Opening their doors in November 2013, Mispillion River Brewing (MRB) in Milford has created so much buzz that owners of the business have expanded from selling solely in their taproom to now being served at restaurants and sold at liquor stores. Creating several types of brews including Indian Pale Ales, Imperial Porters, Tropical Lagers and Chocolate Stouts, MRB has exceeded expectations among their fans and colleagues in the craft beer industry.

In 2011 Mispillion River Brewing was born solely from a love of craft brewing as Co-Founder Eric Williams, told his wife and Co-Founder, “Megan, I am going to open a craft brewery in Milford.” After 2 years of planning, brewing, tasting, traveling the country and assembling a team of partners, the business opened in 2013, serving the entry level craft drinker, beer connoisseur, craft beer drinker and craft brewery enthusiast.

Now Head Brewer, Ryan Maloney, joined the MRB crew in the spring of 2013 and quickly became an invaluable part of the team. Beginning as an Assistant Brewer, under the tutelage of former Head Brewer Jared Barnes, Ryan gained the skill and expertise necessary to take the reigns as Head Brewer this fall.

Maloney was born and raised in Milford and graduated from Milford Senior High School in 2004. After serving six years in the Marine Corps, Ryan worked for the United States Department of Agriculture for four years for the Farms Service Agency. Given a home brew kit for his birthday one year, Maloney began making his own beer and spent countless hours trying to construct the perfect recipe.

“It’s that blend of science and art that makes brewing really enjoyable,” said Maloney.

Wanting more than just a hobby, Maloney studied at the Siebel Institute of Technology and decided to make brewology a career. In 2013 he studied under Jared Barnes at Mispillion River Brewing and was an integral part of the construction and opening of Milford’s first and only brewery. He enjoyed his time spent under Barnes calling it “invaluable” and is excited to begin his new role as Head Brewer at MRB.

“Theory [of brewing beer] is taught in school but their is also a practical side, Jared painted a good picture and showed you how it was really done,” said Maloney. “It meant a lot to me [to become the new Head Brewer], I am excited.”

Maloney enjoys the art of brewing beer for several reasons including the challenges associated with searching for the perfect balance in each brew. He states that there is always a new recipe and technique to learn and always ways to be more efficient with the process. Ryan will be using Mispillion River Brewing’s full system that includes three 15-barrel fermenters, one 30-barrel fermenter and one 30-barrel bright tank that completes the production brewery set up.

With 10 taps flowing in the tasting room and several beers each month introduced to their fans, there is always something new to try at MRB. Maloney’s only advice on which one to choose is simply, “try it with an open mind. A lot of people are intimidated by the look and smell of a certain beer and then after the try it, they like it.” On tap now, Ryan suggests that individuals try the Sweet Potato Pie Beer which “smells just like pie” and the Chunky Monkey which “tastes like a chocolate banana split.”

In addition to selling their brews on tap at their Milford location and several local pubs and restaurants, MRB has partnered with a mobile canning company to feature Beach Bum Joe, a pale ale, and Reach Around IPS, an indian pale ale, in local liquor stores and restaurants in can form. Mispillion River Brewery is currently open seven days a week at 255 Mullet Road off Airport Road in Milford, DE. More information on MRB can be found online at http://mispillionriverbrewing.com, on Facebook or by calling 302-491-6623.