Dogfish Head announces brewpub grand opening
Dogfish Head's new 6,300 square foot brewpub will tap the kegs for the first time in less than two weeks.
The day after hosting a "last call" for the original 22-year-old Brewings & Eats in downtown Rehoboth Beach, the company announced its plans to officially reopen on Friday, May 19.
“It’s the end of one era for our original brewpub and the beginning of a new one,” said founder Sam Calagione, recent recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award for 2017 Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional.
“After over two decades in Rehoboth, we’re heart warmed to be able to create a beautiful new dining space with a world-class stage for original bands playing original music, delicious eats, a killer brewing and distilling program with the same staff fans love and trust in a wonderful new environment.”
Dogfish Head's Chesapeake & Maine restaurant will remain open in the meantime as it awaits its new neighbor on Rehoboth Avenue.
The new brewpub seeks to enhance some of the limitations of the old building structure with high ceilings, a bigger stage for music and a new pub floor plan with seating for 180 guests. Dogfish Head said it will share a similar feel to its brewery in Milton.
“It’s a very raw, wooden, naturally finished space, built with a few special off-centered quirks, like the barrel booths and the nook by the bar – spaces where people can say ‘that’s my spot,' " said Chris McAdams, Project Designer at DIGSAU.
The new menu will highlight original pub fare such as crab corn chowder and fish and chips coated with Namaste beer batter among other local favorites. New items like the buffalo chicken mac & cheese, rotisserie chicken and wood-grilled grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with cheddar, gouda and provolone cheeses served with Palo Santo Marron onion jam will add to the selections.
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Another addition to the floor plan is a large, horseshoe style, walnut-top bar, with a tap tower constructed from repurposed metal from the Milton brewery that will provide a panoramic view of the raised stage. The draft tower features 24 taps of Dogfish Head beers, including brewpub exclusives, cask-conditioned beers and a cocktail program spotlighting scratch-made spirits from Dogfish Head Distilling Co.
An adjacent pizza counter bar offers close-up views of chefs baking cheesy, delicious pies in a custom stone hearth oven.
Enhancement of music performances will be an added feature as well, Dogfish Head said.
Equipped with a premium sound and lighting system and professional soundboard, the elevated 220 square foot stage will host national and regional musical performances, according to the release.
On June 2 at 10 p.m., Brewings & Eats will host Richard Lloyd, a founding member of Television, an American punk rock band. Lloyd, a guitarist and session musician with Delaware roots, is spotlighted in a mural at the new Brewings & Eats.
Other notable acts confirmed for the new stage include: Guided By Voices, Ron Gallo, Michaela Anne, BJ Barham of American Aquarium, Los Straightjackets, Marshall Crenshaw and Steve Gunn.
The original brewpub will remain open all summer for visitors to purchase Dogfish Head merchandise and to fill crowlers and growlers to-go.
If you go
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats
Where: 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Brunch is served on Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Info: www.dogfish.com or call 302-226-2739