DOWNINGTOWN, PA, — Victory Brewing Company (Victory) has teamed up with Earth-Bread + Brewery to create Earth & Flame, a limited edition bourbon barrel aged Scotch ale. With a shared love for dark robust ales, the team drew inspiration from the coming holiday season in conceiving this unique brew. The sweet flavors of winter desserts seem to emerge from the complex intensity of the bourbon-tinged ebony ale, creating a smooth, unique and flavorful experience.
Brewing industry veterans, Victory and Earth-Bread + Brewery, have a history in dark, sensuous beers, first working together when Victory brewmasters, Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, collaborated with Earth’s founder and brewmaster, Tom Baker, to revive his Baltic porter recipe, Perkuno’s Hammer. With Earth & Flame, the brewing team sought the richness and warmth from the brew and incorporated the use of peat-smoked malt to lend a roasty, earthy character that could be tempered by the vanilla flavors that the oak barrels would naturally impart. Careful selection of yeast and fermentation control yielded rich notes of plum, gingerbread and toffee, resulting in a perfect product suited for autumn and winter’s chill nights. Earth & Flame will be sold in 750 mL bottles and on draft with an ABV of 11.7%.
On November 26th, Earth & Flame will be available at the Downingtown, PA retail store on Wee Wednesday, a moniker which playfully reflects one of the busiest days of the year in terms of beer, growler fills and wine sales, celebrating Thanksgiving while at the same time paying homage to the nature of the wee heavy kettle boiled Scotch ale. Comparative to how big box stores react to Black Friday, Victory Brewing Company will open its doors at 10 AM (an hour and a half early) to sell beer, fill growlers, serve brunch specials, as well as the brewpub’s full menu. Additionally, there will be “doorbusters” with only 100 bottles of Earth & Flame sold being personally signed by brewmasters Bill Covaleski, Ron Barchet, senior brewer James Gentile and Earth — Bread + Brewery’s Tom Baker for $25, with all of the profits going directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Available at craft beer bars, bottle shops, beer distributors and major gourmet grocery stores including Whole Foods and Wegmans, throughout Victory’s 35 state distribution footprint. Earth & Flame suggested retail price for a 750 mL bottle is approximately $15, but varies upon location. Use Victory’s Beerfinder to discover a nearby location, or download the free Victory Mobile app for Android or iPhone.
“It was just a matter of time before we collaborated again with Earth-Bread + Brewery,” said Victory’s President and Brewmaster, Bill Covaleski. “Our values align on so many things. We both are passionate about the environment, keeping it local and enjoying flavorful dark ales. Earth & Flame is the natural result of our enduring friendship.”
About Victory Brewing Company:
Victory Brewing Company is a craft brewery headquartered in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Founded by childhood friends, Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, who met on a school bus in 1973, Victory officially opened its doors in February of 1996. In addition to the original Downingtown brewery and brewpub, Victory recently opened a second state-of-the-art brewery in Parkesburg, PA to expand production capabilities and serve fans of fully flavored beers in 35 states with innovative beers melding European ingredients and technology with American creativity. To learn more about Victory Brewing Company visit us on the web at www.victorybeer.com.
About Earth – Bread + Brewery:
Earth – Bread + Brewery is a casual dining restaurant located in the historic Mt. Airy section of northwest Philadelphia. The restaurant offers a menu of wholesome, wood-fired flatbreads, while the bar offers unique house-made craft beer and also features a selection of world-class beer, wine and spirits. Founded based on earth-friendly principles, Earth – Bread + Brewery supports local agriculture, local breweries and small producers from around the world. To learn more about – Earth Bread + Brewery visit their website at www.earthbreadbrewery.com