Dogfish Head comes to London

Dogfish Head beers have played a huge part in my evolving development as a craft beer aficionado. I still remember the first 60 Minute IPA that Jim and I shared at Blind Tiger Ale House in Manhattan back in 2007. I was shocked at how smooth and hoppy it tasted, and the fact that there were even “hoppier” 90 and 120 Minute editions as well. Since then I’ve been a very loyal fan – although quite unfortunately getting a hold of a Dogfish Head beer in London is pretty difficult….that is until last week luckily….

with Dogfish Head Brewery President and Owner Sam Calagione
Duke’s Head Putney, London

CRAFT BEER. These two words have been a core part of my vocabulary now for the last six years.

It began with regular visits to craft beer bars near to the apartment Jim and I shared in New York City.  That was fun and occupied us for a time. But it was not enough. We needed more.

Jim’s small homebrew operation started shortly thereafter, in our cramped 350 square foot Manhattan apartment.

Road trips followed, throughout the northeast on weekends to visit new beer places and microbreweries we had yet to see.

Frequent visits were made to our local specialty beer store in Jersey City, where we learned the best and most rare beer supplies were often stored in the back room, for customers who knew to ask for it. We considered it a real accomplishment when we cleared out their “back room” supply of the last 3 bottles of  the Dogfish Head, Miles Davis Bitches Brew!

Dogfish Head memories in the USA

In 2008, Jim and I first visited the Dogfish Head brewpub together in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. An annual family tradition brings us (and 50+ members of my immediate and extended family) to Ocean City, Maryland every year. After five days of nonstop family time, we rewarded ourselves with some alone time and a visit to the Dogfish Head brewpub for a lunch and beer.

Picture source: Dogfish Brewpub restaurant

Annually from 2008 on, Jim and I made a pact to start our own tradition;  To make the 45 minute drive from Ocean City to Rehoboth and visit the Dogfish Head brew pub (at some point) during our family beach week!

Ringing in the New Year 2011

Less than 2 short months after our wedding in November 2010, we searched for the perfect place to spend our first New Year’s Eve together as husband and wife. When we read about the 5 course beer pairing dinner at the Dogfish Head brewpub, we knew we had our answer.

The New Year’s Eve dinner and beer pairing was absolutely spectacular and we spent the whole night there, officially ringing in the New Year at the Dogfish brew pub.

The Brewery Visit

Steampunk Tree house

As of late 2010, we were ashamed to admit to anyone that we had not yet visited the actual Dogfish Head brewery in Milton, Delaware, so we prioritized to fit it into our New Year’s holiday weekend itinerary.

The Dogfish Head “off-centered stuff for off-centered people” slogan seemed to jump out at us as we pulled into the parking lot and and saw the looming 40′ tall Steampunk Tree House sculpture (pictured left), created by artist Sean Orlando and the Five Ton Crane Arts Group in 2007, and moved to the Dogfish Head brewery in June of 2010 (see website for more information)

At the start of the tour, we loved seeing the brewery’s first set (behind Jim in the picture). Envisioning what it must have been like at the start of the operation, then seeing the contrasting view – large fermentation tanks, high tech equipment and massive production scales,  we were inspired! Every home brewer imagines doing what Sam Calagione did, and to see that passion transformed into a growing, thriving operation is encouraging!

At the brewery in 2010 (yes I had blonde hair then!)

By the time we took the Dogfish tour, Jim and I considered ourselves fairly knowledgeable about breweries and the whole “brewery tour” experience.

But the Dogfish Head tour wasn’t just another brewery tour.  It was led by an enthusiastic tour guide and it was memorable! Even now 2 years later I still remember Jim’s excitement that day.

We were particularly impressed with seeing the 10,000 gallon Palo wood tank in person, “the largest wooden brewing vessel built in America since before Prohibition” (Dogfish website)

Dogfish Head comes to London

Since moving to London in January  2012, we’ve searched specialty beer shops high and low to find Dogfish beers. While searching we also joined CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and became acquainted with the British Real Ale scene, but we miss having the easy access to purchase a four pack of 60 Minute whenever we we want one!

So imagine my shock when I read about a beer tasting event at Duke’s Head Putney and a new collaboration beer between Charles Wells of England and Dogfish Head. Jim immediately cleared his calendar, blocked out with the important title “DFH”, and we made it to the tasting on time for its 8pm start.

Held in the basement room of the DukesHead pub, the “Rowing Club” was an intimate room made cosier by the perceived impression of firewood (“burning” from the TV screens with images of a log fire).

About the Dogfish Head/Charles Wells DNA New World IPA beer

Front and center at the bar, the New World IPA was served in free half pint pours.It’s a 4.5% ABV India Pale ale made using the “DNA” from the Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA with the East Anglican Real Ale brewing style.  The smell of the distinguishable Dogfish Head 60 minute hops were what I noticed first, and loved most about the beer – a clear indication this was not your typical real ale!

About the beer tasting event

The quiet lull immediately ended and evolved into a lively energetic filled room when Sam Calagione, President of Dogfish Head and Jim Robertson, International Brewmaster at Charles Wells, arrived.

Jim Robertson spoke first and gave a brief introduction of the two brewers – a friendship that seems to have started many years ago and only recently crystalized into a collaboration beer.

Sam talked about the craft beer market in general and the New DNA beer, describing how they reduced the Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA into a syrupy concentrate before packing it up and shipping across to Charles Wells for the English version of DNA beer.  Sam also previewed their plans to continue the beer exchange in reverse later this year, when Charles Wells sends their base session beer back across the Atlantic to create an “Old World IPA”. Without being too big of a beer dork – I’d kinda like to go to this preview party as well!!!

Sam ended his brief talk with some interesting background and tasting notes on a few delicious Dogfish Head bottled varieties that were available for sampling (including a few 120 Minutes and the new DFH61). . The very next day he was heading to Stockholm Sweden to brew an ancient brew recipe from a 3,500 year old Danish drinking vessel made of birch bar…

About meeting Sam Calagione

During the night, there were quite a few other “beer geeks” vying for Sam’s attention, but due to the fairly intimate sized crowd,  I had the chance to introduce myself. Despite a non-stop whirlwind through London he was still incredibly gratious with the entire crowd. When I told him I was an American from Pennsylvania, we had a short discussion about the local Pennsylvania craft breweries. Later in the evening, Sam introduced us to two of his old friends (Tara and Brian), also Americans who have lived in London for twenty years.  We had a wonderful conversation with Tara and Brian about living abroad and our shared experiences in London – a perfect way to end the night.

Walking back to the tube station, I couldn’t have been more excited!!!

I sampled a brand new collaboration beer. Had some wonderful Dogfish bottled beer that I hadn’t tasted since moving to London – at a great traditional English pub on the Thames waterfront. All that, and I even met Sam Calagione in person. Doesn’t get much better than that!!