Today, February 15, marks the official release of Victory Brewing Company’s anniversary beer, the Headwaters Pale Ale.
Victory Brewery, co-founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet 15 years ago on this specific day, decided that if they were to offer a beer to commemorate their years in the making, it would be one that could be shared by many and did not follow “big beer” suit seen in many anniversary releases. (And, in recent trends of barrel-aging and upper-end ABV releases, it’s refreshing to have a full-flavored, yet simple session beer on the market.)
Headwaters, at a slim 5.1%, pays homage to one of the Downingtown-based brewery’s major assets, the pure water they receive from the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek. Concocted all-natural, with malted barley and Citra and Centennial hops, the solid pale ale packs an aromatic nose and never lacks in flavor, sip after sip.
While we could continue gabbing about this above-par year-rounder, we’re going to toss over the reviewing to our beer-writing comrades, who attended a tasting preview of Headwaters alongside of Mary Bigham and I on Sunday at the brewpub.
Birthday boy Lew Bryson mentioned in his recent post, “We determined that it was pretty damned good indeed. Shocking, I know: Imagine, a new beer from Victory that doesn’t suck!” Continue reading his review by clicking here.
The noble Jack Curtin scribed that “the strong presence of Citra hops which are notable in the nose and up front and then reemerge in the finish (Centennial hops have their moment as well) sets it apart from most examples of the popular style.” Jump over to his post on Liquid Diet by clicking here. He also did a part two post incorporating some of our jovial photos and noting about Bryson’s day of birth, click here to view.
Jim Galligan of Beer and Whiskey Bros. posted that “it is a crisp and earthy delight, a beer full of flavor that doesn’t weigh you down. Think Dale’s Pale Ale, but a tad less cloying and without the mild sting of alcohol on the back end.” Read more here.
Ryan Hudak of In Search of Beer detailed that the “moderate ABV and crisp, lemony taste from the Citra hops make it an excessively accessible beer,” and that “the Citra never quite goes away, though, and the beer finishes with the refreshing citrus taste it began with.” Read more here.
Ethan Sterner of Brewniversal (past Philly Beer Snob) suggested that “one doesn’t normally see an anniversary beer that is incorporated into regular distribution,” for which he is particularly happy about that.
Kam Markworth of Drink Philly writes, “Personally, I was thrilled to hear that a Pale Ale would be added to their lineup because I am a huge fan of the style, and I have yet to be disappointed by anything I’ve tasted from Victory.” Click here for more.
Mary Bigham, our local food-loving crusader, thoroughly enjoyed Victory’s new beer release, but was preoccupied with the brewpub’s menu face lift, obsessing over the Reuben meatloaf. Take a peek at Victory’s new brewpub menu here.
But, don’t just take our overly chatty word for it. At 5 pm today, a ceremonial wooden barrel pour will take place for the brand-spanking-new Headwaters Pale Ale, followed by a premier showing of Fifteen Years of Character at 6:30pm, a short film with commentary from friends and fans like Greg Koch of Stone Brewing and Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. There will be a 15th Anniversary cake, too, designed as a live motion replica of the brewing process.
Find Victory Brewing Company at 420 Acorn Lane in Downingtown. Tonight will be a birthday party you will not want to miss! (You may view more photos from our tasting brunch by clicking here.)
