Forward Brewing in Baltimore: A Brewery with an Expanding Vegan Food Program

Forward Brewing is a production and taproom operation in Hampden that focuses on farmhouse and hoppy ales and has built its kitchen around vegan-friendly options, making it one of Baltimore's few breweries where plant-based diners can sit comfortably alongside the beer program rather than picking sides from a limited menu.

What Forward Brewing actually is

Forward occupies a 5,000-square-foot former warehouse space on the edge of Hampden and operates as both a production facility and public taproom. The brewery specializes in Belgian-influenced farmhouse styles, IPAs, and seasonal releases, with 12 to 16 offerings typically on tap. The taproom itself seats roughly 100 guests across a concrete-floored main room, a smaller side bar, and outdoor seating when weather permits. The kitchen, staffed separately from the brewing operation, prioritizes vegetable-forward cooking and has incorporated vegan protein sources into its core menu rather than treating plant-based diets as an afterthought.

Beer selection and taproom food with pricing

Forward's core lineup includes a Belgian-style blonde ale, a West Coast IPA, and a rotating series of single-hop and farmhouse-method beers. Seasonal releases change monthly. Pints run $6 to $8 depending on ABV; flights of four 5-ounce pours cost $12 to $14. The brewery does not distribute widely beyond the taproom, so this is the primary place to drink its beer in Baltimore.

The kitchen's vegan options include a roasted vegetable sandwich with house-made cashew spread and pickled red onion ($14), a grain bowl with roasted seasonal vegetables, legumes, and tahini dressing ($13 to $15), and flatbreads topped with hummus, caramelized onion, and mushrooms ($12). Shareable items like smoked chickpea "wings" with hot sauce and blue cheese alternative and a charcuterie board built around vegan cheeses, olives, and cured vegetable strips run $16 to $20. Non-vegan items (burgers, fish preparations) occupy equal space on the menu, so the kitchen is not vegan-exclusive; it simply does not reduce vegan offerings to token status.

How Forward compares to other Baltimore breweries

Union Craft Brewing, also in Hampden, operates a larger taproom and serves a wider general food menu through a rotating roster of food trucks; its vegan options depend on which vendor is present on a given day, making consistency difficult for plant-based diners. Peabody Heights Brewery in Hampden has a tighter food program centered on comfort food and does not prioritize vegan modifications. RAW Brewing Company in Canton offers cider and seltzers alongside beer and has incorporated some plant-based small plates, but its menu focus tilts toward meat-based items. Forward distinguishes itself by integrating vegan options into its kitchen identity rather than offering them as an alternative, and by keeping those options staffed and available daily rather than dependent on rotating vendors.

Who Forward suits and who it does not

Forward works well for vegan or plant-based diners who also want to drink beer without feeling relegated to fries or side salads. It suits groups with mixed diets because the kitchen genuinely accommodates both without making either feel like a compromise choice. The brewery attracts beer enthusiasts interested in farmhouse and Belgian styles rather than hop-forward IPAs as a defining statement. The space is informal, casual, and loud during evening hours; it is not suited to quiet conversation or those seeking an upscale tasting-room experience. It does not have food-focused service like a restaurant; order and pickup happen at the bar.

What a first visit involves

Enter off the side street into a raw, unfinished room with a bar along one wall and high-top and communal tables throughout. Order beer and food at the same counter. Take a seat, and someone will bring food when it's ready. The menu is posted behind the bar and available in printed form on tables. Most visits last 90 minutes to two hours. First-time visitors should try the rotating farmhouse ale and any seasonal release, then pick a food item based on whether they want something hot (grain bowls, flatbreads) or cold (charcuterie board).

Hours, parking, and logistics

Forward is open Wednesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on Saturdays; confirm current hours before visiting, as seasonal adjustments occur. Parking is available in a dedicated lot beside the taproom and on surrounding residential streets in Hampden. The location sits two blocks from the Hampden commercial corridor and is accessible by MTA bus routes 3 and 27. The brewery does not take reservations; seating is first-come, first-served.

Forward has positioned itself as a neighborhood brewery where plant-based eating is not a special request but part of how the kitchen operates, making it a practical choice for vegan diners who also want consistent beer access in Baltimore.