Congratulations, Delaware. It's a brewery!
That's right, kiddies. Delaware's got another brewery to add to the family of five that continues to ferment. The newest kid on the block comes to us from Georgetown down in Sussex County, and goes by the name 16 Mile.
They sent us a couple samples of their first product, the Amber Sun Ale, which comes in a tall 22-ounce aluminum bottle. After sipping the balanced beer, we decided to pay them a visit and see what's going on down there.
Turns out there's a ton of history behind the name and the location of the brewhouse, where two Delawareans toil on a daily basis. The guys grew up miles from each other, but never rubbed elbows until meeting a few years ago, through the magic of homebrewing.
16 MILES FROM EVERYWHERE
History tells us that, in the late 1700s, the Sussex County seat was located in Lewes, then the most booming of towns in the lower portion of Delaware. But as expansion westward took off, more county residents desired a centrally located administrative center and courthouse.
Then known as Pettijohn's Field, according to "16 Miles from Anywhere: A History of Georgetown, Delaware," by William J. Wade, Georgetown was a fairly isolated town, but as centrally located as you could get, sitting "16 miles from anywhere" within county lines.
An easy location accessible to farmers, merchants and politicians, Georgetown eventually replaced Lewes as the county seat when numerous petitions were sent to Delaware's General Assembly requesting that the move be made to accommodate all county residents.
Upon Pettijohn's Field is where the 16 Mile brewhouse now sits, the long and narrow farmhouse still intact almost 200 years since being erected. The owners refurbished the place and installed the fermenting tanks last year, producing their first batch in April.
A MEETING BY CHANCE
Funny how things work. The brewers and owners of 16 Mile, Chad Campbell and Brett McCrea, both attended Sussex Central High School and Washington College, a small liberal arts institution, though at different times, never knowing each other.
Then about four years ago, when family matters brought both prodigal sons back to southern Delaware, the two met by chance while Chad was working as a realtor, and Brett happened to be shopping for a home.
"It was kind of crazy how we met," Brett said. "But we hit it off right from the start, had similar views on a variety of topics, and found that we both shared a passion for the same hobby, that of home brewing."
Though it's been a laborious process since they began, they're now full-time brewers and owners of a brewery, which Chad says they run by three rules: "Diligence, cleanliness and willingness. We stick to that and we'll make good beer for people to drink."
SO, ABOUT THAT BEER?
History aside, what of that beer for people to drink? Well, for those who like a hearty amber ale with a touch of hoppy bite, a nice and balanced malt flavor and easy drinking, their Amber Sun Ale is for you.
Marked with a logo that represents the Breakwater Lighthouse in Lewes at dusk, the deep red ale weighs in at about 5.5 percent alcohol by volume, and has a pronounced bread-like quality with the balance provided by Centennial and Willamette hops.
"We like dark beers, but this one is a little more middle of the road, which makes it a perfect beer to go with almost any kind of food," Chad told us. Chad also mentioned they chose the aluminum bottling option because aluminum is 100 percent ultraviolet resistant, blocking out all light, and gets colder faster.
If you'd like to sample a pint with food, there are several restaurants across the state where you can partake, including Harry's Seafood on the Wilmington Riverfront, Bistro 1717 in Trolley Square, and Arena's Deli and Bar and The Pickled Pig Pub in Rehoboth.
On the other hand, the 16 Mile beers are sold individually by the aluminum 22 oz. bottle, so you don't have to fully commit to a six-pack to try the Amber Sun. Stop in area outlets like Kreston's in Middletown, Atlantic Liquors and Coastal Wine & Spirits on Route 1, and Total Wine & Spirits, where they go for roughly $5-$6.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
Down the road, Chad and Brett plan on unveiling a brown ale and golden ale, sometime in 2010, once they get a little more established. In the meantime, if you have any questions about their beer, or are interested in stopping by for a free tour and tasting (after calling ahead), check them out at www.16milebrewery.com.
