A Sip of Summer on the Delaware Beaches
Summer vacation is all about indulging and enjoying life. At the Delaware Beaches, enjoy the sand in your toes and the sound of waves crashing as you sip on the ice-cold beverage in your hand. Whether you’re a craft beer connoisseur or you just want to cool off with a frozen cocktail, you’re sure to find the perfect summer libation.
According to Josh Grapski, managing partner of La Vida Hospitality, Delaware’s craft beverage scene is booming with new breweries and distilleries.
Craft Beer on the Delaware Beaches
Local industry leaders like Dogfish Head Brewery introduced the area to the craft beer scene and led the way for smaller breweries like Crooked Hammock in Lewes. Crooked Hammock specializes in “easy drinking” craft-beers. Grab a pint of their signature Wai Ola California-style coconut beer, while you listen to live music in their beer garden.
Grapski says the craft beer scene has created a sub-tourism business for the area through tours and tastings. Follow along the Delaware Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail for a thirst-quenching experience. With several participating breweries near the coast, you can take a tour of the facilities, enjoy tastings and make memories while enjoying the state’s finest craft beverages.
The Delaware Beaches’ Twist on Classic Cocktails
While innovation is emerging along the coastline, the easygoing, fun drinking scene has not been forgotten. Grapski says that the Delaware Beaches lay claim to being the home of the crushes, plus you can never go wrong with a margarita. However, you’ll find more than just the traditional orange crush and frozen margarita.
Bartenders in the Delaware Beaches take classic recipes and put a twist on them. Fork and Flask at Nage in Rehoboth Beach takes an artisanal approach to their cocktails. Try a jalapeño watermelon margarita or their classic Summer Lovin’, made with raspberry vodka and white cranberry.
Sip a Vintage from Delaware’s First Winery
During your trip to the Delaware Beaches, head to Lewes to visit Delaware’s first and only winery, Nassau Valley Vineyards. Peg Raley and her father Bob established the vineyard on a family-owned farm site outside of Lewes back in 1993. At that time, state laws did not allow farm wineries. Peg drafted laws and convinced the Delaware General Assembly to create legislation for farm wineries.
Nassau Valley Vineyards produces 13 wines, crafted from Eastern Shore grapes and fruits, as well as regionally-grown fruit. Taste the varied wines, from the barrel-aged cabernet to a French-style rosé. For dessert, try their 2012 Peach Ambrosia, crafted from 100 percent fermented peach juice.
Take a tour of Nassau Valley’s winery along a self-guided or guided group tour. Discover your new favorite of their award-winning wines in the tasting room and even sip on some of their unique small batch wines.
From Rehoboth to Lewes, the perfect sip of summer is waiting to be imbibed in the Delaware Beaches.