Monday, January 28, 2008

Path To Philly Beer Week 2008 - A Profile of Victory Brewing Company



To outsiders, Victory could well be the brewery most identified with the Philadelphia region. It certainly has the largest distribution footprint of all local breweries. (If you throw Dogfish Head into the region, as much of a stretch as that may be, they would give Victory a challenge on that statistic.)

Now heading into their 13th year of business, Victory is solidified as a Philadelphia region brewing powerhouse. They've kicked off the year 2008 with ambitious renovation plans at the brewery/brewpub in Downingtown to help ensure that they'll be around for quite some time to come.

As you ready yourself for Philly Beer Week 2008, study up on some background notes on Victory and consider yourself lucky to be part of such a vibrant and rich beer region that PBW 2008 will celebrate.


Name: Victory Brewing Company
Location: 420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: 610-873-0881

People
Ron Barchet & Bill Covaleski; founders, owners, & head brewmasters
9 dedicated brewers
Scott Dietrich - Brewery Operations Director
Dr. Tim Wadkins, PhD. - Director of Quality Assurance


Major Brands
Baltic Thunder; Festbier; Golden Monkey; Hop Devil; Hop Wallop; Moonglow Weizenbock; Old Horizontal; Prima Pils; St. Boisterous; St. Victorious; Storm King; Sunrise Weissbier; V-12; Whirlwind Wit

Awards
Festbier (German-Style Märzen/Oktoberfest)
Gold, GABF 2007

HopDevil Ale
Champion Beer - Great British Beer Festival 2002
Domestic Beer Of The Year - Malt Advocate Magazine 1999

Lager
Grand Champion (Dortmunder/Helles), US Beer Tasting Championships 2004

Prima Pils
Silver (German-Style Pilsner), GABF 2007
Grand Champion Pilsner, US Beer Tasting Championships 2002-2005

St. Boisterous
Grand Champion (Maibock), US Beer Tasting Championships 2006

Storm King Stout
Bronze (Imperial Stout), European BeerStar - Nuremberg, Germany 2007
Champion Stout - Real Ale Festival of Chicago 202


Distribution
22 states including most eastern seaboard and TX, IL, MN, CA, WA, WI, CO, & OR

Production
Roughly 40,000 bbls/year

History & Tidbits
  • Meeting in 1973 as fifth-graders, Ron & Bill became lifelong friends in pursuit of great beer
  • Covaleski has mentioned that Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was an inspiration for his Hop Devil
  • Brewery begun operations in February 1996
  • Added new bottling line in 2002 & expanded 50 bbl brewhouse in 2004
  • Added 8 new 200 bbl fermenters in June 2006
  • Undergoing a major renovation, due to complete in late spring/early summer 2008


  • Major Yearly Events
  • Chili Challenge (Winter event)
  • Love Fest (Valentine’s event)
  • Fall Festival (debut Harvest Ale & Harvest Pils)


  • Where to Find Victory During Philly Beer Week
  • Bill will be getting things kicked off on the 7th with a Tria Fermentation Class pairing cheese with his beers
  • Joe Sixpack's favorite beers event will include the St. Victorious
  • Will be pairing their beer with food at The Brewer's Plate at the Independence Visitor's Center on Sunday the 9th
  • Meet 'n' Greet with Bill Covaleski on Tuesday, March 11th at Standard Tap
  • @ The Four Seasons Hotel for the Victorious Beer Dinner on Wednesday, March 12th
  • On the 13th @ White Dog Café, their 2007 GABF success will be celebrated along side other regional winners
  • Around town it will be difficult to miss Hop Devil at many bars and the occasional Prima Pils and Golden Monkey at a few others



  • 2 comments:

    Dr Zibbs said...

    Great blog and great links. We'll be tuning in. Keep up the great work.

    OSBC said...

    Great write-up!

    Cheers!