As Dogfish Head's old brewpub comes down, new courtyard coming

Dozens gathered for a final salute to the old Dogfish Head brewpub Monday morning as as an excavator tore a hole into the roof. 

Mariah Calagione was on hand Monday, recalling many of the memories that she and her husband Sam created in the 22 years since they opened on Rehoboth Avenue.

From their wedding rehearsal dinner to children's birthday parties, Sam and Mariah were fond of the brewpub.

"Yes, it is a little bittersweet," said Mariah, vice president of Dogfish Head, but it was even more bittersweet at the closing party in May.

But there is some excitement behind the building's demolition, with a new courtyard tentatively planned for spring 2018, she said. 

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While Dogfish is still working on the finer details, the courtyard will have an outdoor dining section and the back half will house the brewery and distillery for collaborations and brewpub exclusives that were popular in the past, Calagione said. 

But the biggest question that folks had for Calagione on Monday was about ... dogs.

Yes, the new courtyard will be pet friendly.

The Calagiones' pups were the happiest at that news, so keep an eye out for Moxie, the 1½-year-old black labrador, and Kiki, an 11-year-old pug.