Fireside Chat: A Revolutionary Smuggling Heritage: Illicit Trade, Rum & Coffee

Dogfish Head Rounds Out America's 250th Anniversary with Special Fireside Chat

Dogfish Head is rounding out a summer of celebrating America's 250th anniversary, by boasting an extra special Fireside Chat at the Dogfish INN in Lewes on Tuesday, September 2. Hosted alongside the Lewes Historic Society and Gaia Coffee Co., this Fireside Chat, A Revolutionary Smuggling Heritage: Illicit Trade, Rum & Coffee, will be a spirited discussion exploring Lewes's revolutionary-era connections to the West Indies.  On the eve of the Revolution, Lewes's principal trading partner was the Indies, with one of its most significant imports being rum – one of the many spirits we, here at Dogfish Head Distilling Co. specialize in. Operating outside legal trade channels, these entrepreneurial “Lewistowners” often skirted authorities while importing coffee, rum, and later munitions to our shores.  often skirted authorities while importing coffee, rum, and later munitions to our shores. Throughout the evening, Andrew Lyter, Executive Director and Curator of Maritime History for Lewes Historical Society, and Marcos Salaverria, historian and storyteller, will share stories that probably never made it into the history books, uncovering the lesserknown connections between Lewes, trade, and the Revolution. Darren Bobby, Head Distiller, from Dogfish Head Distilling Co., will offer samples of Dogfish Head Rum and discuss rum's role in shaping commerce and culture, while Ben Masino, Owner and Head Roaster of Gaia Coffee Co., will explore the history of coffee and its journey to our shores. Together, their perspectives will help bring this fascinating chapter of Lewes history to life. Dogfish Head products will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Lewes Historical Society. Join us as we take a look at Lewes' part of the Revolution, sample some Dogfish Head Distilling Co. Rum, and delve into the history of coffee — and learn how they all go hand-in-hand! To learn more about this exciting event, please visit https://www.dogfish.com/events.