(Sam Calagione: Courtesy Dogfish Head Craft Brewery)

Dogfish Head is one of those breweries that seems to have been around forever — and in a lot of ways, it helped define what “craft beer” means today.

Founded in the mid-’90s by a guy who wanted to push the limits of brewing creativity, the Delaware-based operation has gone from tiny brewpub to national powerhouse without ever losing its weird, off-centered personality.

From brewing with lobsters to resurrecting ancient ales, Dogfish Head’s story proves that creativity and risk-taking still have a place in modern beer.

And here are ten things you might not know about Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.

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Dogfish Head started as the smallest commercial brewery in America.

When Sam Calagione opened Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in 1995 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, it had a three-gallon brewing system — about enough to make a few six-packs at a time. That didn’t stop him from experimenting right away.

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Their name comes from a Maine vacation spot.

“Dogfish Head” isn’t some mysterious beer reference — it’s actually the name of a peninsula in Maine where Calagione spent summers as a kid.

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Their 60, 90, and 120 Minute IPAs were inspired by a cooking show.

The idea for continuously hopped beers — where hops are added constantly during the boil — came from watching a Food Network chef add pepper to soup throughout cooking. Calagione figured hops could work the same way, and the famous “Minute” IPAs were born.

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They’ve brewed beer with real lobsters and wood-grilled hearts.

Dogfish Head has never shied away from the bizarre. Their “Choc Lobster” beer included cocoa and actual lobster, and “Pangaea” used ingredients from every continent. They even brewed a beer called “Heart of Darkness” made with wood-grilled beef hearts.

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Dogfish Head helped start the “extreme beer” movement.

Long before double IPAs and pastry stouts became mainstream, Dogfish Head was pushing ABV boundaries and tossing everything from raisins to saffron into its beers. Their motto — “Off-centered ales for off-centered people” — sums it up perfectly.

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They made one of Craft Beer’s first Ancient Ales.

Working with molecular archaeologist Dr. Patrick McGovern, Dogfish Head recreated ancient recipes based on chemical residues found in old pottery. The result was “Midas Touch,” a honey-mead hybrid inspired by 2,700-year-old drinking vessels.

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Dogfish Head once had their own music label.

Beer wasn’t enough — they started Dogfish Head Records, which helped promote offbeat musicians and hosted shows at the brewery. Because why not?

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They built a distillery next door.

Dogfish Head Distilling Co. produces gin, rum, whiskey, and vodka — all crafted with the same experimental spirit as the beer. They even age some of their spirits in barrels that once held their brews.

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Dogfish Head and Boston Beer Company are now family.

In 2019, Dogfish Head merged with the maker of Samuel Adams. Calagione stayed involved, and the two craft icons joined forces while keeping their independent vibes intact.

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A Steampunk Treehouse lives at the brewery.

Outside the Milton, Delaware facility sits a massive, 40-foot metal “treehouse” sculpture originally built for Burning Man. It’s a symbol of the brewery’s creative, slightly rebellious soul — and yes, it’s as weird and wonderful as their beer.

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