Editor’s Note: This weekly column is sponsored by Georgetown Square Wine and Beer (10400 Old Georgetown Road).
Dogfish Head has become America’s top craft brewery. They always push the limits, adding special ingredients into the beer making process. Founder Sam Calagione opened the brewery’s doors in 1995. The brewery’s name was derived from a little island of the coast of Maine called Dogfish Head where Calagione spent his summers as a child.
Dogfish Head made a name for itself by brewing its signature line of India Pale Ales: the 60 minute IPA, the 90 minute IPA, and the incredible 120 minute IPA. The names of these IPAs come from the length of boil time of the wort as hops are continuously added. The longer the boil time, the more hoppy the taste. Dogfish Head began to brew its most popular beer in 1995 called Punkin Ale, which has become an American fall tradition for most craft breweries.
As Dogfish Head established itself with signature IPAs and seasonal offerings, founder Sam Calagione began experimenting with his brews by adding exotic ingredients from all over the world. Anything from rosemary, saffron, ginger, maple syrup, palo santo wood, chili powder, black tea, and raisins. You name it — Sam has probably tried it. Sam even started experimenting with brewing beers from ancient times.
Dogfish occasionally releases a new unique beer in 750ml bottles that are highly limited and extremely hard to get due to their popularity. As a Dogfish Head lover, our store has supported this brewery from the first day we were able to get our hands on its beers. We try to carry as many varieties as we can. Here are a few that we currently have in stock:
Sah’tea 9% A.B.V
Sahti(Finnish beer from the 9th century) brewed with rye, juniper beeries, black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, black pepper and wort caramelized over hot rocks.
Noble Rot 8.3% A.B.V
Saison fermented with botrytis infected Viognier and Pinot Gris grapes.
Bitches Brew 9% A.B.V
Made in honor of the 40th anniversary of the album release of Bitches Brew by Miles Davis, Dogfish Head’s version is Imperial Stout mixed with Tej.
Namaste 5% A.B.V
Witbier brewed with deired organic orange slices, fresh cut lemongrass, and coriander.
Ta Henket 4.5% A.B.V
An ancient series brew ale brewed with emmer, loaves of hearth baked bread, dom-palm fruit, chamomile, and zatar. Ancient ingredients were described in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Birra Etrusca Bronze 8.5% A.B.V
Another beer from the ancient series, this recipe of hazelnut flour, pomegranates, Italian chestnut hone comes from a 2,800 year old Italian recipe.
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