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Fill up your glass this season at one of Delaware’s top breweries, wineries and distilleries located right along the coast.
By Sydney Kerelo and Pam George
Planning a trip to the Delaware beaches? The beer scene at the beach continues to boom, but the craft beverage movement isn’t limited to IPAs and pilsners. Sussex County is the setting for Delaware’s first winery, and now craft spirits have bellied up to the bar.
Consequently, many visitors to the resorts come for the breweries, wineries and distilleries. If you’re putting together your own tour, here are some suggestions.
Find out more by visiting the state’s Delaware on Tap at visitdelaware.com.
Breweries & Brewpubs
Big Oyster Brewery
Brewing since 2015, Big Oyster serves locally crafted brews made for the people. Located on Kings Highway in the Big Red Barn in Lewes, the taproom and kitchen offer an outdoor dining area and a bar that faces the brewing operations. With 16 beers on tap, a growing wine list and a delicious dinner menu, this brewery is a big hit.
1007 Kings Hwy., Lewes • 644-2621
Brick Works Brewing & Eats
Long Neck and Millsboro residents now have a nearby brewery, thanks to the second location of Brick Works. (The first is in Smyrna.) The draft selection changes but might include Drop Trowel, an American-style IPA, or Orange Dreamsicle, an American Pale Ale.
36932 Silicato Dr., Suite #1, Millsboro • 287-0077
Crooked Hammock Brewery
Since opening in late 2015, this brewpub has proven popular with families. Credit the spacious enclosed beer garden, which sports a playground, games and live entertainment.
36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes • 644-7837
316 Auto Park Dr., Middletown • 601-7837
Dewey Beer Company
Those in the know say this small brewery has some of the best products in town. Like your beers sour? Recently there were nine on tap. While the menu features items that pair well with beer—think burgers and crab cake sandwiches—the bestseller is actually the lo mein.
2100 Coastal Hwy., Dewey Beach • 227-1182
21241 Iron Thorne Dr., Milton • 329-9759
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Dogfish Head, which opened with a Rehoboth brewpub in 1995, has expanded multiple times. Today, the Milton headquarters is a destination. Try a flight in the tasting room, order a calzone from the kitchen and play bocce ball next to the steampunk treehouse.
6 Cannery Village Center, Milton • 888-8dogfish (888-364-3474)
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats
While Rehoboth is the birthplace of DFH, the building that housed the nascent brewery is no longer. In its place is a contemporary building where fans can try experimental beers brewed on site, as well as the popular DFH selections.
320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach • 226-BREW (2739)
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
The Rehoboth restaurant in this Delaware-based chain shows off the open floor plan that is the model for locations to come. Try the Left Coast turkey burger with guacamole, bacon, IPA sriracha ranch, Monterey jack and arugula all on a potato roll.
19815 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach • 260-8000
Mispillion River Brewing
This rebel brewery—whose products have included Space Otter and Not Today Satan—is a refreshing pitstop on your way to and from the beach. It’s right off Route 1 in Milford.
255 Mullet Run St., Milford • 491-6623
Revelation Craft Brewing
The little brewery that could is still cultivating fans in its West Rehoboth location just off the Junction and Breakwater Trail. Enjoy on-tap beers such as the Mother-in-Law, Conan The Juiceman and the Sussex County Mule at its three locations.
19841 Central St., Rehoboth Beach • 212-5674
413 South Bedford St., Georgetown • 212-5674
29763 Eagle Crest Rd., Milton • 212-5674
Thompson Island Brewing
As an independent brewing company, Thompson Island Brewing offers a lively outdoor beer garden with ping-pong, bocce ball, delicious food and craft brews. Get a taste of coastal Delaware with the signature Thompson Island IPA, the Glazed & Confused pastry stout or the Afternoon Nap.
30133 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach • 226-4677
Wineries
Brimming Horn Meadery
Giving truth to the phrase “everything old is new again,” mead is an ancient beverage made by fermenting honey. Brimming Horn, located a few miles inland from Lewes, has been crafting for over 25 years. It also offers fruit wines and ciders.
28615 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy., Milton • 664-1188
Nassau Valley Vineyards
Sussex County native Peggy Raley-Ward founded this winery in 1993 after successfully battling the Delaware General Assembly to allow farm wineries in the state. Since then, Nassau Valley has won multiple awards. Although a short ride from downtown Lewes, you’ll feel as though you’ve arrived in a pastoral paradise. Every Sunday from mid-May to mid-October, the farmers market is open at the winery.
32165 Winery Way, Lewes • 645-9463
Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery
Located near Bethany Beach, Salted Vines is an offshoot of Fenwick Wine Cellars. The 26-acre site offers more room for vines and events. At any given time, there are 10-14 wines on the menu.
32512 Blackwater Road, Frankford • 436-1500
Harvest Ridge Winery
On your way down to the beach, stop in at Harvest Ridge Winery for a taste of the large wine selection, including sangria and cider. This family farm winery focuses on delivering delicious tastes with a quaint, family feel.
447 Westville Rd., Marydel • 343-9437
RELATED: 6 Delaware Beer Gardens to Check out This Summer
Spirits
Dogfish Head
Dogfish Head’s spirits line is just as eclectic as its brews. Consider Barrel Honey Rum, Roasted Peanut Vodka and Whiskey Finished in Rum Casks. Located on the same Milton site as the brewery, the distillery is open for scheduled tours.
6 Cannery Village Center, Milton • 888-8dogfish (888-364-3474)
Beach Time Distilling
This small family run distillery opened its doors in 2015 with the idea to produce craft beverages like rum, vodka, gin whiskey and spirits. In addition to bottled crafts, Beach Time sells Beach Ready cocktails, including Pirate Punch and Fire Storm.
32191 Nassau Rd., Lewes • 644-2850
