Victory Brewing Co. :: Taste Victory

The renowned British beer author Michael Jackson will hold an exclusive presentation / dinner at Victory Brewing to commemorate the brewery’s 10th anniversary of operations. For more information on this reservation only event to be held Monday evening, March 20,

John Lennon was a master of language and its nuances, but I’ve always believed his song “Power To The People” got it wrong. Rather than being a rousing call-to-arms, it reflected the force of a group impassioned and committed to a cause.

The title slightly tweaked, “Power OF The People” would be an apt description of our staff here at Victory. Our great individuals, through their power of commitment, make some of the world’s finest beer. Sure, the labels give Ron and myself all of the street credit, but really a great deal of that credit should go to our fine employees. The fact is that the talent pool runs deep here at Victory, and of late has only gotten deeper.

Though the story of the 2005 New Year was the start-up of our fully automated, state-of-the-art German brewhouse, the story of our jump from 2005 to 2006 is of quality new hires. They each have a unique personality and are all very talented. We’d like to introduce them to you.

After writing a letter of devotion to the HopDevil, addressed to Ron and I, in the fall of 2004, Greg Papp, made the jump from brewer at a venerable New England brewery more than twice our size to become our happy and hilarious Cellar Manager. Pleased as we were with our hiring of the burly Mr. Papp, we figured that maybe the secret was in scale, so we found him an even burlier counterpart in Eric Marshall this past October. Together, these rambunctious yeast wranglers ‘marshall’ our array of yeasts into full compliance. Eric hales from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and prior to landing at Victory, worked in five German breweries as part of an apprenticeship program in 2005.

Frequently sighted in the company of our cellermen, is the brains-over-brawn Dr. Tim Wadkins, who also joined us in October as our Director of Quality Assurance. What that means is that Dr. Tim is the Big Boss of the yeast, assuring that they have the best environment possible to perform. I must say, though, that there’s a dark side to the benevolent Dr. Tim as well, as he’s tasked with mass yeast execution when their performance dips. He then assumes the role of redeemer, in growing up a healthy new colony from single cells. Tim’s path to Victory saw him through Duke University where he earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and a five year stint as a Senior Scientist in the demanding biotechnology industry.

Helping Dr. Tim by providing proper nutrition of the yeast is John Bair, brewer, who provides the world’s finest wort form the brewhouse. John pulled up his deep roots at a pioneering California lager brewery, to join what he felt was the nation’s best lager brewery here at Victory. The move brought him back closer to family, which was a major factor in the relocation. A talented musician, it’s rumored that John serenades the hops in their freezer home when no one’s watching.

On the receiving end of all of this fermented glory is Steve Zweir, our Packaging Supervisor, who forsook certain advancement at a Philly area brewpub to manage Laverne, Shirley and 20,000 sq. ft. of sophisticated equipment we employ in the highest quality packaging environment you’ll ever find. The unflappable Steve is on the fast track to celebrity status, it seems. Any time there’s media on site, their cameras are drawn to his constant grin and cheerful approach to his highly detailed and grueling duties.
And those of you who pay attention to our website should need no introduction to Jake Burns, the voice behind the “New Guy Files.” As Communications Coordinator since early November, Jake is reveling in the discovery of all things that make Victory tick, and reporting them in the New Guy Files. His larger role is to serve our supportive audience in managing the many charitable efforts we’re invested in and to make all of our off-premise events great fun for all. Though, we suspect Jake’s just here to be first in line for Whirlwind this spring…

With all of these new staffers you may think our brew staff has been turned on its head. Not so. Here at Victory more than half of our crew has been with us for years. In fact, the company’s consistency and success would not be possible without the continued commitment and passion of our senior staffers. I must say, though, that Luke and Scotty may be the youngest looking ‘seniors’ you’ve ever seen, perhaps because they drink from the foamy fountain of youth here regularly. Mikey, Charlie, Buddy and Antonio lend a few years to the mix and do a great job of keeping the new recruits in line, literally. All of their constant efforts and commitment to delivering a great glass of Victory to you are the bedrock of our sustained success.

