Delaware wineries, breweries and distilleries: A primer

Farm-to-glass (or beer mug) drinking is all the rage these days.

Homegrown breweries, wineries and distilleries have been shaking and stirring the Delaware beverage scene for some time now.

Here's a look at what our state has to offer – and, yes, we do realize we have included Evolution Craft Brewing Company, a Salisbury, Md., brewery. But we will still count Evolution as one of our own since founders Tom and John Knorr got their start in Delmar. (And, besides, not only does Evolution remain a close Delaware neighbor, it's a really, really cool place to have a cold one.)

Please note, we've listed the latest brews, wines and spirits available, but all are subject to change based on availability and whim. Prices, too.

Also, it goes without saying we certainly don't recommend visiting all the stops in one day. And, of course, you should always, always have a designated driver. (But you already knew that, didn't you?)

Cheers.

New Castle County

Twin Lakes Brewing Co., 4210 Kennett Pike, Greenville; (302) 658-1826; www.twinlakesbrewery.com

Bottoms up: Visit Twin Lakes for a tasting and you can say you drank with George Washington – and it's not a total fib. It's been said he drank from the well there while he helmed the Continental Army. The 25-barrel, steam-fired, gravity-fed, five-vessel brew house and tasting room opened in 2006 in a converted art studio and tractor barn at Twin Lakes Farm, which dates to 1826.

What's on tap? Greenville Pale Ale, Winterthur Wheat, Tweeds Tavern Stout, Route 52 Pilsner, Oktoberfest, Caesar Rodney Golden Ale and Jublicious Winter Seasonal.

Last call: The rustic tasting room used to be George "Frolic" Weymouth's art studio, Growlers and Twin Lakes memorabilia also are for sale. Prices vary.

Hours: Tours and tastings are held from Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. (tour starts at 5 p.m.); and Saturdays noon to 4 p.m. (tour starts at 1 p.m.). Cost is $22 per person. Reservations are not required; however, advance notice for groups of 10 or more is requested. Call Carol at (302) 658-1826 about group discounts.

Tip: Twin Lakes Harvest Fest, a party for those 21 and older, will be Oct. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. It features live music and tastings of Twin Lakes Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest as well as German food. Visit the website for more information.

Iron Hill Brewery – Wilmington, 620 Justison St.; (302) 472-2739; www.ironhillbrewery.com/wilmington

Bottoms up: Opened in 2003 by original Iron Hill Newark owners Davies, Edelson and Finn, the Wilmington Riverfront location is a favorite happy hour spot along the Christina River.

What's on tap? Brews can include Bourbon Russian Imperial Stout, Citra IPA, Gold Digger IPA, Irish Red Ale, Iron Hill Light Lager, Ironbound Ale, Oompa Loompa Chocolate Stout, Pig Iron Porter, Quadrupel, Raspberry Wheat, Scrooge, Shokolad Stout, The Dark Side, Vienna Red. What's coming: Phightin Phils Pils, April 4; and Saison, April 7.

First round: Happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays includes $3 house beers, $4 seasonal beers; $4 house wine and $4 seasonal drinks in the bar and cocktail areas only.

Hours: Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Tip: The happy hour crowds tend to drift to the upstairs bar and patio with the dinner crowd mostly sticking to the ground floor.

Argilla Brewing Co. @ Pietro's Pizza, 2667 Kirkwood Highway in the Meadowood Shopping Center near Newark; (302) 731-8200; www.argillabrewing.com.

Bottoms up: Owner Steve Powell and his wife, Candace, run the state's smallest brewery. In March 2012, they opened the 118-seat eatery and installed a 1.5-barrel system, which produces less than 50 gallons. It's actually considered a nanobrewery or scaled-back microbrewery.

What's on tap? Usually four to seven beers which can include Dark Kent English Mild, Avoine Saison, Orange You Glad IPA, Pete, Ay the Peat Scottish Ale, Argilla Amber, Leone American Pale Ale. Also brewing: Zossimov Russian Imperial Stout, Chinook Pale Ale, Jack Tripel Belgian and Kiwi Gold Golden Ale. The brewery is so tiny, owners have the luxury of experimenting quite often.

First round: Beer samples (4.5 ounces) are $2, and a flight of four is $5.50. An all-night happy hour, along with half-priced appetizers, is every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. It includes $1 off all pints.

