Dogfish Head Beers in California

If you are reading this, you are probably already well aware that Dogfish Head is again distributing in southern California. However, the selection thus far is limited in quantity and geographic location. From personal experience, the latter can easily be resolved by simply requesting the beers at your local beer store. They would be foolish to not do everything in their power to get the Dogfish Head beers in their store if people are requesting them on a regular basis. I strongly believe this is how we finally got the beers distributed to the Pasadena, CA, area after almost a year of being solely distributed in a 10-15 mile radius of the distributor.

Being a transplant from the east coast, I grew up on Dogfish Head (well, I mean, it was my beer of choice in college . . . a case of 60 Minute was almost always on my shopping list). And, having been to Delaware countless times, I had the opportunity to taste the beers long before they made it on the truck and were shipped across the country. I also know that there are far more beers brewed than that which is currently available in SoCal. Currently, depending upon the season, the following ales are available in southern California:

• Palo Santo Marron
• Aprihop
• 60 Minute IPA
• 90 Minute IPA
• Punkin Ale
• Midas Touch
• Chicory Stout
• Festina Peach

although I have only seen the Palo Santo Marron, 60 and 90 Minutes, and Midas Touch in the stores. However, there are 21 year-round/seasonal brews . . . i.e., only 38% of the Dogfish Head delights are currently available in the Los Angeles area (or 19% if you only consider those that I have actually found). This is not a lot . . . and frankly quite saddening given the beers that should be on the list, e.g., 120 Minute IPA, Immort Ale, World Wide Stout, etc.

Have no fear though . . . there are two ways around this dilemma. The first being that you can easily purchase most of these brews online (Shoppers Vineyard, Sam's Wines and Spirits, etc.). The alternative is to wait. Yes, that is right, just be patient. According to a gentleman who's name will not be disclosed (however, I can tell you that he is an employee at the brewery in Delaware), within a year or so (by the end of 2010 . . . since some beers are only released at certain times of the year, it will take a little longer for them to all get to California), ALL 21 beers will be distributed in southern California!

So, if we all are patient, before too long we will have a wide selection of what are arguable the best, most well-crafted beers in the country (well, at least on the east coast). But, in the meantime, it might be worth having a six-pack or so shipped to your front door (if you live in a state that allows such activities, i.e., not Pennsylvania). Or, if you know someone in a state that sells the remaining 13 ales . . . you could always ask them to buy some for you and have them ship the beers to you.

And now, we just countdown until the day that 120 Minute IPA arrives . . .