What are some key things you’ve gathered that have contributed to your success?
Never let the tail of money wag the dog of inspiration. Our mission at Dogfish has been ‘off-centered ales for off-centered people.’ Since we opened in 1995 as the smallest commercial brewery in the country, our beers have averaged 9 percent ABV with six ingredients, as opposed to more traditional beers that have four ingredients and 5 percent ABV. Today, there are lot more off-centered people—we’re now the largest craft brewery in the Mid-Atlantic, but we still make the same kind of beers with the same level of creativity and passion as when we opened our doors 15 years ago.

What role has collaboration played in keeping things moving forward?
We’re super-collaborative and always have been. The craft-brewing community is altruistic and mutually supportive—in the past we’ve collaborated with world-class breweries like Sierra Nevada, 3 Floyds, Allagash, Russian River, Port, and Avery. In August, we come out with Saison du Buff, a beer we’re doing with Victory and Stone. There will be new collaborations in the future, for sure.

What’s been the hardest part?
Finding enough hours in the day to get everything we want to get done, done; and making sure our growing and talented team of co-workers have the resources and direction they need to keep moving us forward.

Did you really make a rap album?
Yes, yes, y’all. Our Rehoboth head brewer Bryan Selders and I are the beer-geek hip-hop duo the Pain Relievaz. We dropped two albums in the early aughts. You can rock the music video for our hit single ‘Pinchin’ Pennies’ at YouTube. Suffice to say, we’re keeping our day jobs.