Chicha | The Original Beer of South America

For most people, the word beer conjures up visions of a fizzy, European-style, barley-based beverage. However that image overlooks one of the oldest brews from the Americas — Chicha. Commonly found in South America, this corn-based fermented beverage has roots that go back thousands of years. Read More

Dogfish Head Expansion into Canned Cocktails Was Only a Matter of Time

Growing a sustainable, repeatable business is the dream for any business owner. When you have both of those tenets down, the next step is a bit harder. Do you stick or twist? Do you keep with the status quo, with what works; or do you move, expand and innovate to stay ahead of market forces and competitors alike? Whether it’s a foray into NA, good-for-you beverages, an ambitious oat-milk Hazy IPA collaboration or an adventurous brewpub expansion in Miami, it’s clear that Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewery continues to twist. Their recent expansion of taking their canned cocktail program nationwide, by leveraging their in-house distilling program and national distribution network, is yet another example of how the brewery continues to make moves in the face of a tumultuous craft beer marketplace. Here are the details.

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Ultimate 6er | The Gloom Index of Radiohead

“We live in strange times,” Thom Yorke said to Stephen Colbert in 2019. “It’s not my fault.”

If you’re a Radiohead fan to any degree, please read on. You may be fond of this article, but not in love. Calm. Read at a better pace; slower and more calculated. Become an informed member of society. No longer empty and frantic. Be prepared to nerd out.

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5 Questions With Dogfish Head’s Founder & President Sam Calagione

It is still the biggest news to come out of the craft beer industry this year: Boston Beer Company purchased Dogfish Head Brewery for a reported sum of $300 million. The move merges the two brands under the collective roof of Boston Beer Company bringing together the 2nd (Boston Beer Co.) and 13th (Dogfish Head) biggest producers of craft beer in the U.S. It’s a massive move that caused shockwaves throughout the craft beer industry and beyond. Craft beer is no longer in its startup phase: It is big business, which sometimes warrants massive moves that can shift the entire trajectory of the market with it.

Of course, Boston Beer Company bringing the Dogfish Head brand onboard also comes with the totemic leadership of its founder, Sam Calagione, who will sit on Boston Beer Company’s Board of Directors. Calagione has always been an outspoken and vibrant voice in the craft beer community who frequently zigs where others zags and takes pride in the innovative spirit on which Dogfish Head has built its market share. With the new merger comes a new role for Sam and a new path for Dogfish. In the days following, beer drinkers have voiced valid concerns that the Dogfish brand might get diluted or complacent post-acquisition. True to form, Calagione thinks otherwise and is rather bullish on what the merger can do for his brewery.

I asked Sam five questions about what life looks like for Dogfish Head in a post-merger world, what beer fans can expect from the brewery, the collaboration opportunities that are now available with Boston Beer Company and more. Here’s what he said.

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PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | January 9, 2019

The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
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Ultimate 6er | Bah, Humbuzz

Cheer and happiness and all that festive crap is important, I suppose. But once in a while, the get-off-my-lawn crowd needs a shoutout. If you love the holidays and feel all warm and tingly at the sight of fresh December snow, this ain’t the article for you, Cindy Lou Who. This one’s for the grinches, the scrooges, the grown Charlie Browns; the curmudgeonly and cantankerous cranks of the world.

My promise to you right off the bat, is that there will be no cute rhymes here. If there’s anything I hate more than holiday music, it’s the nauseating rhymes companies try to incorporate into everything. Between the stress of shopping, the weather, traffic and that unbearable Mariah Carey song, we need an Ultimate 6er – and not just any 6er – to get us through to New Year’s Day. There are 12 shopping days left until Christmas, and today is 12/12. So here’s a 6er of beers that are all at least 12% ABV to pair with the season’s most pervasive annoyances.

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Ultimate 6er | Vikings: Beer, Books & Binge-Watching

“Soon I shall be drinking ale from curved horns.” ~Ragnar Lothbrok, Vikings.

The History Channel’s globally-popular Vikings is set to return for its Season 5, Part B this fall. While the drama takes creative license with history, the show itself is captivating and as a bonus, the show sheds light on Nordic (including Viking) culture, which has inspired many to investigate Nordic history. Mostly, it’s just a fun TV show and perfect for pairing with beer. Here are six themes (mostly derived from seasons 1-3) coupled with both beers and history books that are meant to help enhance your Vikings-viewing experience. So, binge watch the old shows and then get ready for some more action this fall.

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PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | October 4, 2017

The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
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Dogfish Head Brewery | Namaste White Belgian-Style Witbier

It’s no coincidence that all of my favorite breweries are independently owned. Not only is Dogfish Head Brewery just that, it’s also still family-controlled! They make quite a few of my favorite beers, and Namaste White is one of those. It will come as no surprise to anyone who’s met me, but Belgian style white ales are probably my most favorite varietal. Of course the fact that Dogfish Head brews “off-centered ales for off-centered people” also appeals to me, naturally.

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Ultimate 6er | Surviving Your Big Move

After nearly three years with two awesome roommates, I’m moving this weekend. And for the first time in 27 years of existing, I won’t be living with someone else. Exciting? You’re damn right. Stressful? You have no idea. Moving is one of those experiences when no matter how sure you are that you’re absolutely sure you have everything under control, there’s always something you’re missing. You might know where every single thing is going to go and the exact layout for your ideal living room, but once someone asks if you have dish rags your whole plan falls to shambles. Luckily, in the grand scheme, this big step and all the accompanying madness will all be worth it. Here are the six beers to get you through your big move.
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The Weekly Buzz | May 12-18

Hello, everyone! Your fearless leader for the Weekly Buzz, Dan Bortz, is on vacation so I have been tasked with bringing you the very best of the week’s highlights! This week was a big week in the craft beer world. Why you ask? Well, it’s American Craft Beer Week, of course. (Yeah, you probably already knew that.)

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PorchDrinking’s Weekly Denver Beer Beat | April 19, 2017

The Denver Beer Beat sheds light on news of brewery openings, special tappings, firkins and one-off batches, bottle releases, dinners, pairings, etc.
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