Victory Brewing Company takes another leap forward for East Coast breweries with their new Harvest Ale, their first wet-hopped ale to be bottled. Truly a challenge to create, in order to successfully add fresh hops to a beer, they must be hauled swiftly in refrigerated trucks. In the case of Victory’s Harvest Ale, this means relocating large quantities of hops from where they are grown in Yakima Valley, Washington to Victory’s breweries in Parkesburg and Downingtown, PA.
Fresh-off-the-vine hop cones are susceptible to mold and spoiling due to the full moisture content, requiring them to be added to the brewing process as quickly as possible. Few East Coast breweries take on the wet-hopping process due to the fact that fresh hops are heavy and expensive to transport. Even fewer breweries are able to use solely gently dried, whole flower hops throughout the entire year, as Victory does. Victory is one of the only breweries on the East Coast that can bring the distinctive, fresh, top-line West Coast flavor to the East, now in a convenient 12 oz. bottle.
“We are thrilled to push new frontiers in our use of whole flower hops, now to create this conveniently packaged nectar of wet-hopped impact,” said Victory’s President and Brewmaster, Bill Covaleski. “Despite the risks and unpredictability of this production process, the hard work and determination of our brewing team led to a Harvest Ale that is a direct reflection of our enduring commitment to quality.”
Victory’s Harvest Ale is available for a limited-time only. Infused with the resinous hop oils that give impressions of fresh fruit flavors like apricot and citrus, this ale leads to a very juicy taste and bracing bitterness on the finish. Harvest Ale will be sold in 12 oz. bottles and on draft with an ABV of 6.5%.
You can find more on our coverage of Chester County’s Victory Brewing Company here.
