This Tuesday, February 15^th 2011, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of Downingtown’s Victory Brewing Company.  Coinciding with the anniversary will be the release of Victory’s new year-round beer: Headwaters Pale Ale.  

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.  This past Sunday I was lucky enough to be a part of a “Bloggers Brunch” at their Brew Pub in Downingtown where Victory’s Co-Founder and Brewmaster Bill Covaleski forced myself and other local web publishers to try this new Pale Ale over and over again.  (Yes, hard job, someone has to do it, etc, etc.)

Headwaters comes across as an extremely accessible beer, and to some it may be a surprise that the craft brewery’s anniversary release is not some type of rare limited release that is sought after by beer geeks in a modern day, albeit somewhat less dangerous, version of the quest for the holy grail. 

Indeed, this Pale Ale is quite accessible, and coming in at around 5% AVB, a decidedly “sessionable” beer.  According to Bill, the decision to release this beer for this occasion was partially happenstance, though it is also through a desire to forward the belief that beer is something to be shared.  While limited high ABV beers can be shared in small portions, a session beer like Headwaters Pale Ale can be shared in greater volume. 

Or, in other words, this is a great beer to bring to a party.

Indeed, after thoroughly tasting it on Sunday, I can say this may be my go-to session beer when spring hits.  The decidedly earthy character is heavy enough to keep my interest while the slight effervescence of Citra and Centennial hops refreshes and all but demands another round. 

Since I am not a highly trained beer-geek, my descriptions don’t go into much more detail than that, but I highly recommend you seek out this beer and make up your own mind!  In fact, Victory is doing an official release on the 15^th that you can learn more about right HERE.

Beyond the beer itself, Victory is planning on using the new Headwaters brand as a vehicle in their ever-increasing promotion of environmental stewardship.  Headwaters has literally been brewed using headwaters from the East Branch of the Brandywine River, and Bill and Ron are in the process of implementing a strategy that will see portions of Headwaters sales going to the conservation of the local watershed and beyond.  Victory indeed!

Victory's 15 Year Anniversary Party

Related Stories:

Drink Philly's First Friday Featuring Victory Brewing & City Tap House

Inside Brew: Video Tour of Victory Brewing Company with Bill Covaleski

Review: Victory Storm King Stout

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Photo by the hyper-local Amy Strauss