Our Story - 1623 Brewing

Core Values

Family is First

At 1623, family is first. Owner Mike McKelvin underscores this point by including his own family in the daily operations. Mike, his wife Sandy, and daughters Cameron and Jordan work together to bring the highest quality beer, seltzers, food, entertainment, and catered events to the community. Since opening, 1623 has received multiple awards for their unique beers with accolades from the local community for best happy hour and best beer. Mike’s years of sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship experience, combined with his deep love of family have helped 1623 reach new heights and expand their regional distribution. Thanks to the support of the community, they continue to expand their beverage and dining options to meet the needs of their guests.

THE ORIGIN OF OUR NAME

The origin of 1623 began as a connection. A connection between cousins who happened to be 1,623 miles apart. When Mike McKelvin decided to open a brewery in Eldersburg, Maryland, he asked his cousin and award-winning brewer, Zac Rissmiller living in Colorado, if he could develop several beers to get them off the ground. Zac agreed to donate his talents to the endeavor and the rest is history. At its core, 1623 Brewing Co. is about connecting family—no matter the distance. Whether it’s the family you we were born into or the family you choose, we invite you to come for a visit, and share a drink with us.

History with Experience

At the beginning of the 1623 journey, Mike had 30 years of sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship under his belt. Mike’s wife, Sandy, was a business owner with a marketing background. Mike and Sandy’s children, Jordan and Cameron, were in college pursuing business degrees. It was decided that Carroll County, Maryland needed a brewery. A place where the locals could come to gather with family and friends both old and new, and to share some of the best beer in the area. After nine months of painstaking research and many late night discussions over beer, 1623 Brewing Co. was born. In September 2018, the first 1623 beer was brewed. Two months later, 1623 IPA and 1623 Hefeweizen were on shelves and flowing from taps throughout central Maryland. As the operation continues to expand, the 1623 story is proof that our connection to family and the local community can overcome any distance to bring people together. Cheers to family.

Mike McKelvin

Owner

Born and raised in Essex Maryland, Mike McKelvin has called Westminster, Maryland home for 25 years with his wife Sandy and daughters Jordan and Cameron. Mike is a proud graduate of Western Maryland College with thirty years of sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship experience and is constantly driven by “what’s next?”. Sometimes that next step is what’s right in front of you— for Mike, it’s bringing together his love of family, community, and commitment to hard work. What’s next is 1623 Brewing.

1623 is about a life’s work becoming a life’s passion for Mike. Creating something from the ground up with Sandy and the girls by his side while having a direct influence on the approach and style of business. The exciting opportunity to combine the family experience with the experiences of our families is something not many get to do. Mike drives home every day that “family is first”, and everyone is invited to join the family.