With 2017 now upon us, many craft breweries are positioning themselves with market expansions, personnel changes and new additions to their portfolio…And here’s some of what Dogfish Head Brewing has planned…

Changes At Dogfish Head

Milton, Delaware-based Dogfish Head seems to understand that the world of craft beer is changing and that they need to stay aggressive to keep their creative edge. And the last few years have seen big changes at the brewery…many of them, we think, to better position them in an increasingly competitive environment.

In October of 2015 Sam Calagione, confirmed that that Dogfish Head had sold a 15% stake in their company to LNK Partners and that the investment firm would gain one seat on Dogfish Head’s board of directors.

As we reported at that time, the goal of this move was to fuel future growth and that they hoped to buy back LNK’s 15 percent stake and ensure that Dogfish Head would be entirely “family-controlled” and “family-led” in the future.

Then in 20i6, it was announced that that the brewery’s CEO Nick Benz, who’d been with Dogfish Head for thirteen years, would be leaving the company after a two year stint in that role. And we reported that Sam Calagione would be stepping away from his position as President and take over as CEO.

Also last Dogfish Head also introduced a new packaging look for their brand, that was a collaborative effort involving both the brewery’s in-house creative team and the strategic packaging design firm Interact Boulder.

Dogfish also reportedly entered their 31st state (not counting the District of Columbia) last month, with the addition of New Mexico last month, and they’ve plans to begin distribution in Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama and West Virginia later this year.

New Beers For 2017

To keep things fresh and to strengthen their position as the 16^th largest craft brewer in America, Dogfish Head will be introducing two new IPA’s this year.

Set for a July debut Lupu-luaü IPA is a hazy 7.3% ABV India Pale Ale brewed with toasted organic coconut, dehydrated coconut water and an experimental hop variety that provides a unique coconut aroma.

And in November they’ll be releasing Post-Boil IPA a 7% hop-forward Pale Ale where hops are added into the brewing mix at multiple stages.

This year’s Music to Drink By, April 22^nd Record Store Day release will be Tropical Blonde, a Blonde Ale brewed with kiwi juice and hibiscus flowers. And July will see a re-envisioned version of a classic when Oak-Aged Vanilla World Wide Stout hits the shelves.

Two limited releases from last year, their citrus-infused Flesh & Blood and tart Seaquench Ale are now part of Dogfish Head’s year round portfolio.

But unfortunately the brewery’s Immort Ale, Red & White, Squall IPA, Bière de Provence and the original World Wide Stout won’t be making an appearance this year, because they’re simply not gods and just can’t do everything.