Big Oyster Brewery makes itself at home inside Ale House
From live entertainment on the boardwalk to mini golf and tax-free shopping, Rehoboth has plenty to offer during the summer season.
This includes, of course, dozens of places to grab a drink and relax.
Among the numerous choices is Fins Ale House and Raw Bar, a full service bar and restaurant on Coastal Highway that recently became a brewpub as well, thanks to Big Oyster Brewery.
"It's pretty neat having a brewery within an ale house," said Tom Gaasbeck, restaurant manager. "We have 24 lines running with craft beer, and now four of them are ours."
Big Oyster's seven-barrel system has released the Hammerhead IPA, a West Coast-style IPA brewed with six hop varieties; Hipster Summer Hefe, a traditional Hefeweizen with a hint of lemongrass; Broadkill Pils, a refreshing Pilsner brewed with Czech Saaz hops; and the Orange Crush Wheat, a Bavarian wheat with an orange kick and banana undertones.
"They're all light and crisp," said Andrew Harton, head brewer. "Perfect for summer."
Within the next several weeks, the brewery plans to release two more beers, including an oyster IPA brewed with real oyster shells.
"I'm pretty excited about that one," he said. "You hear a lot about oyster stouts, but never oyster IPAs. I think we'll be the first brewery in the area to offer it."
Harton started home brewing and experimenting with beer recipes in college. But his passion for craft beer didn't begin to fully develop until he started serving tables at Iron Hill Brewery in Newark.
"Iron Hill requires servers to know the beer inside and out," he explained. "Beer quickly became my life."
After graduation, Iron Hill hired Harton as an assistant brewer where his fascination for the industry grew even more.
He worked for the company at locations in New Jersey, West Chester and Wilmington before heading to the beach.
"I've put in a lot of time to get to where I am today," he said. "But I am nowhere near done growing. Every day in this industry is a chance to learn something new."
Harton and Gaasbeck hope to distribute locally in the future, but for now Big Oyster Brewery's beer is available on draft at Fins.
Customers can order pints, growlers or flights, made up of five 4-ounce pours.
Gaasbeck recommends pairing a beer with fresh seafood entrees like the balsamic glazed salmon, Spanish seafood paella, jumbo lump crab cakes or the lobster and shrimp mac and cheese. Fins' menu also features oven roasted chicken, a 10-ounce grilled New York strip and center-cut filet mignon.
"But you can't forget the oysters," he said.
Fins Ale House and Raw Bar carries five to six freshly shucked oyster varieties daily.
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If You Go
Fins Ale House and Raw Bar
Where: 19269 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach
When: Sundays through Thursdays, dining room open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bar open until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, dining room open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Call: 302-227-3467