Seashores and Brews at Delaware’s Dogfish Inn

 

For a laid again seashore getaway simply steps from the Delaware Bay, the Dogfish Inn within the coronary heart of charming and historic Lewes, Delaware, is the right vacation spot.

This boutique resort gives all the pieces you can need for a soothing coastal escape:

☑ Proximity to the Seashore: A brief stroll brings you to the sandy shores.
☑ Native Eating and Procuring: Many eating places and cute outlets are simply across the nook.
☑ Scenic Views: Benefit from the sights of the Delaware Rehoboth Canal.
☑ Comfy Lodging: Fashionable, minimalist visitor rooms boast luxurious and considerate particulars.
☑ Biking Adventures: Discover coastal trails with the inn’s complimentary bicycles.
☑ Hearth Rest: Improve your evenings with cozy hearth chats and s’mores.
☑ Heat Hospitality: A employees that goes above and past to make you’re feeling welcomed.

Sounds fairly nice, proper? Properly, the fact is even higher.

Established in 2014 because the official “basecamp” for the famend Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in close by Milton, the Dogfish Inn was created to host brewery visitors. Dogfish Head, based by Sam and Mariah Calagione in 1995, started as Delaware’s first brewpub and was thought-about the smallest business brewery in America on the time.

Identified for his or her non-conformist strategy to brewing, Dogfish Head prides itself on experimenting with unique combos and surprising substances, using a culinary strategy to develop distinctive flavors. This unconventional, “off-centered” philosophy has earned them a cult-like following and propelled them to grow to be one of many largest craft breweries and distilleries within the nation.

Conveniently situated in Lewes, the Dogfish Inn serves as the right halfway level between the manufacturing brewery in Milton and the brewpub, distillery, and eating places in Rehoboth Seashore.

However you don’t should be a craft beer lover to take pleasure in a keep on the Dogfish Inn. 

Should you’re merely searching for a enjoyable seashore escape in a implausible location, surrounded by scrumptious meals and pleasant, distinctive individuals – I can confidently say, after a current superb keep, that that is the place you need to be. 

On the way in which to checking in, stepping previous a fleet of E-bikes into a classy foyer with quirky pink and inexperienced lit copper diving helmets over a lit hearth, it immediately turned apparent the Dogfish Inn isn’t your common beachy pad. However embracing all issues “off-centered” is the core of Dogfish Head manner. 

A boutique property tucked alongside the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in downtown Lewes, the Dogfish Inn has a contemporary 16-room boutique inn effortlessly blends a vibe of refined consolation with quirky pops of Dogfish Head’s signature aesthetic. Right here you’ll be able to embrace a slower tempo whereas exploring Delaware’s native coast and seashores. 

Set in a former motel the luxurious upgrades and trendy renovation have made it all of the extra comfy.

And the situation is unimaginable. Smack in downtown Lewes right here you’ll be able to simply eat, store, dine and discover historic downtown Lewes on foot. Or seize a motorcycle and wander across the community of coastal trails.

Our Keep at Dogfish Inn

They’ve Considered Every thing: Cozy Fashionable Lodging and Considerate Facilities

Checking into the Deluxe King Room, outfitted with a king mattress and pull-out couch, we discovered it good for beachside adventures. An Apolis tote bag and retro striped seashore chairs from Garden Chair USA are yours to make use of throughout your keep.

Our room on the highest degree of the inn was clear and trendy, with distinctive touches like a deep farmhouse-style sink and pop artwork music posters. The mattress was a comfy dream with Mascioni linens and cloud-like down pillows. The sitting space with a pull-out couch and the luxurious walk-in waterfall bathe stocked with Malin + Goetz tub merchandise made me take into account extending my keep indefinitely.

A particular contact is the complimentary handcrafted Dogfish Head Beer Cleaning soap in each room, made with Dogfish Head’s well-known 60 Minute IPA, floor hops, barley, and important oils of lavender, rosemary, and fir. Visitors are invited to deliver it house as a reminder of their journey.

Free WIFI, cable TV, a mini-fridge, air-conditioning, and mini-bar snacks make your keep much more comfy. Don’t overlook to take house your complimentary beer growler, and have it stuffed on the Milton brewery or the Dogfish Head Brewpub earlier than you permit.

