1st BATCH OF FILES AVAILABLE NOW!

Following its first yr of beer growth under Boston Beer's wing and return to RTD spirits growth in 2025, Dogfish Head aims to grow both its beer and RTDs again in 2026, co-founder Sam Calagione told CBN in chat earlier today. Big part of that initiative starts in April, Dogfish Head's "music month," one of two "tentpole moments" for the brand family along with July shark mo. So it's "all things music month" right now as co began rolling out its 2d Grateful Dead brew, Citrus Daydream lager, ahead of its "big promotion" for Record Store Day and events across the country. It also has new program with Touchtunes digital jukeboxes in bars across the country, partnership with BMI performing rights org for an acoustic concert series in NYC, LA, Nashville and Austin, new co-branded Dead/Dogfish merch and more. Citrus Daydream Could Become #4 Brand in the Mix with 6pk Cans Alone; Already Workin' on Other Recipes/Events for Yrs to Come The timing is "very intentional," as was the decision to launch Citrus Daydream solely in 6pk 12oz can packs while original Grateful Dead Juicy Pale sustains itself as a core focus on draft and "continues to grow for us" across the board, Sam noted. Dogfish 60 Min and Juicy Pale have established themselves as clear #1 and #2 draft brands in the portfolio, and "focusing on two seems to be the ask" from distribs, keeping the offerings complementary both on- and off-prem. Since Northeast stronghold region had such a strong winter season, and there's "such an overlap with Grateful Dead fandom in the region, Juicy Pale tap handles have been gaining a bunch of placements at ski mountains thruout the last few mos.Yet Citrus Daydream still "shows up so beautifully" with the Grateful Dead/Dogfish artwork as a "strong on-premise play," Sam stated. At recent South by Southwest festival in Austin, bartenders started creating "MichelaDead" micheladas with Citrus Daydream, and it caught on to the point where Dogfish decided to "develop a unique pint glass" that describes the MichelaDead recipe."Based on the strength of the first Dead launch," which was #1 indie craft brand launch last yr, and "already on a path" to pass 90 Minute as co's 2d largest brand overall, Sam "could see a world where it becomes a top 4 volume beer for Dogfish," he thought of Citrus Daydream. Behind only 60 Min, Juicy Pale and 90 Min. It's hard to see it getting past that in just 6pk cans. But it's already gaining big placements including big program with Whole Foods this mo, among "lots of chains that have gotten behind the Dead collab." And if it catches on further, Dogfish will certainly consider expanding Citrus Daydream's packages. Sam's "already working with [Grateful Dead archivist] David Lemieux on other recipes and event ideas" to further the collaboration. This partnership is expected to last "many" years, he assured.Dogfish Canned Cocktails 4 New Packs; Displays w/ Sun Cruiser in Northeast Dogfish also has momentum behind its RTD canned cocktails lineup, launching new packs and making bigger sales pushes alongside Boston Beer's big vodka tea RTD Sun Cruiser in core Northeast region, where Sun Cruiser is strongest, Sam shared. He gave props to Boston's sales team for executing Dogfish Head Canned Cocktails on display with Sun Cruiser right "next to each other" at retail, boosting Dogfish RTD growth rate "even stronger" than its home Atlantic region. It proves how both offerings are "complementary" with Sun Cruiser stickin' to lower ABVs and no carbonation while Dogfish works with higher ABVs and all kinds of liquor bases and flavor combos. Dogfish Canned Cocktails' new 570ml cans of strawberry honeyberry and blood orange mango crush, plus standalone 4pks of blueberry citrus vodka and peach mango rum punch are expected to add a boost to the portfolio this yr, with 570ml cans already gaining placements in key venues like Fenway, Citi Field and certain casinos.

Dogfish Stayin' Active for Apr "Music Month"; Aims to Grow Beer & RTDs Again in 2026; "The Other One" Comin' Around

Publishing Info