“P.J. Whelihan’s is thirty years old?”
Chester County beer lovers frequent the two local P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant locations in Downingtown and West Chester, but the chain got its start in Lehighton (north of Allentown) in December of 1983. It was ten years before a second P.J. Whelihan’s opened, but now there are fourteen locations, as well as The Chop House in New Jersey and two locations of The Pour House.That was my reaction when I first heard the popular restaurant was tapping a special 30th Anniversary Ale brewed in collaboration with Victory Brewing Company. I was interested in hearing more, and giving this ale a taste, so I met up with P.J. Whelihan’s COO Jim Fris in Downingtown over a pint.
This special anniversary ale will be on tap in all P.J.’s-owned locations. Dubbed P.J. Whelihan’s Session IPA, the beer pours a golden color with a frothy head. Piney and hoppy, this 5.3 ABV ale is sure to please all as we enter the holidays. It’s an appealing ale you can enjoy with a multitude of dishes or at holiday parties. In honor of the 30th anniversary, the ale is $3 for a 14-ounce pour.
“At the planning session, we sat with Ron [Barchet, CEO of Victory Brewing] and gave him all our ideas, and he came back with this.” Jim noted the Whelihan’s staff wanted a beer that would appeal to a broad range of customers. “We wanted to please everyone.” They’ve ordered 400 kegs for the anniversary, which Jim hopes will last through the holiday season.
Jim told me he and the Victory Brewing Company team have had a mutual friendship for years, and Victory has brewed P.J.’s exclusive Copper Lager for over six years. Sure enough, a short time later Victory brewer Bill Covaleski stopped by to celebrate P.J.’s anniversary release. About the collaboration Bill explained, “we loved hearing their ideas. We love taking their vision and making it delicious.”
The P.J. Whelihan’s Thirtieth Anniversary Ale is available at all PJ Whelihan’s, The Pour House, and The Chop House locations while supplies last. The two local PJ locations are 1347 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, and 853 East Lancaster Ave., Downingtown. The Pour House is located at 116 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton.
