Extreme Brewing
Long a familiar face on the East Coast, Dogfish Head (dogfish.com) brewery is coming west-and managers of area supermarkets had better start making space in the specialty beer aisle for this bad boy. Founded in 1995, the brewing company-now the 36th largest in America-has gained fame for its monstrous beers. Across the spectrum of several dozen oddities, Dogfish Head’s beers average 9 percent alcohol by volume-the very top of the ladder for most breweries-and the biggest brutes, like the World Wide Stout and the 120-Minute IPA, measure out respectively at 18 and 20 percent. Yet these big bullies know how to behave in even the finest dining environments, and founder and president Sam Calagione asserts that high alcohol levels lend beer more flavor and fine food compatibility. These beers will age, too-for decades even, according to Calagione-so they’re worth burying in the yard. Watch the aisles for 90-Minute IPA, Midas Touch, and the brand new Palo Santo Marron. That’s all we get for now, so sip slowly, but more are sure to come.