Dogfish Head unveils cocktails in a can

Dogfish Head brewery made its bones in the beer business, but the company has spent the last few years jumping into craft distilling and now, as the long, hot, pandemic-infused summer drags on, the brewery is unveiling a line of craft cocktails in a can.

Matt Fetherston, general manager of Dogfish Head’s tasting room and kitchen in Milton, said the idea of cocktails in a can has been in the work for about two years. He said when the company expanded its distilling operation, it began serving a line of cocktails at the tasting room, to go along with its beer offerings. Fetherston said while beer could be taken home, customers were requesting to be able to take home cocktails as well. 

By last summer, Dogfish had narrowed down its cocktail-on-tap selections to five favorites: Blood Courage, Crushin’ Thyme, Milton Mule, Rum Mint Tea and Hey Ricky, You’re So Lime. Fetherston said the company had begun offering Milton Mule for take-out in 32-ounce cans, and it proved popular enough that Dogfish is now offering all five cocktails in 12-ounce cans.

Fetherston said the cocktails are only available at the Milton tasting room for curbside pickup. The cocktails offer a little something for everyone: Blood Courage features Dogfish’s Compelling Gin with rosemary simple syrup and blood orange and coriander juices, similar to those used in Dogfish’s popular Namaste beer. The gin taste hits on the front end with the refreshing fruit flavors coming in on the back. 

Crushin’ Thyme mixes vodka with thyme syrup, orange cordial, soda water and lemon, lime and orange juices. Milton Mule features vodka mixed with scratch-made ginger beer and simple syrup. Rum Mint Tea has honey rum mixed with agave syrup, black tea and lemon juice. 

Finally, Hey Ricky, You’re So Lime is a play on a Gin Rickey, with black lime maple syrup, soda water and lemon juice. Fetherston said the black lime maple syrup is similar to that used in Dogfish’s SeaQuench sour beer. 

Fetherston said the 12-ounce cans will yield two or three glasses, and are best served on ice in a cocktail glass. Individual cans cost $12 and are canned fresh off the tap. Fetherston said the plan is for the cans to only be available at the Milton tasting room, with no plans to expand into stores. He said there are plans to offer a sixth cocktail-in-a-can, Uncle Jon’s Hurricane, Dogfish’s take on the traditional hurricane. 

Fetherston said the canned cocktails offer an option for people who visit Dogfish but don’t necessarily like beer, and helps position Dogfish in the growing market of cocktails and hard selzers. 

Cans can be ordered online at dogfishmilton.alohaorderonline.com or visit through www.dogfish.com.