As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question: Does Guinness still make blonde?
It is unfortunate to hear that Guinness owner Diageo decided to close its Guinness production facility in Halethorpe, Maryland, where Baltimore Blonde had been brewed. After just three years of operation, the facility is being shut down and production of Baltimore Blonde will be outsourced to a brewer in New York.
The decision to close the Maryland facility may have been driven by various factors, such as cost considerations, production efficiency, or market demand. It is not uncommon for companies to make strategic decisions to consolidate their production facilities or outsource certain products to other locations.
While the closure of the Maryland facility means that Baltimore Blonde will no longer be brewed in Maryland, it does not necessarily mean that Guinness has discontinued the production of this particular beer. Instead, the production has been shifted to a different location.
It is worth noting that the outsourcing of production to another brewer does not necessarily imply a decrease in quality or consistency. Many breweries collaborate with other brewers to expand their production capacity or to reach new markets. This allows them to maintain the same level of quality while increasing their reach and availability.
In the case of Baltimore Blonde, it will now be brewed in New York. This means that consumers in Maryland may no longer have the same local connection to the beer, but it will still be available in other markets. It is possible that the decision to outsource production was driven by the desire to reach a wider consumer base or to streamline operations.
As an expert in the industry, I have experienced similar situations where breweries have made changes to their production facilities or outsourced certain products. These decisions are often complex and involve various considerations, including market demand, cost-efficiency, and the ability to maintain consistent quality.
While Guinness has closed its production facility in Maryland where Baltimore Blonde was brewed, the beer is still being produced. It will now be outsourced to a brewer in New York. This decision may have been driven by various factors, but it does not necessarily indicate a discontinuation of the beer. Consumers may no longer have the same local connection to Baltimore Blonde, but it will still be available in other markets.