Dogfish Head’s Latest Partnerships: Woolrich and Golden Eagle

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery may subscribe to an “off-centered” ethos, but the Milton, Del.-based company has a classic sense of fashion.

Through a collaboration with Woolrich, an outdoor clothing company that pre-dates the Civil War, the brewery is set to release Pennsylvania Tuxedo, a small-batch pale ale brewed with spruce tips, named after the matching red and black flannel coats and bottoms long fancied by the state’s hunters. Additionally, the two companies will release a more, well, practical — and fashionable — clothing collection, which includes a chambray men’s button down, a long women’s beach dress, a wool throw blanket, beach hat, and wool “koozie,” or beer sleeve. Both the beer and clothes are scheduled to become available June 13.

Sam Calagione, Dogfish founder and CEO, said he recognized similarities in the two companies — despite dealing in different industries — that made the partnership appeal to him in the first place.

“Dogfish is a family-owned brewery and, you know, we hope that it will be for generations to come,” he told Brewbound. “We’re obsessed with using natural ingredients, and sourcing the best natural ingredients from around the world. Woolrich has been a family-owned company since before the Civil War, and they’re equally obsessed, whether its cotton or wool, with sourcing the world’s best natural ingredients.”

Josh Rich, executive vice president of Woolrich, reiterated that sentiment, saying the core values shared by the two companies made him “excited” to work with Dogfish Head.

“Dogfish Head and Woolrich share so many common values, so it’s been a wonderful experience collaborating with Sam and his team,” he said in a statement. “And of course, it doesn’t hurt that they make fantastic beer.”

Beyond creating an “authentic collaboration,” these types of partnerships allow the company to reach a broader audience, Calagione added.

“You exponentially raise awareness for both brands in each participant’s industry,” he said. “Could be a bunch of clothing heads that know all about Woolrich, but learn about Dogfish for the first time. There will be a bunch of beer lovers [learning about Woolrich too].”

The brewery is hosting a series of beer dinners up the East Coast to highlight the beer. Despite the limited nature of its first run, if Pennsylvania Tuxedo is received as well as Calagione hopes and anticipates it could get broader distribution next year and be packaged in bottles.

Calagione shed some light on other Dogfish projects as well.

The Dogfish Inn, a 16-room hotel in Lewes, Del., is expected to open July 1 (where you’ll be able to spend the night and pick up the clothes the brewery has made with Woolrich). On top of that, the brewery’s Dogfish-infused bratwurst now have full distribution in Whole Foods, and will be available in the Harris Teeter chain of grocers by June 16, Calagione said.

Additionally, Dogfish today announced it has changed wholesalers in Arizona. Golden Eagle president Kimberly Clements confirmed to Brewbound that it has acquired the distribution rights to the off-centered brewery. Golden Eagle, which sells a number of other craft brands including Sierra Nevada and Odell Brewing, announced the addition of Dogfish to employees yesterday, Clements said. Dogfish had previously been distributed by Young’s Market in Arizona.