Dogfish’s Punkin Ale is getting a new look this year./Photo courtesy of Dogfish Head
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Most people—and businesses—like to take it easy during the summer months. But not Dogfish Head. The Milton-based brewery was busy this summer releasing a sneaker, expanding its distribution and updating one of its most iconic ales.
In July, Dogfish announced that it was expanding its ‘Wooden … it be nice!’ wild beer program to include limited, regional distribution of a selection of its wild ales. The first one to hit the shelves throughout Delaware and Maryland is In & Of Itself.
Brewed as a rustic farmhouse base, In & Of Itself is fermented with Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus. After being aged in red and white wine barrels for nine months, this scarlet-colored beer is finished with Etrog, Buddha’s hand and more than two pounds of raspberries per gallon. This fruit-forward ale boasts tart, sweet and sour flavors of raspberry, plus notes of bright citrus and a champagne-like finish.
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Dogfish is expanding regional distribution of some of its wild ales like In & Of Itself./Photos courtesy of Dogfish Head |
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Last month, Dogfish Head announced that its collection of off-centered ales is now available in Mississippi. The brewery partnered with Capital Distributing to bring its full line-up of flavorful brews to the Magnolia State, increasing the company’s total market distribution to 45 states and Washington, D.C. Mississippi residents can expect Dogfish Head beers on shelves and taps starting in early September.
“We’re ecstatic to share our lineup of well-differentiated beers with Dogfish fans in Mississippi, and to begin a great and long-lasting relationships with the state’s beer drinkers, retailers and distributors,” said Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head, in a news release. “We have our canning and bottling lines pumping out a boatload of beer, and we’ve got enough brewing capacity to ensure we can keep retailers well stocked with our family of off-centered ales for years to come.”
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Mississippi residents can expect Dogfish Head beers on shelves and taps this month./Photo courtesy of Dogfish Head - Partner Content -
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And finally, the brewery announced last week that its Punkin Ale is getting an update this year. The full-bodied brown ale that is brewed with real pumpkin meat, brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon will make its 25th annual encore wrapped in playful artwork by artist Michael Hacker.
“Punkin Ale made its first commercial appearance in 1995, but its story begins back in 1994 at the World Championship of Punkin Chunkin,” Calagione said. “It was there that I entered my first-ever batch of pumpkin beer into a baking contest. It ended up winning first place, beating out a boatload of homemade pumpkin cookies, pies and cakes.”
Since its debut, the recipe for Punkin Ale has remained the same, but the beer’s artwork has seen many variations. This year’s label lends a nod to the brewery’s longtime love of music, especially punk rock music. Hacker’s design features a melodic trio of cartoon pumpkin characters ‘rockin’ out’ on stage in front of a live audience.
“As a beer geek with a music problem, I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s Punkin Ale packaging,” Calagione said. “It captures the essence and energy of a punk rock concert in an interesting and lighthearted way.”
For more information about Dogfish Head, its lineup of off-centered ales and to find Punkin Ale near you, visit dogfish.com.
