Reach the Beach: A Two-Wheeled Brewery Tour
Looking for a way to sample some of Sussex County’s best beers, and get some exercise at the same time? Then grab a friend, your bikes and helmets and check out our recommendations below for short, medium and long-length bike tours centered around a few of the area’s best breweries. And if you happen to be heading the other way- across the Bay, we’ve got a suggested tour of Cape May County as well!
Cyclist short tour
Distance: Up to 6.8 miles round-trip
View Route on Google Maps
Breweries:
- Big Oyster Brewery: 1007 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958
- Crooked Hammock Brewery: 36707 Crooked Hammock way, Lewes, DE 19958
Details: Easy on the legs, big on the beers! From the Lewes terminal, make your way out to the Lewes bike path and pedal over to Big Oyster Brewery. You’ll find a wide variety of beers to choose from, as well as lunch and dinner menus featuring seafood and barbeque options that will be sure to have your mouth watering. If you need to cut your tour really short, go ahead and turn around here and head back to the terminal. If you’ve got the time to pedal on, jump back on the bikes and continue along the bike path to Crooked Hammock Brewery, where you’ll find a great selection of beers, a huge menu of lunch and dinner options, as well as a backyard area complete with cornhole, ping pong, kids play area, and of course, hammocks!
Cyclist medium tour
Distance: 15.4 miles round-trip
View Route on Google Maps
Breweries:
- Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: 19815 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Revelation Craft Brewing Co.: 19841 Central St. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Big Oyster Brewery: 1007 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958
Details: Looking to get a decent ride in first before whetting your whistle? Check out our medium tour, which takes you out to Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. With locations throughout eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, Iron Hill has a reputation for great food and great beer. Pedal on over and check out what they’ve got on offer, or just grab a beer and check out the numerous other eateries in the area. After that, make sure to head over to Revelation Craft Brewing, which sits right along the Junction/Breakwater Trail. With food available from DaNizza Wood Fired Pizza along with an extensive beer list, it’s an inviting place for all and a perfect place to stop on your ride. Then when you’re done, pedal on back to the terminal, making sure to stop by Big Oyster Brewery on your way back if you’re looking for some additional refreshment!
Extra Credit: Though it can be a bit tricky to get to on a bicycle – especially if you have to cross the highway, Thompson Island Brewing Company is well worth the trip if you can fit it in. Opened in 2019, they’ve got a full menu of mouth-watering options and a line-up of beers that will make you want to plan another trip asap!
Cyclists Long Tour
Distance: 16.6 miles round-trip
View Route on Google Maps
Breweries:
- Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats: 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Details: From the terminal, head out through Cape Henlopen State Park and make your way down the beach along the path, until you reach Rehoboth Beach roughly 8 miles down the road. This is a longer ride, but when the destination is Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats, you know it’s going to be worth it. Beers? You know Dogfish Head has them. From signature IPA’s to mouthwatering sours to creative concoctions, Dogfish Head has beers covered. And with food available at Brewing & Eats as well as their seafood restaurant Chesapeake & Maine (located right next door), there are plenty of options to refuel for your ride back to the terminal!
