When Sam was still a poor college undergraduate, he could only drink the cheapest beer available. However, after graduating, he moved to New York to take writing classes at Columbia University and had to work at a Mexican restaurant to afford it. The Mexican restaurant had a stellar beer list and it was there that Sam tried good beer for the first time, citing Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale and Chimay’s Red as examples.

Instead of becoming a great American novelist, Sam quit Columbia, started brewing beer at home, and moved to Delaware, all ready to start a brewery. The only problem was that breweries weren’t legal in Delaware in 1995. The law hasn’t been updated since Prohibition, and Sam had to go to the Delaware State Senate to get the law changed. Thankfully, it passed without much difficulty; only one person voted against Sam.

Sam’s creative writing background was also crucial to the brewery’s innovative flavours, as it helped him draft up never-before-seen recipes that were truly unique to their core. The brewery's first beer, Shelter Pale Ale, was released in 1995 and was quickly followed by other popular beers like Chicory Stout and Raison D'Etre.

In 2002, the brewery released its signature beer, the 90 Minute IPA, which helped define the American IPA style. Dogfish Head was the first to use the continual hopping method - a process in which hops are added continually throughout the brewing process - to create the 90 Minute IPA. Sam got the idea by watching a chef on a cooking show slowly adding pepper to a soup a little at a time, instead of all at once. Curious, Sam decided to test this idea, but with hops instead.

Sam’s curiosity didn’t kill a cat, but it did pave the way for IPAs as brewers can now add a crazy amount of hops without it being crushingly bitter. Needless to say, the ultra-flavourful, (literally) game-changing, 90 Minute IPA quickly became one of Dogfish Head’s most popular creations.

In addition to its innovative beers, Dogfish Head is also known for its commitment to giving back to its community. The brewery actively collaborates with non-profit organisations to foster community, nourish artistic advancement, and cultivate environmental stewardship. Some examples include supporting exhibits at the Rehoboth Art League, collaborating with The Nature Conservancy, and helping with the creation of the Grove Park Dock & Canal Access.

Today, Dogfish Head Brewery is one of the most respected and innovative craft breweries in the United States. The brewery continues to push the boundaries of brewing by constantly experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, and it definitely ain’t afraid of brewing outside the norm!