Delaware’s Dogfish Head Surfaces

Delaware’s got more going for it than credit card companies and our vice president; it’s also the home of one of the most beloved beers in America, Dogfish Head (dogfish.com). Founder/president Sam Calagione brews beers big as his outsized personality (he’s even been featured in a New Yorker profile). For years the beer couldn’t even be bought in California, and Santa Barbara was one of the last holdouts. There were rumors of it being on tap at The Mercury Lounge in Goleta a while back, but if you want to take bottles home, you can do that now, too, by shopping at San Roque Market & Liquors (3014 State St., 687-4717). Dogfish Head’s flagship beer, the madly hoppy with a surprising malt core 90 Minute IPA, is in stock, but so is the 60 Minute IPA (less hop bite but still potent), the caramelly Palo Santo Marron, redolent of a special Paraguayan oak, and the unique and pleasing Midas Touch, concocted using a recipe adapted from the oldest brewing recipe in the world, and really more like mead. You can’t go wrong with any of them if you’re adventurous and are willing to spend a bit more for excellent brew.