Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione opened the brand’s first brewpub in 1995—not only was it the first brewpub in the state of Delaware but, at the time, the smallest commercial brewery in the country. Today, they remain pioneers in the craft beer world with experimental recipes, such as its hit Midas Touch, made from a formula based on the ingredients found in drinking vessels from King Midas’ tomb.
What you might not know is that Dogfish Head has also distilled spirits since 2002. Calagione offered some engineering fans a trunkful of World Wide Stout if they could design a still using a reclaimed stainless steel grain silo, a 200-gallon pot dubbed “Frankenstill.” Since then, the beermaker has expanded its distillery, and they produce brandy, gin, whiskey, and vodka, experimenting with ingredients with a continued focus on quality and flavor in small batches.
