It's September and that means only one thing for beer lovers: Oktoberfest. And at the heart of Oktoberfest you'll find a very special beer that will forever be synonymous with the German tradition: Festbier. September also happens to be the time that we launch our version of this fan favorite. 

In this video Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company breaks down Festbier 101, it's orgins, the tastes and best pairings. So if you don't know what a Märzenbier is or what cheese pairs perfectly with Festbier then stop what your doing and watch this now.

For more info on Festbier just click through to it's profile page on Victorybeer.com (click here).

With Victory's explosive growth (trust us, we're not complaining) we've been adding to our team in all directions. Finding just anyone in a down economy to represent Victory in a territory is not hard, but here at Victory we're not just looking for anyone. We look for the best of the best and when it comes to representing Victory in the largest single market in America we wanted the best of the best of the best. Meet Sean McCain.

Smoldering, fruity flavor emerge brightly from this brown ale, contributed from three directions as juicy British malt, energetic British yeast and fruity robust One Village Smart Blend coffee converge. get ready for characters of bleach raspberry to emerge from this refreshing and satisfying ale. 

Watch the evolution of Victory Village, check out the earlier episodes:

Episode 1: Collaboration is King

Episode 2: Cupping at One Village Coffee

Well, it finally happened. After months of plotting and planning and collaborating the Victory Brewing Co. and One Village Coffee project, here and after referred to as Victory Village, is finally being released to the public.

This coffee beer is not like your typical coffee beer in that we (Victory + One Village) decided to steer clear of the heavier stout or porter style and really expose the coffe flavor through a British style Brown Ale. The result: A coffee beer like no other. You have to taste it to believe it. It's a beautiful, and uniquely balanced, combination of coffee and beer. Not too much beer to muddle the coffee flavor, not too much coffee to make an 'adult' Starbucks product.

It's been a pleasure to work with the One Village team and are proud to support their unique vision of creating a 'not-just-for-profit' roasting house that supports the communities of their suppliers in developing countries around the globe. 

Are you still reading this? Why? Get on down to the Victory Brewpub in Dowingtown, PA starting now through September 2010 to try some for yourself (Victory Village will have a very small distribution in the PA + NY markets, we'll post locations as we get word). Once their won't be anymore for quites  some time so don't miss it if you have a chance to try it. 

Details:
Beer type: Ale
Alcohol: 5.1% abv
Composition: Three English 2 row malts and two varieties of European whole flower hops 

Our Helios Ale and West Chester's Shellbark Hollow Crottin de Chevre lead the charge of local associations in the latest Philadelphia Local Food Guide.

Let me start by saying that I sincerely hope that you find value in reading this missive. I can't guarantee that you will as the thoughts driving this writing are forming in my mind as I type. Like a jazz solo, we can't predict if it will conclude in glorious clarity and resolution, or muddled chaos. If all goes correctly, it should emerge as a tale of influences, connection and promise. So here it goes . . .

I am currently reading a book that I'd like to recommend to you. In Tocqueville On American Character author Michael A. Ledeen analyzes Democracy in America, the work of a 26 year old French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville written after his 1831 tour of the United States and considered to be one of the earliest works of Sociology and Political Science. Ledeen puts Democracy in America in contemporary context and exposes the all to current fear of living in a world of  finite opportunities and the role of government in support of individuals to avoid it. Consider Ledeen's book a small time-investment for an introduction to Tocqueville's two volume masterpiece.

Curiously, my interest in Tocqueville was kicked into high gear upon seeing his portrait painted on the ceiling of a San Diego speakeasy this past March. Asking "who's that?", I recieved a passionate response from Arsalun Tafazoli, who himself is seizing opportunities and creating inspiring businesses (Neighborhood and Noble Experiment) that provide his staff with exciting jobs and his customers with quality food and intriguing beverage options. All of this from his sheer ideas and personal ambition. He clearly seemed affected positively by Tocqueville's work.

