Eric Clapton called Robert Johnson the “the most important blues singer that ever lived,” and to help celebrate his 100th birthday, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will be releasing their tribute beer Hellhound on My Ale, early this May. The beer’s name is a play on words from one of Johnson's songs, Hellhound on My Trail; the beer marks another in Dogfish’s riotous lineup of “offscentered ales for offcentered people.”

Distributers, fans, and media got an advance tasting of this latest creation at The Box last Tuesday. Hellhound is dry-hopped with Centennials and pegs the IBU meter at 100. The ale is also flavored with dried lemon which pushes the citrus notes of the hops even further. If it ever gets hot around here, the crisp Hellhound will make refreshing brew, though one best consumed in moderation since it’s also packing 10% ABV.

Sam Calagione, founder and president of Dogfish, introduced the brew as the second beer/music collaboration, the first being Bitches Brew, tied to Miles Davis' 1970 landmark fusion breakthrough. Calagione noted that both Johnson and Davis were innovators who cracked the boundaries of what was possible in music through their work. Dogfish is one of the country’s most innovative brewers and continues to have fun playing with what’s possible in the world of experimental and extreme beers. Calagione is featured prominently in the documentary Beer Wars and his brewery is the subject of the Discovery Channel’s series Brew Masters.

Dogfish will be hosting a tasting of their other beers at the Urban Tavern this Friday. They’ll be pouring Aprihop, Midas Touch, Palo Santo Marron and their signature brew, the 90 Minute IPA. See the brewer’s site for details: 

Friday, Mar 25  4:00pm - 6:00pm at Urban Tavern.