(Father and Son: Bill and William Spence)
By Jeff Maisey
You could say April 23 is not only England’s national day it’s also a banner date at one Hampton brewery. Yep, St. George’s Day.
St. George is the patron saint of both England and Germany. When the brewery got its start some 20 years ago, owner William Spence Sr. wanted to focus on English ales and German lagers.
St. George, according to mythology, was a soldier who slew a dragon in Beirut. It’s symbolic of Christianity’s fight and ultimate victory over paganism. The tale was brought back from the Holy Land during the First Crusade and spread as the truth.
“St. George was a Roman soldier,” said William Spence Jr, Director of Drinking Operations at St George Brewing Company. “His death was on April 23,” when he was executed by the Guard of Diocletian for being unwilling to recant is faith in Christianity.
Two of the brewery’s symbols in its logo and merchandise feature the shield with the cross of St. George (white background, red cross) and a green dragon. St. George beer tap handles are a dragon.
Ironically, the city of Hampton’s official flag uses the cross of St. George. It’s also England’s national flag.
The brewery is celebrating the occasion this year with a limited bottle release of Ascalon, an East Coast style IPA. It’s a malty, hopped beer.
The beer is named in part for the Battle of Ascalon, which happen right after the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 at the end of the First Crusade. Ascalon is also the name of the sword used to kill the dragon. Interestingly enough, it dates from the same period of the Arthurian Excalibur.
St. George personnel will be out and about that day – Langley Air Show, COVA Beer Festival, New Town Williamsburg beer fest, Virginia Beach Town Center Craft Beer festival. The brewery tasting room will be operating as usual. Yoga and a brew will take place in the morning. A Beekeeper’s Yard Day will take place outside the brewery to maintain its seven hives. Depending on the pollen level, honey may be harvested.
According to William Spence Jr, Director of Drinking Operations at St George Brewing Company, the next bee’s brew will likely be used for a honey lager called Golden Girl.
St. George Brewing will have a few popular seasonal beers on the market this spring including its Summer Ale (a British bitter).
