NJ Microbrewery Joins Ukrainian Brewery's 'Beer Of Victory' Campaign

LAKEWOOD, NJ — An Ocean County microbrewery is collaborating with one in Ukraine to brew that brewery's beers to support organizations helping Ukrainian refugees.

Icarus Brewing in Lakewood announced last week it was joining the Brew for Ukraine efforts of Pravda Brewery in Lviv, Ukraine. Pravda Brewing launched its Victory Beer Series on March 5, inviting craft brewers around the world to join in and brew its award-winning beers to raise funds for Ukraine and as a sign of unity.

"Brewing in Lviv now sounds like a non-priority," Pravda Brewery says on its website. "The city is bracing for a fight. Alcohol is forbidden, and we once-in-a-lifetime support it. But brewing now – like giving birth or a marriage – is hope."

"As peaceful craft brewers, we want to return to the normal life asap and enjoy brewing and drinking," the brewery website said. "But first we must kick the cockroaches out of our land. No more Gulags, Holodomors and oppression. It’s a decisive moment for Ukraine, Europe and democracies of the world. Soon will win this war and have a good beer. The Beer of Victory."

Icarus announced March 10 it would join the effort.

"We first saw the project being organized by Cory McGuinness, a U.S.-based former head brewer of Pravda Brewing, as well as Yuri Zastavny who currently brews at Pravda, and immediately knew we wanted to be involved however possible," said Jason Goldstein, founder and head brewer at Icarus.

" We threw the grain on order and asked our designer to start working on modifying the label to work for us (as well as to be legal for U.S. sales) and put it on our schedule," Goldstein said.

They will be brewing Putin Huylo, which Pravda Brewing describes as a dry-hopped strong ale, on March 18 with a projected release on April 12, he said.

Goldstein said Icarus will be donating 100 percent of the profits from Putin Huylo to the Pravda Brewing's humanitarian relief and food missions to assist both Ukrainian refugees and people still in Ukraine.

"As time is of the essence for the Ukrainian people, we will be donating our full portion on the brew date rather than release date, to help those in need as immediately as possible," Goldstein said.

This isn't the first time the brewery has produced a special brew. Last fall Icarus created an American blonde ale that celebrated the end of the summer season and highlighted one of the most Jersey memes ever — the Chris Christie beach chair photo. The brew, Private Beach, sold out in four days. Read more: Chris Christie's Beach Chair Meme Becomes A Beer

Icarus Brewing is currently located in the Lakewood Industrial Park and accepts orders through its website and makes deliveries to 14 of New Jersey's 21 counties. It received approval last August of its plans to open in the former Restaurant Supply store on Route 88 in Brick. Read more: Icarus Brewing Coming To Brick After Planning Board OKs Site Plan

Goldstein said they have begun to make progress toward the move to Brick. Demolition of the former Restaurant Supply building began last week and should be finishing in the next week, he said.

"Our new Brewhouse is on order and we are finalizing design features of the Tasting Room and Beergarden, which has allowed us to really put a feel to what our new home will look like when we are all moved in," he said.

They are still waiting for approvals from the state Department of Transportation, needed because the property fronts on Route 88, before they can begin construction.

The missing DOT approvals have "been our road-block since April 2021, as we cannot submit any building plans to Brick Township until the DOT finishes their review and issues approvals," Goldstein said.

For those who wish to donate directly to help the efforts in Ukraine, there is information on the Pravda Beer website on how to help. In addition, Icarus included a link to donate to World Central Kitchen, which has been providing hot meals to refugees since the early days of the invasion.

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com