First Look: Victory Parkesburg Brewpub Is Now Open

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Now that the owners of Victory Brewing have unveiled their newest brewery and restaurant to the public (it opened today for lunch), beer fans can eat, drink and learn at the biggest and most eco-friendly of their two brewery and three brewpub locations. Two years after beginning to brew out of Parkesburg, in Chester County, visitors can finally tour the EPA-approved brewery and relax at the two-story pub part of the brewpub that captivates the eye with 350 seats and a whole lot of reclaimed wood.

But perhaps more impressive than the minimalist pub’s floor-to-ceiling windows, educated staff and 30 rotating taps of Victories behind the bar are the fun and thoughtful perks along the self-guided tour.

Before you see or smell anything, you may hear a familiar sound: that of local beer and whiskey writer Lew Bryson’s voice. Byson, who’s famous for his booming tone and infectious hyena laugh, narrates the tour–laid out in videos and interactive stations along the main hallway of the second floor. Bite-sized reading panels explain the brewing process simply enough for a novice, but with enough detail to keep the old heads entertained. The highlight: a smelling station outside the hop storage room that blows the pleasant marijuana-like scent of fresh whole-flower hops straight into crouching visitors’ nostrils.

“As far as self-guided tours go, Tröegs really inspired us – they set the bar,” says co-owner Bill Covaleski.

Plans for guided tours are TBD. The current tour ends at the mezzanine bar, where patrons can order beers and bites from the bartender. For a sit-down meal, they have only to walk downstairs and plunk themselves down in the main dining room, where a 25-person bar and a 1,000 pound communal table fashioned from old barn wood dominate the visuals.

The kitchen sources what it can from local purveyors (and the onsite Victory Garden). Most dishes are made from scratch and include beer and brewery ingredients in dishes like a hand-tossed pretzel with Helles Lager beer mustard and jalapeño HopDevil cheese ($6.00); mussels steamed in shallots, parsley and Golden Monkey ($13.00); and spent-grain bread with compound butter and raspberry preserves ($5.00). Servers go through an extensive training and five tests before they qualify to explain the delicate nuances of food pairings with their customers.

“With this new location on the western edge of Chester County, we’re hoping we can benefit a little from Lancaster tourism. Would you rather be outlet shopping or drinking beer?” Covaleski jokes.

On the way out, visitors can also shop at the merch store for treats like beer ice cream or get growlers filled at a two-headed growler station. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11:00 am – Midnight and Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm.

More Photos of Victory Parkesburg

Victory Brewery and Brewpub – Parkesburg [Foobooz]

Extra reporting and photography contributed by Brad Maule.