Beer and Wine January Newsletter: Brewery of the Month

By Sarah Thrall, Beer and Wine Department

Dogfish Head Brewery is located in Milton, Delaware, and was once the smallest brewery in the US. A rapidly growing brewery, it grew almost 400% between 2003 and 2006. Today they are considered one of the largest microbreweries in the country and are well known for their varied and innovative selection of craft beers.

The brewery was founded in 1995 by Sam Calagione, who became interested in brewing while working at a NYC bar that featured microbrewed beer. Calagione had always wanted to make weird beers. He has experimented with flavors such as beer aged in surfboard wood and beers that are more like wine with their flavor. Dogfish Head has also done several collaborations with other businesses outside of the beer industry. Calagione believes that these collaborations is what distinguishes the brand. Some collaborations include, working with the Grateful Dead in creating a strong pale ale called American Beauty and creating a pickle with beer ingredients with a company in NY.  Most recently, Calagione brewed a barbeque inspired stout with NBA star Chris Bosh in the back of a limo while riding in L.A. traffic.

Dogfish Head also has an impressive lineup of IPA’s. They produce a 60 minute, 90 minute, 75minute and 120 minute IPA. The 60 minute and 90 minute are aviliable year round while the 75 and 120 are limited releases. The 120 minute is currently the world’s strongest IPA. It is dry hopped every day for one month and has an ABV of 15-20%.

Today Dogfish Head produces just over 200,000 barrels annually and sells to less than 30 states. Aside from the Milton brewery, they also have a brewpub restaurant on the beach in Rehoboth, DE. Currently we carry the 60 minute and 90 minute IPA, the Indian Brown Ale and the gluten free Tweason’ Ale. You can also find their popular seasonal beers as they get released throughout the year.