UPDATE: Dogfish Head expansion plans approved by local board

Known for rethinking what it means to be a craft brewer, Dogfish Head has now helped redefine what it means to be a successful business in its hometown of Rehoboth Beach, Del. You may recall the beach city sticking to its zoning guns and not approving a proposed Dogfish Head expansion move. These particular zoning regulations restrict the size of locations that serve alcohol, but after a second push by Sam Calagione and company to reconsider its exemption because of how much of the extra room was restaurant-focused, the board seemed to see the light.

[CBB starts slow clap]

From Delaware Online:

Dogfish asked for a chance to present its case to the board a second time, citing revised calculations of how much of its designed building should count as restaurant-functioning space. On Monday, Dogfish Head attorney Mark Dunkle said the true amount of space devoted to restaurant space in the new building was 9,451 square feet, or 369 fewer square feet than the first proposal.

Not allowing the expansion, Dunkle argued, would present an “exceptional practical difficulty” in staying current with Dogfish’s competition.

Calagione said the equipment the brewpub needs to keep current and improve service needs more space than the current structure allows.