By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(March 11, 2021) Berlin is in fourth place of a USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2021 contest for the best small town beer scene against 19 other nominations, including Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Laurier Binet, a bartender at Burley Oak Brewing Company, pours a pint of craft beer in the taproom on Old Ocean City Boulevard on Feb. 19.

Each town nominated has a population less than 30,000 and was chosen by a panel of beer experts as having the best beer scenes in the U.S. for their size.

Berlin is behind Avondale Estates, Georgia, Maple Shade, New Jersey and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director, said this is the first time the town has been nominated for the contest.

“Berlin won best small town for shopping by USA Today in both 2018 and 2020, so we are thrilled to be nominated again for a new category,” Wells said.

Berlin’s beer scene really developed when Burley Oak Brewing Company, 10016 Old Ocean City Boulevard, opened in 2011.

Along with Pitt Stop Beer & Wine on Route 113, and Fins Ale House & Raw Bar, 119 N. Main St., Berlin has established a relatively expansive craft beer selection.

Wells added that craft beer is a big economic driver and factor for tourism.

“Most of our restaurants offer local beer now due to demand,” she said. “People want to experience local beer and food.”

In addition, the town has hosted Oktoberfest for nine years, featuring beers from Burley Oak Brewing Company and Big Oyster Brewery from Lewes, Delaware.

The event typically brings 3,000 to 5,000 visitors and residents downtown for the day.

Fans of Berlin’s beer scene can vote once per day until March 16 at noon.

To vote, visit https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-beer-scene/berlin-maryland/.

Winners will be announced on March 26.