Check out Bucks County's newest beer. Growing brewery scene collaborates on special drink

Michele Haddon, Bucks County Courier Times
·6 min read

What does it look like when brewers from all over Bucks County get together under one roof?

A meeting of minds that looks more like a celebration.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt when some beer tasting is involved — and the biggest beer collaboration ever to hit Bucks County is unveiled.

Andrew Balmer, of Broad Street Brewing, on left, with Tim Shaw, of Odd Logic Brewing Co., center left, Greg Bonstein, of Newtown Brewing, center right, and Tim Lohse, of Broad Street Brewing, on right, laughing over pints at the event celebrating the collaboration beer between more than 26 local breweries in Bucks County at Warwick Farm Brewing in Jamison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

On Tuesday, more than 26 brewers representing more than 30 brewery locations met up at Warwick Farm Brewing to finalize the first-ever, countywide Bucks County Ale Trail beer collaboration, called Expedition Bucks County, a dry-hopped American Pale Ale.

“It’s made with cascade and citra hops and has a lot of flavors of peach and grapefruit, making it very clean, crisp and refreshing. It’s a beer anyone who likes craft beer can enjoy,” said Ryan Seiz, brewmaster at Warwick Farm Brewing.

This joint effort is the biggest of its kind among Bucks County breweries to date, epitomizing a dynamic within the local craft brewing industry that is known to center around creativity, cooperation and community.

“Sharing ideas is a big part of how you grow as a brewery. It’s a really unique situation where small breweries have banded together,” Seiz said. “It’s pretty cool to see it come together to help promote tourism and local businesses.”

Expedition Bucks County will be released on Aug. 25 at all Bucks County Ale Trail brewery locations and will be available on draft and in cans.

An event celebrating the collaboration beer between more than 26 local breweries in Bucks County at Warwick Farm Brewing in Jamison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
An event celebrating the collaboration beer between more than 26 local breweries in Bucks County at Warwick Farm Brewing in Jamison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

More on Warwick Farm Brewing: Warwick brewery opens new tasting room to showcase farm-to-tap beers

First launched in 2019, the Bucks County Ale Trail was developed by tourism agency Visit Bucks County to help drive visits and boost support for local breweries.

“People will travel all over to try all different types of beers. When you visit a brewery, you get to get to meet and talk to the person who makes and brews your beer. They’re all so unique and different,” said Paul Bencivengo, president of Visit Bucks County.

The beer collaboration and the Ale Trail, he said, are just two examples of how the breweries help one another out.

“It’s a representation of what happens behind the scenes with the collaboration and comradery and how everyone works together. They really want to see each other succeed,” Bencivengo said.

More: 10 summer beer releases from Bucks County breweries you should try – before they're kicked

Shawn Dulee, co-owner of Naked Brewing Co. in Croydon, said it’s not uncommon for the local breweries to be supportive of one another, even as the industry continues to grow and change.

“It’s the beer. That’s what beer was made for. You sit down and have a pint, and it’s hard to be mad at each other. I genuinely want the best for all of them,” Dulee said.

An event celebrating the collaboration beer between more than 26 local breweries in Bucks County at Warwick Farm Brewing in Jamison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
An event celebrating the collaboration beer between more than 26 local breweries in Bucks County at Warwick Farm Brewing in Jamison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

In just the few short years since the Bucks County Ale Trail began with 15 breweries, it has nearly doubled in size, helping craft beer lovers explore the many individual styles available within a single county.

“The growth creates competition and makes us all better. And with unique ideas and Bucks County being a destination spot already, it only helps,” said Tim Taber, general manager at Warwick Farm Brewing.

And thanks to the success of the Ale Trail, local breweries have seen positive results.

“When Visit Bucks County started the Ale Trail, it was a game changer,” Dulee said. “I bet 75% of our new business was from that. And those customers, they come back, and they continue to support us.”

Bucks County breweries participating include:

Fry’s Scratch Kitchen food truck was on site providing food for the event.

Follow the Bucks County Ale Trail

Find deals and discounts at Bucks County breweries through the free mobile Bucks County Ale Trail passport. Check-in digitally at five or more breweries to get a free Bucks County Ale Trail T-Shirt.

For more information or to get your free mobile Bucks County Ale Trail Passport: visitbuckscounty.com/aletrail

Upcoming events: Taste your way through these upcoming beer and food truck festivals across Bucks County

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County breweries join forces for the ultimate craft beer collab