DELMARVANOW STAFF REPORT

This article was originally published June 19, 2017, by DelmarvaNow.com.

Rolling farmlands, beautiful beaches and all of the seafood you could possibly eat are just a handful of the features that help make up Delmarva’s alluring charm. These days though, locals and tourists alike seem to be drawn to the east coast peninsula for a new reason: its rapidly-growing craft beer industry.

With nearly 30 breweries now in business and several more in development, Delmarva appears to be on its way to becoming the ultimate utopia for beer lovers near the beach. As these beer havens continue to flood the market, it may seem that the industry is becoming overly competitive. But brewers don’t see it that way.

"It's not a competition," says Jesse Prall, of Rubber Soul Brewing in Salisbury. "It's a local beer community; we collaborate and work together. We help drive and inspire each other."

However, with so many now making up Delmarva's landscape — from microbreweries to gastropubs and everything in between — the ability to stand out among the masses is now more crucial than ever. Much like any new business, a new brewery on Delmarva will need to find its own personality in order to survive.

To get a first-hand experience of what Delmarva has to offer, pay a visit to one — or all — of the local breweries listed in our guide below.

For the love of seafood

Like we mentioned above, Delmarva's culture is heavily rooted in seafood, and there are a few breweries, like Fin City Brewing Co. and Big Oyster Brewery, who pay direct homage to this way of life.

Fin City, Ocean City's oldest brewery, is even located within a crab house (Hooper's to be exact). The brewery offers nearly 15 craft beers, featuring light-hearted Eastern Shore names like the White Marlin Pale Ale, Blackfin Black IPA, Captain Jack's Pumpkin Ale and Tiki Wheat.

In Rehoboth Beach, there's Big Oyster Brewery, tucked inside Fin's Ale House & Raw Bar.

The brewery was built with the intention to produce beers for the local restaurant chain, but they were so good, the owners decided to distribute them statewide. The brewery has all but outgrown its shared space with Fin's, resulting in a need for a facility of its own. The new location, currently being built in Lewes, is expected to open this fall.

Be sure to try its ultimate summer quencher; the Cancun Kolsch, a classic German Kolsch infused with lime, the Hammerhead IPA; a West Coast-style IPA brewed with six hop varietals and the Big Oyster Stout; a creamy, medium-bodied stout brewed with fresh local oysters, chocolate and coffee.

Sours 'R' Us

If you're in the mood for sours, we recommend you head to Burley Oak.

Located in the heart of Berlin, named America's Coolest Small Town in 2014, Burley Oak Brewing Company aims to produce distinctive beers whose quality is unsurpassed by using new and traditional brewing methods.

A variety of beers are available in cans or on tap, from IPAs to red ales, but the brewery has become known for its sours. They've gotten so popular, Burley Oak even hosts an annual sour festival to highlight them all.

Be sure to try Mango Lass-ale; a fruited spiced sour, Sour Sauce; an imperial sour amber; and Sour Chicky, the ever popular dry-hopped sour ale. Be sure to also head a little further inland, to see what 3rd Wave Brewing Co. has to offer.

The brewery, located in the quiet town of Delmar, also has excellent sours, in addition to a unique rotating barrel aged series and a tantalizing barbecue food truck available on weekends.

The tasting room — offering as many as 14 beers on tap — is open everyday with guided brewery tours.

That funky, beachy vibe

Nestled along Ocean City's boardwalk, Backshore Brewing offers beer and bar fare like pizzas, burgers and fish tacos in a very relaxed atmosphere. Think punk rocker meets surfer dude, accompanied by phenomenal views of the beach.

In addition to six or so rotating brews, Backshore offers moonshine cocktails and Hoop Tea, a malted alcoholic drink made with natural ingredients, so every type of drinker out there can have something to sip on.

Can't make it to Ocean City? Try Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes. It's the ultimate "adult approved" backyard escape, with nearly 10 craft beers, a homemade menu, fire pits, eclectic decor and plenty of hammocks to go around.

Try the Hammock Saison; a light, crisp wheat rye, Shoobie; an easy drinking, slightly floral red ale and backyard brown; a malt forward brew with nutty, caramel, dark fruit and chocolate flavors.

Small-town feel

You know that safe and fuzzy feeling you get when you visit your grandparents' house?

Well, that's how Rubber Soul in Salisbury, Revelation Brewing Co. in West Rehoboth and RAR Brewing in Cambridge will make you feel.

Each are vastly different, but offer a small selection of exceptional beers in a very intimate setting. The tasting rooms are laid-back and inviting, allowing you to have VIP access to the brewery and the geniuses who run it.

It's worth noting that Burley Oak and 3rd Wave will also have the owners pouring beers for patrons behind the bar on the weekends.

Try Rubber Soul's Urban Style Honey Ale; brewed with orange blossom honey, Revelation Brewing Co.'s Smoked Oyster Stout; made with local oysters and RAR's pulp with lemon drops; brewed with copious amounts of Lemondrop hops.

