Dogfish Head & the Grateful Dead to Release “On A Back Porch, Vol. 4” for Record Store Day’s RSD Black Friday

Dogfish Head Grateful Dead On A Back Porch Vol. 4

Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead are keeping their long-running partnership alive, and this time they’re giving fans something that goes beyond another collaborative beer. The two longtime partners are preparing to release On A Back Porch, Vol. 4, a new limited-edition vinyl collection featuring six live Grateful Dead recordings pulled from the band’s extensive concert archives. The release is scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2026, as part of Dogfish Head Record Store Day’s RSD Black Friday event, which means vinyl collectors will have another reason to get out to their favorite independent record stores before the holiday shopping season gets completely out of hand.

That matters to collectors. The Dogfish Head Grateful Dead relationship has always been an interesting combination of craft beer, music and the independent spirit that both brands have spent decades building. This fourth installment of On A Back Porch continues that idea, with selections curated by Grateful Dead Archivist and Legacy Manager David Lemieux alongside Dogfish Head founder and brewer Sam Calagione. Six recordings, two sides of vinyl, and performances spanning several different periods of the Grateful Dead’s remarkable touring history. Not a bad collection.

The track selection is particularly interesting because it moves around quite a bit, bringing together recordings from Philadelphia, London, Hamilton, Albany, San Francisco and East Rutherford. Fans will find familiar songs such as “Blow Away,” “Mr. Charlie,” “The Last Time,” “Loser,” “Doin’ That Rag” and “Ballad of a Thin Man,” with performances dating from 1969 through 1990. That’s a nice range, and the involvement of Lemieux gives the collection an archival perspective rather than making it feel like another random greatest-hits compilation. A little history, a little improvisation, and plenty of Grateful Dead character.

There is also a beer connection, naturally, with Calagione and Lemieux suggesting specific Dogfish Head Grateful Dead beer pairings for two of the tracks, including Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale and Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager. The limited-edition On A Back Porch, Vol. 4 vinyl release arrives at participating independently owned record stores nationwide on November 27, while supplies last, and Dogfish Head has shared the complete announcement below.

Here’s the full Press Release from Dogfish Head Grateful Dead:

Limited-edition, collaboratively curated vinyl offers six live Grateful Dead recordings

MILTON, Del., Nov. 05, 2026 — Continuing their partnership of more than a decade, Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead will release a new collaborative vinyl album, “On A Back Porch, Vol. 4,” on Dogfish Head Record Store Day’s RSD Black Friday, Friday, Nov. 27. Curated by Grateful Dead Archivist & Legacy Manager, David Lemieux, and Dogfish Head Brewer & Founder, Sam Calagione, it features six live recordings from the Grateful Dead archive and will be sold in limited quantities at participating independently owned record stores while supplies last.

“ON A BACK PORCH, VOL. 4” AT A GLANCE:

• Release Title: On A Back Porch Vol. 4
• On-Sale Date: Friday, November 27
• Availability: Participating independently owned record stores nationwide; Limited quantities, while supplies last
• Curators: David Lemieux, Grateful Dead Archivist & Legacy Manager; Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Brewer & Founder

“ON A BACK PORCH, VOL. 4” TRACK LIST:

Side A:

• “Blow Away” – July 7, 1989, at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pa.
• “Mr. Charlie” – May 7, 1972, at Bickershaw Festival in London, England
• “The Last Time” – March 22, 1990, at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Side B:

• “Loser” – March 24,1990, at Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, N.Y.
• “Doin’ That Rag” – February 28,1969, at Fillmore West in San Francisco, Calif.
• “Ballad of a Thin Man” – April 1, 1988, at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, N.J.

BEER & MUSIC PAIRINGS: 

Like its predecessors, “On A Back Porch, Vol. 4” brings together songs selected to enjoy alongside a beer on the back porch. Lemieux and Calagione recommend these pairings:

• Sam Calagione recommends Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale with “Blow Away.” Dogfish Head’s Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale (5.3% AV) is a refreshing pale ale brewed with Kernza grains, granola and heaps of good karma. Calagione says, “it’s a song all about life’s peaks and valleys, and learning to go with the flow, which is nicely complemented by the easy-drinking nature of Juicy Pale Ale.”
• David Lemieux recommends Dogfish head Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager with “Doin’ That Rag.” Dogfish Head’s Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager (5.3% ABV) is a crisp and clean lager brewed with rice, Fonio grain, lemongrass, lime and lemon peels, and a mix of Lemondrop and Contessa hops. Lemieux says, “like Citrus Daydream’s interesting mix of ingredients, the song’s lively, playful and sometimes, wandering lyrics may seem a bit nonsensical when examined in isolation, but when they come together, it’s a rather magical experience.”

