Written by Rachel Wright for Here.Dalton Volume 1, September/October 2025
It’s Wednesday night at Dalton Brewing Company (DBC). Customers spill out onto the sidewalk and neighboring alley while the taproom buzzes with conversation, clinking glasses and the rustle of answer sheets. Behind the bar, Andy anticipates drink orders and hands out juice boxes to the kids, making sure no one runs on empty.
The trivia host calls for wagers for “final jeopardy,” and The Longshots team members look at one another knowingly, already planning to go “all in.” Because we’re always all in — on Dalton, on DBC and each other.
As a former journalist, it feels important to disclose that my husband has worked for DBC since August 2022. The opportunity coincided perfectly with a career transition and allowed him to pursue a passion for brewing. Personally, I was thrilled to find out we wouldn’t have bubbling buckets of home-brew in the back bedroom.
“We are all in—on Dalton, on DBC and each other.”
The first few times we experienced DBC trivia, we played as a team of two. But you don’t have to work at DBC to make friends quickly. Communal toys, board games and a supply of dog treats make sure everyone in the family feels included. After a few Wednesdays of friendly exchanges with a competing team, we found ourselves sitting at the picnic tables outside as proud members of The Longshots.
Trivia officially starts at 6 p.m. each Wednesday, but players begin trickling in after the brewery opens at 4 p.m. Small groups gather around shared snacks, and competing teams co-mingle, catching up on the previous week’s events. It’s not uncommon to see a pickup truck parked out front with people sitting on the tailgate or using the bed to hold a cold beer. Others bring camping chairs to create more seating while outdoor speakers keep them connected to what’s happening inside.
After every question, the host plays a song that provides a clue to the answer. Clues can be associated with the artist’s name, the song title or its lyrics. Whether teams know the answer immediately or need to confer with their resident music expert, the song breaks keep the energy high.
“There’s nothing inherently magical about these moments, but they’re the ones people remember.”
It’s these in-between moments where dogs’ bellies are scratched, jokes are told and teams playfully argue over disputed answers. It’s the time for drink refills and dance breaks. It’s when we catch up or compare scores with competitors who have become friends. There’s nothing inherently magical about these moments, but they’re the ones people remember. The most die-hard trivia players among us may have initially come for the game, but they keep coming back for the community.
Over countless pints and rounds of questions, trivia has become much more than a way to pass a Wednesday night, and The Longshots much more than just a team. We go to concerts together, host cookouts for each other’s families and celebrate some of our biggest milestones together. Just ask the couple whose wedding a team member officiated last summer. Or the couple who announced they were expecting their first baby on a cookie cake when it was their turn to bring snacks.
Our experience is special, but isn’t unique. Others have their own version of this story, because community can be found any day of the week at DBC.
Ready to be here? Join a trivia team on Wednesday, run with the club on Thursdays or stop in for live music on Fridays. To learn more about other events like Open Mic Night, Improv on Tap and Mac’s monthly book club, follow DBC on social media or pick up a copy of the free monthly newsletter in the tap room. We’d love you to come be “all in” with us!
