Heavy Seas Beer, Maryland’s largest craft brewery, is partnering with B3 Beverage Company to join three other East Coast independent breweries on the craft beverage platform.
Yards Brewing Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Two Roads Brewing of Stratford, Connecticut; and Bald Birds Brewing Co. of Audubon and Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania already operate under the B3 banner. Heavy Seas will join them, while all four pledge to maintain and strengthen their individual legacies. They also hope to work together under B3 Beverage Company’s integrated platform to expand their production, improve operations, and speed up innovation.
“The craft beer and beverage industry is at an inflection point. By combining resources, we create efficiency, scale, and reach that would be difficult for any one brewery to achieve on its own,” said Hugh Sisson, founder of Heavy Seas, in a statement. “This partnership gives each brand the ability to thrive while staying true to its roots. It’s a way to face future challenges together—stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.”
Sisson pledges to remain Maryland Strong in the company’s focus, even as it joins a larger collective. He believes Heavy Seas is firmly rooted in Maryland.
“Our identity as a Maryland brewery is who we are,” Sisson said. “This partnership allows us to leverage shared production across facilities when it makes sense, while keeping our home base focused on brewing innovation and new product development. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Partnering with B3, however, allows Heavy Seas to diversify and look at creating non-alcoholic products, craft sodas, and beyond, according to a news release.
Sisson has been at the helm of Heavy Seas for nearly 30 years and recognizes the natural cycle of leadership evolution.
“In the words of Monty Python, I’m not dead yet! I’ll still be involved, but this is the right moment to step back from the day-to-day,” Sisson said, noting it is time to begin a transition. Leadership at the company includes many in the next generation: marketing director Caroline Sisson, sales director Charlie Oxendine, brewmaster Chris Leonard, and production manager John Eugeni. He feels confident the team is poised to bring Heavy Seas into its next era with the B3 platform.
This announcement comes as Heavy Seas prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in December 2025. To mark the occasion, Heavy Seas will host a 30th Anniversary Celebration at the brewery on Dec. 6, in partnership with the Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM). A portion of proceeds will benefit BAM’s mission to support and promote Maryland’s craft beer industry. Look for more details in mid-October on the Heavy Seas website and social media channels.
The anniversary celebration will also feature the release of 30 Year Storm, a limited barrel-aged strong ale (11.5% ABV), aged in bourbon, rye, and sherry barrels.
“This anniversary beer represents the culmination of three decades of creativity, experimentation, and resilience—everything Heavy Seas stands for,” said Caroline Sisson in a statement.
