Seven orbits complete in Rehoboth Beach, and the annual stout has emerged from its barrel. Once Around the Sun 2026, Thompson Island Brewing’s barrel-aged imperial stout, releases in bottles Thursday, Oct. 15, during the Delaware brewery’s 7th birthday celebration, according to its event page.
What’s in Once Around the Sun 2026
Thompson Island calls Once Around the Sun its annual barrel-aged imperial stout. This year’s version, the brewery says, spent six months aging in a peated Scotch whisky barrel, “developing layers of oak, rich chocolate, dark fruit, and earthy smokiness.”
Those are the brewery’s words. Thompson Island does not list an ABV, so neither does the Bureau.
Six months in a peated whisky barrel: humans have discovered that putting stout in a smoky wooden container and waiting half a year produces something they will line up for. The Bureau has observed this ritual on many continents.
Bottles of Once Around the Sun 2026 are available “while supplies last.”
The 7th birthday weekend
The celebration runs Oct. 14-18, 2026, at Thompson Island in Rehoboth Beach. Highlights from the brewery’s schedule:
- Wednesday, Oct. 14: live music from Lower Case Blues, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 15: Once Around the Sun 2026 bottle release, plus a 7th anniversary beer dinner at 6 p.m. (four courses from Sous Chef Shannon Zabel; advance tickets required)
- Sunday, Oct. 18: brewery tours and tastings with Brewmaster Jimmy Valm at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- All weekend: birthday food specials and a $10 Thompson Island Classics Flight
The birthday food features listed by the brewery include birthday cake, coconut shrimp, Sloppy Joe egg rolls, a birria crunch wrap, a smoked bologna Reuben and Thai-spiced salmon. The Bureau confirms that humans celebrate anniversaries by eating heroically.
The classics flight includes Thompson Island IPA, No Bad Days, Wave Check and Once Around the Sun 2026, per the event page.
Plan your visit
Check Thompson Island’s event page for tickets to the dinner and tour details. If Once Around the Sun 2026 is your target specimen, Thursday is the day; the brewery makes no promise that bottles last the weekend.
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