Sisson's had been opened by Baltimore native Al Sisson and his wife Annie in December 1979. It quickly achieved success as 'the' neighborhood bar of historic Federal Hill.
When brewing equipment was installed in 1989, Sisson's became Maryland's first brewpub to operate since Prohibition. Under the stewardship of Al's son Hugh Sisson, who was general manager and head brewer, the brewpub and its beers achieved renown.
Shortly thereafter, the kitchen facilities were improved, the restaurant physically expanded, and the menu changed to that of Creole cuisine. With chefs Bill Aydlett and William Rothwell, the restaurant's food, in tandem with the beer, became highly regarded.
The long renovation period, undertaken with constantly shifting plans, had sapped the funds from the quartet's initially large pool of capital. Plans were left unfulfilled and necessary upgrades to the brewery remained uncompleted. In August 2001, Cizauskas departed the partnership and the brewpub.
In October 2002, the brewpub was sold again and renamed Ryleigh's. Sisson's, the grand old lady of Maryland brewing, had ceased to exist.
In 1995, preparing to open his new production brewery, Clipper City Brewing Company, Hugh Sisson sold his shares of the brewpub. Annie Sisson's son Jack Callanan was picked by the family to operate the restaurant and brewpub.
The Sisson family members eventually sold the pub themselves in November of 2002. Purchasing Sisson's were Washington, D.C. restaurateur Paul Morrissey, past co-owner of British Brewing Company Craig Stuart-Paul and his wife Tracey, and Thomas Cizauskas.
The partners promptly began extensive renovations. Among the changes were a new bar in the upstairs dining room, moving the downstairs bar to a more centralized location, and a general 'spiffing up' of the facilites.
Chef Rothwell was rehired and the menu was changed to that of a Baltimore Steakhouse. The 'new' Sisson's opened in the latter half of March 2001.
Initial press in Ale Street News .Initial press in Baltimore Sun .