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Iron Hill Brewery – Newark, 147 E. Main St.; (302) 266-9000; www.ironhillbrewery.com/newark

Bottoms up: Owners Kevin Davies, Mark Edelson and Kevin Finn opened their first brewery in 1994 and have since spawned nine other locations in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

What's on tap? About 12 to 15 brews which can include Belgian IPA, Burton IPA, Grodziski, Iron Hill Light Lager, Ironbound Ale, Keller Pils, Love Potion No. 9, Pale Rider, Pig Iron Porter, Raspberry Wheat, Russian Imperial Stout, Vienna Red Lager. What's coming: Irish Red Ale, March 10; Boulder Bank IPA, March 14; and Saison March 20.

Last call: Take-out any two pizzas and one house beer growler for $25. The special is offered daily until 11 p.m. (Seasonal and Belgian beers are available at an additional charge.)

Hours: Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight; and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Tip: If University of Delaware classes are in session, parking can be tough. There is limited parking behind the restaurant, but don't park in one of the spots reserved for residents who live above the brewery.

Stewart's Brewing Company, 219 Governors Place, Bear; (302) 836-2739; www.stewartsbrewingcompany.com

Bottoms up: This shopping center brewery and 150-seat restaurant owned by Al Stewart, which opened in July 1995, has a neighborhood pub feel. Regular customers keep their own mugs at the 30-seat bar via the bar's Mug Club. The cost is $50 per year and members receive reduced beer prices. There's a waiting list.

What's on tap? Five house brews every day can include Governor's Golden Ale, Irish Red Ale, India Pale Ale, Highlander Stout and Wacky Wheat. Seasonals change often and can include Oyster Stout, Off-Kilter Scottish Ale, Obscurum, Wheat Porter and Delaware Diamond Lager.

First round: Tastings of any beer, 5-ounces each, are available. Try four beers for $6 or eight beers for $10. Most beers are available to go in a 64-ounce "Steweys" growler, with the exception of the Highlander Stout/Black & Tan.

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Tip: This is a major spot for NTN Buzztime video trivia.

Kent County

Painted Stave Distilling, 106 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, (302) 653-6834; paintedstave.com.

Bottoms up: Thanks to a 2012 Delaware law allowing small batch distilleries, the old Smyrna Theatre came alive again in November 2013 as the state's first stand-alone craft distillery. Painted Stave, owned by Michael Rasmussen of Newark, and Ron Gomes Jr. of Middletown, is named after a plank of a wooden barrel. First batches were cooked up in its 18-foot-tall still, which sits in the heart of the 6,300-square-foot former theater in downtown Smyrna. It was most recently home to the Slaughter's plumbing equipment store, across the street from Citizens' Hose Fire Company.

What's in the bottle? A tasting bar with premium craft Silver Screen vodka and Candy Manor gin (named after the old Candy Manor candy store in town) replace memories of the former concession stand. White whiskey also is poured and owners hope to have barrel aged spirits (bourbon, rye and brandy) available by the end of 2014. Ask about the very small batches of experimental spirits.

Hours: Fridays from 3-8 p.m. (with 30-minute guided tours beginning at 4 and ending at 7 p.m.), Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., (tours from noon to 5 p.m.) and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. (tours from 1-4 p.m.) Cost per tasting is $2 each ($2 off if you purchase a bottle of spirits). Tours are $10 and begin with a cocktail, and finish with a tasting of spirits. Groups of six or more welcome daily by appointment.

Harvest Ridge Winery, 447 Westville Road, Marydel; (302) 343-9437; www.harvestridgewinery.com

Bottoms up: Chuck Nunan opened Harvest Ridge Winery in November 2013 with his wife, Chris, on the Marydel family farm which they bought in 2005. The winery, in a rural area, straddles the Delaware/Maryland state line on the far west edge of Kent County. "I always looked at it like Kevin Costner's 'Field of Dreams:' Build it and they will come," Nunan said.

What's in the bottle? 2012 Chardonnay, 2011 Viognier, 2011 Merlot, 2012 Vidal Blanc, 2012 Malbec, Pinot Gris, Chambourcin, Blackberry and Blueberry wines.

Hours: Daily noon to 5 p.m., with the last pour at 4:45 p.m. For $5, you can taste five current wines and get a souvenir glass. Guided tours available Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m.

