Eight new breweries, brewpubs coming to Delaware, including Rehoboth, Georgetown

It may feel like Delawareans already are drowning in choices for craft breweries, but they can get ready to paddle harder.

In a state that already boasts 26 breweries, eight new breweries have planned 2019 openings.

Of those, four are spin-offs from existing Delaware breweries looking to expand.

The latest to start pouring opened earlier this month: Autumn Arch Beer Project in Glasgow. 

It's located only a few steps away from Midnight Oil Brewing Co., which opened in the same Pencader Drive office park in February 2018.

Here's a look at the new sites. 

Revelation Craft Brewing Co. (413 S. Bedford St., Georgetown): In November, Revelation announced it would be taking over the former 16 Mile Brewing, which closed in fall 2018. Revelation hoped to be open in Georgetown this spring, but that won't be the case. "We have a tremendous amount of work to do but it is going to be an incredible finished project," says Amanda Robinson, Revelation's sales and marketing manager. The brewery now hopes to open by mid-to-late summer with a kitchen and outdoor seating area.

Thompson Island Brewing Co. (Route 1, near Rehoboth Beach): Earlier this month, beach-based restaurant group SoDel Concepts announced Thompson Island, a 250-seat brewpub currently being built alongside their Bluecoast restaurant in the Rehoboth Gateway shopping center. A fall opening is expected. The brewpub will have a 100-person beer garden and games such as bocce and ping pong. They brought in John Trogner of Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Tröegs Independent Brewing as a consultant to help with the build, recipes and staff training.

Brick Works Brewing and Eats (36932 Silicato Drive, near Long Neck): Three years after Brick Works brewpub first opened as a joint venture between Abbott’s Grill and Mispillion River Brewing, it's time to expand the family. A second Brick Works is expected to open in March just off the John J. Williams Highway in Taormina Square, says Brick Works' Lauren Bigelow. Just like the Smyrna location, Mispillion River Brewing beer will be featured. Owners say the new brewpub will have a similar appearance to the Smyrna spot with an open kitchen.

Crooked Hammock Brewery (316 Auto Park Drive, Middletown): In January of last year, La Vida Hospitality announced they would spin off their Lewes brewery and open a second location in Middletown. La Vida, which also owns Big Chill Beach Club in Bethany Beach and The Fork + Flask at Nage, among others, broke ground April 1. They hope to throw the doors opens to the 7,000-square-foot brewpub and beer garden this fall.

Hangman Brewing Co. (2703 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont):  The Claymont brewery, Hangman, located in Town & Country Shopping Center on Philadelphia Pike, has been delayed because of a "sudden death," Hangman owner Brad Wagner says. Wagner, who worked for years as an analytical scientist, sold his townhouse in Philadelphia's trendy Fishtown neighborhood in January 2017 and decided to open a brewery. The brewery will be 2,500-square-feet with space on the second floor for an additional 1,500 more. While the home brewer hoped to be open sooner, Wagner says Hangman should be brewing by the end of the year. 

Autumn Arch Beer Project (810 Pencader Drive, Suite C, near Glasgow): With 20-foot ceilings and a trio of garage doors that open in good weather, Autumn Arch has been slinging beers since early April. It's a family operation owned by Jimmy Vennard and his brother Daniel, with four other family members and friends. Inside the 5,400-square-foot brewery and taphouse, you'll find corn hole and just about any beer style you want. "We boldly brew every style," says Vennard, an engineer with W. L. Gore and Associates who lives in West Grove, Pennsylvania. Live music is expected to start soon. Vennard says he was inspired to open Autumn Arch after visiting breweries in Asheville, North Carolina. He is busy working on an array of sour beers in their five-barrel brewhouse, which will debut this fall as an official sour beer program. The brewery has recently been experimenting with admitting dogs on Sundays. Even without a huge publicity push, Vennard says the brewery already has found plenty of customers: "It's been beyond my expectations."

First State Brewing Co. (109 Patriot Drive, Middletown): Considering Middletown's growth, it makes sense that a large brewery would move in. While the town is home to the small Volunteer Brewing Co., First State will be an 11,000-square-foot production brewery with a full kitchen serving casual foods to pair with their brews in the taproom. Justin Faulkner, the taproom and kitchen manager, says they hope to open this fall.

Volunteer Taphouse & Backyard (116 W. Main St., Middletown): It's been nearly two years since Middletown's Kevin Schatz opened the tiny Volunteer in a converted two-car garage behind West Main Street's Wellbeing on Main, a wellness services center that he owns with his wife, Dawn. Now it's time to stretch out a bit. Earlier this month, Schatz unveiled plans for the Volunteer Taphouse & Backyard, which will be next door. (The neighbor moved and Schatz bought the property.) The taphouse will be in the existing historic home with a front porch, rear decks, a lawn and space for food trucks. After receiving town approval for his plan earlier this month, Schatz expects to open in late 2019 or early 2020.

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

More:Photos: Some of the coolest local craft beer labels

More:Burley Oak serving up craft beer-based ice cream, creamy brews

More:Art of the can: Why breweries invest in creative label concepts by local artists