Victory Brewing Co. :: Taste Victory

My favorite chestnut of knowledge from college anthropology was my professor’s dissertation on how all human conversation was nothing more than a form of reality check. For instance, if someone told you that the sky is green, you are most likely to disagree that it is not. Then together we have a dilemma of reality to solve. Of course, it began far more basic than that. In practicality, when a Caveman, hungry and observing his pals drawing pictures on the wall, found some way to express “I’m hungry” he was either met with “me too, let’s hunt,” or “do you think I drew this bull’s neck too long?” That initial dialogue either stimulated consensus and cooperative action, or it stimulated debate and a situation in need of resolution.

And so it goes today, questions prompt responses and we endeavor to make both sense and substance of our collective situation known as reality.

Language is a fundamental building block in civilized society. No arguments there. But, I am also rather fond of the theory that credits beer as being central to the development of civilization. Ancient recipes show that beer appeared at essentially the same moment that we hunter/gatherers first left traces of permanent communities. Abundant grains for food, a consistent water source and a burgeoning desire to live in peace, prompted the Sumerian people in what is present day Iraq to gather together and enjoy a few beers. My, how times have changed in the ‘Fertile Crescent.’ But, what may be lacking in a minority of the current inhabitants of Iraq, and in many modern communities at this point, is an important precept of language. That principle is understanding.

Understanding is terribly complex in that it is comprised of both the fairly cut and dry requirement of comprehension, and the somewhat emotional component of perspective. Perspective effectively requires compassion and empathy to function in a person.

I firmly believe that beer aids understanding, and on many levels. Not just because I feel as if my comprehension of a German speaking colleague is quicker after a few beers, either. Here are my observations on the subject.

When we gather for a beer, the reality check process of language is already advanced beyond square one. At that point, we have reached agreement that beer is a good reason to hang out and relate, and there is no strife on that issue.

Beer opens doors to new cultures and people. For instance, our Dr. Tim Wadkins was ‘swapped’ with Paul Fahy, Laboratory Team Leader of the Fullers Brewery of London just this past fall in a technical and cultural exchange session that lasted a week. Of the many discoveries that fueled the conversation of this exchange one was how our 11 yr. old brewery manages 30 yeast strains while their 161year old brewery just added its second yeast strain this year. On another level that most people can relate to, who can argue that Germany’s Oktoberfest is not a gathering and exchange of cultures?
Beer fosters compassion. Beer is not called “a social lubricant” because it makes us uptight and indifferent. It typically compels us to relate to one another and feel good doing so.

Beer fosters group decision-making and beneficial action. What happens when the beer runs out at a party? Of course, the group takes up a collection to resupply with beer!

The overall point here is that beer is a positive force in successful human relations that is not being realized to its fullest potential. At this time of the year when we rally around notions of peace on earth and goodwill toward all men, I propose that we all take the first step in that direction with a beer. One big communal pub crawl is what we need to right our civilization. Gotta have goals for the new year, right? Cheers,

Besides our most recent 'beer mission' involving our Dr. Tim and the fine folks from Fullers, Victory has quite a developing legacy in international beer and culture initiative, with, perhaps our biggest yet scheduled for this coming April in our European Pils Tour, some details of which follow. Read about Dr. Tim's trip and other initiatives online:
http://www.victorybeer.com/drtim
- Dr. Tim's account of working at Fullers
http://www.victorybeer.com/media.html#vv
- Winter 03: VBC at British Winter Ales Fest
- Spring 04: HopDevil brewed in Vienna

We will be observing the following schedule here at Victory Brewing Company through to the new year:
Christmas Eve Sun. Dec. 24, 2006
- Retail and bar open from 11:30 am to 3 pm
Christmas Day Mon. Dec. 25, 2006
- closed for the Holiday
New Years Eve Sun. Dec. 31, 2006
- Restaurant, retail and bar open serving a limited menu from 11:30 am to 7 pm
New Years Day Mon. Jan. 1, 2007
- closed for the Holiday

We are pleased to announce that Victory Brewing Company is now a smoke-free facility. Long aware of the detrimental impact of second hand tobacco smoke on the aroma, flavor and overall enjoyment of our great beers, we have eliminated that smoke impact as of November. Add to this the fact that we have also eliminated the use of cooking oils with trans fat this past spring and you have great reasons to visit Victory!

Missing the plane will mean missing the bus...
Missing the bus, may mean missing the beer...
Bill and Ron have traded in the tiny, white Fiat of 1987 for a 44 seat touring coach that will seem awfully lonely if they are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the "inspiration vacation" to the European wonderland of beer, as the only ones on it. So, they beckon you to join them for a 10 day trip to some of the best breweries of Germany and the Czech Republic. Though pilsner beers may be the main target, as a traveler you will be exposed to everything from lively, local brewpubs to large brewery tours with points of interest including the hop fields in the Tettnang region to the only Pilsen pub serving unfiltered Pilsner Urquell.

Little did Bill and Ron realize 20 yrs. ago that they would be making beer in what has become the world's best place to love beer, America. That said, the sharp reality of this situation underscores the rapid demise of diverse local breweries all across Europe over those 20 years due to competition and consolidation. What you miss on this trip, you may miss forever.
Let Bill and Ron take you to the places that inspired them to become Brewmasters! You can learn more on this great opportunity here...

So you thought that we could not out-do our fantastic anniversary party of last winter, Victory: Ten Years New? Think again. This time we are focusing the competitive spotlight on couples to see how much love for Victory beers can be expressed in the public forum of our restaurant. Designed for audience participation, Victory LOVE Fest will feature an emcee leading contestants through a series of comical challenges in classic, game show fashion. It all takes place here at Victory on Friday Feb. 9, from 5 pm to midnight!

Couples are being sought to provide the rest of us with hilarity in your quest for the Victory Golden Pitcher and more great prizes. Sign up at

If you have not made to Chili Challenge yet, you are missing a boatload of fun. This event allows you the opportunity to sample the chilis of 25 contestants and to vote for your favorite as The People's Pepper! Public sampling starts at 2 pm that day.

Though Hallmark may not yet have a card for it, we have our own holiday! Yes, as we began last year, we have laid claim to Victory Over Prohibition Day, a national day of celebration to honor the repeal of Prohibition. Stay tuned for more details on this April 6, 2007 extravaganza!

Current seasonal beers on tap at Victory Brewing Company include:

Hop Wallop
A glorious bath of fresh hops...
We celebrate the pioneering spirit of old Horace 'Hop' Wallop and those who dare mighty adventurous things in this vivid, invigorating ale. As our annual homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty. Our exotic mix of Hop's 'green gold' offers a pungent punch of melon, mint and pine aromas. A silky malt base supports the profound hop character and adds complexity.

Malts: imported, German malt
Hops: a blend of American whole hop flowers
Alcohol by volume: 8.2%
Available in bottles!

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 volume: 10.8%
Available in bottles, yet limited!

Uncle Teddy s Bitter
Bitter, it certainly is not...
Full and creamy on the tongue with no 'bite' as the name might suggest, this classic British ale is golden in color and mild in character, it's a 'session' beer that satisfies. It is only served hand-pumped from the beer engine.

Malts: two imported, German malts
Hops: imported Styrian and Kent Goldings
Alcohol by Vol: 4.3%