Victory, yes I was there too

Is there anyone who hasn't made it to the "friends & family," "soft opening," or official opening? The way the threads read at BA, or over at Lew's site, Jack's site, and on and on, you wouldn't think otherwise.

Yesterday, May 7th, marked the official reemergence of Victory Brewing, the brew pub. But, nothing like you've seen before, at least not in Downingtown, PA. Congratulations to Ron, Bill, and entire Victory crew for opening, on time to say the least, a new version of Victory that is sure to impress and give my recent proclamation of northern Chester County's most comfortable new bar a run for its money. Well, really, there's fresh beer here, so.....

From a service aspect, Lew was right on the money to point out the efficiency of the kitchen and the bar. Service was prompt and attentive, the kitchen cranked out food faster than I've ever seen before, and the bar (filling station, not included) was keeping up with the thirsty patrons.

I'll have more to say after repeat visits, but for now make sure you head over for fresh tastes of Wild Devil (HopDevil with Brett), 10 Year Alt (revisited, and still a fave of mine), Sapphire, all of the other usual suspects plus some that will become more usual than they used to be. With taps-a-plenty and a growler filling station second-to-none, you'll have no excuses for not sampling the wide variety of styles that Victory is brewing.

What is a Lawnmower Beer?

Typically, a lawnmower beer is defined as one that you can drink while mowing the lawn, all the while keeping the lines straight. With rain on its way to my neck of the woods, I mowed this evening. But, earlier in the day, I stopped by the grand unveiling of the new Victory in Downingtown, PA. More on that visit later...

I picked up a growler of not-lawnmower-beer, Sapphire, the 10.5% ABV easy-drinking Belgian from Victory that they brewed for the Craft Brewers Conference recently in San Diego, CA. But, I also had a true lawnmower beer, the aptly named, Fancy Lawnmower Beer from St. Arnold Brewing in Houston, TX. This award-winning 4.9% ABV Kölsch was one of my take-home treats from my recent Texas trip.


These two beers couldn't have been more different, yet at the same time they were both refreshingly pleasing. Though, I suppose you could say that I should have only had a 12 oz. bottle of Sapphire and growler of Lawnmower. But yardwork is tough work and must be rewarded ;-)

May 7th Opening @ the New Victory

A little birdie dropped a tip to me for this coming Wednesday, May 7th: Victory's Re-Opening Party. Perhaps not a party, but they're making a splash for sure, including what they're describing as a HopDevil on tap "that's a little wild."

Other news from Victory includes new hours which allows for lunch to be served every day of the week and weekend brunches.

More to follow, I'm sure....

But What About Victory Over Prohibition Day?

I can only imagine what it was like hanging at Victory's fabled long bar from opening to closing time yesterday (3/30/08).

Other than those oh-so-necessary biological breaks, there was one man (you all know who he is) who filled his usual spot at the end of the bar.

Friends came and friends left; Richard remained. Pipes were donned (video courtesy of Richard hisself), Polaroids were snapped (talk about nostalgia), and serving tanks were drained.

I had my growler filled with Storm King before and also did my part with a Hop Devil and Uncle Teddy's while mingling with the celebratory crowd.

I didn't stay for the locking of the doors, but I'm sure more than enough did with plenty of goosebumps and maybe even a few tears to go around.

According to the sign on the door, take-home beer will still be available to go fresh from the brewery during April. See you soon...

Victory: Not Quite Open During Construction

As Victory prepares to shut down for the month of April to complete renovations and upgrades, the exterior is nearing completion as work inside continues. Check out the size of that new sign! Look for a reopening in early May. Check out the updated pictures that Victory keeps at their website.

Victory Renovations Continuing Apace

But, perhaps not quickly enough for some people! Especially with the April closure looming.

Stopped by earlier for a growler of Braumeister Pils (quite the drinker; go check it out!) and snapped this picture of the new entrance. The new growler filling station seems ready to go and the crowd is still filling the seats.

Victory's website continues to keep pictures and progress updated for us.

Victory Construction: More Photos

Wheels of progress keep turning at Victory. Pictures have been updated recently on their site. Check 'em out.

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

PHILLY BEER WEEK INDEX @ THE BREW LOUNGE

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.

