Sam Calagione is the founder and President of Dogfish Head, a Delaware craft brewery producing "off-centered ales for off-centered people." When Sam opened Dogfish Head in 1995, it was the smallest commercial brewery in America, brewing batches of 10 gallons at a time. Today, Dogfish Head is among the fastest growing breweries in the country, selling beer in 30 states and 3 countries. Sam is the maverick behind all of the "off-centered" things that happen at Dogfish Head, his passion and brainchild. He's creating brews with unconventional ingredients: herbs and spices, raisins, wood, corn and Aztec cocoa powder.
Sam's innovative style has earned him a reputation as one of America's most adventurous entrepreneurs. Ranked among Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business in 2011, he's been named Businessman of the Year by The Small Business Association, and a Game Changer for 2010 by the Huffington Post.
He's been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Playboy, People, and Bon Appetit and was a finalist for the 2011 James Beard Awards (only the second beverage producer to ever be nominated). His books include Brewing Up a Business; Extreme Brewing: He Said Beer, She Said Wine and he was the host of Brew Masters on the Discovery Channel. Sam serves as the Vice Chair of the Brewers Association, an articulate ambassador for the craft-brewing world. He's often on the road promoting Dogfish Head and the spirit of small business through beer, song, dance, and words. He has spoken for Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, corporations and associations around the country.
About TEDx:
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)