Beer Spotlight: Grateful Dead x Dogfish Head | Citrus Daydream Lager
Story by:
Zeke Ottemiller
Last year, Dogfish Head turned up the volume with a melodious, collaborative brew. Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale dropped in early 2025 and was the biggest product launch in Dogfish Head history, wrapping the year as the #1 innovation 6pk in the Craft Domestic Specialty category. Building off of that momentum, the Delaware-based brewery might just have another hit to add to the setlist.
In mid-February, Dogfish Head got back in the studio with the Grateful Dead to release Citrus Daydream Lager. Pleasantly approachable, this American Rice Lager is brewed with Lemondrop and Contessa hops as well as Fonio, a sustainable grain from Africa. Pouring from its iconic 12oz can, Citrus Daydream glows with the gold of sunshine. After a long, strange sip, citrus-forward flavors are complemented by the additions of lemongrass, lime, and lemon peel. It finishes crisp and clean, with a touch of morning dew. Weighing in at 5.3% ABV, this one is a daydream in a can, certainly worth adding to the playlist.
Dogfish first partnered with the Dead more than a decade ago with the release of American Beauty. And the music never stopped. “It is only by continuously pushing the boundaries of the beer and music industries that both Dogfish and the Grateful Dead have blossomed into what we are now”, says Sam Calagione, Brewer and Founder at Dogfish Head. “Together, I hope we can inspire others to do the same – to chart their own courses as they embark on their own explorations of goodness.”
A creative spirit and a love of craft are what make this collaboration jibe. David Lemieux, the Grateful Dead’s Archivist & Legacy Manager, thinks it is “Dogfish and the Dead’s shared values of creativity and non-conformity, and their laser focus on remaining true to themselves that has made this partnership so successful.” Teamwork makes the daydream work, so to speak. The beer is touring now, truckin’ to shelves nationwide with its distribution underway. If your cup be empty, check out Dogfish Head’s Fish Finder to locate this lager. If your cup is full, may it be again.
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