A free fall celebration of beer, music, and community, complete with a new, limited-edition beer brewed to benefit the Brandywine Valley SPCA
Dogfish Head is thrilled to announce the return of its annual fall celebration, Punkin Ale Fest, on Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its Milton Brewery. Named in honor of the brewery’s fan-favorite Punkin Ale (7% ABV), a brown ale brewed with real pumpkin and seasonal spices, this free, family- and dog-friendly event invites guests to enjoy exclusive libations, live music, local vendors, and a full slate of autumn-inspired activities.
“We’re pulling out all the stops for this year’s Punkin Ale Fest – from special off-centered ales and cider cocktails to throwback tunes and fall games,” said Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Founder & Brewer. “Punkin Ale Fest is our way of not only celebrating the season, but the community that supports us day-in and day-out. And this year, we’re excited to continue our partnership with the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) as the event’s official Beer & Benevolence partner.”
Dogfish Head’s Beer & Benevolence partner for this year’s Punkin Ale Fest is the BVSPCA, the region’s largest animal welfare organization focused on ending animal suffering through community involvement. During Punkin Ale Fest, the BVSPCA team will be onsite with adoptable dogs, and will host a donation-based pet photo booth. Not to mention, Dogfish Head and BVSPCA will debut a new, limited-edition collaboration beer, Bob’s Buddies Brew, a 5.1% ABV American lager brewed with blueberries and ginger, with proceeds from sales of the beer benefitting the nonprofit. BVSPCA has been a long-standing partner of Punkin Ale Fest, and this year’s brew continues that tradition of compassion and community.
Inspired by Bob, a long-term shelter resident whose story helped launch the Animal Rescue Center, Bob’s Buddies Brew honors the spirit of rescue animals and the people who care for them. Beginning Saturday, October 11, the beer will be available on draft and in 4-packs of 16oz cans at both the Milton Brewery and the Rehoboth Off-Centered EmPOURium, while supplies last.
“We’re so grateful to Dogfish Head for continuing to open their hearts and their craft to the animals who need us most,” said Jim Schmidt, Development Manager at the Brandywine Valley SPCA. “Bob’s Buddies Brew is more than just a beer; it’s a tribute to the resilience of shelter pets and the communities that rally behind them. Partnering with Dogfish Head through Punkin Ale Fest brings together everything we value: joy, compassion, and connection, and we’re excited to celebrate alongside friends, families, and of course, our four-legged companions.”
But that’s not all! This year’s Punkin Ale Fest features endless entertainment options. The day’s live music kicks off with Trailer Park Casanovas, a Seattle area based 80s, 90 & 00s pop and rock cover band, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by Through Being Cool, an emo poppunk cover band, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. In addition, festivalgoers can peruse a curated marketplace of local craft vendors, indulge in bites from top food trucks, and participate in fall-themed activities including face painting, yard games, and a raffle benefitting the BVSPCA.
And of course, no Punkin Ale Fest is complete without some delicious libations! Guests can enjoy Dogfish Head ales and spirits from the draft trailer, pick up a canned cocktail from the cocktail bar, and explore a cider offering from Angry Orchard. In addition to all that goodness, Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale will be flowing and bottles of its seasonal Punkin Liqueur (30% ABV), a spirit distilled from Punkin Ale with brown sugar, sage and all the fall flavors, will be available to-go in the brewery’s merchandise shop.
Punkin Ale Fest will take place rain or shine. Parking is first come, first served, with overflow lots available at Milton Elementary and Mariner Middle School. For more information, visit www.dogfish.com or contact [email protected].
ABOUT DOGFISH HEAD:
With quality, creativity and non-conformity at its core, Dogfish Head has been committed to brewing unique beers with high-caliber culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened nearly 30 years ago. Dedicated to exploring goodness of all kinds, Dogfish Head later expanded its beverage artistry beyond just craft beer to produce award-winning portfolios of full-proof spirits – whiskeys, gins, vodkas, rums and more – and spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktails. A Boston Beer Company brand and proud supporter of the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, Dogfish Head is a Delaware-based entity consisting of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and tasting room; Dogfish Head Distilling Co., a production distillery; Brewings & Eats, a brewpub and live music venue; Chesapeake & Maine, a seafood and cocktail spot; and the Dogfish INN, a beer-themed, canal-front hotel. For more about Dogfish Head, please visit www.dogfish.com or follow the brand on social media.
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