Ocean View Brewing Company hosts ASL event

Ocean View Brewing Company hosts ASL event

By Susan Canfora | Staff Reporter Sep 25, 2025

In observance of September as Deaf Awareness Month, and in honor of Executive Chef Maggie Williamson, who is deaf, Ocean View Brewing Company recently hosted a food and beer pairing, all presented in American Sign Language.

Maggie Williamson discusses the plans for Ocean View Brewing Company’s food-and-beer pairing, presented in American Sign Language.

Coastal Point • Submitted

“It was Maggie’s wonderful idea to host food and beer pairings — four bites served with four of our homemade brews — hosted by Maggie and Taylor Smith, our head brewer. The beer garden was full for the event, and everyone seemed to enjoy it immensely, including our staff. Our marketing director, Lauren Bigelow, helped Maggie,” Vice President of Southern Delaware Brewing Company Nelia Dolan, said about the Sept. 17 event.

Guests were invited to “grab a brew and join us” for beers paired with Old Bay buffalo wings, orange-glazed salmon bites, birria tacos and Bavarian pretzel bites with beer cheese.

“It was something I wanted to do for a while but thought it would be a better time to celebrate my promotion at the Ocean View Brewery and my community during Deaf Awareness Month. It was a perfect bridge between my restaurant and my community,” said Williamson, 29, who has been profoundly deaf her entire life.

“We are not sure what was the cause of my deafness, but I’ve always been me since I was a baby and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As a Deaf chef, I don’t often get to share my food obsession with fellow Deaf foodies, but this event was the exception. I had a fantastic time chatting about grub in American Sign Language with some amazing people. Can’t wait to do it again with Taylor, our brilliant head brewer. So incredibly proud to work for a restaurant that lets me be me,” she said.

For those unfamiliar with American Sign Language, Williamson said, “I met lovely lady named Suz from ASL connections the week before the event, and she graciously offered to provide an interpreter for the event. I spoke and signed at the same time for myself, but the interpreter was able to interpret for our head brewer.

“The event was a big hit,” she added. “Everybody asked very thoughtful questions about the food and beer pairings, and they all mentioned that they would love to have similar events like this again in the future. It was important to me to share with the local Deaf community that both my restaurant and the people I work with are very accepting and that it was a Deaf-friendly business. As an executive chef, it was important to show that there simply aren’t any barriers in achieving your dreams,” she said.

Williamson, who has bachelor’s degrees in international business and international relations, said she has no formal culinary training.

“The truth is that I grew up with two chef parents. I’ve spent my entire life in and out of kitchens, and it’s very much like home to me. Food has always been an integral part of my personal life,” she explained.

“Professionally, I started catering with Matt Haley, the founder of SoDel Concepts, when I was 15 or 16 years old. Then when I came back home from college, I started working for Fish On in Lewes. I quickly rose up the ranks and became their Meals On Wheels coordinator for nearly five years. Then I accepted a sous chef position at Thompson Island Brewing Company, our sister brewery, for three years. From there, I was promoted to executive chef at the brewery,” the Milton resident said.

“We were thrilled to support Maggie in doing something that means so much to her. We are immensely proud of Maggie, who has worked with us for many years. She has finally been afforded the opportunity to lead her own kitchen as the executive chef of Ocean View Brewing Company, and she is doing an amazing job, as I knew she would,” Dolan said.

Deaf Awareness Month “marks the culmination of over half a century of advocacy for the rights, language, and culture of the deaf community,” according to the website at www.innocaption.com.

“This globally recognized observance traces its roots to the International Week of the Deaf, established in 1958 by the World Federation of the Deaf. Over time, it has grown into a month-long focus,” the website states.

Ocean View Brewing win bronze at U.S. Open Beer Championship

Ocean View Brewing Spicy Jams | PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTHERN DELAWARE BREWING

OCEAN VIEW — Ocean View Brewing won a bronze medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship for Spicy Jams in the Chili Beer Category.

The competition is one of the top three in the United States and judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world. Spicy Jams took bronze in the Chili Beer Category.

Inspired by Mexican Chocolate cake, this full-bodied stout was brewed with a balance of chocolate, cinnamon, and arbol, Ancho, & guajillo peppers. It debuted on draft at Ocean View Brewing in February of 2023.

Ocean View Head Brewer Taylor Smith said, “It is an honor to be recognized among so many talented peers. Spicy Jams will definitely make its way back on draft in the Fall.”

For information on Ocean View Brewing, and to see what is currently on tap, visit oceanviewbrewing.com

Ocean View Brewing launches Second Season Specials

Guests at Ocean View Brewing can choose from a variety of Second Season Specials this year.