Tip: The Harvest Ridge Winery Food Truck Competition will be held March 28 from 5-8 p.m., and March 29 from noon to 5 p.m. Winery tours and wine tastings will take place while at least eight food trucks will be parked outside. No reservations required. Participants can bring chairs, kick back and relax. Follow the event on Twitter using #HRWfoodtruck.

Fordham & Old Dominion Brewing Co., 1284 McD Drive, Dover; (302) 678-4810; www.fordhamanddominion.com.

Bottoms up: A Fordham beer made in 1703 failed, but the name was revived with a new craft beer in 1995 in Annapolis, Md. Old Dominion began being brewed in 1989 in Ashburn, Va. They eventually merged, and in 2009, the company that owns them – Coastal Brewing – moved to Dover to a brew house that more than doubled previous capacity. You'll find the brewery in an inconspicuous industrial park off Horsepond Road, north the Dover Air Base, near the southern end of the beltway around Dover.

What's on tap? Oak Barrel Stout has smoked and peated malts, and Double D is a full-bodied Imperial India Pale Ale. Old Dominion's Hop Mountain attracts the hops lovers with it medium body and dry finish, and Candi Belgian Tripel tastes of sugar and spice. Cherry Blossom Lager is effervescent, and Abbey Belgian Dubbel has a bread-y foundation. Beach House, a seasonal golden pilsner, is available May 12.

Hours: Tastings are Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. Tours (lasting between 30 to 45 minutes) as well as tastings also are Fridays 4:30 and 6 p.m., and Saturdays at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3 p.m. Show up 15 minutes early for the tour and you're usually in good shape. Otherwise, tours are by reservation. Email LBigelow@coastalbrewingcompany. Tours, $5 per person, include four beer samples and a souvenir glass.

Tips: Close-toed shoes must be worn. Laverne and Shirley jokes aren't appreciated. No growlers are filled here. The brewery makes Root Beer, Creamy Orange, Black Cherry, and Ginger Ale, so children are permitted on the tour and in the tasting room.

Pizzadili Vineyard & Winery, 1671 Peach Basket Road, Felton, (302) 284-9463; www.pizzadiliwinery.com

Bottoms up: Pizzadili Vineyard and Winery, founded in 1992, was created by brothers Tony and Pete Pizzadili, who wanted to bring a part of their native Tuscany to Delaware. They learned winemaking by helping their father Salvatore Pizzadili. Pete Pizzadili says visitors feel like they've found a little piece of Italy in the middle of Kent County. The vineyard, up to 20 acres, includes grape vines, fruit trees, and farmland.

What's in the bottle: More than 20 wines including sweet wines such Delaware, Strawberry Mist, Vidal Blanc; Wives' Table Wine, a sweet red; Pinot Gris and Proprietor's Reserve, semi-sweet whites; Brothers' Table Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin and Merlot, dry reds; dry whites like Chardonnay, Riesling and Seyval Blanc; Rosato, a blush wine, and a variety of fruit wines, such as apple, cherry, peach, plum, pumpkin and strawberry.

Hours: Winter hours are Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Starting April 1, the winery will be open daily from noon to 5 p.m. The $5 wine tasting includes five to six wines and a Pizzadili Winery wine glass. Call ahead for a tour.

Mispillion River Brewing, 255 Mullet Run St., Milford; (302) 491-6623; mispillionriverbrewing.com

Bottoms up: Eric Williams, a New Castle County native, and his wife, Megan, who have lived in Milford for about six years, opened the doors to their brewery for tastings in November. "During our tours, I tell people it's not just our brewery, we're Milford's brewery," Williams said. Brews are created in a 15-barrel brew house supplied from Minnetonka (Minn.) Brewing and Equipment Co. It can crank out 465 gallons of beer in just a few hours.

What's on tap? Usually about eight brews such as Greenway IPA, Praetor Imperial Porter, Double Chin Double Indian Pale Ale, and Beach Bum Joe Belgian Pale Ale, and a variety of seasonal ales like Glendora, a March oatmeal coffee stout, and Big Earl, a black rye IPA coming in April. One-and-done brews are released randomly as well as tasting room exclusives.

Hours: Tasting room is open from Thursdays from 4-10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 4-11 p.m. Sunday hours are expected to begin soon. Check the website for more information. A tasting of four beer samples is $10; pints are $5. Customers also can fill a growler with limited selection of beer or pick up some Mispillion River Brewing swag.

