only a link to the beer-based heritage of the
brand, but also a unique nose-and-mouth
feel for its spirits. These characteristics are
most prominent in the Analog Vodka, which
makes it an ideal drink for folks who like
other beverages, such as whiskey. The spirits
line also includes a Roasted Peanut vodka,
a Barrel Honey rum, a Compelling gin, and
my unabashed favorite, a Sonic Archeology
bottled cocktail. Cocktail flights and spirit
samples are available in the brewery bar.

There is beer and benevolence here: All
tips contributed to tours and at the tasting
room are donated to various nonprofits
throughout the year. During my visit, the
Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund was
the featured nonprofit.

Later, I head to the Dogfish Head Brew-
ings & Eats brew pub. Brewings & Eats
originated as the smallest commercial brew-
ery in the U.S. The company and the location
would expand and, as of early this year,
employ nearly 500 team members across all
of the Dogfish platforms. The current brew-
pub opened in spring of 2017 and offers a
state-of-the-art house mixer and innovative
concert space. While the focus is on local
music, the venue also hosts national acts
such as the Mountain Goats, who will
perform there in this month.

I implore you to try the “Dogpile” nachos.

While this combination of Flesh & Blood
IPA beef chili, mozzarella cheese, spinach
and artichoke dip, cured red onion, pickled
jalapeño, fired tortilla chips, cilantro crema
and cilantro itself may seem daunting and
muddled, this combination of comfort foods
comes together delectably.

Next door is a finer dining restaurant
experience, Chesapeake & Maine. Sourcing
seafood exclusively from the waters of the
Chesapeake Bay and Maine, this Dogfish
restaurant features a raw bar, seasonal sides,
decadent desserts and 1¼-pound lobsters
every Sunday for just $10. As a James Beard
Award semifinalist nominee for Best Bar
Program, the bar is a destination for locals
and visitors alike.

Exit through the gift shop: Waggies
by Maggie and Friends makes all-natural
dog treats with Dogfish’s spent grain and
employs persons with intellectual dis-
abilities. Also on tap: beer soap and all
the Dogfish-branded personal items and
homewares you could want.

Two days with Dogfish was a dream trip
for a beverage writer and business owner
like me. My only wish is that it hadn’t gone
so fast and that I could work for Dogfish
when I grow up. Maybe one day. ■
Off-Season Awesome
What else can you do at the beach when it’s not July? A lot, as it turns
out. The boardwalks in Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City remain open
year-round, although some stores are only open in the summer. However,
cyclists can bike on Rehoboth’s boardwalk in the off-season, something
strictly forbidden from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Cape Henlopen State
Park is also open for hiking and cycling and offers beach scenery like no
other Delmarva locale. The Seaside Nature Center has limited hours in the
off-season but is open.

Still want more outdoor time? The Cape May-Lewes ferry is one of
the oldest operating ferries in the U.S., and offers excursion trips and the
chance to see dolphins in the Delaware Bay.

How about shopping? Rehoboth’s main drag has plenty of boutiques
and shops that remain open, including the ever-popular Browseabout
Books and nearby Bella Luna. Need more? Check out the shops in
Bethany Beach and Berlin, Maryland, which is also known for
its antiques.

In Ocean City, many restaurants are open, including Crab Bag, The
Greene Turtle, Fager’s Island, Hooked and Pickles Pub, among others. In
Fenwick Island, Harpoon Hanna’s has year-round hours, as does Twilley’s
Willys, the hot dog joint with the funniest name. The owners of popular
farm-to-table restaurant One Coastal took some time off in January but
reopened last month.

Finally, the Ocean City Life Saving Museum is open year-round. ■
— WF STAFF
Cape Henlopen
State Park
The Cape
May-Lewes ferry
The boardwalk at
Rehoboth Beach
FACING PAGE: COURTESY OF DOGFISH HEAD BREWERY
ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGES — BOARDWALK: JOE_POTATO; STATE PARK: MDGMORRIS;
CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY: VISIT DELAWARE
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