Dogfish holds Weekend of Compelling Ales & Whatnot

Dogfish Head Brewery's 8th annual Weekend of Compelling Ales & Whatnot! fascinated attendees in an event March 24-25 throughout Lewes, Milton and Rehoboth. Craft beer enthusiasts, residents, and fans from all over the country flocked to Sussex to get a firsthand look combined with a first-rate experience from members of the Dogfish Head staff and community.

While there were diverse and creative events happening at Chesapeake & Maine, Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats and Dogfish Inn, the culmination of these events was located at the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton. This celebration aimed to bring together all things Dogfish and invited friends to take part in enjoying the unique combination of rare beers paired with culinary concoctions created by chefs from Dogfish's own Chesapeake & Maine Restaurant, focusing on the unique cuisine that is geographically available in the oceans, homegrown in southeastern Delaware, and responsibly sourced from all over the world for a distinctive and unique taste.

The event is the company’s annual celebration for hardcore beer lovers, said Dogfish founder and CEO Sam Calagione. “And it's one of my favorite events of the year at Dogfish." 

The weekend offered Dogfish’s own brand of food, beers and spirits, while granting guests access to happenings outside and inside the brewery. As ticket holders arrived, their eagerness to dive into the world of Dogfish was evident. Some had frequented this event over the years, while others had not. Many guests showed up in numbers representing their favorite brewery with apparel and mementos.

When the gates opened to both VIP and other levels of ticket holders, options were available to aid in the journey to experiencing the full spectrum of Dogfish Head. An enormous tent outside the brewery was strewn with lights, filled with tables, musically enhanced with a DJ, and lined with numerous booths in which guests were able to enjoy a specially paired beverage with carefully crafted and chosen food to marry these two elements harmoniously.

Guests made sure to visit each station, tasting such pairings from exclusive weekend selections from the brand-new R&D system and twists on Dogfish classics accompanied with beer-centric foods. Such ales included: Triple IPA, Boysenberry Creamsicle Sour, Sour Cherry Jam, Tran-Neptunian Object, Gettin' Prickly With It, Juicy McJuiceyman, Palo Santo Marron, Sonic Archeology, Liquor de Malt and even a milk stout, In Your Mace, brewed with chili oil that is used in Mace.

The staff works to ensure this unique brand continues to grow. Visitors were allowed access to the Steampunk Treehouse, which serves as a retro-futuristic representation of the unique ideas and culture that Dogfish holds. This 40-foot high structure was originally brought to the brewery in 2010 after being debuted at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada. Guests were given tours of the brewery by the people who know them best. Educational sessions were also held on such topics titled "Homebrewing 101" and "Advanced Homebrewing" for those enamored by creating their own flavorful brews.

The VIP Experience was capped off with a Q&A Session with Calagione. Seats were filled, as patrons could not wait to have the chance to interact with a visionary in the craft brewing industry. Before the floor was opened for questions, Calagione and Distillery Manager James Montero passed around samples of a new, aged whiskey that will be available in November. Questions touched on various subjects from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery being the official beer of Record Store Day to Calagione's favorite beers and cocktails, the collaboration of unique artwork used for marketing and packaging, ancient ales, brewing science, reinventing beer, company growth, and even the return of Calagione and Bryan Selder's rap group, "The Pain Relievaz.”

"Twenty-three years ago, I was a homebrewer and English Major focusing on creative writing in college. Creating a story of our own with this venture that has grown so much over the years has all been possible due to the hard work and dedication of our partners, workers, and everyone behind the scenes. Creating unique beer and spirits, accompanied with culinary experiences, seemed to be the perfect marriage of storytelling and branding ourselves to be the best and most innovative, and this event truly showcases what we offer but more importantly those who made this all possible as every individual is an integral piece to our success," said Calagione.

For more information on Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and their multiple locations, follow them on social media or go to www.dogfish.com.