Every Friday at 4:30, a noticeable change occurs in the bar at our Milton brewery.

The room becomes filled, even more than usual, with the sound of happy voices, as Dogfish coworkers join the regular crowd of tour guests. Beer:30 is our weekly happy hour for coworkers and their families (including the four-legged kind) to enjoy a pint and some fellowship, to celebrate another week of a job well done.

This is, perhaps, the most envied of perks bestowed upon those of us lucky enough to work here. Visitors see us enjoy free-flowing taps and bottles of rare brews, gifted to us from friends all over the world.

But here’s the thing: It’s not about the free beer. Not really.

On a basic level, it’s about us enjoying the fruits of our labors. No matter our job title, we all make a contribution. Enjoying a cold pint of the finished product makes it easy to stay committed to ensuring its excellence, from grain to glass, especially when you are drinking it alongside one of our devoted fans.

It’s also about productivity. Over a pint with your friend from maintenance, the conversation may turn to a challenge you’ve been battling all week. Suddenly, a solution is discovered. Funny, it didn’t feel like you were working. By creating personal connections, our workday lives run more smoothly. It’s how innovation is fostered and problems are solved, all without a conference table.

Finally, and most important, it’s how we become a family. Week after week, we celebrate each other’s achievements, eat birthday cake and watch children grow. We become invested in our collective future. Sometimes, we say goodbye. But at Dogfish, once you’re in, you’re never really out. For our family members who fly from the nest, Beer:30 is a way of coming home.

Who knew all that goodness could come from the simple act of drinking a beer? Together.