Mispillion River Brewing celebrates two years in business

What goes great with birthday cake?

Beer, of course.

There will be plenty of both this weekend at Mispillion River Brewing in Milford.

Owners Eric and Megan Williams invite family, friends and fans to help celebrate the brewery's second birthday on Nov. 15. The party will be held in the brewery's tasting room, starting at noon.

"It's going to be a great time," Eric Williams said.

A number of beers will be on tap, including Holy Crap, an imperial red ale; Reach Around IPA, a crisp, dry beer with huge hop flavor; Miss Betty, a holiday spiced ale brewed with vanilla beans, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, local sweet potatoes and candied pecans; Not Today Satan, a hop heavy brew with intense tropical fruit aroma; Deathly Hallows, a smooth drinking Belgian tripel; Beach Bum Joe, a Belgian pale ale and Wonka Bar; a sweet and creamy chocolate milk stout brewed with real dark chocolate.

A stuffed pinata and cake will be provided, as well as wood-fired pizza from Vinny's Pizza Truck. Partygoers can enjoy it all while jamming out to Chapel Street Junction from 4-7 p.m.

"We've worked (really hard) these last two years," he said. "We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for."

Just four months after opening in 2013, Mispillion River Brewing placed at the World Beer Cup Competition. Out of 56 entries in American-Belgo-Style Ale category, Beach Bum Joe took home the silver.

"It was just, unbelievable," he said. "Absolutely unbelievable."

Mispillion River Brewing was also one of the fastest breweries in Delaware to begin distribution, just two months after opening.

"All of that success in the beginning set the bar very high for us, he said. "But we were determined to prove we weren't going to be a one hit wonder."

The brewery has continued to win a number of awards from competitions in the state and around the country. Most recently, Mispillion River Brewing was awarded the bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival for their Wonka Bar chocolate beer.

As the brewery approaches a major milestone, Williams can't help but think about how much his life has changed in the last five years.

Before Mispillion River Brewing, he held a corporate position in sales and management and hated it. He'd unwind after long days at the office by brewing beer in his garage. Williams started entering his recipes in home-brewing contests, racking up awards and local recognition. As his passion and knowledge for the industry grew, so did his desire to run his own business and leave the corporate world behind.

In 2011, he told his wife, Megan, he wanted to open a craft brewery in Milford. So after two years of planning, brewing, traveling the country and assembling a team of partners, they did.

Since then, head brewer Ryan Maloney and Williams have created more than 250 beer recipes and Mispillion River Brewing has taken on a life of its own, just as colorful and funky as the animated art on its beer cans.

Williams said he now has a job that he loves, thanks to great beer and an amazing team of co-workers.

"Ryan and Lauren Bigelow, my sales and marketing ninja, keep me sane," he said. "They are the intricate parts of my triangle and I am grateful for everything they do."

The birthday party not only celebrates the brewery's accomplishments and future goals, but also everyone who has helped make it all possible, Williams said.

"We wouldn't be here without the support of our friends and family," he said. "I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together in the next two years."

302-537-1881, ext. 209

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