Sussex County

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 511 Chestnut St., Milton; (302) 684-1000; and Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach; (302) 226-2739; www.dogfish.com

Bottoms up: Any Dogfish Head fan should check out its sleek and modern Milton brewery, which is surrounded by family homes and a small-town charm. The brewery has it all: tours, tastings, a large gift store, a food truck and two Olympic-sized bocce courts. One of the highlights is the Steampunk Treehouse out front, a 40-foot metal tree imported from California The Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats brewpub/distillery in Rehoboth is the original Dogfish location, and they're always running experimental brews through the small batch brewery on site.

What's on tap? The beers, around 14 at the brewery, and more than 20 at the brewpub, rotate frequently. See dogfish .com for the lists, which are updated at least twice a week. The Rehoboth brewpub/distillery also has a variety of spirits including Brown Honey Rum, White Light Rum, Wit Spiced Rum, Blue Hen Vodka and Blue Hen Gin

Hours: Free brewery tours, between 75 to 90 minutes, are first come, first serve. Tours Mondays through Wednesday, start at 11 a.m., and end at 4 p.m.; Thursday tours run from 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday tours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. No open-toed shoes or high heels. Groups with 10 or more should call at least two weeks in advance. The Tasting Room, Bunyan's Lunchbox food truck and the gift shop are open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Tasting Room and shop also have extended hours on Thursdays until 9 p.m.

Bar tab: Guests are given four small cardboard Dogfish cut-outs, which is good for free tastes of four featured beers.

Tip: Early tours tend to have more space than the later ones. Guests with valid, unexpired IDs can skip the tour and still get four free samples of beer. Bunyan's Lunchbox, Dogfish's food truck, serves bratwurst sandwiches, chowder and pickles, and the on-site store sells beer, both in bottles and in growlers. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Nassau Valley Vineyards, 32165 Winery Way, Lewes, (302) 645-9463; www.nassauvalley.com

Bottoms up: Nassau Valley, Delaware's first and oldest farm winery, was founded in 1987 by Peg Raley and her father, Bob Raley. The vineyards are on a bucolic family farm off a quiet country road, just outside of Lewes. Because state laws then prohibited farm wineries, Peg helped write legislation and lobbied the Delaware General Assembly to create a state law that passed in 1991. They grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, and also purchase local grapes and fruits.

What's in the bottle? The vineyard produces about 14 wines ranging from sweet to dry and white to red. There is no sparkling wine.

First round: Free, self-guided tours available during operational hours. Tasting is $5 per person and includes a take-home glass.

Bar tab: Bottles for sale range from about $13 to $35. One of the lowest priced is Delaware White, a sweet wine with a honeysuckle nose. The 2010 Reserve Blueberry, a semi-dry, barrel aged wine made from 100 percent, organic blueberries, is one of the higher priced wines.

Hours: Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

Tip: Children are welcome and visitors can picnic on the grounds, but you must be 21 to taste or buy wine.

Delaware Distilling Co., 18693 Del. 1, Rehoboth Beach; (302) 645-8273; www.delawaredistillingcompany.com

Bottoms up: Since May 2013, Zach King has been producing vodka, gin and rum at the distillery, which is also a full-service restaurant. Customers can order the homemade spirits infused with different flavors like strawberry basil for its vodka, cucumber rose petal for its gin and spice-infused coconut and pineapple for its rum. King likes to think of Delaware Distilling Co. as "more of a destination than an eatery."

What's in the bottle? Samples of DDC Potato Vodka ($7), DDC Premium Vodka ($6), DDC White Rum ($7), DDC Premium Gin ($7) and DDC Spiced Rum ($7). A shot of four is $21.

Hours: Mondays through Fridays, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 1 a.m.

Tip: Entertainment most nights. Open Mic Night is Monday, trivia is Wednesday, Jazz and Blues is Thursday, and Latin Night is Friday.

16 Mile Brewery, 413 S. Bedford St., Georgetown; (302) 253-8816; www.16milebrewery.com

Bottoms up: The name of the brewery, owned by Brett McCrea and Chad Campbell, can be traced back to the late 1700's when Georgetown was still known as Pettijohn's old field, a isolated town that was "16 miles from anywhere." They're also affiliated with the 16 Mile Taproom on Main Street in Newark.

What's on tap? The eight brews available in Georgetown can include Responders Ale, Blues' Golden Ale, Amber Sun Ale, Tiller Brown Ale, Inlet India Pale Ale, and Old Court Ale.

