With so many gray days, February can be only a little less fun than March, a very long month typically filled with rain and wind and cold temperatures were all tired of. Fortunately if you live in one of the many new neighborhoods being built all over Delaware you still have access to social activities at the club house, long walks on nature trails and public parks, and great restaurants statewide.
Thats especially true here at the beach, where we can celebrate next weekend with one of our beloved home-grown entrepreneurs Dogfish Head Brewery. It happens on Thursday, March 2nd, with a behind-the-scenes discussion and taste test, and on Saturday, March 4th, hereby known as 302 Day for our Delaware zip code.
Thursday, March 2 in Milton
The first event, on Thursday, takes place at Dogfish Heads Milton Tasting Room & Kitchen. The beloved brewer will be following up its 2022 Southern Delaware Tourisms Best Event award with the release of 302 Lager, created in collaboration with 302 Horseshoe Crab, a family-owned apparel company.
I dont know a lot about beer but love the way its described by the folks at Dogfish as a crisp and tasty American Lager . . . brewed from 2-row barley malt, heirloom variety corn and Sauvignon Blanc grape must . . . with aromas that are bright and inviting with notes of honeysuckle, sweet grits, grapefruit and passionfruit (just like the kind of stuff I whip up in the kitchen of my dreams).
To celebrate the release the group will host a special chat at its R&D Bar at the Milton brewery from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with Dogfish Head Founder Sam Calagione, Brewing Ambassador Bryan Selders and the owners of 302 Horseshoe Crab. The event is free, and so are the samples, but theyre encouraging people to make reservations.
Saturday, March 4th in Milton
The fun continues on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a chance to chase away the still-winter blues at Dogfishs Milton Brewery for the 2023 302 Day Celebration. There will be more beer options, great food, live music, lawn games and opportunities to buy more 302-branded stuff.
In addition to the newly-unveiled 302 Lager, which will be available in 16 ounce 4-packs to go, theyll offer Crush Canned Cocktails and Blue Hen Pilsner, a local favorite brewed with simple ingredients, including Delaware-grown barley.
Theyll also have lots of local food trucks and vendors, including:
- Agape Creamery
- Chesapeake & Maine
- Dogfish Head Tasting Room Food Tent
- Fifer Orchards
- Fionas Fish & Chips
- Gaia Coffee
- Mom Moms Cheesecakes
- Smash Burgers
- Uncle Bs BBQ
There will also be a raffle with prizes that include patio furniture, cooler backs, cornhole sets, an electric bike and more, with proceeds going to benefit Friends of Delaware State Parks.
If youve got kids or grandkids bring them along for free face painting from Copy Cat Paint Parties and live music for everyone from Homestead Bluegrass from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and karaoke fun made possible by instrumentals from the Nick Kashmanian Trio from 2 to 4 p.m.
You can learn more about the Dogfish Head Brewery and Tasting Center here.