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Whirl-Wind Winning Weekend at DFH!
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Josh, Sam and Larry posing after the brewery tour.
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Josh and Sam at the distillery… is Josh loving it or what? I’ve been replaced as a screensaver!
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Lex opening baby’s first gifts at the DFH bar… Thanks to the Sammons family for little Brewers lovely gifts!
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Josh enjoying a taste of DFH spirits at the end of the day.
We just spent an incredible weekend in the beautiful and historic town of Lewes, Delaware- celebrating our win of the “What Dream is Brewing in You” contest with Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione and Larry Olsen from Wiley Publishing (hosts of the contest.)
We can’t begin to tell you how exciting it was. We had a special room at the Inn at Canal Square (www.theinnatcanalsquare.com) outfitted with all kinds of DFH goodies (free in-room beer and CD collection were a bonus!) On Friday afternoon, Sam directed us, and about 40 other people, on a brewery tour of the Milton facility (www.dogfish.com/brewings/brewery_tour) … over 100,000 sq ft of DFH operation! We learned that they have a high-tech lab on-sight, and they are constantly looking for ways of enhancing their already FINE operation. Then we chatted about our business plan (over a pitcher of fine brew of course) and Sam and Larry offered their much desired advice.
On to Sam’s house to meet Mariah, the kids, and even the new pug puppy… and a taste of DFHs newest pleasure, “Red and White”
(www.dogfish.com/brewings/Limited_Edition_Beers/Red_._White/57/index)
The stuff is KILLER. It was a bonus to spend time with Mariah- although Sam gets most of the press, this is a woman who is fully involved in the business, and somehow manages to keep a family together as well! Then dinner at Striper Bites (www.striperbites.com/index.html)- which, again, was incredible. Excellent service, and a nice variety of food.
Saturday offered us a few moments to relax before meeting Sam and family at Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats (www.dogfish.com/eats/DFH_Brewings_._Eats_Rehoboth/1/index) Rehoboth Beach, DE for lunch and distillery tour. Did you know that DFH is now producing spirits? (www.dogfish.com/spirits)
Eventually, and sadly, it came time to say goodbye to the Calagione family and Larry too.
If anyone out there has any doubts about Sam or DFH, put them to rest. Every single person we dealt with was nothing short of outstanding. Sam was welcoming and enthusiastic, and never acted as though our weekend visit was a burden on him. In fact, he spent a great deal of time with us– and he is a very likeable guy. There is no question in our minds that this guy is working his behind off for not only DFH, but the craft brewing industry as a whole.
This was a weekend that we will forever be thankful for… even if it was a bit chilly for our SC bones! If you’re ever in the area (like even the northeast!) you MUST make a stop!
Our thanks again to Sam, his family, Larry Olsen, and all the staff of DFH for making our whirl-wind winning weekend an undeniable success!
Alexia and Josh