The in-betweeners

There are a few breweries — Mispillion in Milford and Tall Tales in Parsonsburg— that we would recommend for anyone. Not because they lack style or individuality, on the contrary, they exude it in their simplicity.

They do not conform to any one style.

Their beers are ever changing, and usually, a new one is featured each week.

We recommend checking out their Facebook pages, respectively, since each hosts a few fun events during the summer, filled with live entertainment, raffles and of course, lots, and lots of good beer.

Be sure to try Mispillion's most popular brew; Reach Around IPA and Tall Tales' Red-headed Step Child; a dark red Irish red with roasty overtones and a subtle fruity finish.

For the perfect pair

Those looking for a magical experience with an excellent pairing should visit Evolution Craft Brewing Co. in Salisbury and Dewey Beer Co. in Dewey Beach. Both breweries excel in their beer production, as well as the ability to offer a full dining experience for their guests.

Evo offers options like gourmet charcuterie boards, 12-hour smoked pork shoulder sandwiches and fresh catch risotto, accompanied with specific pairing suggestions. Additionally, a number of items on the menu are prepared using the brewery's own beer, like the drunken mussels made with Primal Pale Ale and the ever popular Evo dip sampler, which features homemade crab dip, onion dip and Lot #3 beer and cheese dip.

Dewey Beer Co., located on Coastal Highway, has quickly become one of Dewey Beach's best-known gems. It's open-air concept offers a sophisticated escape from the town's party scene, although T-shirts, flip flops are board shorts are more than welcomed.

The menu, which changes daily, features fresh options like clams, steamed in roasted jalapeno butter and the brewery's blonde ale, fried green tomatoes, baked day boat scallops and a grilled, 16-ounce bone-in ribeye.

Try Evolution Craft Brewing's Pine'hop'le IPA; a delicious tropical take on its classic American IPA, featuring juicy hop character and its Delmarva Pure Pils; a supremely sessionable Eastern Shore take on a Czech-style pilsner.

Brews we recommend from Dewey Beer Company: Mo's Joe Coffee Stout; infused with sumatra coffee, oatmeal and roasted malts, and its brown ale; a dark amber with notes of toffee, roasted chocolate and brown sugar.

The Godfather

Of course, this guide would not exist without the one who started it all — Dogfish Head.

Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head founder and pioneer of craft brewing in Delaware, has helped nearly all of Delmarva's breweries open their doors, in one way or another.

After he effectively changed state legislation, to allow his brewery to operate in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Dogfish Head then headed to Milton. What began in 1995, as a small passion for brewing craft beers, has grown exponentially, to a powerhouse facility that produces 175,000 barrels of beer annually.

Dogfish Head is now the 13th largest brewery in the United States, and a recent $52 million expansion will allow it to triple its current production over the next 10 years.

For those who gotta try 'em all

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery | Milton, Delaware

Sam Calagione is the pioneer of craft brewing in Delaware, to the point where he had to help produce state legislation to allow him to operate his brewery in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Since then, the brewery has made its way to Milton and has grown quite a bit, including a recent $52 million expansion that can allow the brewery to triple its current production over the next decade. Dogfish also features a food truck, Bunyan’s Lunchbox, on site, which offers “beer-centric” food.

Founded: 1995

Location: 6 Cannery Village Center, Milton

Call: 302-684-1000

Tasting room hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, til 9 p.m. on Thursdays

Tours: Monday through Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

Web: Dogfish.com

Twitter: @DogfishBeer

Popular beers: 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, Palo Santo Marron

Burley Oak Brewing Company | Berlin, Maryland

Located in America’s Coolest Small Town, you never know what you’ll find on the blackboard of Burley Oak Brewing Company, as beers make their way on and off it on a regular basis. Owner Bryan Brushmiller calls the brewery a “beer education facility” and says one of his favorite things to do is open people’s minds about craft beer.

Founded: 2011

Location: 10016 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin

Call: 443-513-4647

Tavern hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 11-2 a.m.; noon to 9 p.m. Sundays

Tours: 3 p.m. Saturdays

Web: BurleyOak.com

Twitter: @BurleyOak

Popular beers: Rude Boy, Just the Tip, Sour Trip

Evolution Craft Brewing Company | Salisbury, Maryland

Since moving to Salisbury from its first location in Delmar, Evolution has been rising in production and popularity. And if you’re looking for a bite to eat, Evolution has a restaurant on the premises that offers a variety of small bites and entrees that pair well with their beers, along with several charcuterie-style meats and cheeses.

Founded: 2009

Location: 201 E. Vine St., Salisbury

Call: 443-260-2337

Tasting Room hours: 3-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays

Tours: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Fridays, 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sundays

Web: EvolutionCraftBrewing.com

Twitter: @EvolutionBeer

Popular beers: Lot 3 IPA, Exile Red Ale, Lucky 7 Porter

3rd Wave Brewing Company | Delmar, Delaware

After Evolution expanded to Salisbury, 3rd Wave took over their old spot on North Bi-State Boulevard. Third Wave, which offers a core four of beers and a variety of rotating seasonals and rarities.