DOGFISH HEAD RECORD STORE DAY:

Dogfish Head has served as “The Official Beer of Record Store Day” for more than a decade and proudly supports the organization’s mission to celebrate the culture of independently owned record stores. As an official RSD Black Friday release, “On A Back Porch, Vol. 4” will be available at participating independently owned record stores nationwide, in limited quantities, while supplies last.

Since opening as the first brewpub in the First State more than 31 years ago, Dogfish Head has focused on original craft beverages, original food and original music. Throughout its history, Dogfish Head’s live music stage has hosted acts including The Strokes, Black Pumas, The Mountain Goats and Guided by Voices. Alongside its weekly calendar of live music shows, Dogfish Head manifests its music heritage through collaborations with artists and estates. The brewery has created products and compiled vinyl records with The Flaming Lips, the Miles Davis estate, Deltron 3030, the Grateful Dead and many more.

WHERE TO FIND “ON A BACK PORCH VOL. 4”:

To find a participating independently owned record store, visit Record Store Day’s store finder. For more information on Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead, visit www.dogfish.com and www.dead.net, respectively.

Related Dogfish Head news from mybeerbuzz.com:
Dogfish Head’s relationship with the Grateful Dead has produced some particularly interesting craft beer and music collaborations over the years, and MyBeerBuzz has followed several of these releases.

Check out our coverage of Dogfish Head Teaming Up With the Grateful Dead for Hazy Ripple IPA, Dogfish Head Adding Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale 60th Anniversary Edition and Citrus Daydream Lager, Dogfish Head Announces New Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager, and Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead: Off-Centered Ingredients With a Real-World Impact. You can also revisit the original Dogfish Head and Grateful Dead American Beauty Official Label, which helped introduce this creative partnership to craft beer fans.

From collaborative pale ales and citrus-forward lagers to limited-edition vinyl releases, Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead continue to find interesting ways to bring music and craft beer together.

DOGFISH HEAD CRAFT BREWERY:

With quality, creativity and non-conformity at its core, Dogfish Head has been committed to brewing unique beers with high-caliber culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened nearly 31 years ago. Dedicated to exploring goodness of all kinds, Dogfish Head later expanded its beverage artistry beyond just craft beer to produce award-winning portfolios of full-proof spirits – whiskeys, gins, vodkas, rums and more – and spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktails.

A Boston Beer Company brand and proud supporter of the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, Dogfish Head is a Delaware-based entity consisting of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and tasting room; Dogfish Head Distilling Co., a production distillery; Brewings & Eats, a brewpub and live music venue; Chesapeake & Maine, a seafood and cocktail spot; and the Dogfish INN, a beer-themed, canal-front hotel. For more about Dogfish Head, please visit www.dogfish.com or follow the brand on social media. 

Dogfish Head’s relationship with the Grateful Dead has produced some particularly interesting craft beer and music collaborations over the years, and MyBeerBuzz has followed several of these releases. Check out our coverage of Dogfish Head Teaming Up With the Grateful Dead for Hazy Ripple IPA, Dogfish Head Adding Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale 60th Anniversary Edition and Citrus Daydream Lager, Dogfish Head Announces New Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager, and Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead: Off-Centered Ingredients With a Real-World Impact.

You can also revisit the original Dogfish Head and Grateful Dead American Beauty Official Label, which helped introduce this creative partnership to craft beer fans. From collaborative pale ales and citrus-forward lagers to limited-edition vinyl releases, Dogfish Head and the Grateful Dead continue to find interesting ways to bring music and craft beer together.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is one of the most recognizable names in American craft beer, with a history built around adventurous brewing, unusual ingredients and a willingness to challenge traditional ideas about what beer should be. Based in Milton, Delaware, Dogfish Head has grown from a small brewpub operation into a nationally recognized craft beverage company, developing a reputation for off-centered ales, creative collaborations and a strong connection to food, art and music.

The beginnings of Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head was founded by Sam and Mariah Calagione, opening its doors in June 1995 as the first brewpub in Delaware. The original Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats was established in Rehoboth Beach, where the founders set out to combine original beer, original food and original music.

That combination would eventually become a defining part of the company’s identity.

At a time when the American craft beer industry was still developing, Dogfish Head took an unconventional approach to brewing. Rather than limiting itself to traditional recipes and established beer styles, the brewery began experimenting with ingredients and brewing techniques that were not commonly found in mainstream beer production.

The result was a brewery that quickly developed a reputation for creativity and a willingness to do things differently.

The company’s familiar “Off-Centered” philosophy became closely associated with its brewing identity, encouraging experimentation and a more adventurous approach to craft beer.

Building a nationally recognized craft beer brand

Dogfish Head developed a following through its distinctive beer lineup, including some of the most recognizable beers in American craft brewing.

