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