There’s a lot of tour talk going around these days. The Eras Tour… the Tour de France… the ruined World Tour even. But I’m not going to be talking about any of those, no, I’m going to discuss my favorite tour that’s happening at the moment, and it’s taking place right here in a Sussex County brewery.
So, you live here or find yourself here on vacation and you are looking for something to do aside from the beach. It could be a wet, rainy day, or perhaps you got sunburnt to the high heavens and need a break from the great outdoors. Whatever the case may be, I’ve got the perfect solution for you.
Dogfish Head needs no introduction. True pioneers of the craft beer movement, you’ll see 60 Minute IPA flowing from taps at just about every bar and restaurant in town. Their SeaQuench Ale is my go-to beverage on these warm summer days. And Dogfish’s brewery tours are no slouch either.
Their Off-Centered Tour runs three times per day, seven days per week. You’ll go on a deep dive into all things Dogfish, seeing their 200-barrel brewhouse (yes, that’s big) as well as their R&D system, where you can sample an experimental brew. After about an hour of perusing behind the scenes, you’ll finish things off in their iconic Steampunk Treehouse, followed by a flight in the tasting room. This tour costs $20 and is a 21+ tour.
You can expect a lot of laughs and to learn a thing or two along the way.
Got the kiddos in tow? Or perhaps you don’t have enough time for the Off-Centered Tour? No problemo. Dogfish also offers a Quick Sip Tour for $5. This one is for all ages and is an abbreviated version of the tour mentioned previously, usually taking about 25 minutes.
If spirits and/or cocktails are more your vibe, they also offer a peek into their craft distillery where you’ll find scratch-made vodkas, rums, gins, whiskeys, and even canned and bottled cocktails. Over the course of an hour, you’ll sample offerings from their portfolio and leave with a branded tasting glass. Like the Off-Centered Tour, this one is a 21+ tour and costs $20.
Assuming there is still availability, you can always sign up for tours on-site, but to guarantee a spot it is best to book ahead online. You can expect a lot of laughs and to learn a thing or two along the way. If the ever-informative Jamin Adkins (pictured) is your experience guide, you are in good hands. Stop by their Milton Brewery and tour it up today.
Zeke has been working in and around beer for the last decade. As a Certified Cicerone® (think Sommelier but for beer), he has covered all things craft from coast to coast, from sunny San Diego to the laid back Lower Slower. Zeke is the owner of Otter Craft Consulting, where he specializes in supporting craft breweries in their branding and marketing efforts.
