Victory Brewing Co. :: Taste Victory

If you are a patron of Victory Brewing Company, you have probably noticed that our restaurant plays happy host for many kids. Of course, their moms and dads are on hand enjoying the place as well. This mix is the fabric of the operation. A blissful reality where mom and dad can have a brief social escape, and so can the kids.

Honestly, it is our proudest accomplishment. The fact that we have created an environment built on quality and sound values, one where alcohol is manufactured and enjoyed, and that this place can captivate such an age diverse crowd. You trust us with your kids, and we trust you with ours.

Our ‘kids’ average about 14 characters on any given day. Confined to kegs, they love to get released to play with you when you visit. HopDevil, Golden Monkey, Storm King, St. Boisterous, are just a few of them, each possessing a distinctive character and style. Their charms did not simply arise spontaneously from some primordial pot of barley and hops, but had real human intervention and inspiration. Their creation was one that began with visions of flavor and aroma and progressed along a path of quality ingredient selections and through the brewing process to their ‘birth’ from the taps here. Along the way, a true spirit animated each brand. The sly Golden Monkey, the mirthful St. Boisterous, the cheerful Sunrise, they each have a unique soul that animates the lives of us humans. Just like kids.

So as their ‘fathers,’ Ron and I have to put many hours into their well-being and rearing. We have many long sessions into the evening spending quality, one-on-one time with each. Some seasons come and a young upstart gets the lion’s share of our attention, and then we have to play catch up with any of the neglected offspring. Parenting is tough, but rewarding, right?
But the toughest challenges for us as parents might be what still lie ahead, as someday, our kids will probably meet your kids. Hopefully, that day will come when all involved are of proper age, and we are here as parents to supervise the proceedings. It could be a great time. Imagine the get-together here at Victory Brewing Company as the happy families are introduced!
During this early summer moment that we traditionally pause to consider fatherhood and the rites of passage such as school graduations, take the time to consider your role in this process. Whether father, son, daughter or mother, you have an active role in the future, yours and others. For you dads out there, times like these are a great excuse to spend the day playing with your kids and celebrating family times with a beer, perhaps. Your thoughtful interaction with them and with that delicious beverage will shape their appreciation of both yourself and the beer.

We recently got word here at Victory Brewing Company that some of our brewers are making more than great beers. They are creating future brewers, as well! For the two fathers to be and their mates we wish all the best leading up to, and after, the big day.

While in town for the prestigious Commerce Bank Triple Crown races, the ladies of Victory Pro Cycling Team have dedicated some of their limited down time to community and educational events. Their sunny personalities and real world experience made for a lively presentation on bicycle safety for 450 young school students of the Brandywine Wallace Elementary School here in Downingtown School District. Leading out with motivational words on team dynamics and goal setting, Kirsten, Leigh and Tara used the most of their time with students to make many important points on helmets, their proper care and use. Students participated with many answers, insights and questions. All the while, Chrissy demonstrated the trick of riding on training rollers for the full duration of the presentation.

The girls have done similar presentations at locations where they have raced across the country. Students and staff were very happy to have these dynamic professional athletes, currently the #2 ranked North American women’s team, share their time.

Next up, four of the twelve team members will serve as the ‘pace car’ for the The Run the Monk 5k race being held at St. Kevin’s School and Parish in Springfield, Delaware County that benefits for local charities. This Sixth Running of the Monk will feature a challenge as runners attempt to “Beat the Monk”, an individual in costume and rather restrictive gown, to earn a free drink and meal. Victory Brewing has been involved with this charitable event since its inception. Through the first five years, Victory’s many fine brews have been a staple of the festivities, helping to create a fun and positive atmosphere for this must-run race.

The invitation to the nationally ranked Victory Women’s Cycling Team came after Tim Krueger, alias “Head Monk”, requested the presence of the team to add new flavor and excitement to the race.

“Having the Victory Women’s Cycling Team lead this year’s 5K will be a great lead-in to their big event in Philadelphia the following Sunday and ties in perfectly with our challenging road race for runners, which is certified by USA Track and Field,” said Tim Krueger, who is race director.

Our Prima Pils continues to be hailed by consumers and critics alike. Noted as the top pilsner worldwide by both the New York Times and Men’s Journal Magazine, Prima scored a Bronze Medal at the 2004 European Beer Star Competition held in Nuremberg, Germany.

Hmm, top honors here and third place over there? This we must investigate.

And so we invite you to join us in this investigation of the status of pilsners worldwide as we plan to embark on the Pils Grand Tour in 2007. The Pils Grand Tour is all that it’s name suggests. This is your opportunity to pay homage to the classic producers of pilsners, and compare your experiences with the new world leader, Prima Pils. Brewmasters Ron and Bill will be heading back to the areas that inspired them to pursue the Brewer’s art when they first visited in 1987, this will be a hands-on opportunity to tour and taste with two brewmasters who have opened the doors to classic breweries for you. The Pils Grand Tour is slated for the latter half of April 2007.

