Longwood Gardens Collaborates with Victory Brewing for Exclusive Garden-Inspired Beer Lineup

On July 4, 2026, Longwood Gardens and Victory Brewing released their latest collaborative brew, celebrating the U.S. bicentennial and the intersection of botanical innovation and craft brewing.

Longwood Gardens

Located less than an hour west of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens spans over 1,100 acres and showcases 13,000 plant species. Attracting around 1.7 million visitors annually, it was named the top botanical garden in the U.S. in 2025.

Founded in 1906 by philanthropist Pierre du Pont, the gardens feature diverse areas such as the 1906-designed Flower Garden Walk and the 2024 Bonsai Courtyard. In 2015, the launch of the Beer Garden initiated Victory Brewing’s partnership with Longwood, sourcing botanicals for seasonal specialty beers.

Victory Brewing

Established in 1996 in Downington, Pennsylvania, Victory Brewing now operates taprooms in Downington, Parkesburg, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 2014, it has been part of Artisanal Brewing Ventures, the 11th-largest craft brewery in the U.S., and is celebrated for its award-winning brews.

Botanical Brewing Innovation

Since the 2015 Beer Garden opening, Longwood and Victory have crafted seasonal beers using garden-sourced botanicals. Director of Brewing Operations Joe Slavick, a longtime advocate for the collaboration, notes the project’s alignment with his passion for sustainability. “It’s a special experience bringing the Gardens’ botanical diversity to the brewing process,” Slavick said. Longwood’s annual “Meet the Brewer” events frequently highlight this partnership, fostering community engagement.

Culinary and Garden Fusion

Past creations include lemon, honey, grapefruit, blackberry, and hibiscus- infused beers. Their latest release, Citrus Shandy, features kumquats, orange puree, and grapefruit puree, complemented by Simcoe hops. This 5.5% ABV beer exemplifies Longwood’s harvest-to-brew philosophy. Available at the Gardens’ Beer Garden and restaurant 1906, the brew pairs seamlessly with the venue’s botanical-inspired cuisine. Diners can savor dishes crafted in collaboration with Longwood’s botanists, utilizing ingredients from the Ornamental Kitchen Garden, which demonstrates edible and decorative plants.

Citrus Shandy is also stocked at Victory’s Kennett Square taproom, with limited availability at Downington. The synergy between Longwood’s horticultural expertise and Victory’s brewing craftsmanship offers a unique sensory experience for visitors, blending botanical beauty with beverage innovation.

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