Hours: Sundays through Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 10 p.m.; and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free tours (between 20 to 40 minutes) are on Fridays and Saturday at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. No reservations are needed, arrive 10 minutes early and wear closed-toe shoes. Tastings of six brews (5-ounces each) are $10, and eight beers is $12.

Tip: While 16 Mile doesn't serve food, they will allow guests to bring their own. Entertainment is every Friday night. Call for details.

Fenwick Wine Cellars, 38016 Fenwick Shoals Blvd., West Fenwick Island, (302) 436-1500, www.fenwickwinecellars.com

Bottoms up: Adrian Mobilia grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, Pa., and was raised on his family's 200-acre farm. The fourth-generation farmer studied horticulture at Penn State. In 1980, his family began pressing their own grapes, and nine years later the juice was sent to wineries. By 1999, the first bottle of the Mobilia family winery was produced, bottled as Arrowhead WineCellars. Mobilia and and his wife, Shannon, opened Fenwick Wine Cellars in January 2010.

What's in the bottle: Fenwick Wine Cellars makes more than 20 wines including whites, reds, blush and fruit wines.

First round: The tasting, $5 per person, includes samples of any of the wines and a free glass. The cost for groups of eight or more is $10 per person and reservations are required.

Bar tab: Prices start at $13.99 for bottles which can include Catawba, which has intense grape flavors and aromas with hints of citrus, and a $17.99 bottle of Cabernet Franc with flavors reminiscent of black cherries, plums and oak.

Hours: Sundays through Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

3rd Wave Brewing Co., 501 N. Bi-State Blvd., Delmar; (302) 907-0423; www.3rdwavebrewingco.com

Bottoms up: Delmar-based 3rd Wave Brewing Co., founded by friends Lori Clough and Suellen Vickers, celebrated its one-year anniversary in September 2013. Their mission is "to produce a quality of tastes that can be shared at the beach and where ever our friends may gather."

What's on tap? The nine brews available can include Tennessee Wild Ale, 1st Wave IPA, Shorebreak Pale Ale, Bombora Double IPA, Big Reef Porter, SunDancer Belgian White IPA, SandStorm Belgian Tripel, Dawn Patrol Coffee and Cream Stout and CloudBreak Boysenberry Wheat. Ask about "Paddle Out," 3rd Wave's small batch, experimental beers.

Hours: Tasting room is open Mondays through Thursdays from 3-9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. A sample of four beers (4-ounces each) is $6. Tours are offered Sundays only, beginning at 12:15 p.m. All beers on tap are available for purchase and a small souvenir will be included.

Tip: Customers get a $1 off all beers during "Hoppy Hour" Mondays through Fridays from 3-7 p.m.

Evolution Craft Brewing Company, 200 Elmwood St., Salisbury, Md.; (443) 260-2337 www.evolutioncraftbrewing.com

Bottoms up: After brothers Tom and John Knorr opened a series of restaurants, a brewery was next on Tom's to-do list. It was 2009, and he wanted to put it in Salisbury's old train station, but when that failed, he switched to plan B, opening in a former grocery store in Delmar. They've relocated to a larger space, just over the Delaware state line in Salisbury, Md. The tasting room, attached to the production side, is where visitors sample the newest creations, including, several "one-off" eVo only releases. It also serves lunch and guests can fill growlers, purchase retail items, and take brewery tours. The Public House, a restaurant adjacent to the brewery in the southwest side of the building, opened in 2012 and once housed the Salisbury Ice Plant.

What's on tap? In the Tasting Room, brews can include Primal Pale Ale, Lot #3 IPA, Sprung, Secret Spot Winter Ale, Lot #6 IPA, Rise Up Stout, Prelude Red Ale, Prelude Black, XO Stout and Incubator #4, as well as seasonal beers. Sample tastings of four beers is between $10 to $12.

Hours: The Tasting Room is open Monday through Thursdays, 3-8 p.m.; and Fridays through Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. Public House hours are Sundays through Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to midnight; and Thursdays through Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Bar tab: Free brewery tours are Fridays at 4:30 and 6 p.m.; Saturdays at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Tip: Various beers at the brewery are available in $5 growlers. Because they want you to recycle (and drink more beer) they will fill it up for just the cost of the beer each time you bring back the empty growler.