The First State, The Finest Quality

Fisher's Popcorn is a legendary name in Delaware's coastal community, synonymous with summer vacations at the beach and the scent of caramel wafting down the boardwalk.

Established in 1937 by Everett Fisher, the business remains family-owned and operated, currently run by the third and fourth generations of the Hall family in Fenwick Island, Delaware.

The brand's enduring appeal lies in its commitment to its original manufacturing process, which has remained virtually unchanged for nearly a century.

The popcorn is air-popped to ensure a light, fluffy texture before being coated in a secret caramel recipe.

This caramel is mixed by hand in classic copper kettles, a labor-intensive method that allows for precise temperature control and an even, rich coating that automated machines struggle to replicate.

The core ingredients are simple but high-quality: popcorn, molasses, brown sugar, butter, and salt.

The popcorn-making process at Fisher's Popcorn begins with air-popping premium kernels to achieve the perfect light, fluffy texture that serves as the foundation for their caramel coating.

The secret caramel recipe is prepared in classic copper kettles, where skilled craftsmen monitor temperature and timing to achieve the perfect consistency.

The caramel is constantly stirred by hand, a technique that allows for precise control over texture and flavor development.

While the classic Caramel Popcorn is their flagship product, they have innovated with flavors that reflect the mid-Atlantic region, most notably the 'Old Bay Seasoned Caramel Popcorn,' which blends the sweet caramel crunch with the savory, spicy kick of the region's favorite crab seasoning.

The freshly coated popcorn is spread on cooling tables where it solidifies into crunchy clusters.

Each batch is packaged in iconic plastic tubs that preserve freshness and allow for easy transport.

The Fenwick Island location serves as a manufacturing hub where customers can watch the popcorn being made in real-time, reinforcing the transparency and authenticity of the brand.

Henlopen Sea Salt, founded by Dave Burris, revives the historic tradition of salt making in the Delaware Bay region, which dates back centuries.

Burris, whose family roots in the area trace back to colonial farmers and fishermen, started the company to capture the unique 'merroir' of the Delaware coast and bring a taste of the sea to home kitchens.

The manufacturing process is an artisanal labor of love that begins with collecting raw seawater from the tidal waters of Cape Henlopen, a location chosen for its pristine quality.

This water is carefully filtered to remove impurities while retaining the natural mineral content that gives the salt its distinctive character.

Through a slow, controlled process of solar evaporation and boiling, the water is reduced until delicate, pyramid-shaped crystals form.

The sea salt production process at Henlopen begins with harvesting raw seawater from the tidal waters of Cape Henlopen during high tide, when water quality is at its purest.

The seawater undergoes careful filtration to remove impurities while preserving the natural mineral content that gives the salt its distinctive character.

The filtered water is then processed through solar evaporation pans, where Delaware's abundant sunshine naturally concentrates the seawater over several days.

For more controlled production, some batches undergo boiling in large pans where the water is slowly reduced until delicate, pyramid-shaped crystals begin to form.

These crystals are then hand-harvested using fine mesh screens and dried naturally, resulting in a finishing salt that is flaky, briny, and sweet, completely lacking the harsh chemical bitterness often found in industrial table salts.

The texture is crunchy and delicate, designed to be sprinkled over finished dishes like grilled steaks, fresh summer tomatoes, or even chocolate chip cookies to enhance flavor.

Henlopen Sea Salt collaborates frequently with other local Delaware makers, producing innovative blends such as Black Garlic Salt or partnering with local breweries for salt-infused beers.

While Dogfish Head is globally renowned for its craft beer, its distilling arm in Milton and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is a powerhouse of innovation that produces 'scratch-made' spirits with the same off-centered philosophy as their ales.

Founded by Sam Calagione, the distillery distinguishes itself by creating its base alcohol in-house from 100% brewers malt and a proprietary yeast strain, rather than purchasing neutral grain spirits from industrial suppliers like many other craft distilleries.

This 'grain-to-glass' manufacturing process allows them to retain the character of the raw ingredients throughout the distillation, resulting in spirits with distinct profiles.

Their product lineup includes 'Compelling Gin,' which is distilled with a blend of citrus peels and culinary ingredients, and 'Analog Vodka,' which offers a crisp, sipping quality derived from its malt base.

The spirits production process at Dogfish Head Distilling Co.

begins with creating base alcohol from 100% brewers malt using a proprietary yeast strain, distinguishing their process from most craft distilleries that purchase neutral grain spirits.

This grain-to-glass approach allows complete control over flavor development and quality.

The mash is fermented in stainless steel tanks under carefully controlled temperature conditions, developing the character that will carry through distillation.

The distillation process uses copper pot stills, which allow for precise control over proof and flavor extraction.

For their Compelling Gin, botanicals including citrus peels and culinary spices are added during distillation, creating a balanced gin that works well in cocktails.

The Analog Vodka undergoes multiple distillations to achieve the desired purity and smoothness.

In addition to spirits, Dogfish Head produces a wide range of giftable merchandise and apparel, much of which celebrates their Delaware heritage.

Their retail operations offer everything from branded hoodies and tees to specialized barware, making them a one-stop shop for gifts for craft beverage enthusiasts.

The brand is deeply integrated into the Delaware identity, often using local ingredients like wildflower honey and strawberries in their limited-edition releases.