USA Today names Thompson Island Brewing to Best Beer Garden list

USA Today recently released a list of the top 10 beer gardens in the United States, and Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach is among the readers’ choices.

With games, seating and a heated tent in winter, Thompson Island Brewing Company’s beer garden is worthy of USA Today’s list of the best beer gardens in the U.S. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

“When we designed Thompson Island, we incorporated all the elements of a successful gathering spot: games, music, sports and comfort,” said Lauren Bigelow, who oversees the beer program. The company also owns Ocean View Brewing Company.

The tented, heated courtyard includes plenty of seating, and in the exterior courtyard, people can play cornhole, giant Jenga, ping-pong and Connect 4.

There is live music on weekends, and Thompson Island features $6 food specials on Sundays during the football season.

The courtyard is also the site of the beer dinners, even in winter.

For more information, go to thompsonislandbrewing.com.

THOMPSON ISLAND BREWING CO. INTRODUCES IPA FOR MIA SOLDIERS

REHOBOTH BEACH — To kick off the summer season, Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, will release 1776, a hazy IPA, on May 25 — just in time for Memorial Day.

From the release date until May 30, a portion of 1776’s four-pack sales will benefit Project Recover, which locates and returns soldiers missing in action since World War II.

The initiative was founded by Dr. Mark Moline, a marine biology professor on the University of Delaware’s Lewes campus.

“Breweries create a unique beer of their choice to benefit the organization and raise awareness,” Lauren Bigelow, who oversees the beer program for Thompson Island and its sister brewery, Ocean View Brewing Company, said.

“There are notes of pineapple, peach and coconut — flavors that are perfect for Memorial Day activities,” Justin Leahy, the head brewer, said.

In addition to 1776, Thompson Island will sell a T-shirt to benefit Project Recover. A portion of the 4-pack and shirt sales will benefit the nonprofit.

Southern Delaware Brewing includes its flagship brewpub Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach, which opened in 2019, and Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View, which opened in 2022.

Inspired by Southern Delaware, Thompson Island serves beer and food in a relaxed space with two bars. In addition to the spacious dining room, the brewpub has covered and uncovered outdoor dining areas, including a beer garden, cornhole and Ping-Pong. Since its inception, Thompson Island has won many awards for craft beers, including a gold medal from U.S. Open Beer Championship for its flagship beer, Thompson Island IPA. Visit thompsonislandbrewing.com for more information.

Thompson Island Head Brewer Justin Leahy developed the recipe for 1776 to raise funds to benefit IPAs for MIAs. | PHOTO COURTESY OF SODEL CONCEPT

THOMPSON ISLAND BREWING AND SURF BAGEL TEAM FOR NEW COFFEE STOUT

Surf Bagel and Thompson Island Brewing Company released Surf Bagel Breakfast Stout in honor of the bagel shop’s third location in Milford. SUBMITTED PHOTO

In honor of Surf Bagel’s soon-to-open third location in Milford, the shop teamed up with Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach to brew Surf Bagel Breakfast Stout.

The beer is available in cans at Thompson Island and it will be offered at Surf Bagel Milford when it opens later this month.

The stout is brewed with Swell Joe’s Awake blend. The coffee roaster is in the same Lewes complex as the original Surf Bagel location, and supplies all coffee offered at Surf Bagel.

“Surf Bagel and Swell Joe have a long-standing relationship,” said Matt Patton, Surf Bagel vice president."Working with Thompson Island to create a beer that showcases that relationship made sense. And the beer is delicious."

The beer is fragrant with coffee and roasted malt aromas with hints of chocolate. As for the flavor, the bittersweet chocolate note includes a hint of dried fruit.

For more information, go to surfbagel.com and thompsonislandbrewing.com.