Community Corner

Local Breweries Tap into Corbit's Charge Celebration

Two local breweries have brewed special beers to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Corbit's Charge, a Civil War skirmish that took place in Westminster.

This weekend will mark the 150th anniversary of Corbit's Charge, a Civil War cavalry skirmish that took place on the streets of Westminster, Md. Two local breweries are commemorating the historic event with beer.

On June 29, 1863, a cavalry battle unfolded on the streets of Westminster between Confederate J.E.B. Stuart’s Cavalry and the Union's Cavalry under Capt. Charles Corbit. Corbit is reported to have fought with “almost suicidal bravery,” playing a part in Stuart’s delayed arrival in Gettysburg. 

Two local breweries are making beer a part of the anniversary celebration. Ruhlman Brewery in Hampstead brewed "Rebel Rye" to represent the Confederates and DOG Brewing Company in Westminster brewed its "Union Stock Ale" in honor of the Union armies.

"The Shriver family has a history with both sides of the Civil War, so it was a fun collaboration to have two local breweries brew a beer specific to that time in history," said Matt Ruhlman of Ruhlman Brewery. "Especially with such local interest in the Civil War and the importance of this area for both the Union and the Confederacy."

Thousands of Confederate and Union Soldiers passed through Union Mills in the days leading up to Gettysburg.  The family that lived there was divided in its loyalties, one brother and his family supported the North, and other the south.  Both armies camped in Union Mills, one on June 29, the other on June 30. 

Ruhlman said that the brewery wanted to make their Rebel Rye brew as authentic as possible. 

"My cousin Jesse Ballard designed the recipe for the beer," Ruhlman said.  "He used ingredients that would have been available during the period including rye and molasses."

Ruhlman said they couldn't find a recipe for beer that was around during the civil war, as far as they were aware Maryland Rye Whiskey was the most popular drink at the time.

Ruhlman brewers collaborated with the Shriver family to mill the rye for Rebel Rye at Union Mills, and used hops that were grown at Creeping Creek Farm, the Ruhlman family farm in Hampstead. 

"Jesse felt this was as close as he could get to drinking a beer from the past, while being brewed on modern equipment," Ruhlman told Patch. 

Don't miss the celebration events taking place this weekend to commemorate the historic Corbit's Charge which led up to the decisive Battle of Gettysburg.

  • Friday, June 28: Corbit’s Charge Commemoration, 7 p.m. at the Battle Monument, Court Street in Westminster 
  • Saturday, June 29: J.E.B. Stuart’s Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. -10 a.m. at the Union Mills Homestead 
  • Saturday & Sunday: “Citizen Meets Soldier” is a living history of 1863 in Carroll County, Maryland. Walk in the footsteps of citizens divided in their loyalties and  the Union and Confederate Soldiers who camped along Big Pipe Creek in the days prior to Gettysburg. Park Entrance Fees ($10/car) include: Living History Reenactments, Civil War Encampment, House and Mills Walk-through tours, Artillery and Cavalry drills, “Meet the Generals” Presentations, Shriver Civil War Diaries Book, Presentation (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), “Meade’s Pipe Creek Line” Presentation by Chuck Teague (Sunday 1 p.m.) 
  • Saturday, June 29: 1863 Civil War Ball from 8 p.m.– 11 p.m. at Union Mills Homestead featuring period dancing; period or formal attire requested, $20 admission, by advance ticket sales
  • Sunday, June 30: Federal City Brass Band Concert at 2 p.m. at Union Mills Homestead, concert performance recreating the sound and appearance of a regular U.S. Army regimental brass band of the 1860s, concert admission is $5
Both beers will be available at this weekend's events at the Union Mills Homestead. 

Learn more about this weekend's events and Corbit's Charge on the Union Mills website. Learn more about the Civil War at http://www.heartofthecivilwar.org/



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