New distillery and brewery on tap for Washington County?

A new distillery near Keedysville and a new brewery in Williamsport could open in the next several weeks.

Representatives of Pleasant Valley Distillery and Homaide Brewing Co. appeared before the Washington County Board of License Commissioners during a virtual session Wednesday.

Each business must come back to the liquor board for a formal hearing and get the board's approval to open.

Nate and Natalie Kraft of Pathfinder Farm plan to open Pleasant Valley Distillery at the property on Mount Carmel Church Road near Keedysville. Nate Kraft told the board that the distillery has obtained a federal license and is in the process of getting a state license.

He said the distillery will be making spirits, such as apple pie moonshine, white whiskey and rum.

Kraft said the initial plan is to offer tastings by appointment. The distillery also plans to host outdoor quarterly events that feature its products as well as beverages from local wineries and breweries.

"This is just our getting-started plan for a year or two," he said.

He said he plans to build a tasting room, but that will not happen immediately.

"I would like to open in the fall," he said. "I know that's right around the corner."

Kevin Atticks and Janna Howley of Grow & Fortify also signed in to the meeting to represent the Maryland Distillers Guild and show support for the Krafts' project.

Howley said Pleasant Valley would become one of a few farm-based distilleries in the state, working with local produce.

Also Tuesday, the commission held a discussion with representatives of Homaide Brewing.

In February, Stephen Perez and Lucas Pinyan of Homaide Brewing Co. came to a liquor board meeting to talk about setting up a craft brewery at 607 W. Washington St. in Hagerstown.

Since then, the already-established Cushwa Brewing Co. moved from one location to another in the Bowman Business Park off Governor Lane Boulevard. Cushwa now is at 10210 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 2010.

Homaide has made arrangements to move into Cushwa's former space at 10212 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 1012, Perez said. Homaide also obtained some equipment from Cushwa.

Homaide plans to run a small taproom and brewery in the space, he said.

Perez said the owners hope to open in October.

At Tuesday's session, Perez and Pinyan were joined by a third co-owner, Christopher Krzywonski.

This story was modified Thursday, Sept. 3, at 1:35 p.m. to correct the date on which the liquor board's virtual session was held.

The Herald-Mail apologizes for the error.