Weekend of Compelling Ales & Spirits 2026 Recap

Another Weekend of Compelling Ales & Spirits is in the books… and what a weekend it was. Essentially a food-pairing filled festival, this event is one of Dogfish Head’s annual marquees. “Each year, I’m astounded by the creativity of our brewers, chefs and coworkers, and the beers, cocktails, food pairings and experiences they bring to guests during WOCAAS,” said Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Brewer & Founder.

WOCAAS, as the kids are calling it, kicked off on Friday afternoon with a fireside chat with Calagione at the Dogfish Inn. He was joined by Jeremiah Zimmer, Co-Founder of Hop Butcher For The World, to talk shop and share their new collaboration, Crispy Slice, a West Coast Pilsner dry hopped with Krush, Citra, and Anchovy hops . As the name suggests, it’s pretty crispy. The Friday fireside chat was fine and dandy, but the real fun began on Saturday.

Attendees meandered over to Dogfish’s Milton Brewery for a self-guided 14 course beer and food pairing frolic through fermenters. Crispy Slice was back on the scene, poured alongside “Tavern-style” Chicago Pizza with a Delaware twist. In other words, a delicious thin crust pizza with scrapple and old bay. “A collective excitement for Chicago’s true pizza style and hoppy, crushable beer rocketed this to the top of our all-time favorite collaborations”, said Jeremiah Zimmer, Co-Founder of Hop Butcher For The World. “This is truly bucket-list stuff for the entire Hop Butcher crew.” Other pairing highlights from the event included:

• Barrel-aged 120 Minute IPA paired with a caramelized onion and goat cheese tart. A 20% ABV ale aged for 3 years in a series of bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and Utopias barrels, then Randalled through fresh Simcoe leaf hops… just stop it.
• Spring in Morocco, a Wit Bier with Za’atar seasoning and black limes paired with Moroccan Lamb Flatbread. Intense, flavorful, savory, Mediterranean madness.
• Cervesa Borgoña, an 8% ABV sangria-inspired Lager with carmener grapes, strawberries, and strata hops paired with manchego, prosciutto and strawberries.
• Mango Rodeo Golden Ale brewed with mango puree, mango amchur, black lime and aged on roasted Sacha Inchi and toasted coconut paired with green curry chicken and jasmine rice. As a sucker for curry, this was a personal favorite.
• For dessert: Why Are Pirates So Mean?, an Amber Ale aged on Dogfish Head Barrel Honey Rum-infused oak spirals paired with Mom Mom’s Cheesecake.

Closing out the weekend on a high note, Dogfish hosted a Lobster Brunch on Sunday at their seafood-inspired restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails alongside a lineup of standout dishes, including $15 whole Maine lobsters. It was the perfect way to ease into the day after a long weekend. Three cheers for this year’s beer and food-filled festivities, the countdown has begun for WOCAAS 2027. Hop, hop, hooray!