Heavy Seas, Yards, Two Roads & Bald Birds Joining B3 Beverage Company Unified Craft Brewing Initiative

I brought you news on the first portion of this new initiative, and now Heavy Seas and B3 Beverage join the party:

Heavy Seas will now partner with B3 Beverage Company to bring together four East Coast breweries who recently joined forces for beverage production:

Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland)
Yards Brewing Co. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Two Roads Brewing (Stratford, Connecticut)
Bald Birds Brewing Co. (Audubon & Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania)

Together under the B3 banner, these brands will strengthen their individual legacies while building something greater—an integrated beverage platform designed to expand production capacity, streamline operations, unlock broader distribution, and accelerate innovation.

A Stronger Collective in a Challenging Market

“The craft beer and beverage industry is at an inflection point. By combining resources, we create efficiency, scale, and reach that would be difficult for any one brewery to achieve on its own,” said Hugh Sisson, Founder of Heavy Seas. “This partnership gives each brand the ability to thrive while staying true to its roots. It’s a way to face future challenges together—stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.”

Heavy Seas Beer Remains Maryland Strong

While Heavy Seas joins a larger collective, it remains firmly rooted in Maryland. “Our identity as a Maryland brewery is who we are,” continued Sisson. “This partnership allows us to leverage shared production across facilities when it makes sense, while keeping our home base focused on brewing innovation and new product development. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Unlocking New Categories and Opportunities

The partnership also creates room for category diversification. In addition to strengthening its beer portfolio, Heavy Seas and B3 are exploring growth in non-alcoholic products, craft sodas, and beyond—capitalizing on evolving consumer trends while preserving what makes each brewery unique.

Passing the Torch: A Natural Leadership Evolution

After nearly 30 years at the helm, Sisson acknowledges it is time to begin a transition. “In the words of Monty Python, I’m not dead yet! I’ll still be involved, but this is the right moment to step back from the day-to-day,” Sisson shared. Leadership at Heavy Seas will increasingly include the next generation: Caroline Sisson (Marketing Director), Charlie Oxendine (Sales Director), Chris Leonard (Brewmaster), and John Eugeni (Production Manager)—a team well positioned to guide Heavy Seas into its next era within the B3 platform.

Celebrating 30 Years of Heavy Seas

This announcement comes at a milestone moment. Heavy Seas—Maryland’s largest craft brewery—celebrates its 30th Anniversary on December 8, 2025. To mark the occasion, Heavy Seas will host a 30th Anniversary Celebration at the brewery on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in partnership with the Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM). A portion of proceeds will benefit BAM’s mission to support and promote Maryland’s craft beer industry. Details for the Anniversary event will be announced in mid-October on the Heavy Seas website and social media channels.

The event will also feature the release of 30 Year Storm, a limited barrel-aged strong ale (11.5% ABV), aged in bourbon, rye, and sherry barrels. “This anniversary beer represents the culmination of three decades of creativity, experimentation, and resilience—everything Heavy Seas stands for,” said Caroline Sisson.

Looking Ahead: The Future of B3 Beverage

With Heavy Seas joining B3 Beverage Company, the platform now combines heritage, scale, and innovation. This move reflects B3’s mission: to unite strong regional brands, preserve their independence, and provide the resources to thrive in an evolving marketplace.

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About Heavy Seas Beer:

Heavy Seas Beer was founded by Hugh Sisson in 1995 and has grown to become one of the most respected and award-winning craft breweries on the East Coast. As the first pub brewer in Maryland, Hugh was responsible for the legislation that made brewpubs legal in the state in 1987. Now over three decades later, Heavy Seas celebrates its 28th year of brewing independent craft beer in Baltimore. The brewery continues to expand its product portfolio, now producing 22 different beer styles, and distributing to 15 states and Washington, D.C. Heavy Seas was named Beer Connoisseur Magazine’s 2017 Brewery of the Year.

It all started in 1980… Hugh Sisson, a Maryland native, theater grad school major, and all-around good guy, joins his family’s restaurant & bar, “Sisson’s” located on Cross Street in South Baltimore.
Craft beer wasn’t even on the radar back then. But Hugh quickly recognized that to run a business, you need to do something to be different.

Light bulb moment: “What if we turned Sisson’s into a brewpub and brewed our own beer?”
Solid plan, right? Problem: Brewpubs weren’t legal in Maryland at the time. 

In 1987, Hugh worked with Maryland legislators to draft a bill to legalize brewpubs in Baltimore City – the bill passed on the first attempt. Fast forward to 1989, “Sisson’s” becomes the first brewpub in the state of Maryland. 
After  the brewpub scene for a few years, Hugh felt the need for a bigger stage (theater pun intended). In 1994, he left “Sisson’s” for his next business venture… and the rest, friends, is nothing short of Maryland craft beer history.