Nathan Follmer of Ocean View recently took first place in Thompson Island Brewing Company’s first homebrew contest. His creation, a double dry-hopped session IPA, will be brewed on the Rehoboth Beach restaurant’s brewing system, and customers can sample it.

SoDel Cares has been a long-standing partner to many organizations in Delaware that help children, at-risk youth and adults, and the elderly who live in our local communities. We are committed to doing whatever we can to continue that support during one of the most challenging times the restaurant industry has faced. While we are saddened that we are unable to hold an in-person event to raise money for our foundation this year, we are asking our customers to help us in something we can do.

On Giving Tuesday, which is Dec. 1 this year, SoDel Concepts’ 12 Delaware restaurants will participate in a fundraiser for SoDel Cares, the hospitality company’s philanthropic arm.

In the past, SoDel Concepts’ chefs have dedicated a month to a particular ingredient, such as rockfish, local vegetables, desserts and oysters. November, however, is devoted to a favorite pairing: burgers and beer. It’s a new promotion for the hospitality group, which has 12 restaurants in coastal Sussex County.

Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach will celebrate its first birthday Saturday, Oct. 24, with a new release and the results of the brewpub’s homebrew competition.

Northeast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View is now offering pickup catering for parties of 10 to 100 people.

This fall, the brewpub owned by SoDel Concepts has incorporated Fifer Orchards’ fresh-pressed apple cider into its Apple Crisp Bliss Belgian Tripel. SoDel Concepts Pastry Chef Dru Tevis is pairing it with apple fritters made with Fifer Orchards apples and topped with cinnamon toast “crack.”

“It was originally brewed in March and aged through summer,” he continued. “The Oktoberfest, however, typically has had a bolder flavor. This style of beer has become synonymous with fall because of the festivals that surround its release.”

“We released Canyons Stout — which we named for the ocean canyons — a while back, and it was so popular that we reserved some of the beer to age in Basil Hayden’s barrels,” explained Matt Patton, director of operations for SoDel Concepts.

All SoDel Concepts restaurants are highlighting oysters in September. The hospitality company has 12 establishments in coastal Sussex County.

Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts, recently announced that seasoned event planner Chase Cline will head up the SoDel Concepts catering department

Lauren Bigelow has joined Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach, one of SoDel Concepts’ 12 restaurants in Sussex County. Bigelow, who has a craft beer background, will handle marketing and events for the brewpub, which is located on Route 1 at the entrance to downtown Rehoboth Beach.

SoDel Concepts’ 12 restaurants along the Delaware beaches offer spots for celebrations from birthdays to baby showers. Now guests can preorder a personalized cake that servers will bring to the table.

For the sixth consecutive year, Coastal Style magazine named Scott Kammerer Best Businessman in Sussex County. Kammerer is president of SoDel Concepts, which was named Best Business in Sussex County.

To take advantage of the coastal weather and meet the increased demand for alfresco meals, five of SoDel Concepts’ 12 restaurants have enhanced their outdoor dining areas.

Improvements were made at Catch 54 in Fenwick Island, NorthEast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View, Matt’s Fish Camp in North Bethany, Matt’s Fish Camp in Lewes and Fish On in Lewes.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, Thompson Island Brewing Company will release Glazed & Confused and Fresh: Double Peach Boysenberry.

“Forget coffee and doughnuts. Jimmy and Dru’s creations will prove that beer and doughnuts are the perfect pairings,” said Matt Patton, director of operations, who oversees SoDel Concepts’ beer program

Once again, four Delaware restaurants under the SoDel Concepts umbrella have received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The 2020 recipients include Catch 54 near Fenwick Island, Lupo Italian Kitchen in downtown Rehoboth Beach, and the Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar locations in North Bethany and Rehoboth Beach.

“We strive to use local ingredients all year long, but that is easier to do in the summer,” said Doug Ruley, vice president of culinary operations for the Rehoboth Beach-based hospitality company. “Our motto is ‘beautiful, simple food,’ and our chefs look forward to showcasing all that Sussex County has to offer in the mid-to-late summer.”

The readers of Delaware Today magazine have named Thompson Island Brewing Company the Best New Restaurant-Downstate. Located just outside the entrance to downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the restaurant is part of SoDel Concepts, which has 12 eateries in coastal Sussex County.