With all of these dedicated folks to raise a toast to, you’ll need the Power OF The People to help you hoist! Cheers, Bill & Ron

Believe it or not, Feb. 15 marks the 10th year of operations here at Victory Brewing Company. To those of us on the inside looking out, it seems to have gone in a flash.

But, in the overall scheme of things, we are still quite young, like the ten year olds that Brewmasters Ron and Bill were when they met on a schoolbus in 1973.

So, with the weight of 10 years of critical acclaim for their flavorful, innovative beers, those two guys had quite a challenge cut out for them in choosing a recipe that could both honor the past and shine a beacon of light into the future.

Embracing the urge to innovate, our Brewmasters channeled their solid European training to build the beast off of the sturdy bones of a north German ale. The altbiers of Dusseldorf are legendary for their malty depth and refreshing snap of hops. The elusive character of a great altbier has challenged Ron and Bill to release two draft versions so far. But a big challenge requires a bigger beer, so past the stronger ‘sticke’ version of alts that are sometimes offered by Dusseldorf brewmasters, our Brewmasters set their sights on a monster, ‘doppel’ altbier.
The resultant Ten Years Alt is a dark ale with malty depth, the fragrance and bold, brassy tang of European hops and an attitude all its own. Weighing in at 8.5%, it is at first assertive and then comfortably calm, as the profound malts and zesty hops wrestle to a harmonious equilibrium.

To our knowledge, a doppelsticke altbier has never been brewed in the US before. How fitting that Victory would mark ten years with a national first!

A glorious counterpart to the beloved St. Victorious Doppelbock, Ten Years Alt will be available in both bottles and draft for its limited life. “The love of hops is evident. The mastery of malt, in the rich, yet refreshing depth of this beer is apparent. Our zeal for testing both our skills and the appreciation of our audience is covered in this act as well,” commented Bill, clearly pleased with the creation.

Look for this unique ale to pour for the Victory: Ten Years New celebration taking place at Victory Brewing Company on Feb. 17 and 18. Each evening at 6 pm, traditional wooden kegs of Ten Years Alt will be tapped. Each night we should yield just under 300 glasses of wood draft Ten Years Alt, so be on hand.

To fulfill your thirst for fun we’ll be running the Victory Beerathalon, that pits ten loyal Victory consumers against one another in feats of skill, might, and loyalty. Want to watch 10 women vie for the Golden Pitcher of Victory trophy at the Braumeister Barmaid Contest or the very special Golden Monkey Musical Chairs event? Then be on hand Staurday night. On Friday night the men square off for the trophy, and Victory beer of course, at the Storm King Sixtel Strength Contest, Whirlwind Mini-Bicycle Challenge, and Mad King’s Malt-Sack Hop. Madcap mayhem, all in the name of good, clean, fermented fun.

To further the mood of celebration, we’ll celebrate the good old days with menu items from our first menu, at their 1996 prices, to boot. Sonically, the throwback sounds of 1973, the year our intrepid brewmasters met, will fill the air as former Victory Restaurant Manager turned DJ, Greg DeFrancesco will bring the party to cruising altitude. 70’s fashions are encouraged, but not required.
Come celebrate ten years with us, when alt is new.

We here at Victory Brewing Company are proud to have been a dynamic contributor in the renaissance of quality, fully-flavored beer.

In ten short years, we have gone from first brew to 14th place ranking in a 2005 consumer poll of America’s top breweries. Surely, this represents some tangible form of success.

But the greatest joy for any brewer, ourselves certainly included, remains the realization that their creation has made another person happy and satisfied.

Satisfaction is the end result of a positive experience. Where the largest, industrial brewers have taken a path toward neutral, flavorless beers, we craft brewers seek to make memorable experiences with our enticing flavors.
So search back in your memories of great beer experiences and tell us how Victory fares in those memories.
We will reward the two Victory inspired persons who make a memorable experience for us in recounting their tale of either their first Victory experience, or their Victory experience enjoyed furthest from the brewery. A $200 Victory gear shopping spree goes each of the two winners!

These past ten years have been a journey for us, but let’s hear your experiences and journeys over a beer as well. Enter your insights and experiences today.

