Launch | Victory Brewing Company

New Details Added: Dark Intrigue Release Nov. 23

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 12:27pm

It’s time.

Our Storm King Stout spent the summer in bourbon barrels from Jim Beam and Heaven Hill Distilleries, and has finally emerged as Dark Intrigue. (It’s like Clark Kent going into a phone booth and coming out as Superman, only more delicious and less crime-fighty.)

Dark Intrigue will be released here at the Downingtown retail location on Nov. 23, a day we are calling Dark Wednesday. Not only will you be able to purchase the dark and intriguing boozy beverage, but you’ll be part of Victory history. While this is our second release of Dark Intrigue we are also planning it to be our last. Get it now before it goes away forever.

Here’s what you need to know about Dark Wednesday:

• Dark Intrigue will be available by the bottle and by the case from the retail shop at our Downingtown brewery and brewpub.
• It will go on sale when our retail shop opens at 11:30 a.m. You are welcome to begin lining up earlier than that, and we anticipate that Dark Intrigue fans will start arriving around 9 a.m.
• Each person will be limited to one case of Dark Intrigue, no exceptions.
• The cost will be $15 per bottle, $180 per case. (There are 12 bottles per case.)
• We know you’re excited to drink your newly purchased Dark Intrigue, and we’re excited to have you try it, but under no circumstances can you open a bottle of Dark Intrigue in the parking lot. Pennsylvania has very strict open container laws, and drinking beer in our parking lot is illegal. If you open it in the parking lot, it will be confiscated. We don’t want to do that, but we have to follow the law of the land. So please, wait until you get home to open it so we can all avoid any issues.
• Like all beer purchased at our retail shop, it is not permitted to be opened in the restaurant. We welcome and encourage you to stay for lunch after you purchase your Dark Intrigue, but you will not be able to drink the Dark Intrigue that you bought in retail with your lunch. We will have limited quantities of Dark Intrigue available on draft for you to enjoy with your meal. (Dark Intrigue is not available for growler fills.)
• Update: All barrels have been reserved. To get on the waiting list for barrels left unclaimed, email barrel@victorybeer.com. In addition to the beer, you will also be able to buy the bourbon barrels where Dark Intrigue was aged. The barrels will cost $40 each, cash only, and you can buy as many barrels as you can fit in your vehicle. You cannot pay for the barrels at the same time you pay for your Dark Intrigue. We will have a separate station for barrel purchases set up outside. If you want to purchase a barrel on Dark Wednesday, please e-mail barrel@victorybeer.com to reserve yours. You will have to pay and pick up the barrel on Dark Wednesday prior to 3:00 p.m. Any reserved barrels left unclaimed after that time will be sold at a later date.

*BONUS* You may win some fun Victory swag while attending the Dark Wednesday release. We will be drawing numbers every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to the enthusiasts in line. If your number is called, you’ll be going home with extra Victory goodies!

What’s so special about Dark Intrigue? Brewer Jordan Sunseri tells you:

A little more about the project…

- K.H.

Let Your Freak Flags Fly

Friday, January 14, 2011 at 7:55pm

The restored 1996 HopDevil shirt returns Jan. 15 for a limited time.

This one’s for Jerry. And everyone like myself and Jerry who already has one of these shirts. But it was Jerry who first brought the idea up, so like our Jerk Grinder that he also loves so much, we must see this shirt live on.

My art files say that this design was created May 31, 1996, when HopDevil was an infant, pretty much unknown to the world. The fact that we could dress him up in purple, of all colors, splashed with neon green, magenta and black definitely states that this beer was something unique and special. So wonderful and special, that grown men were willing to part with our hard-earned money to walk around in a purple, magenta and neon green shirt bearing the visage of the ale we loved.

Then, years after the purchase and countless beer festivals and outdoor chores, we suffer the scorn of our wives who thought that such a faded, threadbare relic should have been in the trash long ago. No, we clung to our purple HopDevil shirt like the adult version of a baby blanket that somehow embodied our transition from partying, craft beer newbie to seasoned father dealing with teenagers in our households.

So here he is again, in all of his purple glory, to support his old and tired brother in the closet.

Gentlemen, let your freak flags fly!

This HopDevil throwback shirt is the second in our series of 15 Fashionable Finds in celebration of our 15th Anniversary. This and all anniversary shirts will be available for sale on the 15th of each month. You can buy in our retail store or from our online store. But hurry, because there are only a limited quantity available.

Feast Your Eyes on the 1st of 15

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 4:26pm

1st of 15 Limited Tshirts | Savor Your Victory

Earlier this month we announced that to celebrate our 15th Anniversary in February we’d be releasing 15 Victorious fashionable finds. Just released is the first of 15 tshirts that will debut (typically) the 15th of each month. Savor the holidays in this limited edition t-shirt available in mens and womens sizes. Available in Victory Retail and online this t-shirt is just $10 so get yours today!

