The pioneering brewmasters at Downingtown-based Victory Brewing have pulled chairs up to a popular bar on the other side of the mountains and cracked open a landmark alliance that could change the way patrons raise their glasses.

Victory Brewing Co. has joined forces with Upstate New York craft beer powerhouse Southern Tier Brewing Co. under an umbrella company that will preserve each brewery’s operational independence but double down on their sales, marketing and distribution efforts as well as pour new capital and resources into their brands.

“The craft beer community is at its most critical moment since its inception, as larger brewing corporations have bought into our grassroots movement, irrevocably changing the marketplace,” Founder and Brewmaster Bill Covaleski said.

“Like-minded brewers such as Victory and Southern Tier can preserve our character, culture and products by banding together. Allied, we can continue to innovate and best serve the audience who fueled our growth through their loyal thirst.”

Together, the Artisanal Brewing Ventures partners will boast a top-ranking Northeast brew capacity of more than 800,000 barrels and one of America’s 15 largest craft brewing companies.

“This is the ultimate craft beer collaboration,” ABV CEO John Coleman added. “It is an honor to be associated with these pioneering entrepreneurs who have been contributing to the industry since craft’s early days. I look forward to guiding these two truly great organizations forward as they collaborate, innovate and share best practices.”

While Covaleski and Victory Brewing COO Ron Barchet will join the ABV Board of Directors, no other changes to Victory’s leadership team or employment base are expected.

“This is exactly the kind of alliance we imagined when we created Artisanal Brewing Ventures in 2014,” Southern Tier Founder Phin DeMink said.

“This is a concept that was specifically designed by and for craft brewers so we can focus on the things we’re best at while creating meaningful scale advantages. I’m proud to see this model validated and am grateful that my friends Ron and Bill have become our partners.”