Morning Routine: Contemporary Espresso and Breakfast in Downtown Lewes

We began our days savoring the inn’s complimentary shiny medium Basecamp Mix roast from native Rise Up espresso roasters. Free espresso is obtainable within the foyer all day.

For one thing stronger, have the inn’s proficient barista Shane make you an incredible oat milk cappuccino. One sip and also you’ll be a bright-eyed adventurer able to seize the day.

Want one thing to learn whereas having fun with your brew? Browse the library part within the foyer with a set of nice American novels curated by Metropolis Lights, the famend San Francisco bookstore. Books can be found to borrow or buy.

Whereas breakfast isn’t served on the inn, you’re simply steps from nice eating places and cafes inside a block of the Dogfish Inn. Then get able to discover the world or chill on the seashore.

Issues To Do In Lewes, Delaware

There’s A Lot to Discover in Lewes. And the Dogfish Inn Has All of the Provides You Must Benefit from the Close by Seashores Native Trails.

Want wheels to go cruising the miles of close by bike trails or oceanside boardwalks? Borrow one of many inn’s customized mountain bikes without spending a dime. For extra energy with out all that pesky pedaling, hire certainly one of their e-bikes as a substitute.

Of their lending closet by the principle foyer, the Dogfish Inn has a number of different provides you should use to take advantage of your time open air together with blankets, coolers, mountaineering sticks, yard video games, binoculars for recognizing native wildlife and extra. Should you want a motorcycle tour skilled, paddleboard or kayak reserved offsite, the employees right here will make it occur.

Want insider recommendations on the most effective eats and completely satisfied hour spots round? The superior innkeepers right here have you ever lined.

Stroll By way of Historic Downtown Lewes

Step off the Dogfish Inn property and also you’re within the coronary heart of a historic outpost that radiates quintessential seaside city vibes. Right here you’ll be able to stroll by pastel-hued Victorians, colonial coastal cottages and centuries previous church buildings, museums and landmarks.

Wander round 2nd and Entrance streets, into one of many many outlets and boutiques. Or seize a chunk at one of many many eating places. Then work your manner one block over to Entrance Road in the direction of the 1812 Memorial Park full with cannons created to honor the town’s protection in opposition to a British assault by fleet in April 1813. Relaxation for a bit on a shady park bench with an ice-cream cone or a espresso and benefit from the water views.

Should you’re fortunate sufficient to go to in spring, blooming pink tulips and cherry timber will make the expertise much more magical 

Sail into Historical past on the Lightship Overfalls

Lower than ⅓ of a mile from the Dogfish Inn is the Lightship Overfalls often known as LV-118. In-built 1938 with a 57-foot beacon and designated a Nationwide Historic Landmark in 2011 by the Nationwide Park Service, it’s certainly one of solely 15 floating lighthouses preserved right now. It served as a lifeline to sailors navigating treacherous shoals all through the North East. It was additionally the final lightship constructed for the U.S. Lighthouse Service (USLHS) and certainly one of solely two lightships constructed within the twentieth century. Now a dwelling maritime museum you’ll be able to ebook a guided tour for less than $5.

Enjoyable reality: Each visitor room on the Dogfish Head Inn has a singular murals that includes the Lightship Overfalls by artist Steve Rogers.

Chill out at one of many Close by Seashores For Solar and Sea

Closest to the Dogfish Inn is Savannah Seashore. Only a 14 minute stroll or 2 minute drive from the inn. This household pleasant golden stretch of shoreline with gentle sand and calm glass like waters on the Delaware Bay. It’s good for strolling, lounging or swimming. 

On the identical stretch of sand east of Savannah Seashore’s dune is the smaller Johnnie Walker Seashore named after a outstanding native African American Lewes businessman born in 1917.  Restroom services can be found at each seashores. 

Discover Well-known Cape Henlopen State Park

A straightforward 15 minute bike journey or fast 1 mile drive from Dogfish Inn, Cape Henlopen State Park is a must-visit 7000 acre park. With 6 miles of shoreline the place the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, that is certainly one of Delaware’s undisputed pure gems. 

Right here you’ll discover swimmable seashores, a fishing pier, and a number of trails by means of numerous ecosystems good for mountaineering, biking, beachcombing and fowl watching. Dolphins have been identified to swim off the park’s shores.

It’s additionally house to the Fort Miles Museum that includes WWII historical past and there’s a preserved WWII commentary tower with 360 diploma views you’ll be able to climb. Try their Seaside Nature Heart the place they’ve aquariums, and contact tanks for encounters with native marine life. 

