Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head on Grateful Dead Beer Collabs

Brands and musicians can learn from each other

Sam is the founder and brewer of Dogfish Head at the Boston Beer Company. He has been focused on brewing beers with culinary ingredients since 1995, when Dogfish Head first opened as the smallest craft brewery in America. Today, Dogfish has grown into a 400+ person operation. Also, Sam has authored four books and was named the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional in 2017. 

We spent two minutes with Sam to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired. 

Sam, tell us …

Your earliest musical memory.

My first ever concert: Joan Jett, she and her barn tore it up. I’m proud to say I’m now writing a quarterly column for Creem Magazine interviewing legendary artists. And my first interview was Joan Jett.  

Your favorite bands/musicians today.

Nick Cave, Geese, Andre 3000, King Gizzard, Jeff Parker, Lana Del Ray, Perfume Genius, Julianna Barwick, Beach House, Dear Tick.

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on.

We did a Dogfish collab with The Flaming Lips for Record Store Day. We did a limited edition vinyl with beer injected into the actual record. Wayne wrote the song lyrics based on the ingredients in the beer itself: Dragon Friit and Yum Yum Berries. 

A recent project you’re proud of.

Our work with the Grateful Dead has been the most existentially rewarding. The Juicy Pale Ale we launched last year became the fastest-selling new product in the 30-year history of Dogfish. And our new beer with them, Citrus Day Dream, is a rice lager infused with lemongrass. It’s super-crushable and we launched it at Brooklyn Bowl NYC with our pal David Lemieux, who is a Grateful Dead archivist and historian. 

One thing about how the music world is evolving that you’re excited about.

The growth of vinyl records. I love that it is physical and tangible, with artwork in your face. It’s a provocative option to streaming.

Someone else’s work, in music or beyond, that you admired lately.

The writer George Saunders. As brand builders we are all storytellers. And he is both one of the best storytellers and explainers currently typing his “barbaric yalp” upon this mortal coil. (This Mortal Coil is also an underrated band RIP.) 

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

Fashion Nerosis Podcast. Start with the Nick Cave episode then go silly on them from there. 

An artist you admire outside the world of music.

Wes Anderson, who doesn’t just tell stories but creates new worlds within which the stories are only part of the story. 

Your favorite fictional character.

Captain Ahab: “I am tormented by an everlasting itch for things remote. I long to sail on turbulent seas and land on barbarous coasts!”

How musicians should approach working with brands.  

Equitably. Ready to learn as much as you teach. 

How brands should approach working with musicians.

Equitably. Ready to learn as much as you teach. 

A mentor who helped you navigate the industry.  

Jim Koch, Sam Adams’ brewer and founder.