In order to customize the experience to the benefit of our guests, we need your input to get it ‘just right’ for you. Our main questions are posted on our victorybeer.com website, just one click off the welcome page. Your answers to these questions will permit us to design the perfect trip for you and others. If interested in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, visit our website and give us your input.

Whirlwind Witbier
Refreshing with its citrus-like snap...
A swirling dynamo of flavor, with a steady calm of satisfaction at its heart, that's Whirlwind Witbier! Offering a tamed tempest of flavors both spicy and sublime Whirlwind is a refreshing interpretation of the classic, Belgian 'white beer' style. Imported Belgian yeast charges Whirlwind with an energy all of its own. One sip of this inspired ale and you'll make it your spring fling and summer love!

Malts: imported, German malts, unmalted wheat and oats
Hops: European whole flowers
Alcohol by Vol: approx. 5.0%
Available in bottles!

St. Boisterous Hellerbock
A hearty, golden lager...
Our St. Boisterous is a full bodied lager beer of exuberant and robust character. His muscle-man body comes from decocted German malts and noble German hops. Lagered long and cold to refine his strong temperament, he emerges smooth and seductive, with a malty sweet charm all of his own. This classic rendition of the German ‘maibock' style will warm your heart.

Malts: 2 row Pilsner and Vienna German malt
Hops: German Hallertauer Tradition & Mittelfrueh whole flowers
Alcohol by volume: 7.4%
Available in bottles in select markets!

Braumeister Pils
Dry, refreshing, and delightful...
Northeast of Nuremberg, in Bavaria, is the region of Spalt, with its famous, noble hops. A big, herbal hop aroma greets your nose from this unfiltered gem of a lager. Restrained bitterness offers a long, substantial finish that is dry and refreshing. Prost!

Malts: all German malts
Hops: imported German Spalt whole flowers
Alcohol by Vol: 5.7%
Available on draft only.

Tuesday July 25 we will roll out the vintage barrels of Old Horizontal to celebrate Christmas in July. As we have in past years, three vintage versions will be offered. This year we’ll be serving up the 2005 version next to 2004 and 2003. For that first day only, growler fills will be offered of any of the versions.

Additionally, there are some kegs of vintage Storm King that we have retrieved and will feature as well.

FREE VICTORY EVENT Sun., August 13 - Event to happen here at Victory in Downingtown, PA

So that all of our brewers can keep themselves occupied creatively, even in their off –hours, we have given them their own event to plan for. Join all participating Victory brewery staff here at Victory on Sunday, August 13 for the inaugural Brewers Chili Showdown. Similar to our much enjoyed Chili Challenges, this event will showcase great creative chilis, and the best will be judged by you, the guests here at Victory that day. The event begins at high noon, which is actually 1 pm on Sundays for brewers. A range of chilis will be offered for sampling, and of course great beer will be flowing.

FREE VICTORY EVENT Sat., September 30 - Event to happen here at Victory in Downingtown, PA

Victory Brewing Company has developed a new community festival that will take place on Saturday, September 30, from 2 - 9PM. Victory Fall Fest will include live music, German food, Victory beer, demonstrations by local businesses, fire engines, interactive games for kids, contests, and brewery tours. Proceeds from children’s activities will benefit the Minquas Fire Company of Downingtown, Pa.

The event will take place under an array of outdoor tents at the historic, former Pepperidge Farm baking facility that Victory Brewing now inhabits in Downingtown, Pa.

“The community festivals we enjoyed while studying brewing in Germany left a strong, positive impression on both Ron (Victory Brewing co-founder) and I. Using those memories, we’re planning an extravaganza for residents of Downingtown and our many loyal Victory beer fans.” said Bill Covaleski, Victory Brewing Company’s founder and brewmaster.

To insure a safe event for all Victory Brewing will have free non-alcoholic drinks, including Victory Root Beer, available for designated drivers.

Victory Brewing Company has developed a new fine food, beer, and wine event, named Octoberfeast, to benefit the Brandywine Valley Association (www.brandywinewatershed.org) and their efforts to protect Chester County’s rivers and streams. Octoberfeast will take place Saturday, September 23, from 3 – 8PM at the Brandywine Valley Association’s Myrick Center just outside of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

“Victory Brewing values local water quality and supports the Brandywine Valley Association’s mission to protect our waterways in Chester County,” said Bill Covaleski, Victory Brewing’s founder and brewmaster.

Octoberfeast will be a fall happening with live music by Lukens German Band, fine food from area restaurants, automobile exhibits, and quality beverages from local Chester County manufacturers; Victory Brewing and Stargazers Winery.

Tickets have been priced at $75 for this rural Chester County autumnal experience and are available through the Victory Brewing website online store (www.victorybeer.com).

Victory Beer & Wegmans Cheese Samplings

Saturday July 8 and 22, noon to 4 pm at Wegmans in Downingtown. Come experience the pleasure of Spanish Manchego cheese with Prima Pils, Dutch Goat Gouda with Whirlwind, or English Cheshire cheese with HopDevil Ale. Also, look for outstanding Wegmans cheeses featured on the menu here at Victory Brewing Company.