Pooles Island Brewing Co. is a 10,000 square feet brewery and tap room in Middle River, MD. Led by Head Brewer, Patrick Jones, Pooles offers a core complement of signature beers plus a rotating selection of seasonal and experimental brews, all emphasizing the use of fresh and local ingredients whenever possible. Highlighting the tap room is our self-serve Tap Wall featuring 12 different styles of our beers. Our 3200 square foot tap room features an outdoor patio off the main room and a semi-private area for special events. Food service at the facility includes a rotating selection of popular local food trucks for patrons to enjoy on evenings and weekends.
Pooles Island Brewing Co.
11695 Crossroads Circle, Suite A
Middle Rive, Maryland 21220
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Historic Pooles Island
Pooles Island Brewing Company is inspired by neighboring, Pooles Island, located in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, near the mouth of the Gunpowder River. 39.281568, -76.266779
Originally named Powell's Island by explorer Captain John Smith in the early 1600s, the name would evolve over the years, possibly to reflect the numerous springs and pools on the island. The island was famed in the 18th and 19th centuries for its fertility, particularly for the peaches raised there in the 1880s and '90s.
It was one of the first places on the Bay considered for a lighthouse. In 1824 Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of the light by John Donahoo and Simon Frieze. The roughly constructed granite tower and keeper's house were joined three years later by a fog bell tower, the first in the state.
As part of the establishment of Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1917, Pooles Island was purchased by the federal government, and the light station was turned over to the Army. The light was automated the following year. In 1939, it was decommissioned, and the surrounding structures were torn down.
Pooles Island Light is "off-limits” to the general public because the island was used for bombing and shelling practice from 1918 through the early 1960's. There are many unexploded bombs and shells all over the island."
