Dogfish Head and Grateful Dead reunite for American Beauty

Dogfish Head is truckin’ into 2019 as it reunites with the iconic Grateful Dead band to bring back a much-anticipated collaboration beer, American Beauty.

This synergetic union brings fans a pale ale that shares a name with the popular 1970 Grateful Dead album “American Beauty,” featuring hits like “Friend of the Devil,” ”Sugar Magnolia” and “Truckin’.” A band with an immensely loyal, multigenerational fan base, the Grateful Dead is widely known for blending music genres like psychedelia, blues, folk, country, rock 'n' roll and jazz to create their incredibly unique rock sound.

Available in 6pk/12oz bottles and clocking in at 6.5 percent ABV to commemorate 1965, the year the Grateful Dead was formed, American Beauty is brewed with granola and succulent wildflower honey which add toasty, sweet notes to this hoppy ale.

When Dogfish Head first collaborated with the band in 2013, they jointly reached out to their fan base for ingredient suggestions to incorporate into the beer recipe. Loyal deadheads and off-centered ale enthusiasts submitted more than 1,500 ideas, and after careful thought, and chuckles at some entries, granola won out. The beer was an instant favorite; now Dogfish Head is bringing it back for a limited time in December 2018, and it will be available through 2019.

“After more than 50 years of performing in front of fans all over the world, folks remain fiercely loyal to the Grateful Dead due to the organically imaginative, creative and accessible culture they nurture across all artistic platforms,” said Sam Calagione, CEO and founder of Dogfish Head. “We at Dogfish are inspired by their music, along with their unprecedented ability to bridge long-lasting, meaningful connections with fans for decades on end. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Dead for a second iteration of American Beauty and hope fans of free-spirited music and independent beer will join in welcoming back this classic pale ale.”

Dogfish Head will also be working with official Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux, who curates and produces a series of highly sought-after live Grateful Dead shows, known as Dave’s Picks. Dogfish Head will partner with Lemieux on a number of projects, including an immersive storytelling experience at the Rehoboth and Milton properties in early February.

Dogfish Head is also ready to share its 2019 beer calendar. Off-centered ale fans can count on finding their favorite year-round Dogfish beers on shelves and taps, including 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute Imperial IPA, SeaQuench Ale, Flesh & Blood IPA, Namaste White, Liquid Truth Serum IPA (now available in 12oz/6pk and 16oz/4pk cans,) Lupu-Luau IPA, Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Midas Touch and Wood-Aged Bitches Brew.

SuperEIGHT, a vibrant red sessionable Super Gose, will debut this year in 6pk/12oz cans. This unique beer is made with eight superfoods including prickly pear, mango, boysenberry, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry and kiwi juices, with a touch of toasted quinoa and an ample addition of red Hawaiian sea salt. With delicious flavors of berries and watermelon, this ale has a slightly tart and pleasantly refreshing finish.

Dogfish Head is celebrating its 2019 Off-Centered Art Series, partnering with acclaimed artist Michael Hacker to create custom art for beers that brings their unique stories to life. Art Series beers include The Perfect Disguise – an American double dry-hopped IPA disguised as a Kölsch; Dragons & YumYums – a lip-smackingly tropical pale ale; Punkin Ale – a full-bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin; and 75 Minute IPA – a continually hopped IPA brewed with maple syrup from Calagione’s family farm in western Massachusetts.

Dogfish is also proud to bring back favorites like Raison D’Extra – a Belgian-style brown made with an obscene amount of malt, brown sugar and raisins; World Wide Stout – a dark, rich, roasty and complex ale; and 120 Minute IPA – the Holy Grail for hopheads. The Off-Center Your Summer pack, a sessionable variety pack loaded with cans, and IPAs for the Holidays, a delicious India Pale Ale gift pack, will both make their return in 2019. To find and enjoy Dogfish Head craft beer or to view a full 2019 calendar, go to www.dogfish.com.