Its 60 Minute IPA and 90 Minute IPA helped establish the brewery as an important name in the development of American hop-forward beer. The continuously hopped brewing technique used for these beers became a recognizable part of the Dogfish Head brewing story.

The brewery also became known for beers that incorporated ingredients outside the usual brewing grain, hops, water and yeast formula.

Sam Calagione’s interest in culinary ingredients helped create a lineup that included beers brewed with fruit, spices, grains and other unusual additions.

Dogfish Head’s approach was never simply about making beer different for the sake of being different. The intention was to find ingredients that contributed something meaningful to the finished product, whether that meant additional aroma, flavor, texture or complexity.

That philosophy helped the brewery stand apart during the growth of the American craft beer industry.

Dogfish Head and its music heritage

Music has been an important part of Dogfish Head’s identity since the beginning.

The original brewpub was built around the idea that beer, food and music belong together, and that philosophy eventually developed into a much larger part of the company’s activities.

Dogfish Head has hosted live performances from a wide range of musicians, including The Strokes, Black Pumas, The Mountain Goats and Guided by Voices.

The brewery has also worked with musicians and music estates to create collaborative products that bring together music culture and craft beverages.

Its partnership with the Grateful Dead is among the most recognizable examples.

Beginning in 2013 with American Beauty Imperial Pale Ale, the collaboration has continued through additional beers, including American Beauty Hazy Ripple IPA, Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale and Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream Lager.

These collaborations have allowed Dogfish Head to connect with generations of Grateful Dead fans while introducing its beers to music enthusiasts who may not have otherwise encountered the brewery.

The relationship has also extended into vinyl releases, including the On A Back Porch series.

The fourth installment, On A Back Porch, Vol. 4, continues that tradition by pairing archival Grateful Dead recordings with Dogfish Head’s appreciation for music and independent record stores.

Expansion beyond craft beer

Dogfish Head has also expanded beyond traditional craft brewing.

The company developed Dogfish Head Distilling Co., producing a range of spirits, including whiskey, gin, vodka and rum. Its beverage portfolio has also included spirits-based ready-to-drink canned cocktails.

This expansion reflects the same interest in creativity and experimentation that helped establish the original brewery.

Dogfish Head is also part of The Boston Beer Company, following the acquisition completed in 2019. The combination brought together two established American craft beverage businesses while allowing Dogfish Head to retain its distinctive brand identity.

Dogfish Head locations and experiences

Dogfish Head operates several hospitality and beverage destinations throughout coastal Delaware.

Its Milton production brewery and tasting room provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the company’s beers and learn more about its brewing operation.

Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach continues the original brewpub tradition, combining craft beer, food and live music.

Other hospitality properties include Chesapeake & Maine, a seafood restaurant and cocktail destination, and the Dogfish INN, a beer-themed hotel located along the canal in Milton.

These locations help extend the Dogfish Head experience beyond the brewery itself, bringing together beer, dining, music and tourism.

Dogfish Head and the future of craft beer

Dogfish Head has spent more than three decades building a reputation around original ideas and adventurous brewing.

Its willingness to experiment with ingredients, develop collaborations and explore connections between beer and other creative industries has helped it remain an interesting name in American craft beverages.

The Grateful Dead partnership is a particularly good example of how that philosophy can extend beyond the glass.

On A Back Porch, Vol. 4 brings together six recordings from the band’s extensive archive and connects them with Dogfish Head’s longstanding interest in independent music culture. It also gives fans another opportunity to explore the relationship between the brewery and one of the most influential American bands in rock history.

Whether the interest is in Dogfish Head’s continually hopped IPAs, culinary-inspired ales, collaborative beers or its music projects, the brewery continues to offer something different for craft beer enthusiasts.

For more information about Dogfish Head’s beers, spirits, taprooms, restaurants, events and collaborations, visit the official website:

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Official Website

Dogfish Head remains a distinctive American craft beverage brand, with its original commitment to creative beer, food and music continuing to influence its releases and experiences today.

GRATEFUL DEAD:

The Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans.

As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day-onethat earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs. By 1995, the Grateful Dead had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music with their final tally being 2,318 total concerts.

The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and received a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, commemorated in the 47th class of the Kennedy Center Honorees, as well as the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year honored at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The Grateful Dead celebrated their 66th Top 40 album on the Billboard chart —a feat no other artist has achieved —claiming the Guinness World Records title for the most Top 40 albums charted on the US Billboard 200.

RECORD STORE DAY:
Record Store Day, the organization, is managed by the Department of Record Stores and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and promotes independent record stores year-round with events, special releases and other fun things. RSD Black Friday brings record stores into the holiday shopping season and Record Store Day, the global celebration of the culture of the record store, takes place annually. The 20th Record Store Day is coming up on April 17, 2027

zzubreebym