Dogfish to celebrate Grateful Dead collaboration Feb. 8-9
Dogfish Head will host a series of music-inspired events Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9, to celebrate the revival of its highly sought-after Grateful Dead collaboration beer, American Beauty, and welcome the band’s audiovisual archivist and legacy manager David Lemieux to coastal Delaware.
A hoppy pale ale brewed with granola and succulent wildflower honey, American Beauty clocks in at 6.5 percent ABV to commemorate 1965, the year the Grateful Dead was formed. First brewed in 2013, it made its comeback in late 2018 and will be available in 6pk/12oz bottles throughout 2019.
“Working closely with the Dogfish crew is something I'm looking forward to a lot; it's a partnership that has been so strong for more than six years,” said Lemieux. “Dogfish’s philosophy and attitude closely matches the Dead’s, which a band member once described as ‘misfit power.’ Dogfish is left of center in the beer world, just as the Dead are in the musical and cultural world.”
A longtime Dead Head, Lemieux has worked with the Grateful Dead for nearly 20 years. As the band’s musical historian of sorts, he not only manages the band’s archive library, but also curates and produces a series of rare live shows known as “Dave’s Picks.” Lemieux will join Dogfish Head for Friday night’s American Beauty events, and will be available to chat with fans throughout the evening.
Lemieux will host a meet and greet from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Feb. 8, at Dogfish Head Brewery’s Tasting Room & Kitchen in Milton. Guests are encouraged to bring their most psychedelic Grateful Dead merchandise for Lemieux to sign.
Later that evening at Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach, Dead Heads and Dogfish fans can delight in a four-course American Beauty Beer Experience, complete with delicious Grateful Dead-inspired dishes, a myriad of off-centered libations and live music by High Tied Sideshow. During dinner, Lemieux will answer guests’ questions and share stories about his time with the Grateful Dead. Those unable to grab tickets for the Beer Experience can head next door to Chesapeake & Maine to enjoy a tasty American Beauty-themed food special.
“Smile, smile, smile,” because events continue from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Feb. 9. at the tasting room and kitchen in Milton. Folks can sip on some of the brewery’s most well-loved music collaboration beers and sing along to some classic vinyl tunes during a special edition of Vintage & Vinyl. Guests will also have the opportunity to learn more about Dogfish’s music collaborations as they explore behind-the-scenes, normally off-limits parts of the brewery and distillery during a limited-edition, music-themed Grain to Glass tour.
For more details and updates, go to www.dogfish.com/events.
