Delaware may be small, but its brewing industry is anything but. For almost four centuries, Delaware brewers have continued the tradition of crafting beers to wow taste buds. Wilmington, in particular, was an early hub of brewing in colonial Delaware and remains so today. Wilmington Beer Week is a great example of Delaware’s craft beer legacy and features a long list of events and special deals at a variety of venues across the city.
Chelsea Tavern
821 N Market St.
Chelsea Tavern is one of the main stops during Wilmington Beer Week with specials lasting all week long. Starting on Saturday, they’re featuring a fixed dinner menu with three mouth-watering courses that are all infused with beer for just $30 or $40 if diners chose to add on a special Beer Week flight. The tavern is also selling all craft beers for $5 after 4 p.m. and throwing in a free pint glass—drink 31 in eight days and receive a free “I survived Wilmington Beer Week at Chelsea Tavern” T-shirt. Can you go all week without tapping out?
Then get ready to rumble at Chelsea Tavern’s Flight Club event on Tuesday, Nov. 10 with brews from Dogfish Head’s ancient beer series. They’re also welcoming John Medkeff Jr., author of “Brewing in Delaware” and historian of all things beer, as a special guest to sign copies of his book.
Trolley Tap House
1616 Delaware Ave.
Surf’s up at Trolley Tap House where a West Coast theme brings the good vibes and even better brews. Beers from California, Oregon and Washington are taking over Wilmington with 20 breweries on tap. To continue the theme, the menu will feature classic taco truck cuisine and cocktails inspired by the California lifestyle.
On Nov. 7, Trolley Tap House will highlight three beers from Stone Brewing Company. Choose a favorite or try all three for $10. Trolley Tap House also hosted Wilmington Beer Week’s kickoff party on Nov. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. where two wonderful worlds collided—beer and ice cream, specifically New Belgium beer and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
World Café Live at the Queen
500 N Market St.
All eyes are on the beer at Wilmington’s World Café Live with two weeklong specials. Every day during Wilmington Beer Week, they will be offering $7 flights with unique brew samples from Mispillion River, Dogfish Head, Blue Earl and 2SP brewery. In addition to flight sampling, World Café Live will continue happy hour specials like $3 domestic drafts and $4 Dogfish 60 Minute IPAs, among other food and drink deals.
Iron Hill Brewery
620 Justison St.
Head to Iron Hill Brewery on Friday, Nov. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. to fill up your glass with some hopping IPAs. In addition to their brews, try some of Head Brewer Justin Sproul’s top choices outside of Iron Hill. Guest breweries include Old Dominion, Firestone, 2SP and Flying Dog. Pay just $12.95 for a flight of guest beers paired with four styles of hot wings.
Two Stones Pub
2502 Foulk Road
Two Stones Pub is the place to be for craft beers and charity. To kickoff the week, the pub is featuring bold beers from Stone Brewing Company like Stone Arrogant Bastard and Stone Double Bastard 2013. Then on Sunday, Nov. 8, Two Stones is switching gears towards the refreshing Allagash brews from Portland, Maine. On Tuesday, Two Stones Pub is fusing tacos and beer together by cooking with the best brews from Victory Brewing Company. All three events benefit Delaware’s Meals on Wheels program with three unique raffles each day.
For Veterans Day, Two Stones Pub is remembering those who served with Yards Ales’ Revolution series named after famous American leaders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Part of your purchase will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. On Thursday, usher in the weekend a little early with Two Stones Pub’s three-day event called Drink Local highlighting the area’s best brews like Dogfish Head, Victory, 2SP and Evolution.
Beer is a part of Delaware’s history so why not celebrate it? For more information head to wilmingtonbeerweek.com.