The Truth About Victory’s Newest Brand: Headwaters Pale Ale

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 6:21pm

Introducing Victory Brewing Co.’s new flagship beer.

Reflecting over the years as we approach our 15th anniversary here at Victory, we can’t help but be struck by the realization that Downingtown has made a great home for Victory. From the enthusiastic throngs that crowd our brewpub to enjoy our creative, flavorful beers and cuisine to the natural charms of the area, we are blessed with good fortune. As the active community contributor we’ve been over those years, we recognize our opportunity to both utilize and protect these assets.

Chief among those assets is the pure water we receive from the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek that begins its journey to us just under 14 miles from where we brew with it. We’ll be celebrating this water (insert your lite beer joke here) with our anniversary beer, Headwaters Pale Ale, due to be released February 15, 2011. Now, considering that beer is the product of four simple ingredients and the three other than water rely on water for their existence, we’ve had a fair amount of latitude in paying homage to water in our beer. So, we’ve played all of our cards deftly, bringing the hops, malt and yeast in harmony, with our great local water as the conductor in Headwaters Pale Ale.

Creativity in action as the new beer label begins.

(All names and logos are subject to TTB approval)

New Victory Beer On The Horizon

Monday, December 6, 2010 at 7:40pm

Victory co-founder Bill Covaleski pauses by the source of Victory Beer, the historic Brandywine River.

Chief among those assets is the pure water we receive from the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek that begins its journey to us just under 14 miles from where we brew with it. We’ll be celebrating this water (insert your lite beer joke here…) with our anniversary beer due to be released February 15, 2011. Now, considering that beer is the product of four simple ingredients, and the three other than water rely on water for their existence, we have a fair amount of latitude in paying homage to water in our beer. So, expect us to play all of our cards deftly, bringing the hops, malt and yeast in harmony, with our great local water as the conductor.

Cheers,

Bill & Ron

The Brewmasters of Victory

Have you tasted the zeal of craft beer? Introducing Yakima Glory

Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 2:03pm

At the risk of sounding like a motivational speaker or a guidance counselor, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that it always pays to challenge yourself. Today’s illustration of this being Yakima Glory.

Let me state, for the record, that Yakima Twilight, as the Glory was named last year when it was released, has been our most popular seasonal release to date in that it sold twice the volume we expected in its inaugural season. That is rewarding to all of us at Victory. But most rewarding has been the journey and accomplishment of the underlying challenge behind this delicious, dark ale.

We jumped into the uber-hoppy ale waters with the release of Hop Wallop in 2003; Ron and I were thrilled with the ale as a vivid expression of fresh, whole flower, American-grown hops. It was exactly as we wanted it to be, floral, assertive and refreshingly lean in its malt profile. Content with Hop Wallop, we looked forward to each winter and the release of this celebration of Mother Nature’s bounty of hops.

But dark thoughts began to stir in our minds, or more accurately, thoughts of dark malts. Since the development we have also had some tantalizing success with hoppy beers where the hops have had to share the limelight with dark malts. Brews like our Ten Year Alt and one-off Schwarz Pils (soon to come ’round again…) intrigued us to venture into a deep but bright land where dense, dark malt flavors and brassy-bright hops might harmonize. With effort indeed, we found such a place in Yakima Glory.

With my case of Yakima Glory substantially lighter than when it was opened last Thursday night, I am here to tell you that this is also a rewarding beer for the drinker of it. Floral hops battle mightily with the roasted malts for initial attention and the two tussle right down the gullet, only to be resolved in blissful harmony when your senses clear. It is deceptively dry in its impression, goading you in to maybe a bit more volume than you normally might indulge in such a strong ale.

So reward yourself with some tasty Yakima Glory even if your search for this fast-selling brew is challenging.

Cheers,

Bill

Note: Yakima Glory is available in for wide release in all 30 states that carry Victory beer. The option to offer Yakima Glory, or any Victory brand, is up to the individual retailer (bar, grocery store, bottle shop, liquor store, etc.) If you’d like to insure that Yakima Glory makes it to your area call your local retailer and wholesaler (click here to find the wholesaler in your state).

Discover Festbier: The Heart of Oktoberfest.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 5:35pm

It’s September and that means only one thing for beer lovers: Oktoberfest. And at the heart of Oktoberfest you’ll find a very special beer that will forever be synonymous with the German tradition: Festbier. September also happens to be the time that we launch our version of this fan favorite.

In this video Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company breaks down Festbier 101, it’s orgins, the tastes and best pairings. So if you don’t know what a Märzenbier is or what cheese pairs perfectly with Festbier then stop what your doing and watch this now.

For more info on Festbier just click through to it’s profile page on Victorybeer.com (click here).