The place to Eat? Dine with Dogfish!  

Foodies and Craft Beer Followers Ought to Make a Level to Go to the Dogfish Head Eating places in Milton and in Rehoboth.

Dogfish Head Brewery

The Inn is the perfect midpoint location between all of the Dogfish hotspots. So foodies and craft beer and spirit followers are in for an actual deal with.  To get a full appreciation for all that Dogfish Head is about, craft beer aficionados will need to begin on the supply and head 20 minutes west to the Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton.

To get a full understanding of how Dogfish Head developed into the greatness it’s right now, make some extent to tour their superb facility. On the tour you’ll learn the way Dogfish began, some insider tales, get a tour of their Steampunk Treehouse, and get a really feel for a way their modern beers are created.

In the course of the tour you’ll be rewarded with samples of a few of their scrumptious Dogfish concoctions. It turned a craft beer beginner like me into a complete Dogfish fan. And the beers are critically superb.

After the tour head to their bar for a free flight the place you’ll be able to style a few of their tried and true favorites, or pattern new analysis and improvement flavors not obtainable anyplace else.  

That is the place we first acquired a style of Dogfish Head’s unimaginable Palo Santo Marron brown ale, with caramel and vanilla notes. This American model brown ale will get its taste from tanks with Paraguayan Palo Santo (“holy tree”) wooden. Palo Santo is a tough wooden to supply so there’s no telling how lengthy it will likely be obtainable. Positively do that one when you can!

Once you get hungry, there’s no want to depart. They’ve acquired a tasty and informal menu filled with wood-fired eats and completely paired beer-friendly snacks. We polished off a gentle pretzel, a sausage and broccoli rabe pizza with chewy, ethereal and delicate crust, and a satisfying gourmand cheese and meat charcuterie. Every thing was tremendous recent and extremely scrumptious. 

Sitting out on their patio with nice meals and nice beer on a sunny breezy day made for the right afternoon.

Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats

For Artistic Bites and Unique Brews Head in a Enjoyable and Informal Atmosphere, Head to the unique house Dogfish Head at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Seashore. 

Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats in Rehoboth, DE is Dogfish Head’s unique house base in Rehoboth.  

Opened again in 1995, the vigorous, trendy wooden and industrial area served as founder Sam Calagione’s very first enterprise into bringing off-centered ales to the thirsty lots and was thought-about the smallest business brewery in the US.

Whereas the unique area Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats is now Dogfish’s different restaurant subsequent door referred to as Chesapeake and Maine, in case your principal aim is to absorb that signature DFH vibe, this spot is to not be missed. Right here there’s loads of nice Dogfish Head spirits and beers to select from together with brewpub solely exclusives. 

Serving lunch and dinner, right here you’ll discover artistic twists on conventional pub fare with tasty burgers, wings, tacos, pretzel bites, and wood-grilled pizzas .

Our pleasant server arrived with a flight of recent tasting pours – together with the Buck Mildin, She Means Enterprise. And if there’s a Palo Santo in the home, we’re getting it. 

Carbs and cheese are my love languages, so the pierogies full of caramelized onions, and the Cheddar Brie Grilled Cheese had been must-orders that didn’t disappoint. The shareable and completely spiced and meaty birria tacos with the fall-apart tender beef and vibrant toppings, had been a match made in heaven for Dogfish Head’s uncommon Palo Santo.

You’ll discover by the musical impressed artwork on the partitions of all Dogfish Head places, that music is a basic a part of the Dogfish Head lifestyle. So count on dwell music on the weekends. With nice meals, nice drinks and nice music, it’s an exquisite place to spend a number of hours. 

Tip: If in case you have the prospect, ask for one of many porthole cubicles for a singular spot to eat. 

Chesapeake & Maine

Need a good dinner? A James Beard Award semi-finalist nominee for ‘Greatest Bar Program,’ Dogfish Head’s Chesapeake & Maine Is the Excellent Spot for Elevated Seafood and Cocktails

In Rehoboth situated subsequent door to the informal Dogfish Brewery and Eats is Dogfish Head’s James Beard Award Nominated seafood-centric eatery referred to as Chesapeake & Maine. 