In Democracy in America, the author rightly recognizes that America cleaned the slate of European class-based society and initiated a profoundly energized society based on the belief of human equality. And this has caused Americans to remain a culture of collaborators. We build and nurture safe neighborhoods and we set our collective sights even higher, like committing to be first on the moon. Tocqueville muses and marvels over the complexity that Americans exhibit "rugged individualism" but that their societal structure, and its progress, is based on collective collaborative enterprise. "Feelings and opinions are recruited, the heart is enlarged, and the human mind is developed only by the reciprocal influence of men upon one another… and this can only be accomplished by associations," Tocqueville summarized.

*      *      *

Immersed in Tocqueville's American Character on the R-5, I close the book when Market East station is reached. I shuffle off to a meeting where I'm greeted by Ann, Marnie and Christina, fellow collaborators on the The Brewer's Plate food and beer festival for the last two years. David and Ed of Event Navigators arrive and we are complete, launching into the good the bad and the myriad of new directions and opportunities to infuse into our 2011 event (March 13, since you asked). An hour flies by and it begins to dawn on me, this collective embodies the dynamic association of individuals that Tocqueville cites as uniquely American. Dealing as equals with individual strengths to offer to the collective goal, we strive for both creative and economic impact. In this case the main goal being to provide an exceptional food and drink experience to a lucky group.

Energized, I head for the door of Garces Trading Company and glance longingly at their cheese list. Whoa, Landaff and Bayley Hazen both on the board and both from our friends at Jasper Hill in Vermont. I think of our loose association with them, and our collaborations: Baltic Thunder washed Winnimere cheese debuted at Tria for Philly Beer Week 2009 and, ugh, the video I shot in late May at Jasper Hill, edited but unfinished and begging for my attention to reach completion and its audience. Maybe I need to join a video production association? No time for pity, on to the next meeting. At my next stop I get the low down on the next Chifa beer dinner featuring Brooklyn Brewery. Brooklyn, where our friend Garrett Oliver has teamed up with Iron Chef Jose Garces to bring a form of chocolate into all 6 courses of a beer dinner. Whoa, check this out, Chocolate Crusted Venison with Red Chili Tamale, Mole and Macerated Figs for the fourth course! Garrett, who once politely asked if he might pair our Storm King Stout with Bayley Hazen blue cheese for a public session, is another associate on our common mission of flavor excitement.

Believe me, I'm not just name dropping, I am trying to richly illustrate the point that there are so many 'associates' out there converging and creating.

At home that evening, my wife and I flip through the freshly printed Philadelphia Local Food Guide that Fair Food and Grid Magazine brought to life. Good thing it's dinnertime as the PLFG stokes our hunger for local foods to new heights. In the pages I recognize the names and ads of so many that we at Victory have associated with on projects throughout the years. Yet I see beyond these associations to the consuming audience who both benefit and support the local food and drink producers. I then get that the consumers are willing participants in the associations we've been a part of. You are frequently paying a premium and searching hard to gain access to the wholesome products and events we create. You have the individual freedom to make your independent choices and you experience the group joy of participating in a collective cause you believe in.

Thanks for joining our association.

Bill Covaleski
President & Brewmaster

Wine enthusiast is showing some love for Sunrise and Whirlwind this past week. How cool is it that two Victory beers made the Top Ten Beers of July list? Yep, that's right . . . pretty cool.

Summer brews are perfect remedies to such sweltering days. They are not a specific style, though there are more typical offerings for the season such as wheat beers, fruit beers and pale ales, among others. Frequently lighter in color, vibrant on the palate and immensely refreshing, they are just the thing to have on hand to unwind after a long, hot day.

So here’s to summer, all of its beautiful beer bounty, and taking the time to enjoy a nice cold one. Prost!

(90) Victory Sunrise Weissbier (Hefeweizen; Victory Brewing Co., PA); 5.4% abv; $10/6 pack. True to its hefeweizen origins with all-German malts, hops and yeast. Pours a slightly hazy pale straw color with assertive, almost violent-looking carbonation. A large, frothy head forms, then falls like soap bubbles in the sink, popping and fizzing out all over. The nose offers aromas of orange citrus, wheat, sweet spice plus soft, barely ripe banana and green apple. The mouth is full and strongly carbonated, with notes of tangy orange essence, wheat, dried grass and a soft presence of hop on the back of the finish. A touch dry on the end but very refreshing and enjoyable. Approximately 5,000 cases produced; available June–August.