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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

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PHILLY BEER WEEK INDEX @ THE BREW LOUNGE

Victory Renovations Picking Up Steam

First, the newsletter...then, a brief stop at Victory this past Saturday afternoon to, by chance, see the starting cuts being made in the future entrance way. Inside, the joint was jumpin' as usual and I made off with some to-go beer for me and friends. Didn't expect to be taking pictures, so these cell phone pictures will have to do for now.

Upcoming Victory Beer Dinner at General Sutter Inn in Lititz, PA - 2/7/07

Year of the Rat, nah. Year of the Beer Dinner!

Paul has sent along the details to this good looking beer dinner in February at the General Sutter Inn. Do the folks in Lancaster County know how good their beer scene is becoming? (has become?) Wish I could check it out, but it doesn't look like this one is in the cards for me.
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Victory Beer Dinner, Thursday, Feb 7, 6:30

5 Courses, 5 Beers, $55


First Course
Victory Lager
~Hors d'Oeuvres to include canapés, cheese and assortment of brochettes, i.e. chicken, beef, pork~

Second Course
Victory Hop Wallop
~Roast Duck Ragout with wild mushrooms~

Third Course
Victory Prima Pils
~Butter Poached Diver Sea Scallops over Organic Greens with Confetti Vegetables and Citrus Vinaigrette~

Fourth Course
Victory Cask-Conditioned Hop Devil
~Grilled Lamb Noisette with Cabot Sage Potato and Root Vegetable, Roasted Garlic Jus~

Fifth Course
Victory Golden Monkey
~Goat Cheese Cake with Mixed Berry Compote~

We are extremely honoured to have Bill Covaleski, founding partner of Victory Brewing speaking at this dinner. Don't miss this great event.

Call 717.626.2115 to book your reservation.

Blind Tiger Loves Heavyweight Loves Victory Loves Beer

In NYC this Wednesday? Now's as good as chance as any to check out what's flowing from their many tap handles. Direct from Alan's e-mail update...
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Heavyweight Brewing Company, an old Blind Tiger staple, has been closed for over a year now... And even though we may still have some bottles kicking around, the draught list always seems a little empty without the ol'Heavyweight tap handle showing up every now and then. Luckily, the craft beer community is more of a family than just a bunch of small business owners trying to make a quick buck. In the true spirit of family, brewers in this small group love to share; whether it's ideas, stories, insight or even recipes... When I heard that Heavyweight founder Tom Baker was talking to Bill Covaleski (president and head brewer of Victory Brewing Company) my beer senses started tingling. I knew that the two of them together could do something to keep at least one of the phenomenal brews from Heavyweight within our grasp...and as rare as it is, I was right!

This Wednesday Jan. 16th @ 4:00PM the Blind Tiger will proudly introduce Victory's homage (not a replica) to Heavyweight's Perkuno's Hammer...called Victory Baltic Thunder! This deep complex Baltic Imperial Porter has a beautiful symphony of flavors... Think deep roasted malts, with notes of chocolate, hits of coffee bitterness, and a finish that will have you begging for more. And just to make things even better, I will be putting on some of Victory's classic brews like the Hop Wallop, Hop Devil, Golden Monkey and the Donnybrook Stout. Oh, yeah, and I guess you guys might even appreciate a keg of Heavyweight...right? So, I'm going to let go of (and this is very difficult for me) the only keg of Heavyweight's Uncle Bob's Bog Weisse - a tart cranberry wheat...

So come by, have a Victory...have a Heavyweight...heck, have both! And if we get lucky, we may even share a pint with Heavyweight's very own, Tom Baker.

Tearing Down Walls at Victory

Or should this be retitled: "Is Bigger Better?" Here's the official announcement that was issued by Victory yesterday, passed along by Richard.


"Please pardon appearance as we bring you a bigger and better Victory. It's our goal to minimize any inconvenience to our customers during this transition. For a portion of our construction time we will be reducing seating by 80% and offering an abbreviated menu. The pool tables and video games will not be available during this period.



Partial shutdown is anticipated to be from February until April. The retail center will be open during this time. Total shutdown is anticipated to be from April until May.



We expect to re-open in May. Some of our new features will be: a brand new kitchen with an authentic wood smoked barbecue pit, copious booth seating, a 15-ft projection TV, two 60-inch LCD TVs, a state of the art tap beer system and full size pool tables that will be available free to the public Monday thru Thursdays."