Victory Releases The Most Recent Version of Saison du Buff – or – How I Discovered The Joy of Discomfort

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 2:44pm

Collaboration beers are a new thing to us at Victory. But when we jumped into the fray, we were in with both feet and all parts. Saison du BUFF was our first collaborative effort in a season (this spring) that witnessed three collaborations, all different and all totally rewarding. I say ‘both feet and all parts’ because our virginity-vanquishing brew was conducted with two of the biggest names in craft brewing, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Company. Nothing you do with these guys is under the proverbial radar.

Look for Victory’s version of Saison du Buff on shelves in late August 2010

But we happen to know a Sam and Greg that your average beer aficionado may not. We’ve hoisted one another’s cases onto transport trucks and rolled one another’s kegs into festivals, all in the name of getting the job done, in a time when craft beers garnered far less attention and when we related to one another with the giddy, excited enthusiasm of working on a dream that may not actually work out.

But time has marched on nicely for our dreams as a hungry audience has joined our battle for full flavored beer. And now that audience looks on critically as the spotlight swings toward our brew. Would it be worthy? Would it achieve the beer forum scores that our collective beers had? Did we freakin’ care?
Yes, we did care. Deeply. And a as much as we trusted one another and one another’s sensibilities, I may be the first to suggest that there was some discomfort in tossing our hat into a collective ring with such a bright spotlight on it.

So there we were in January, talking bier de garde, then professing our love of sage, then talking protest poetry, all to arrive at Saison du BUFF, a brew that astounded all of us when we popped the first Stone-brewed bottles.

We stepped away from the bomb of being the strongest, hoppiest, wackiest beer, and we transported ourselves to summer and breathed deeply of the herbal bounty and thirst and hunger that summer bestows upon us beer drinkers. And from that point we created a beer that would be both novel and comfortable. Comfortable, in the way it pulled together flavors that attracted us in foods and drink. I swear that on my third sip of Saison du BUFF, my mind and stomach screamed ‘MUST GET ROAST CHICKEN’ at me as the savory broth of herbs and malty delight conjured up real desires. So, lesson learned is that a little discomfort can be a good thing and can be rewarded with real soul-satisfying experiences if you choose the right pals to jump into those dark waters with.

The process brought us all closer, to realize that the more things change, the more things stay the same. Especially in terms of common dreams and drive. Searching for the baby ospreys on the Lewes Rehoboth Canal from the SS Dogfish nearing midnight on a June night with a glow stick and a few 90 Minute IPAs will have that affect.

I hope you can taste the love (of this wonderful opportunity we have to create new flavors in the name of brewing) and respect (in terms of the allied minds and hearts doing the creative heavy lifting) in this collaboration. Cheers to all us who can appreciate such gifts.

Cheers,
Bill Covaleski
Head Brewer and Co-Founder
Victory Brewing Co.

Finally Revealed! The All New Philadelphia Summer Love Ale.

Friday, May 28, 2010 at 1:48pm

We’re very excited and extremely proud to announce the launch of Summer Love Ale, a new craft beer from Victory Brewing Company and With Love, Philadelphia XOXO.

The golden brew will debut in Philadelphia on June 4th, 2010 just in time for Philly Beer Week before rolling out to bars and restaurants across the country later this summer.

Brewed locally at the Victory Brewery in Chester County, the Summer Love Ale is a golden ale made with pale malts, German hops and Brandywine River water. This specific style of beer was chosen because it has a broad appeal and will be accessible for casual beer drinkers, but will still retain exciting hop notes.

The brew has a vibrant and refreshing pale color derived from its lean and refreshing malt body. And the initially floral aroma of hops segues into a well integrated, refreshing hop dryness of European heritage.

- UwishUnu.com post

We’re already starting to see some great buzz about this beer:

City Paper’s food blog, MealTicket, wrote about Summer Love Ale.
Foobooz (local food blog) posted about the Summer Love Ale.
New York Magazine’s food blog, Grub Street (Philadelphia edition) posted today about the Summer Love ale.
Here’s our first clip about the Summer Love Ale for on international travel blog, Jaunted.com.

If you’re a General Manager, Owner or Bar Manager who doesn’t want to miss out on serving our limited edition Philadelphia Summer Love Ale please fill out this form (here). Very limited amount that’s already going fast.

Just released: Sunrise Weissbier 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 5:20pm

It’s the time of year again when the beer you drink is determined by how well you can drink it sitting outside soaking up some rays. At Victory we call that Sunrise Season and it officially just started today.

As invigorating as the morning rays of the summer sun, Sunrise Weissbier satisfies when the heat is on, too. This unfiltered, Bavarian style ale is true to its origins with all ingredients except for the water having been imported from Germany. It remains unfiltered to feature the tangy, fruity flavors of its unique yeast. The imported German malt contributes greatly to add a crisp, citric snap that makes this beer a superb summertime refresher.

Malts: 2 row German barley and wheat malt
Hops: German and Czech whole flowers
Yeast: imported, of German origin
Alcohol by volume: 5.7%

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