Reporting by Capital News Service's Matthieu Drotar, Sydney Carter, Anna Weaver and Greg Kohn.

Despite being traditionally dominated by states like Colorado and California, craft brewing has become an increasingly important industry for Maryland. With 31 microbreweries and brewpubs currently recognized by the Brewers Association and another 15 in the planning stages, Maryland is beginning to gain national recognition as a new hotspot of beer.

From Franklin's Brewery in Hyattsville to Union Craft Brewing and Pratt Street Ale House in Baltimore to those along the Eastern Shore and in Frederick, MD, the craft beer business is not only growing in Maryland, but becoming profitable.

Patch's Nick Gestido has covered Maryland's breweries in his Craft Beer, Here columns.

This interactive 12-story series, introduces the players in the state's craft beer business. Click on the image above to read the stories and watch the videos.

TELL US: What's your favorite local brewery? What about your favorite winter ale? Post in the comments below.