‘The Dogfish Head Book’ to be released Oct. 19

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery announced the publication of “The Dogfish Head Book: 26 Years of Off-Centered Adventures,” a celebratory chronology of the offbeat escapades that propelled Dogfish Head to become the beloved craft brewery, distillery, hotel and culinary hub it is today.

Written by Dogfish Head founder and brewer Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head co-founder and communitarian Mariah Calagione, and longtime co-worker and Dogfish Inn keeper Andrew C. Greeley, this heavily illustrated, lovingly told page-turner provides a detailed account of the brand’s history through heartfelt stories from the authors, a timetable of Dogfish Head’s off-centered beverage releases, and a plethora of co-worker tales.

“The Dogfish Head Book” will hit shelves and web stores nationwide Tuesday, Oct. 19.

“As our friends the Grateful Dead, whom we have had the pleasure of collaborating with throughout the years, once sang: ‘What a long, strange trip it’s been.’ There’s no better way to describe the awesome voyage Mariah, Andrew and I embarked on to write and publish this book,” said Sam Calagione. “As the official beer of Record Store Day, Dogfish Head has always been inspired by music, and in fact, when writing and designing ‘The Dogfish Head Book,’ we were largely inspired by ‘The Beastie Boys Book,’ adopting its fun, design-rich structure to bring our brand to life through both words and images. Most of the words are from Mariah, Andrew and me, but we were also excited to include stories from fellow co-workers who have contributed to the brand’s communal journey.”

Much like barley is to beer, the foundation of the book is the chronological exposition of Dogfish Head’s iconic beverages, locations and events – from Sam’s first home brew experience in 1993 to the 2021 opening of the brand’s newest taproom, Dogfish Head Miami, and everything in between. Other key ingredients that complete this art-first, business-second book include hundreds of full-color images; renderings of product artwork; quotes from the authors’ favorite musicians, artists and writers; and more.

Readers will drink in an understanding of the how and why behind Dogfish Head’s growth and success while enjoying insightfully humorous and inspirational stories intended to encourage them to pursue their own creative journeys, regardless of how off-centered or out of reach they may seem.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be an author, and having the chance to co-write this particular book was so much fun,” said Greeley. “Together, Sam, Mariah and I thoughtfully planned each chapter, designing the pages to be an informal interaction with the reader, almost like we were sharing our stories with them over a couple of beers while sitting around the fire pit at the Dogfish Inn. And something I’m really looking forward to is including the book in our inn house library, sitting it alongside the other books curated by our friends at City Lights Bookstore. I already can’t wait to dust it off for discussions with guests as we collectively write its next chapters in real time.”

Dogfish Head’s unique, off-centered ethos, against-the-grain approach to traditional brewing practices, and expansion into spirits, restaurants and lodging, are what has allowed it to remain buoyant in a crowed sea of beverage brands. In 1995, Dogfish Head opened its doors in Rehoboth Beach as the first brewpub in the First State and one of the smallest commercial breweries in America.

Over the following 26 years, Dogfish Head experienced exponential growth, blossoming into one of the country’s largest and most well-known independent craft breweries. 

“Thinking back to the day we opened Dogfish Head, I would never have imagined we would end up where we are today. As all journeys, ours has had its fair share of ups and downs, and a whole lot of learning and laughter along the way. It truly has been, as the book’s title says, ‘26 Years of Off-Centered Adventures,’ and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Mariah. “Throughout the process of writing ‘The Dogfish Head Book,’ one question I’ve been asked countless times – and I’ve asked myself this too – is, ‘What will the next 26 years bring?’ Honestly, I don’t know … I’m not sure any of us do, but I’m sure excited to find out!”