With more than 225 years of collective brewing experience, we’ve joined forces with Brouwerji Rodenbach to release Crimson Cru - a 7.1% ABV blended red ale. Deep copper in color, Crimson Cru begins with Rodenbach’s world-renowned Grand Cru, a Flemish red-brown ale aged in oak casks, that made the overseas trek from Belgium to Delaware via tanker ship. After its cross-Atlantic journey, Rodenbach’s Grand Cru is artfully blended with an off-centered red ale that is infused with sumac and sweet orange peel and dry-hopped with Hallertau Blanc hops. The resulting beer is full-bodied and slightly warming with aromas of candied citrus, cherry, caramel and toffee, complemented by malty flavors of stewed fruits, plum, cherry, dried citrus and toffee.

“It was awesome to – once again – work with the folks at Rodenbach to create a deliciously complex, multi-continental brew. Just as with our first joint venture, Vibrant P’Ocean, a blended sour ale Dogfish Head launched with Rodenbach back in 2020, every facet of Crimson Cru was truly a collaborative effort,” says founder & brewer Sam Calagione. “We worked side-by-side with Rodenbach Brewmaster, Rudi Ghequire, on every component of this collaboration; from ingredient sourcing to blending, and even composing the beer’s artful packaging. I’m really proud of the end result and feel that Crimson Cru is a liquid love letter we collectively floated across the Atlantic Ocean and back.”

As one of the four beers featured in this year’s Off-Centered Art Series, Crimson Cru boasts a bold packaging design by Max Mahn. The artwork centers upon both of our breweries’ logos, pulling in colors iconic to each brand – forest green for Dogfish Head and crimson for Rodenbach. The label highlights a wooden foeder as a nod to Rodenbach’s well-known foeder-aging techniques and sumac leaves to not only showcase an ingredient within the beer, but subtly reference our focus on brewing with real, high-quality culinary ingredients.

“After more than 33 years of brewing sour beer at Rodenbach, it was a special pleasure to work with Sam and his team at Dogfish Head,” said Rudi. “Our brewery is a few years older and across the Atlantic, but we bonded immediately due to a shared passion for brewing sour beer, learning and pairing with food. I am proud of the collaboration we created together and believe it’s a special beer many will enjoy. Thank you to Sam and his team.”

In honor of the launch of Crimson Cru, we’ve created a series of celebratory events at our coastal Delaware locations on Friday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 15.

Here’s what we have in store.

Friday, October 14: Belgian Prix Fixe Beer Experience Dinner at Chesapeake & Maine

The weekend will kick off on Friday, Oct. 14, at Dogfish Head’s seafood and cocktail spot, Chesapeake & Maine, with a Belgian Prix Fixe Beer Experience Dinner. Here, guests will have the opportunity to try a variety of Belgian-style beer and food pairings.

Check out the full menu below and secure your reservation by phone at 302-226-3600. $65 per person, plus gratuity.

Chesapeake & Maine Three Course Rodenbach Pairing Menu: 

First Course: *Belgian Shrimp Croquettes OR*Composed Autumn Salad with Roasted Pumpkin, Local Apples, Goat Cheese, Candied Walnuts, Punkin’ Ale Dressing
Paired with Crimson Cru (10oz) 

Second Course: *Sea: Baked Stuffed Maine Lobster with Chesapeake Crab, Lemon Sherry Butter, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes and Fresh Seasonal Vegetables OR*Land: Braised Beef Short Ribs with Horseradish Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes and Fresh Seasonal Vegetables.
Paired with Rodenbach Classic Belgian Sour Ale (10oz) 

Third Course: *Belgian Triple Chocolate Terrine: Layers of Dark, White and Milk Chocolate Ganache with Hazelnut Praline Dust
Paired with Raison D’Etre (10oz) 

*Reservations are required! 21+ event. Menu is subject to change based on availability and awesomeness.

Saturday, October 15: Water Taxi Beer & Cheese Pairing Tour AND Four-Course Beer Dinner at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats

The celebration continues Saturday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m. with an exclusive Beer & Cheese Pairing Tour aboard the Cape Water Taxi. Come taste a variety of beer and cheese combinations with Dogfish Head Founder & Brewer, Sam Calagione, Rudi Ghequire, Rodenbach’s Brewmaster and Dogfish Head Experience Ambassadors Lars Ryan & Tara Bowden, while taking in the scenic waterways of coastal Delaware!

• Rodenbach Classic paired with Triple Cream Brie
• Rodenbach Grand Cru paired with Parmesan Reggiano
• Rodenbach x Dogfish Crimson Cru paired with Gouda
• Dogfish Head Perfect Pairing paired with Cabot Seriously Sharp
• Dogfish Head Blue Hen paired with Goat Cheddar
• Crackers
• Belgian chocolate covered cherries

This is a 21+ event. Tickets are $50 per person. Spots are limited, so make sure to reserve yours HERE!

*This event is weather permitting. Cancellations may occur in the case of major inclement weather. The Cape Water Taxi is located at 217 Anglers Road Lewes Delaware 19958.*

On Saturday evening, join Sam and Rudi for the weekend finale, a four-course beer dinner at Dogfish Head’s Rehoboth brewpub, Brewings & Eats, at 6 p.m.

The evening’s special coursed-out menu will be paired with hand-selected beers from Dogfish Head and Rodenbach. Sam and Rudi will take center stage to discuss all-things Dogfish Head, Rodenbach, their unique partnership, the world of sour ales and beyond. $75 per person. Gratuity and take-home glass included. Tickets are limited, so grab yours HERE!

Four Course Rodenbach Pairing Menu: 

First Course - Mussel & Frites- Bang Island Mussels, Garlic Aioli, Herbs 
Paired with Rodenbach Grand Cru (10oz)

Second Course - Roasted Endive Salad- Anchovy, Olives, Oven Roasted Tomato 
Paired with Rodenbach x Dogfish Collaboration (10oz) 

Third Course - Beer Braised Beef Stew- Mire Pox, Crispy Fingerling Potato, Fried Leeks 
Paired with Dogfish Head Brewpub Exclusive Raison D’Etre (10oz) 

Fourth Course - Fresh Belgium Waffles- Cookie Butter, Brulé Banana 
Paired with Rodenbach Alexander (10oz) which will be served in a limited-edition glass that each guest may take home with them! 

You won’t want to miss out on this rare collaboration!

*All events are ticketed separately. Menu is subject to change based on availability and awesomeness. No menu substitutions available, but if you have an allergy, email justine.leaman@dogfish.com.

This is a 21+ event.