FREDERICK BREWING: ALL HEMPED-UP OVER HEMPEN ALE

BarleyCorn Readers Choose Hempen Ale(TM) as New Craft Beer of the Year

FREDERICK, Md., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The public has spoken. Readers of
BarleyCorn's regional edition, Bay Schooner, the Mid-Atlantic's leading
beer publication, have voted Frederick Brewing Co.'s (Nasdaq: BLUE) Hempen
Ale(TM) 1997 New Craft Beer of the Year. Additionally, in a poll of
BarleyCorn writers and editors, Frederick Brewing Co.'s fall seasonal,
Hopfest(TM) 1997, featuring crystal hops, was chosen as National New Craft
Beer of the Year. Although different single-variety hops are used in each
year, Hopfest(TM) 1995, featuring Ultra hops, was also named BarleyCorn's
1995 New Craft Beer of the Year.

This is not the first time Hempen Ale(TM) has been recognized. As North
America's first beer brewed with hemp seeds, Hempen Ale(TM), a brown ale,
and its lighter counterpart Hempen Gold(TM) , a cream ale, have garnered
international acclaim from beer writers and consumers alike as the year's
most innovative new beer products. Both are currently available in 27
states and the District of Columbia.

First released in April 1997, Hempen Ale(TM) was awarded a bronze medal for
brewing excellence in the herb/spice category at the 16th Great American
Beer Festival(TM), the nation's largest and most prestigious beer event.
Hempen Ale(TM) was also an award-winner at the recent Hemp Industries
Association conference, where it was recognized by HempWorld magazine for
product innovation.

The hemp seeds used in the brew do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),
the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, although hemp and marijuana are
botanically related. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has
approved both Hempen Ale(TM) and Hempen Gold(TM) for distribution.

Frederick Brewing Co. recently merged with two other Maryland
microbreweries, Wild Goose Brewery of Cambridge, MD and Brimstone Brewing
Company of Baltimore, MD. Both will operate as wholly owned subsidiaries
of Frederick Brewing Co., with all brewing operations transferred to
Frederick. The three companies have combined 1997 sales of 35,000 barrels.

Founded in 1992, Frederick Brewing Co. completed a successful initial
public offering (IPO) in 1996. In March 1997, the company moved from a
converted warehouse to a purpose-built, 57,000-square-foot facility, which
has an annual capacity of 80,000 barrels and is expandable to 300,000.
Frederick Brewing Co.'s beers are sold in 31 states and the District of
Columbia.

Free public tours and tastings are held at FBC's brewery every Saturday and
Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Directions are available by calling the brewery at
888-258-7434, visiting the Frederick Brewing Co. Web site at
http://www.fredbrew.com, or referring to the map on the bottom of a
six-pack. Reservations are not required.