Interested in quaffing a brew not seen in the U.S. for more than a century? You’re in luck! Victory Brewing Company will release Kennett Ale, a collaboration brew with Market Garden Brewery of Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday, April 2.
Inspired by a ghost sign advertisement in Cleveland, Kennett Ale is a re-creation of the historic beer style originated in the Kennett/Reading region in England, considered to be nearly extinct in the United States. Now, thanks to Market Garden’s brewmaster Andy Tveekrem and Victory’s own Andy Bartles, director of brewery operations, this beer style has been brought back to life.
“Andy, Bill and I have known each other for almost 20 years,” said Ron Barchet, Victory Brewing Company’s CEO and brewmaster, along with Bill Covaleski. “Over the years we have enjoyed each other’s beers many times and the opportunity to collaborate was long overdue. We love the results and feel the beer reflects our mutual and unique brewing contributions.”
In February, Tveekrem joined Bartles at Victory’s Downingtown location to brew their first batch together; the next week, Bartles headed to Market Garden to brew a second batch. The final result is a nineteenth-century-style amber strong ale, brewed using English and German malts and spiced with coriander, grains of paradise, a bit of Piment d’Esplette peppers and brown sugar. Its deep brown color and earthy aroma complement the sweet fruit flavors and slight peppery heat left on the tongue. At 8.6% alcohol by volume, expect medium body and a moderately dry finish.
Available for a limited time and on draft only, Kennett Ale will be available at Victory Brewing Company’s Downingtown brewpub beginning April 2. On Thursday, April 4, Market Garden Brewery will release its batch at the Cleveland brewpub. Read more about the brew here.
Victory and Market Garden Brewery may be two of only a handful of breweries that have offered this style in more than 100 years. And you can bet it’s delicious, too!
Victory Brewing Company is located at 420 Acorn Lane in Downingtown; phone: (610) 873-0881.
Images courtesy of Victory Brewing Company.
