Mainstay Independent Brewing's new beer, the Philadelphia Classic Lager, debuts Thursday and is intended to celebrate the race's return to the city.
Brew master and partner Brian O'Reilly said the brewery set out to create a beer that would appeal to a broad audience while still standing out.
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"This beer was designed in order to kind of be distinctively favorable and different, but we also wanted it to be kind of universal," O'Reilly said.
The custom lager was developed as the official beer of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. O'Reilly said the brewery was eager to be involved because of its connection to the city and the event.
"I think this bike race is super special, especially the way it runs through the city of Philadelphia, and we are a brewery in Philadelphia, and we just couldn't not get excited about it," he said.
O'Reilly compared brewing the lager to preparing for a major cycling race, noting that both require significant planning and effort. He also said the event is a natural fit for a celebratory beverage.
"The race just is screaming for a beer in your hand while you are watching it," O'Reilly said.
Race organizers said bringing the Philadelphia Cycling Classic back after a decade away presented challenges.
"It took looking at a boulder and pushing it uphill," said Carlos Rogers, co-founder of Race Street Partners.
Still, organizers said the event's return and the debut of the official lager reflect partnerships with local businesses.
"It is just another notch under our belt of partnership with Philadelphia companies, and beer and bicycling go hand in hand," Rogers said.
The Philadelphia Classic Lager will be available for its first public tasting at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Pep Rally at Craft Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Afterward, the beer will be sold throughout Philadelphia and neighboring counties.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is scheduled to return Aug. 30.
6abc is the event's exclusive broadcast partner and plans extensive race-day coverage, including live streaming coverage featuring Action News sports anchor Ducis Rodgers and a team of cycling analysts.