Delaware based Dogfish Head will be among the first breweries in the U.S. to adopt the “Independent Craft” seal on their packaging.
Today, the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade group operating in the interests of small and independent craft breweries, announced a licensed “seal” designating a brewer’s independent status. If a brewery meets the BA’s definition of craft, they can obtain a free license to place on their packaged products.
Among the first will be Dogfish Head. The brewery’s founder Sam Calagione made a statement on the company’s website today, applauding the Brewers Association’s efforts.
Today, I’m happy to announce that as a proud, independent brewery ourselves, Dogfish Head is joining the Brewer’s Association in this effort. I am hopeful there will be thousands of other craft breweries from across the country that will join us in this effort to make it easy for consumers to know which beers are brewed by an independent craft brewer. We think this is important because the identity and integrity of the craft brewing community have come under attack in recent months and years as certain global brewing conglomerates attempt to influence and blur the lines between their brands and those that continue to deliver innovation, imagination and community investment here in America. – Sam Calagione
The seal is a response to decreased transparency in ownership by some of America’s breweries, brought on by brewery acquisitions by major companies like Anheuser-Busch.
Expect Dogfish Head’s packaging to reflect the new seal in the coming months.
