Greetings, fellow travel enthusiasts and beer lovers! We’re thrilled to be back on the road, uncovering the gems of craft beer havens. This time, our journey led us to the delightful Pherm Brewing Company in Gambrills, MD. It’s another place on our “breweries near me” list, so we didn’t take the RV for this trip. Join us as we dive into the flavorful world of brews, bites, and the infectious laughter that fills this bustling brewery.
Welcome to Pherm
Pherm Brewing Company is located in a retail development on Route 3 in Gambrills, MD. There’s lots of parking in front of the brewery, and if you can’t find a spot there, you can usually find one on the side of the building. This time we managed to find a spot right up front.
As we stepped into Pherm, we were welcomed by a scene that promised a relaxed evening. We go to Pherm at least a couple of times each month, and the place is usually pretty crowded, but it wasn’t too bad when we arrived.
Pherm is kid and dog friendly, so we took both Parker and Bucky with us for this visit. Parker seems to only want to go if we take a dog. While he’s still too young to try the beers, Pherm has a selection of sodas he can drink.
The taproom is large and has an industrial feel to it. A large bar takes up one side of the room. There’s a large window behind the bar that lets you see into the work area where they brew the beer. Most of the tables are low-tops, which makes my short legs very happy. They also have a small fenced-in beer garden in the back.
Sippin’ and Slammin’: The Brew Adventure Begins
Pherm usually has about a dozen beers on tap. That typically includes at least one sour, which is great news for me. They also tend to have a few IPAs and Pilsners on tap, and they’ve had some version of their “Shakedown Shandy” on tap for as long as I can remember.
My first pick for this visit was the “Say it to Me Saison” – a light and crisp delight that set a refreshing tone for the evening. I really enjoyed it. Vince, the adventurous soul, took a sip and promptly rated it a 7 on his “slammability” scale.
Vince, always in pursuit of unique flavors, opted for the “Shakedown Shandy – Orange Crush.” While I found the lemony twist a bit overwhelming, Vince was all praises. He described it as lemony with a hint of orange, offering a mild slammability level of 4. Despite its challenge to slam, Vince appreciated its balanced flavor profile.
Vince’s second choice was the “Forbin,” a consistent favorite IPA. He bestowed upon it high praise – “very good,” “smooth,” and a slammability level of at least 7. It’s clear that the Forbin holds its own at Pherm.
Meanwhile, I indulged in “All the Colors,” a fruited sour that lived up to its name. Bursting with fruity goodness from prickly pear and passionfruit, it was a delightful explosion of flavor. Vince estimated a slammability level of 5, though he wouldn’t opt for the slam himself.
Vince’s third choice of “Divided SkyPA” proved to be a hit, earning a hearty thumbs-up. Described as an IPA, it garnered high marks for its super slammable nature with a score of 8. Easy-drinking and packed with flavor, it was a brew to remember.
I explored “Bluberry Angels,” a blueberry sour that delivered exactly what it promised – tangy and full of blueberry goodness. Vince declared it a slammability level of 7, a beer that you could enjoy in a hurry.
Furry Friends Are Welcome
Pherm Brewing Company proved to be a haven not just for humans but for our four-legged companions too! Our newly adopted friend, Bucky, wagged his approval as he mingled with other dogs and even a pug. His welcoming demeanor charmed kids and adults alike, and he even met his canine match with a little visitor.
Dinner with Old Line Eats
Pherm has a food truck most nights, and for this visit that truck was Old Line Eats. Vince and I split an OLE burger. It was juicy and well seasoned. Really tasty! We also had crabby fries. The fries have Old Bay on them and a big serving of cheesy crab dip. They’re delicious! Parker had the crab dip with naan chips. It’s the same dip as what’s on the fries, and he liked it so much that when he ran out of chips, he ate the rest with a fork.
Entertainment for Everyone
Pherm showcased its warm ambiance as the night continued with amateur comedians entertaining the crowd. They have a comedy night one Friday each month, and our visit just happened to coincide with that. Pherm also offers trivia nights, live music, and even yoga on their entertainment schedule. A few weeks prior to this visit, Parker and I went to Pherm for an amazing drag show to celebrate the end of Pride month. And a couple of weeks before that I was there for a “Paint Your Pet” where I painted a picture of one of our dogs who recently passed away.
We’ll Be Back!
As we bid adieu to Pherm, we left with our hearts full of laughter and our taste buds satisfied. It was an evening of exploration, connection, and, of course, fantastic brews. Until our next laughter-filled escapade, keep sipping and savoring the magic of the craft beer world!
You can find Pherm at 1041 MD-3, Gambrills, MD 21054. Check their website for upcoming events and their tap list.