Serving dinner, right here you’ll discover a devoted customized uncooked bar that serves up sustainably seafood together with oysters, clams  and recent seafood sourced completely from the Chesapeake Bay and Maine areas, creative culinary ahead cocktails, wine and naturally craft beer. 

Strolling by means of the doorways you’re instantly transported to a world of recent coastal stylish with unmistakable Dogfish aptitude with added whimsical nautical accents like suited sea creatures behind portholes and artwork that includes rock icons. The environment is informal however, you wouldn’t be misplaced in the event you dressed up a contact.

The restaurant’s idea is impressed by Dogfish Head’s founder Sam Calagione’s love for the summers he spent in Maine. It additionally honors his spouse Mariah’s Delaware roots and Dogfish Head’s unique house within the Delaware and Chesapeake area. 

As a result of that is Dogfish we’re speaking about, we began with a beer flight that includes a few of their most profitable sips. Their fashionable SeaQuench Ale with its trace of salt and zesty citrus offered thirst-quenching refreshment. Piney and citrusy Coated in Nuggs was our favourite IPA, with passionfruit and orange aromas. Should you love peaches, attempt the Festina Peche, which is a near-perfect steadiness of peach cobbler sweetness and tart citrus.

For dinner we began issues off on an absolute excessive observe with a dish of seared, buttery-soft Seared  Scallops drizzled in vibrant beurre monté and laced with yuzu and chilies. Every wealthy, velvety chunk was shiny and decadent. It was virtually too fairly to eat. 

Consistent with the theme of the restaurant, my associate and I made a decision on a dish from Chesapeake and a dish from Maine. I went with the Chesapeake Bay lump crab truffles – a beneficiant portion of actual sustainably sourced Chesapeake Bay jumbo lump crab performed alongside tangy slaw, salty hand-cut fries, and a grilled lemon for shiny acidity. Decadent and spiced gently in order to not overpower the crab meat.  Unbelievable. 

And no dish is extra emblematic of Maine than the famed lobster roll. At Seared  Scallops at Chesapeake & Maine it’s achieved proper with chunks of recent lobster tumbled inside a griddled buttery bun, dressed up with simply sufficient butter to let that pure sweetness shine. 

For dessert, the Key Lime Cheesecake from native cheesecake queen Mommom, was the right creamy and tangy end. This memorable feast checked each field. 

Tip: Should you’re a uncooked bar fan attempt their unique ‘Smoke within the Water’ oysters. Specifically developed in a collaboration with Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture Firm, these uncooked oysters are cultivated in Chesapeake Bay waters infused with culinary wood-smoked infused salt. The result’s smokey, briny and in contrast to any oyster you’ve ever tried.

Hearth Enjoyable

At Night time the Dogfish Inn’s Courtyard is the Greatest Place to Unwind

After dinner, head again to the inn and settle into their courtyard area. Right here you’ll be able to collect and chat with different visitors round a roaring “Cowboy Cauldron” model hearth pit. For a tasty hearth deal with, s’mores can be found within the foyer. 

And it wouldn’t harm to have some craft beers and spirits to share. BYO since alcohol isn’t bought on the inn’s property. However inside downtown Lewes, a lot of the eating places serve Dogfish Head beers and spirits.

Phrase has it that Dogfish founder Sam generally pops in for certainly one of his well-known ‘Hearth Chats.’ However both manner you’ll be completely satisfied you went.

Closing Takeaway

Whether or not you need downtime on the seashore, an out of doors journey, or a basecamp to discover the brews, spirits, and meals of the Dogfish Head world, undoubtedly ebook a keep at The Dogfish Inn.

Positioned in historic downtown Lewes, The Dogfish Inn is steps to seashores, bike trails, eating places, museums and quaint outlets. It’s good for experiencing all that Delaware’s coastal area has to supply. Plus, craft beer lovers will respect the inn’s supreme location, nestled between Dogfish Head’s manufacturing brewery in Milton and their brewpub, distillery, and eating places in Rehoboth Seashore.

However greater than an amazing place to remain, what struck me most was how the Dogfish crew has bottled the right steadiness of easy laid-back luxurious and heat real hospitality. The constructive vitality is a real reflection of the infectious Dogfish Head spirit in all its off-centered, scrumptious glory.

➡ Guide a room on the Dogfish Inn and also you’ll discover it’s the right spot for a soothing beachside escape. You’ll depart asking your self one query: “When can I come again?”