One of the first things I discovered during my many brewery visits is the relationships that most craft breweries develop with each other. Yes, there is competition, however, the vast majority of the breweries support, promote and help each other. I recently had the opportunity to experience the fellowship between craft breweries.
Adroit Theory Brewing, as I have mentioned, is a small upstart brewery with a 1/2 barrel system soon to grow to a 10 Barrel system. Dogfish Head Brewing was once the size of Adroit Theory and now ranked as the 13th largest craft brewer in the U.S. brewing close to 200,000 bbls per year. Brian, Adroit's assistant brewer had the opportunity to give Sam Calagione, DogFish Head's founder, samples of Adroit's beer. Sam was impressed with the beer resulting in a visit to Adroit Theory's Brewery by one of Dogfish Head's designers. More beer exchanged hands and a relationship developed resulting in being invited for a private tour of Dogfish Head's brewery.
Joann and I caught up with the Adroit crew at Rehoboth Beach, DE, and we met two of Dogfish Head's graphic designers for dinner at the Pickled Pig Pub ( Dogfish Heads brewpub's grille in Rehoboth was out of commission). The evening was a great , good food, great beer and many beer and brewing stories, very educational for me. The next afternoon we traveled to Milton, De to visit the brewery. The beer wife opted to stay in Rehoboth to enjoy the beach and boardwalk, OK..I still have some work to convert her to craft beer. Jeremy Inzer, one of Dogfish Head's 13 brewers met us at the tasting room. We then spent the next 2 hours touring the brewery. It is amazing how they have developed from a 10 gallon system to what they are today. After the tour we spent the next hour and a half in the tasting room. Believe me you appreciate 60 minute and 120 minute IPA's so much more, when you can enjoy them fresh at the brewery. I also enjoyed Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Kvasir and Namaste. Unfortunately, I had volunteered to drive so I had to limit the consumption. If you have the opportunity, be sure to stop by Dogfish Head and enjoy one of the public tours....with a nice finish in their tasting room.
Adroit Theory Brewing, as I have mentioned, is a small upstart brewery with a 1/2 barrel system soon to grow to a 10 Barrel system. Dogfish Head Brewing was once the size of Adroit Theory and now ranked as the 13th largest craft brewer in the U.S. brewing close to 200,000 bbls per year. Brian, Adroit's assistant brewer had the opportunity to give Sam Calagione, DogFish Head's founder, samples of Adroit's beer. Sam was impressed with the beer resulting in a visit to Adroit Theory's Brewery by one of Dogfish Head's designers. More beer exchanged hands and a relationship developed resulting in being invited for a private tour of Dogfish Head's brewery.
Joann and I caught up with the Adroit crew at Rehoboth Beach, DE, and we met two of Dogfish Head's graphic designers for dinner at the Pickled Pig Pub ( Dogfish Heads brewpub's grille in Rehoboth was out of commission). The evening was a great , good food, great beer and many beer and brewing stories, very educational for me. The next afternoon we traveled to Milton, De to visit the brewery. The beer wife opted to stay in Rehoboth to enjoy the beach and boardwalk, OK..I still have some work to convert her to craft beer. Jeremy Inzer, one of Dogfish Head's 13 brewers met us at the tasting room. We then spent the next 2 hours touring the brewery. It is amazing how they have developed from a 10 gallon system to what they are today. After the tour we spent the next hour and a half in the tasting room. Believe me you appreciate 60 minute and 120 minute IPA's so much more, when you can enjoy them fresh at the brewery. I also enjoyed Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Kvasir and Namaste. Unfortunately, I had volunteered to drive so I had to limit the consumption. If you have the opportunity, be sure to stop by Dogfish Head and enjoy one of the public tours....with a nice finish in their tasting room.