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Victory Brewing and Visit Philadelphia Team Up for 250th Birthday Beer

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 17th, 2026 · 8:51 AM EST

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While Nick Castellanos is opening Presidentes in the Phillies’ clubhouse, we’ll be opening these:

This is the new “Philly First” collab between Victory and Visit Philadelphia.

Press release:

Visit Philadelphia and Victory Brewing Company today announced plans for Philly First, a nostalgia-invoking beer celebrating America’s 250th anniversary while paying tribute to all the amazing firsts that happened in Philadelphia. 

This crisp, easy-drinking ale was brewed for the good times and the good people of this mighty fine city, the Birthplace of America where 13 rag-tag colonies declared freedom from British tyranny and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Philly First celebrates the shared milestones of Visit Philadelphia and Victory Brewing, with both companies set to celebrate their 30th anniversaries in 2026. 

”Philly First is the latest collaboration beer between Visit Philadelphia and Victory Brewing, furthering a 16-year partnership among friends in the Birthplace of America,” said Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. “We hope this nostalgic ale will be sipped and savored during celebratory moments across our hard-working city throughout the Semiquincentennial.”

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Philly First — weighing in at 4.8% ABV, with light, hoppy bitterness and hints of tropical fruit — is part of Visit Philadelphia’s broader 250th storytelling efforts and builds on a longstanding collaboration with Victory Brewing Company that launched with the iconic Summer Love Ale in 2010. Going beyond beer, these two Philly-built organizations remain focused on connecting the community and bringing people together to celebrate everything that makes Philadelphia the most welcoming destination in the world. 

“Beer has a way of bringing people together, especially in a city like Philadelphia that’s full of celebration, of tradition, of pride,” said Kelly Irvine, Senior Brand Manager for Victory Brewing. “Our Philly First collaboration beer with Visit Philadelphia is meant to do just that. To help us celebrate all that’s special about Philly. There’s a reason that our original collaboration, Summer Love, has now lasted over 15 years and earned its place as a staple in Philadelphia. And, it’s what we aim to recreate with Philly First – the shared sense of community that defines this city. Onward to Victory.”

Additionally, Philly First honors the pioneering spirit of innovation embodied by 52 Weeks of Firsts, a series of yearlong pop-up experiences (through December 26, 2026) – supported by the Philadelphia Historic District Partners – that recognize everything from the First Electronic Computer to the First Zoo in America. These quirky Saturday Firstivals are playfully captured on the beer’s colorful and irreverent label, which reads: Philly was first at a lot of things. Now, it’s in your cooler. 

Following the launch party on 215 Day, Philly First will be widely available throughout the city and suburbs – look for it in 16-ounce cans at local beer distributors and craft beer boutiques, as well as on draft at neighborhood bars and gastropubs, plus all Victory Taprooms.

Yeah this is cool. The cans are dope. They’re covered in Philly lore and have these little chat bubbles identifying the firsts that Philadelphia is known for. Definitely a collector’s item:

And the beer itself is good. It’s Victory. Everything they make is good. Let’s get a shipping truck full of “Philly First” and bring it down to the sports complex for the MLB All-Star Game and World Cup. Who says no? Let’s get this snow melted and have a wonderful semiquincentennial. Happy Birthday USA.

*professional photo courtesy of Rob Rabena at Visit Philly. shitty photos courtesy of myself