Sisson's was 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. To name a few: Marble Golden Ale, Stockade Ale, Edgar Allan Porter, Prancer's Pride.
In November of 2002, the family sold their remaining interest in the brewpub |
The new owners included Washington, D.C. restaurateur Paul Morrissey, past co-owner of British Brewing Company Craig Stuart-Paul and his wife Tracey, and local brewer 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.
In August 2001, Cizauskas departed the partnership. In October 2002, the remaining partners sold their shares. The pub was renamed Ryleigh's Oyster. In 2005, the brewing equipment was removed and sold to Mountaineer Brewing of West Virginia. Sisson's —the grand old lady of Maryland brewing— had ceased to exist. |
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