True Respite Brewing Opens in MoCo, Owner Discusses County’s “New Leaf”

Historically, when most people think of Montgomery County, Maryland, they do not think about craft beer. In fact, until recently it has probably been the opposite, with the county gaining a reputation for red tape and Department of Liquor Control shortcomings. The past couple of years may signal that this reputation is outdated. In the past six months alone, two breweries (Saints Row and True Respite) have opened along East Gude Drive in Rockville, and at least two more are slated to open alongside Denizens in Silver Spring this year (Astrolab and Silver Branch).

I got the chance to visit both Saints Row and True Respite this past weekend, and it is clear the locals are thankful for the nearby options. Both taprooms garnered significant crowds. About a mile from each other on East Gude, they both cater to a family crowd. True Respite offers a large open-air space complete with games. Saints Row cultivates a laid-back, neighborhood vibe with an garage door that opens on nice days.

While