Founded: 2012

Location: 501 North Bi-State Blvd., Delmar

Hours: 3-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; noon to 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 12-8 p.m. Sundays

Call: 302-907-0423

Web: 3rdwavebrewingco.com

On Twitter: @3rdWaveBrewing

Popular beer: Shorebreak Pale Ale, 1st Wave IPA, Big Reef Porter, Bombora Double IPA

Backshore Brewing Company | Ocean City, Maryland

This brewery has a new name, but the same attitude when it comes to local craft beer. Formerly known as Shorebilly, Backshore offers beer by the Boardwalk, giving drinkers a nice view of the beach while enjoying their cold one.

Founded: 2012

Location: 10th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City

Call: 443-373-1224

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily

Web: Facebook.com/Backshore

Popular beers: Downtown Sugar Brown, Boardwalk Blonde.

Tall Tales Brewing Company | Parsonsburg, Maryland

Located in Parsonsburg, Tall Tales tells stories of the past in its wide variety of beers.

Be sure to stop by for their pizzas and other treats.

Founded: 2011

Location: 6929 Heron Grove Court, Parsonsburg

Call: 410-543-2739

Hours: Open daily, from noon until closing

Web: TallTalesBrew.com

Popular beers: Red Headed Step Child, Paul Bunyan, Excalibur

Dewey Beer Co. | Dewey Beach, Delaware

After a year of success, DeweyBeer Co.’s spot on the main drag has become beer lover’s staple. The menu also features locally sourced food that pairs with their variety of brews.

Founded: 2015

Location: 2100 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach

Call: 302-227-1182

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, noon to 11:45 p.m. Thursday to Sunday

Web: Deweybeerco.com

Popular beers: Blonde’s Blonde, IPA Batch Ten

Fin City Brewing Co. | Ocean City, Maryland

The only thing that makes Hooper’s Crab House’s view better is the selection of Fin City beers. OC’s brewery founded in 2012, offers ulta-small batch beers to full-productions brews year round, according to brewmaster Vince Wright.

Founded: 2012

Location: 12913 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City (Hooper’s Crab House)

Call: 410-213-1771

Hours: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m.

Web: Fincitybrewing.com

Popular beers: Blackfin Black IPA, Poor Man’s IPA

Big Oyster Brewery | Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

The Rehoboth brewery shoots to brew high-quality craft beers including East Coast and West Coast IPAs along with wheat beers and lagers. Located inside Fins Ale House and Raw Bar, you can pair these crafts with fresh seafood.

Founded: 2015

Location: 19269 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach

Call: 302-227-3467

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11-1 a.m., Sunday, 10-1 a.m.

Web: Bigoysterbrewery.com

Popular beers: Hammerhead IPA, Noir Et Bleu

Crooked Hammock Brewery | Lewes, Delaware

Owner Rich Garrahan ditched the suit and tie for flip-flops and sand and now Delaware beach goers can sip brews and swing in hammocks just outside of Rehoboth Beach in Lewes.

Whether it’s live music or the sand pit games and hammocks in the back, you’ll be sipping on good beer.

Founded: 2015

Location: 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes

Call: 302-644-7837

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11-1 a.m., Sunday, 10-1 a.m.

Web: Crookedhammockbrewery.com

Popular beers: The Hammock Saison, Backyard Brown

Revelation Brewing Company | West Rehoboth, Delaware

This company is so new, its grand opening is July of 2016.

Go check it out as Revelation will operate on a three-and-a-half barrel system.

Founded: 2016

Location: 19841 Central Ave., Rehoboth Beach,

Call: 302-561-5412

Hours: TBD

Web: Facebook.com/revelation-craft-brewing-company

Rubber Soul Brewing Co. | Salisbury, Maryland

One of Salisbury’s newest breweries, Rubber Soul offers 11 brews. It’s close-quarters bar (2,400-square foot warehouse) offers the Salisbury feel and great-tasting beer.

Founded: 2015

Location: 1930 Northwood Dr., Salisbury

Call: 443-304-SOUL

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 2-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.

Web: Rubbersoulbrewing.com

Popular beers: The Other Woman Blonde Ale, Gravel Hill Coffee Stout

Mispillion River Brewing | Milford, Delaware

Travel a little bit to the north, and you’ll find another high-quality facility right near the Mispillion River.

Since 2013, this brewery has emerged onto the Delaware scene delivery a variety of beers with their own signature taste.

Founded: 2013

Location: 255 Mullet Run St., Milford

Call: 302-491-6623

Hours: Monday-Thursday, noon to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, noon to midnight, Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Web: Mispillionriverbrewing.com

Popular beer: Reach Around IPA, Holy Crap!

RAR | Cambridge, Maryland

Located on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, RAR is all about local boys brewing local beers.

The brewery was built inside an 80 year old former pool hall and bowling alley, with a goal of producing well-balanced American and Belgian inspired brews, 10 barrels at a time. Founded: 2013

Call: 443-225-5664

Web: rarbrewing.com

Popular beer: Big Liz, Nanticoke Nectar