Day trip, done: A destination farm distillery just opened in Montgomery County
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Join the grain-to-glass scene at Song Dog Farm Distillery. Photo: Courtesy Deb Lindsey
Song Dog Farm Distillery just opened in Montgomery County — crafting 100% Maryland-made spirits on a 29-acre farm.
Why it matters: It's a rare destination distillery in the county's Agricultural Reserve, just 30-ish minutes from Bethesda — and primed for day trips.
State of play: Visitors can sip vodkas, gins, bourbons and ryes distilled and barrel-aged on-site.
- There are classic cocktails from James Beard Award-winning "Slow Drinks" author Danny Childs, plus low- and no-alcohol options.
- A 45-seat tasting room, big porch and sprawling lawns welcome families, dogs and groups.
- Local producers supply cheese, charcuterie and other snacks. Expect food trucks and live music.
Between the lines: Owners David Harris and Megan Draheim spent a decade building Song Dog — partnering with nearby farms to grow heirloom red corn and specialty grains for their spirits.
- The time was crucial for producing and aging whiskey while building the distillery.
The intrigue: Every spirit, amaro and liqueur is made in-house — a licensing requirement that fuels seasonal creations.
- Everything is Kosher-certified, reflecting the owners' values (also: vegan).
- The team leans into terroir: local grains and open-top fermenters pull in natural elements from the environment for one-of-a-kind flavor.
What they're saying: "We're trying to deeply provide people with a sense of place," Harris tells Axios. "This beautiful intersection of agriculture and the magic of distillation."
If you go: Song Dog Farm Distillery. 18100 Bucklodge Rd, Boyds. Open Weds-Sun.
