Dewey Beer Co. opens its doors

Looking through a catalog for the next order of duck breast, charcuterie and cheeses, Dewey Beer Co. head chef Bill Clifton said things have been going really well since the restaurant opened its doors May 28.

People have been saying good things, he said June 9.

Right now the restaurant is open exclusively for dinner at 5 p.m. everyday, but Clifton said as the kinks get worked out, they plan to introduce happy hour and lunch hours.

“We’re going to slowly grow into it,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure we keep up production on the dinner end of things first.”

Just opening the restaurant at 2100 Coastal Highway took more than two years. Business partners Brandon Smith, Clint Bunting and Mike Reilly first presented the brew pub idea to town council in March 2013. A year’s worth of planning commission and town council meetings later, the three business partners were granted approval in March 2014.

The restaurant is in the former Bubba’s Grill location, but gone are the white walls and bright red roof.

The exterior is now planked with refurbished cypress from an old barn, the roof has been painted grey and the interior has previously been described by Bunting as “coastal industrial.”

Renovations began in September 2014, and the custom-made, stainless steel 7-barrel brewing system arrived Jan. 8. The system includes five refrigerator-sized brite tanks, a hot liquor tank, a 15-barrel fermenter and three 7-barrel fermenters.

The most notable part of the remodel was the installation of three garage door-sized glass panels on the wall of the building facing Route 1. The panels slide up and down, depending on the weather and noise.

The kitchen is in the same location as the old restaurant, but it now has an open design and was outfitted with a brand new range and other appliances.

The restaurant hosted soft-opening, private events May 26 and 27 before officially opening its doors.

Clifton said Smith and Reilly have been hard at work with the front end and brewing side of the restaurant.

“People have really enjoyed the beer,” he said, looking over brewing system.

Clifton’s been hard at work with the kitchen end.

“The guys have been working well together,” he said of the kitchen staff, which includes a number of experienced locals, including Joe Bekeshka. “The crew has been really on point.”

Forgotten Mile Ale House

The Forgotten Mile Ale House just north of Dewey Beach appears to closing in on opening.

Renovations on the building that used to house the Captain’s Table began in earnest more than a month ago and there’s now a sign hanging over the front door saying applications are being accepted for all positions.

Brothers Mike and Steve Lucey, who own Ulysses Gastropub in Wilmington and Six Paupers in Hockessin, are the owners of the new restaurant.

In a previous interview, Mike said the menu will be similar to their gastropub siblings to the north.