Cheers, The Brewmasters of Victory

Current seasonal beers being served here at Victory Brewing Company:

Old Horizontal
A true 'winter warmer'...
Like a wine made of barley, Old Horizontal is dense and delicious. Massive amounts of barley malts, combined with fresh harvest American hops create this gentle beast. Initially spicy on the nose from Pacific Northwestern hops, a bouquet of floral, fruity aromas slides into honeyed malt depth and teases the tongue with lingering sensations of candied and citrus fruit. Late warming alcohol brings all of these flavors into wonderful harmony on the finish.
Malts: two imported, German malts
Hops: American whole flowers
Alcohol by Vol. 11%
• servings limits per person: 2 x 12 oz.
Available in limited bottles, and draft.

Dark Lager
Mildly flavored and satisfying...
Exhibiting a deep, chestnut color and malty aroma Dark Lager has won over many a timid consumer who had previously avoided 'dark' beers. Yet it remains its stellar
flavor that brings thirsty fans back to it again and again. Mildly malty, with little lingering sweetness to note, Dark Lager is surprisingly refreshing.
Malts: 2 row German Pils and Munich malts
Hops: German whole flowers
Alcohol by volume: 5.0%
Available on draft starting Jan. 24.

St. Victorious Doppelbock
Rich, warming traditional lager...
A dark, rich lager of sublime complexity and character,
St. Victorious is created from multiple German malts. Long, cold aging mellows the strong temperament of this subtle beer. Celebrate the final throes of winter
with a warming draft of St. Victorious Doppelbock!
Malts: 2 row German malts inc. beechwood smoked malt
Hops: German whole flowers
Alcohol by volume: 7.6%
Available in limited bottles and draft starting Jan. 27.

Ten Years Alt
A completely unique hoppy, dark ale…
Constructed from the traditional alt beers of Dusseldorf, Ten Years Alt ventures into all new realms with profound malt depth and bright, burnished hop notes. A full, brassy nose of noble German and Czech hops announces this flavor-loaded ale. Slowly, the dark roasted malts gain the upper hand to bring a harmonious conclusion to this robust, but comfortable beer. Brewed to commemorate our 10th anniversary, Ten Years Alt is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Malts: 2 row German malts
Hops: German and Czech whole flowers
Alcohol by volume: 8.5%
Available in limited bottles and draft starting Feb. 17.

UPCOMING EVENTS
3rd Annual Chili Challenge, and more than you can shake a web browser at. C’mon, give it a try by pointing your browser here!

Victory Brewing Company’s passion for cycling continues in 2006 on two fronts. Here in the US, we look forward to the ongoing exploits of our dynamic women of road cycling. Team Manager Mike Tamayo has made some bold moves in the off-season, combining forces with the regional power team of Diet Cheerwine and adding an accomplished European pro rider in Rachel Heal. Back in December at the Manchester World Cup track races, Rachel narrowly missed out on a bronze medal by a mere 2 seconds. A native of the UK, Rachel reports that “…I know and like how the team operates. The team runs on a really friendly basis, but it’s professional and everyone gives 100% commitment to get the best results possible.”

With outstanding local talents Lauren Franges and Kim Geist returning to Team Victory Brewing for what stands to be its last season as a team, the prospects for great action and great results are excellent. Follow the team to Victory at: www.victorycycling.com

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, Brewmaster Bill Covaleski plans to share his love of the spring classics of cycling with nearly two dozen others in hosting “Beer and Bikes in Holland and Belgium” this April. Organized by experienced tour organizer, Steve Lehman, of Steve Lehman Tours (http://www.stevelehmantours.com), the centerpiece of this trip will be the historic The Amstel Gold race (http://www.amstelgoldrace.com) and its exciting amateur ride for all tour participants on Saturday April 14, 2006. With his close contacts in area breweries, Bill will round out this 6 day excursion with ample liquid entertainment for participants. Events to include a Dutch brewery tour, Gent pub crawl, and two beer cuisine dinners.

Steve Lehman is currently seeking a few more intrepid cyclists for this excursion. Full details including the cost can be found online at BicyclingWorld.com (http://www.bicyclingworld.com). Once on the site visitors should proceed to click on ‘training’ then choose the Steve Lehman Tours ‘Belgium and the Netherlands’ option.