Dogfish Head sales snapshot for 2014 first half

As craft beer’s momentum grows, the big names at the top of the heap keep moving the bar higher and higher. Dogfish Head, for example, is off to yet another big year in terms of sales and is exceeding goals and projections. Let’s take a look at the details from its latest wholesaler business update.

The company’s anticipated growth goal of mid to high teens is right on pace. Through six months in 2014, Dogfish Head is up 16 percent, beer over beer, and headed to its internal goal of 233,000 bbls sold.

When it comes to the brewery’s core, its IPA portfolio continues to shine. 90 Minute is up close to 30 percent over last year on an ever increasing base, and 60 Minute is up in the mid-teens.

One interesting triumph is that of Sixty One, a beer/wine combo, that is up 53 percent. In its letter, Dogfish Head asked its wholesalers to “please take the time to continue to drive distribution. We are bringing over a whole new consumer to craft.”

Craziest number of the first half would have to go to Namaste, which is up 739 percent. “On fire, pulling like crazy, can’t keep you in stock and has jumped to be close to our number three brand in the first year of switching from 750 ml to six packs. Contrary to popular belief we’re brewing all we can and will continue to get more beer out.”

Palo Santo is growing in the 20 percent range, and the company’s second 300-bbl tank is online and delivering beer to that Palo can keep pace in accounts that are craving wood-aged beer. “Our wood aged beers are still growing above our national trends.”

Dogfish Head regional managers will be meeting with wholesalers at the end of this month to plan out anticipared demand for Punkin.

From IRI numbers, through the first six month:
The Dogfish Head family of beers grew 27 percent, and outpaced the category by 8 percent. Dogfish Head is now almost a full 1percent of total craft sales in IRI, with two beers in the top 32 craft beers sold in the grocery channel. Its dollars per case are $19.25 over the craft national average.