# Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: Sam and Mariah Calagione

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-08-01
- Length: 1h 19m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione

## Summary

Sam and Mariah Calagione, founders of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, recount their journey from home-brewing in a New York apartment to building a $300 million craft beer brand acquired by Boston Beer Company. They discuss their unconventional brewing philosophy, which incorporates unusual ingredients like cherries, chicory, and pumpkin, and their strategic decision to open a brew-pub in Delaware to navigate early market barriers. The episode highlights key innovations such as the 90 Minute IPA, created using a vibrating football game to infuse hops, and the brand's evolution from a small local operation to a major player in the industry.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=0) Introduction: Sam and Mariah Calagione and Dogfish Head
- [4:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=282) High School Romance and Early Life at Northfield Mount Hermon
- [11:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=665) Epiphany at Nacho Mama's and Home-Brewing in NYC
- [23:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=1426) Writing the Business Plan and Opening the Brew-Pub
- [36:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=2218) Changing Delaware Law to Legalize Brewing
- [45:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=2732) Early Operations, Cash Flow Struggles, and Distribution
- [56:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=3373) Inventing the 90 Minute IPA and Gaining Critical Acclaim
- [1:07:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=4039) The Brewmaster TV Show and Big Beer Pushback
- [1:12:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-01-dogfish-head-craft-brewery-sam-and-mariah-calagione#t=4320) The $300 Million Acquisition by Boston Beer Company

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (company)
- Boston Beer Company (company)
- Nacho Mama's Burritos (company)
- Little Shop of Hops (company)
- 90 Minute IPA (product)
- Punkin Ale (product)
- King Midas Drink (product)
- Brewmaster (product)
- Michael Jackson (other)
- Brewers Association (company)

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