In a town infamous for bars, Dewey Beer Co. is a spot we point people toward when they might want to sit down and refuel in a more family friendly, laid back environment. First opened in 2015, the Dewey Beach location launched a group that now has their main production facility and taproom in Harbeson, two Pizza Machine locations, and several sub brands available throughout the country, like their non-alcoholic Hop Tide line.

This location, in the heart of Dewey, pours all of their core offerings like Swishy Pants, a crisp hazy IPA, El Trono, a refreshing Mexican lager (pro tip: ask for a lime), and their Secret Machine line of fruited sours. In addition to their popular beers, Dewey Beer Co. keeps limited release and experimental beers on tap and available for purchase, like Strawberry Pretzel Salad, a yearly release dropped on, you guessed it, Strawberry Pretzel Salad Day.

Dewey Beer may be known for their hop-forward IPAs and insanely bold and unique fruited beers, but the Dewey Beach brewpub excels in offering more than just what’s on tap. Even from the outside, the warm feel is evident. Glass garage doors line the front of the building, open during warmer days, the outdoor seating area has a laid-back vibe and usually host to dogs enjoying the sun. Inside, the wood paneling and exposed beams are weathered, the lighting is warm, and the art on the walls is all local.

Then you take a look at the menu. The handhelds and shareables you expect from a brewpub are prepared with a bit more flair and offered along side an Asian Fusion selection of excellent lo mein and fried rice, comforting pastas, fresh salads, and rotating kitchen creations. The overarching theme of the menu is comfort food that isn’t boring and can fuel you up for whatever the night in Dewey has in store (even if that’s an early bedtime.)

Hours lean afternoon-to-evening on weekdays (4–9 PM), with Friday kicking off at noon and Saturday running from 11 AM — so it’s a natural fit for post-beach afternoons or a low-key dinner before the night picks up. The space handles both the solo-pint-and-a-book crowd and large families equally well, which isn’t as easy to pull off as it sounds in Dewey.

Whether you’re visiting Dewey or Rehoboth for the weekend or looking for a weeknight bite, it’s one of those places you’ll probably end up returning to more than once — and that’s the kind of spot worth knowing about before you arrive.