjack pilsner, and a hint of live music by garage-folk singer Skribe. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, join the oyster-eating contest slurp down 24 of them as fast as you can. Proceeds benefit the Chefs Cycle for Maryland No Kid Hungry.

 DRINK

Nov. 18: Charm City Meadworks Taproom Grand Opening

Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. 1-7 p.m. Free. 443-961-1072.

Almost a year ago, the crew at Charm City Meadworks put on their bee costumes (literally), tied their barrels to a truck, and moved to Mount Vernon from South Baltimore for a fresh start for their fermented honey drinks. This Saturday, CCM is welcoming patrons to their brand-new taproom, a 6,500-square-foot industrial space equipped with bright stools, shared tables, and more than 15 homebrewed meads. Celebrate the meadery’s new home with seasonal favorites like Retire by the Fire (with hints of vanilla, cocoa nibs, and clove), simple classics like Original Dry (crisp and oaky with a slight acidic finish), collaboration kegs, and guest taps, plus delicious Korean tacos by Dooby’s. 

 SEE

Nov. 18: The Maryland Film Festival’s Behind the Screens Fundraiser

Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave. 6-11 p.m. $20-5000. 410-752-8083. 

Nothing is more perfect than watching Netflix on a chilly evening, but this Saturday, learn while you relax with a sneak peek of a new original series and listen to a talk on the influence of streaming services on filmmaking, all to benefit the Maryland Film Festival. At the newly renovated Parkway Theatre, participate in a discussion with independent filmmaker Joe Swanberg and cast members of the hit series Easy, an eclectic comedy about Chicagoans stumbling through the intersecting worlds of love, sex, technology, and culture. Discover how Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have changed the game, with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts to boot.

 HEAR

Nov. 17: Baltimore 4 Puerto Rico

Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 6 p.m. $10-20. 410-244-0899. 

After hearing about Hurricane Maria’s trail of destruction in Puerto Rico, Baltimore locals, organizations, and industries have stepped up to help rebuild the island, including thousands of dollars donated and tens of thousands of supplies assembled for those in need. On Friday night, the city’s support continues with local bands jamming out with a benefit concert at Metro Gallery. Hear Baltimore’s rising artists play their hearts out for a good cause—from Soul Cannon’s experimental indie hip-hop, to electronic R&B duo Chiffon’s mesmerizing slow jams, to Super City’s guitar-driven pop-rock—and uplift Puerto Rico’s residents through the Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund.

 DO

Nov. 19: Trot the Trail 5K

Herring Run Park, 3800 Belair Rd. 8 a.m. $54. 

This Sunday, burn off some calories before you gorge on thick slices of turkey and heaping plates of pumpkin pie. Hosted by Charm City Run and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks as part of their annual $5 5K series, this race gives runners (and walkers) an opportunity to support the community through fitness and family fun for a cheap price (and all proceeds go towards city-wide park programming). Whether you’re an ace marathon racer or a novice jogger, wear your warmest gear and trot upwards of three miles the scenic Herring Run Trail. The weather might be nippy, but the scenic views of urban woodland and Lake Montebello’s beautiful reservoir should help you keep up the pace.  

As if you couldn’t tell from their colorful cans and experimental flavors, the guys at Charm City Meadworks (CCM) like to have fun. So when it came time to move their production facility from its South Baltimore home up to a building near Mt. Vernon, they ordered some bee costumes, strapped their barrels onto a truck, and made the trek up north.

Starting next week, all of CCM’s production will be done out of 407 E. Preston Street, a large warehouse space that used to be an old postal garage, which has an entrance facing the Biddle Street bridge over I-83.

This is the first move for the company, which has been making flavored mead, or a fermented honey beverage, since 2014.

“Our old space is tiny—we’ve just been too hemmed in,” says CCM co-owner James Boicourt. “In order to keep up with demand, we were starting to get real clever with how we were storing things. We really didn’t have the shelf space to expand.”

Now, CCM is using the 6,500-square-foot space near Mt Vernon solely for production, where they will have additional fermentation capacity, more space for rack shelving, and an in-line labeling machine to be able to label cans on the fly.

“One thing that has been an issue for is we have these core products, but no shelf space for special releases or experiments,” says Boicourt, who is currently tinkering with new recipes for spring. “This new space will allow us to do more fun stuff.”

Later in 2017, the CCM owners are hoping to buy an additional suite in the building for a 1,000-square-foot taproom, as well as an outdoor space for a garden, picnic tables, and other activities. Boicourt says he’s looking forward to being more ingrained in the local scene.

“Instead of having folding tables and a rigged set-up tasting room way down in South Baltimore, now we’ll have a real storefront for people,” he says. “It will help tie us even more to the community that has been such a huge support for us. Hopefully, it will be a place to chill out and spend time like Waverly and other breweries.”

In the two-and-a-half years that CCM has been making its product, Boicourt has noticed a tremendous change in the craft beverage scene and the perception of mead.

“It’s been night and day,” he says. “Now it is so much more fun because so many people have picked up our product or know a friend who has. Now that people are more aware of what mead is and we have this brand new space, we can really start to get creative.”