Inland Bays Oyster Week may have just wrapped up, but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop. We’re heading over to Henlopen City Oyster House to talk about, you guessed it … beer.
Now, it’s no secret that Henlopen City Oyster House has some of the freshest and best food in the region. If it weren’t frowned upon, I would take an IV drip of their seafood chowder, it’s that good. The same expertise and appreciation for craft that goes into their menu is also found in their beer program.
An extensive can and bottle list filled with obscure and rare treats is guaranteed here. Eight taps may not seem like a lot, but it allows Henlopen City to carefully curate a draft list that matches up with the menu at that moment, all while keeping beer super fresh (side note: if someone hasn’t told you lately, drink your beer fresh).
They’ll always have a lager and IPA on tap, but when it comes to pairing beer with seafood, sometimes you need a little more complexity in your pint. Sours, saisons and other Belgian ales frequent the draft list. These styles work perfectly with seafood, as they’re delicate enough to not overwhelm the dish and often have aromas and flavors that complement it. A little effervescence cleanses the palate and preps you for that next bite.
When you come across a place with Brasserie Dupont, a renowned Belgian brewery, on the menu, you know it’s legit. In June, Henlopen City celebrated its 15th anniversary, an impressive feat for the industry.
Owner Joe Baker says he and his business partner, Chris Bisaha, have always been passionate about craft beer, and knew they wanted it to be part of Henlopen City’s identity. It only makes sense that they have a beer engine behind the bar, a device used to serve cask ale rarely seen in the United States.
When asked about style preferences, Baker is more traditional, opting for clean pilsners or the hop-forward, bitter West Coast IPAs of yesteryear. He’s particularly excited about a new seasonal IPA from Troegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, Pa., called Leaf Seeker. Coincidentally, it can be found at Henlopen City Oyster House … I’m heading that way now.
