Milton-based brewery Dogfish Head has teamed up with indie rock band Guided By Voices for a special limited edition Imperial lager called "Beer Thousand" named for the band's critically acclaimed 1994 record Bee Thousand.
To celebrate the new brew, the band visited Sussex County last week to perform at the recently reopened Milton Theatre.
Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione says what he calls the band’s surreal visit to Sussex County really it him as he walked to the venue from the brewery he founded in Milton around that same time.
“Down a beautiful side street in this little country town, and walk up on a theater that had on its awning ‘Guided by Voices’ - in Sussex County, Milton, Delaware - it was pretty great,” said Calagione.
The theater's executive director Fred Munzert says he was pleasantly surprised by the band's appearance, but believes there is an opportunity to occasionally lure established bands to smaller venues in less conventional locations.
"I love that I love the energy of that. The band when they walked in today was just like 'Awe man, this place is so cool! I love the walls, I love the space," and it was great that they wanted to connect with the people on that level. It definitely is a trend," Munzert said.
Munzert adds if the theater plays its cards right, more shows like Thursday’s are possible, and could establish the venue and the town as a regular destination for locals and tourists.
Proceeds from the Guided By Voices’ concert went to the Milton Theatre and its parent organization, Premier Centre of the Arts in Middletown.
Dogfish Head’s Beer Thousand is currently available at the brewery’s restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. It will be released fully in early fall packaged with a 10 inch 10-song record of a 1994 live Guided By Voices performance.