As kids return to school and the cool air begins to ascend on coastal Delaware, beachgoers will get to celebrate the end of another fantastic summer Crooked Hammock style. A popular brewpub in the coastal town of Lewes, Delaware, Crooked Hammock Brewery captures the summer lifestyle both in their atmosphere and their brews and is planning a big celebration to close out the summer season.
The summer months typically bring millions of visitors to the Delaware beach towns which now bolster an up and coming craft scene. Crooked Hammock Brewery is part of a larger craft beverage scene which now features close to ten craft breweries as well as a number of wineries, distilleries, and a new meadery. Labor Day weekend signifies the unofficial end of the summer season for many tourists in the area, and Crooked Hammock looks to lead the charge in celebrating another great season.
“It’s going to be a great weekend for everyone,” owner Rich Garrahan explains. “We had a killer summer and there is no better way for us to celebrate than by tipping back some of our favorite brews, hanging out in our beer garden and relaxing to some great live music all weekend long. The holiday weekend brings a ton of people to our area and we’re giving people ample reason to come hang with us.”
The festivities begin on Friday, August 25th at 6pm with the bottle release of Crooked Resolution, a Champagne Ale that has been reserved in the cellar since it’s initial release on New Year’s Eve this past year. Very limited qualities will be available on tap and in bottles.
Sunday, August 27th marks the return of Hoppy Beer Week, where Crooked Hammock will bring back some of their hoppy ales, including Tangaroa, a New Zealand IPA with hops and fruit fresh from the isle, and Off Your Rocker, a citrus-forward Double IPA, as well as the release of two new IPAs: Matcha Picchu, a dank IPA brewed with Peruvian fruit and Matcha tea, as well as a New England IPA.
The highlight of the end of summer celebration, however, will kick off Labor Day weekend on Friday, September 1st with the release of two new cans in limited quantities: Mootzy’s Treasure IPA and the introduction of the Dark Side of Hammock with the highly anticipated return of their fall seasonal, Jav-O-Lantern, a smoked pumpkin coffee ale. Jav-O-Lantern will be available in 4-packs of 16 ounce cans and go on tap at 4pm. The keg tapping will be the sixth edition of Hammock’s Steal the Pint Night while a limited number of Jav-O-Lantern glasses will be available with the purchase of a pint. Limited edition shirts will also be available in the retail shop.
As Crooked Hammock has become known for their beachy and sessionable ales, the Dark Side of Hammock will represent some of their more aggressive styles. “Our brand was developed on the notion of creating high quality session beers that are full-flavored and approachable that people can drink anywhere they go: the beach, their backyard, a friend’s house… anywhere,” explains Jon Schorah, Brewer and Brand Development Manager for Crooked Hammock. “However, some of our most popular beers fall out of that spectrum, so we want to deliver them in a limited fashion that allows us the creative freedom to brew higher alcohol beers and more aggressively flavored brews that many people still crave.”
“The can release is the most exciting thing for us. Everyone loves our Mootzy’s Treasure IPA and the story behind it, and people have been asking about Jav-O-Lantern for months now. As we close out the season, tourists being able to take these home with them is crucial for us and getting our beer out there to more consumers.”
Mootzy’s Treasure IPA was named after the local legend, Richard “Mootzy” Mootz, who proudly served in the United States Army in World War II. After the war, Mootzy became famous as one of the “Monuments Men” who spent the years immediately following the war scouring Europe to find treasures stolen by the Nazi regime. A native to Sussex County, Delaware, Mootzy continued collecting artifacts throughout his life. Crooked Hammock partnered with Mootzy and have used wood and other items from his collection to build their bar, their tables, and much of their décor throughout the restaurant. It was only fitting to name their flagship IPA in his honor.
Jav-O-Lantern, a smoked pumpkin coffee ale, is as unique as it sounds. The brewers smoke fresh pumpkin for several hours in a smoker and add it during the mash process, while dark roasted coffee and pumpkin spices are added throughout the brewing and fermentation process for a complex and dark fall brew.
While many people consider Labor Day to be the end of their summer, as most kids head back to school, the Delaware beach area stays busy way beyond that date. “Our beaches stay busy through at least October, and with the year-round population booming in recent years, our place is full most of the year,” says Tom Little, Marketing Manager for Crooked Hammock Brewery. “We have events planned all year long and it’s our goal to continue providing that Crooked Hammock beach experience even during the winter months.”
Crooked Hammock Brewery, Restaurant and Backyard Beer Garden is open year-round 7 days a week from 11am with late night service until 1am. Happy Hour specials are offered Monday through Friday from 2:30-5:30pm.
The one-of-a-kind facility is a must for first-time beach-bound visitors. It includes a full-service restaurant & dining room, screened-in Porch Bar, and a large social gathering beer hall which opens onto the outdoor beer garden. Outdoor hammocks, fire pit, games and a children’s playground make it a family favorite. Located at 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, DE. 19958 Phone 302.644.SUDS (7837). More information is available online at crookedhammock.com