Coastal Point | Submitted

Ocean View Brewing has launched “Second Season Specials” to welcome back local guests. While some promotions, such as half-price wings on Mondays and half-price crowlers on Sundays, are returning from the previous year, 2023 marks the first year for 25 percent off the entire check on Wednesdays and $22 crabcake platters on Tuesdays.

Kris Medford, director of operations for the brewery, said, “Every year, we look forward to the return of our locals. We planned our 2023 specials with their requests in mind.”

Daily happy-hour is available at the bar from 4 to 6 p.m. For a list of the Second Season Specials, visit oceanviewbrewingde.com/second-season-specials.

Southern Delaware Brewing includes its flagship brewpub Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach, which opened in 2019, and Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View, which opened in 2022. Visit thompsonislandbrewing.com for more information.

Ocean View and Pherm brewers release Beach Orbit Hazy IPA

Beach Orbit Hazy IPA collaborators shown are (l-r) Billy Abbott, Pherm Brewing owner; Taylor Smith, Ocean View Brewing head brewer; and Henry Jager, Pherm head brewer. SUBMITTED PHOTO

It’s not every day that brewers meet at a live music show and decide to brew a beer together, but that’s what happened for Taylor Smith, head brewer at Ocean View Brewing Company, and Billy Abbott, owner of Pherm Brewing in Gambrills, Md.

The two initially met and hit it off in 2020 at a Moe show when both of their locations were still under construction. A love for jam bands and beer sparked the initial idea.

Smith, Ocean View brewer, said, “We share a lot of common interests, and that sparked the conversation about doing a collaboration brew. I have always respected Pherm because of the way they view beer, brewing and styles. We both want to brew the best beer possible.”

Beach Orbit is a Hazy IPA brewed with Riwaka and Galaxy hops. Notes of guava, mango and passionfruit blend with a fluffy body. The recipe was created by Henry Jager, Pherm head brewer, and Smith.

The beer was released exclusively on draft June 12 at Ocean View Brewing, with brewers from both establishments in attendance.

Southern Delaware Brewing includes its flagship brewpub Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach, which opened in 2019, and Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View, which opened in 2022.

Thompson Island Brewing Co. & Ocean View Brewing Co. celebrating locals

Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View

Coastal Point • Submitted

Summer is here. Before the traffic really picks up and the tourist season starts, two coastal brewpubs will celebrate Sussex County Delaware residents with Locals Week from June 9 to June 15.

“Locals support our brewpubs all year long,” said Kris Medford, director of operations for Southern Delaware Brewing Company, which manages the brewpubs. “We want to thank them for their support before we officially kick off the beach season and welcome tourists back to town.”

During the week, Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach and Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View will offer $10 four-packs and $5 pours of signature beers: Thompson Island’s signature IPA, No Bad Days Lager, Cosmic Cow Stout; and Ocean View’s IPA and Got Waves, a Kolsch.

Ocean View Brewing Company and Thompson Island Brewing Company will offer a variety of specials for Locals Week, June 9-15, including $5 pours of signature beers.

This also launches the breweries’ summer lunch menu for the locals. Monday through Thursday, both breweries are featuring a different discounted entree, including $14 tacos, $16 four-piece fried chicken meals and $16 house burgers with a beer.

“We invite our regular customers to stop in and raise a glass to summer,” Medford said.

For information on Thompson Island, visit thompsonislandbrewing.com. For information on Ocean View Brewing Company, visit oceanviewbrewingde.com.

Ocean View Brewing Co. to celebrate first birthday March 16-19

Ocean View Brewing Company will celebrate its first birthday March 16-19 at the brewpub in Ocean View. The festivities include a special release of the brewery’s Double IPA, a beer dinner and a T-shirt giveaway.

Coastal Point | Submitted

Ocean View Brewing Company is celebrating its first birthday and St. Patrick’s Day at the same time. The celebration starts Thursday, March 16, with a beer dinner in the Ocean View brewpub off Route 26. Then, on Friday, March 17, Ocean View Brewing Company will give can koozies to the first 50 customers and release its flagship IPA with a tropical twist.

“We kicked it up with an extra boost of the tropical hop aroma,” explained Lauren Bigelow, brewery director. (Indeed, the beer weighs in at 8.3 percent ABV.)

She said the initial fruity hop slowly gives way to pleasant pine and resin finish.

“It has a mildly bitter bite, mostly on the finish.”

At noon on Saturday, March 18, the brewpub will give away T-shirts to the first 50 customers.

In addition, there will be $5 drafts, and corned beef-and-cabbage offered all weekend.

The March 16 beer dinner will include four courses — including slow-cooked corned beef — and a St. Paddy’s birthday cake. Tickets cost $66 each. Visit oceanviewbrewingde.com for information on the restaurant and beer dinner.