(88) Victory Whirlwind Witbier (Witbier; Victory Brewing Co., PA); 5.0% abv, $10/6 pack. With approximately 10,000 cases produced, this summer seasonal should be readily available from April through August. Its color is hazy golden yellow with a large, airy head that
falls fast and leaves no lacing. Soft aromas are of lemon zest, grain and a touch of sweet spice, especially clove. The mouth is light and highly infused with citrus while notes of yeast and faint floral hops dance in the background. Fairly assertive carbonation and a light profile make this a very refreshing and easy-to-drink summer brew. Light and short with a crisp, clean finish; great for hot days at the pool and for pairing with heavier bbq
fare.

To read the whole article by Wine Enthusiast click here

Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing, Sam Calgione of Dogfish Head, Gene Muller of Flying Fish, Tom Kehoe of Yards, Mark Edelson of Iron Hill and Greg Koch of Stone brewing reminisce about the early days of Craft Brewing in the mid 90's when there was no market, no distribution and no money. Thank god we were smart enough to get this historical reunion on tape! Like their beers they'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry, but rest-assured, you'll always come back for more.

If you're a fan of craft beer, brewing or just good old fashioned American entrepreneurism then you'll want to save this in the archives and share it with all the other beer lovers you know.

Highlight: Keep an ear open for Sam's only HR policy for the first decade of Dogfish Head's existence (6:00).

Bonus:

Don't miss the Class of '96's 'If I we're not a brewer' sketch.

1996 was a seminal year in craft brewing. It nailed the high water mark for craft brewery openings and that class of 1996 included such luminaries as DogFish Head Craft Brewery, Stone Brewing and Victory Brewing. Locally, you can add Flying Fish Brewing, Yards Brewing, and brewpub powerhouse Iron Hill Brewery to that class of ’96. And if you put all six of these breweries and their founders in a room, what do you get?

         Don't miss thie historic get together. Buy tickets today!

Expect side splitting stories of perseverance and perversion as Sam Calagione (DogFish Head), Bill Covaleski (Victory), Gene Muller (Flying Fish), Tom Kehoe (Yards) are ‘moderated’ by Greg Koch (Stone) while they sit down, sip, and tell tales as part of “Older Bud No Weiser” on June 10, 2010. Hosted by World Café Live for 200 lucky guests, this two hour trip down brewery lane will feature a d.i.y. video that the lads put together featuring themselves as failed brewers, washed up in 2010… Of course their failure never happened and the great beer continues to flow because you, the thirsty craft beer fan, supported their foamy efforts. Thank you. Thank yourself! If you are not up for dropping another well-spent $25 bucks to get with these guys and five of their beers, you can glimpse the video trailer above.

Older, Bud No Weiser, indeed.

We’re very excited and extremely proud to announce the launch of Summer Love Ale, a new craft beer from Victory Brewing Company and With Love, Philadelphia XOXO.

The golden brew will debut in Philadelphia on June 4th, 2010 just in time for Philly Beer Week before rolling out to bars and restaurants across the country later this summer.

Brewed locally at the Victory Brewery in Chester County, the Summer Love Ale is a golden ale made with pale malts, German hops and Brandywine River water. This specific style of beer was chosen because it has a broad appeal and will be accessible for casual beer drinkers, but will still retain exciting hop notes.

The brew has a vibrant and refreshing pale color derived from its lean and refreshing malt body. And the initially floral aroma of hops segues into a well integrated, refreshing hop dryness of European heritage.

- UwishUnu.com post

We're already starting to see some great buzz about this beer:

• City Paper’s food blog, MealTicket, wrote about Summer Love Ale.
• Foobooz (local food blog) posted about the Summer Love Ale.
• New York Magazine’s food blog, Grub Street (Philadelphia edition) posted today about the Summer Love ale.
• Here’s our first clip about the Summer Love Ale for on international travel blog, Jaunted.com.

If you're a General Manager, Owner or Bar Manager who doesn't want to miss out on serving our limited edition Philadelphia Summer Love Ale please fill out this form (here). Very limited amount that's already going fast.