Dogfish Head tops ranking of U.S. craft breweries

Delawareans will be able to raise a glass of Dogfish 60 Minute in celebration of IPA Day on Friday and know they're supporting the best craft brewery in the nation.

The Milton brewer topped The Daily Meal's list of the 50 best small and independent brewers released this week – besting its No. 4 ranking from 2014.

"We're not in it for the rankings, but it is nice to be recognized for the passion and love we put into each and every one of our beers," Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione said in an email. "We're proud to be part of the beer renaissance."

There were less than 860 craft breweries in the U.S. when Calagione opened Delaware's first' brewpub in 1995. As of last year, that number had grown to more than 3,460 – a 303-percent increase.

"With hundreds of American craft breweries to choose from, it felt like an impossible task to determine the best," Lauren Gordon, managing editor at The Daily Meal, said in a statement. "It's like asking folks to choose their favorite star in the sky or their favorite petal on a flower; each is beautifully unique and appealing in its own way."

The food and drink lifestyle website started with last year's list and added more than 4,000 write-in submissions from readers who nominated breweries that didn't make the list. About 2,200 beer lovers then voted on the 585 nominees from more than 20 states.

In the end, Dogfish Head beat out other top ranked breweries such as Lagunitas, Stone Brewing, Deschutes and last year's winner – Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"It is no surprise that Dogfish Head Brewery has climbed to the top spot on our list," The Daily Meal wrote. "Their dedication to quality is what garners them such a respectable reputation in the Rehoboth Beach area and around the country."

Dogfish Head is Delaware's largest and most popular of brewery, ranking 13 on the Brewers Association's list of America's 50 top craft breweries by sales volume.

None of Delaware's other craft breweries cracked that list or The Daily Meal ranking, which also featured Flying Dog Brewery at No. 39, as Maryland's only top craft brewery.

But with 14 other breweries – most opening in the last five years – and more on the day, the First State may someday compete with likes Pennsylvania with three of the top 50 spots, New York with five and even California, which posted 10 of the top breweries on The Daily Meals ranking.