Ocean View Brewing Company management team named

The opening management team members for SoDel Concepts’ new brewpub Ocean View Brewing Company are (l-r) Teo Hernandez, Scott Kammerer, Omar Hernandez, Nick Brennan, Lou Ortiz, Brittany Gross, Chad McMaster, Mike Mullikin, Maggie Cellitto, Christine Wood, Doug Ruley and Taylor Smith. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts, has announced the names of the opening management team for Ocean View Brewing Company, which is under construction on Route 26 in Ocean View.

Brittany Gross and Christine Wood are the general managers overseeing all aspects of the dining room. Gross was general manager of Matt’s Fish Camp in Fenwick Island, which opened late last year, and Wood was manager of Matt’s Fish Camp in Bethany Beach. Mike Mullikin is the assistant manager.

Lou Ortiz, executive chef, was previously executive chef at Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth, which he helped open.

Teo Hernandez, formerly of Thompson Island, and Nick Brennan and Omar Hernandez are the sous chefs. Brennan has worked at The Clubhouse at Baywood in Millsboro and Matt’s Fish Camp in Fenwick Island. Omar Hernandez is a veteran SoDel Concepts employee, having worked for years at Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar in Bethany Beach.

On-site brewing operations are being overseen by Taylor Smith. Chad McMaster is director of operations, and Maggie Cellitto is corporate chef for the new brewpub. Both have been with SoDel Concepts for many years.

“Ocean View Brewing Company benefits from the skill and experience of a seasoned management team,” Kammerer said. “These excellent leaders know SoDel Concepts’ culture and mission inside and out. They want to make a difference in the Ocean View community, which has been so supportive and welcoming.”

Ocean View Brewing Company is an independent brewery and 200-seat restaurant with indoor dining, and outdoor dining in a beer garden with a fire pit. Located near NorthEast Seafood Kitchen, another successful SoDel Concepts restaurant, Ocean View Brewing Co. will offer a relaxed but high-energy vibe, delicious food and exceptional service. There is also plenty of parking.

The restaurant is scheduled to open in spring 2022. For information about SoDel Concepts and restaurant locations, go to sodelconcepts.com.

Beer Fans Are Celebrating SoDel's Newest Brewery, Ocean View Brewing Company Opens this Weekend

OCEAN VIEW, Del.- Delaware's brewing community continues to grow. SoDel Concepts' newest location, Ocean View Brewing Company, is opening this weekend.

When you walk inside the new restaurant, make sure to look up. The second floor holds the brewery. Everything is brewed upstairs, before heading straight to your table.

"More small batch experimentation. We are going back to our roots to brew some classic styles like a stout, an amber ale, a pilsner you'll se on the menu. But still some cool hazy IPA's and fruit beers you see at Thompson Island," said Matthew Patton with SoDel Concepts.

The idea for the new restaurant started about two years ago. Patton describes it as the child of Blue Coast and Thompson Island in Rehoboth Beach. It's a brewery like Thompson Island, but with more seafood like Blue Coast.

Inside holds the dining area and bar. Outside, everyone including pets, are welcome to dine on one of the two patios.

You can stop by Ocean View Brewing Company starting this weekend. It's open for dinner, but in the near future it'll be open for both lunch and dinner all year round. 

SoDel Concepts Announces New Brewpub to Open in Ocean View

Ocean View Brewing Company rendering./Photo courtesy of SoDel Concepts

The announcement follows the success of SoDel Concepts’ Thompson Island Brewing Company, a brewpub that opened in Rehoboth in 2019. It was recently named Delaware Brewery of the Year at the New York International Beer Competition.

“Thompson Island Brewing Company has been a huge hit, and we want to bring a similar experience to residents and visitors south of the Indian River Inlet bridge,” Matt Patton, director of operations for SoDel Concepts, says in a prepared statement. “Ocean View Brewing Company will follow the SoDel Concepts tradition of providing coastal comfort foods, a beach-influenced atmosphere and exceptional service.”

Patton is a certified cicerone, a designation for beer professionals that’s similar to a sommelier program for wine experts. He oversees the hospitality group’s beer program and will oversee the new brewpub’s construction, according to a news release.

Similar to Thompson Island, the 5,000-square-foot, 200-seat restaurant will feature a beer garden. In cooler months, guests can enjoy the warmth of the fireplace.

The brewpub’s décor will reflect a modern beach house with touches of Americana. Fisher Architects is the lead on design, according to a news release.

Jimmy Valm, the brewmaster at Thompson Island, will also oversee the beer operations at Ocean View Brewing Company. The new concept will offer some of its own beers along with Thompson Island favorites.

The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner.