By Greg Ellison

(Aug. 26, 2021) Berlin alcoholic beverage options are in line to expand after the Planning Commission approved site plans for Forgotten 50 Distilling on Old Ocean City Blvd. during its meeting last Wednesday.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart said the new craft distillery is slated for a more than half-acre parcel previously occupied by Chesapeake Utilities.

“They have done a lot of expensive remodeling inside to get ready for the proposed use as a distillery,” he said.

Engelhart said site plans include a tasting room totaling just under 2,200 square feet, with a distilling area measuring approximately 2,300 square feet.

“There will be an outdoor seating area on the east side of the building,” he said.

Developers also plan to install an open-air kitchen.

Prior to pursuing the Planning Commission’s endorsement, developers EJF Real Estate sought and received a parking variance from Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals.

“Our code would require, according to the square footage of tasting area 34 parking spaces,” he said. “They were given a parking variance down to 25 parking spaces.”

Engelhart said the State Highway Administration required project developers to eliminate parking spots in front of the building.

The current site layout allows vehicles exiting the location to enter Old Ocean City Boulevard directly from the parking lot blacktop.

Chairperson Chris Denny said the sole adjacent neighbor is former Berlin Mayor Gee Williams.

“He’s all about it,” he said.

Eric Fiori with EJF Real Estate said project designers intend to use the eliminated parking spots as green space.

Steve Engel with Vista Design said the SHA is requiring curbs and sidewalk along the front of the property.

Fiori said once exterior site improvements are approved, the developers are ready to proceed.

A partner in the venture is Matt “Cody” Miller, head distiller at Seacrets for the last six years.

Fiori said largescale distilling equipment from manufactures including Columbia Boiler and Revival Stillworks should be fully in place within weeks.

Forgotten 50 Distilling owners are also securing quotes for process piping.

“We had a mid-October opening planned, but now it’s probably the beginning of the year,” he said.

Fiori said acquiring the full array of distilling equipment and required permitting would likely take several months.

After gaining site plan approval last week, Fiori launched a Forgotten 50 Distilling Facebook page that drew a fast following.

“We have 800-plus followers already,” he said.

Aware the craft distillery is bringing an unheralded offering to Berlin, Fiori said the intent is to assure the operation is fully functional before welcoming the public for a sip.

“We don’t want to open up and not be ready,” he said.