American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
“What a long, strange trip it has been” – Lyric from ‘Truckin’ by the Grateful Dead on the American Beauty album / 1970
In February the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery generated a “Dead Head” firestorm when they announced they would be continuing their Grateful Dead partnership with a brand new beer and a live performance by a beloved Grateful Dead cover band.
This from that announcement…
Continuing a decade long partnership with the Grateful Dead that began in 2013 with the release of American Beauty, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery has announced its latest collaboration with the legendary band. Brewed with Kernza® perennial grains from The Land Institute, granola and heaps of good karma, Dogfish Head / Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale is a 5.3% light-bodied refresher that will be available all year.
“As a beer geek with a music problem, few things in life are as sensorially sensational as enjoying a great beer while simultaneously listening to some great music,” said Dogfish Head Founder & Brewer, Sam Calagione.
Dogfish Head craft Brewery was founded in 1995 by Sam and Mariah Calagione and in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. And what started as the smallest commercial brewery in America and has since grown into one of the most well-known craft breweries in the nation.
“In 2025, Dogfish Head is turning 30, and my favorite band of all time, Grateful Dead, is celebrating its 60th anniversary,” Sam said. “I’m so proud of the broad appeal of this lovely new beer that’s now making its way to Dead Heads and Hop Heads of all shapes and sizes. With its layered, nuanced flavors of tropical hops complemented by its malty body, our Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale is as compelling and joyful as the band’s music itself.”
“The collaboration between Grateful Dead and Dogfish Head has been a natural fit for years, and we couldn’t be more excited to launch this latest offering,” said David Lemieux, Grateful Dead Archivist & Legacy Manager. “Both Dogfish and The Dead value creativity, community, and the spirit of exploration,” “This beer is a celebration of the shared passion for innovation that defines both Dogfish Head and Grateful Dead’s journeys.”
Dogfish Head and Grateful Dead began their more-than-a-decade-long collaboration in 2013, with the release of American Beauty in 750ml bottles. Perpetuating a ripple effect, this imperial pale ale brewed with organic almond honey and granola was re-released in 2014 and 2015, each year with different Grateful Dead-themed artwork. Then, in 2018, American Beauty debuted in 12oz bottles, followed by the launch of American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA in 12oz cans, in 2019.
And, what a long, strange trip it has been…
After American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA, most fans believed Dogfish Head and Grateful Dead had ended their partnership, but the jouney continues in 2025, with Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale.
“And it’s our best track yet,” adds Sam.
###
(All image credits: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery)
