Parkersburg hits with Connection 304

I imagine you’ve heard it said many times: “There’s always a West Virginia connection.” Now, that even applies to beer, it seems.

So enter, Connection 304, a bright and hoppy beer from Parkersburg Brewing Co.

If you are a West Virginia University sports fan, then you know Tony Caridi and Brad Howe, the announcer and color man who handle the WVU Mountaineer football and basketball game broadcasts. Whenever Tony hears someone tell a story about a West Virginian out there, somewhere out-of-state, who has an unexpected interaction with something related to WVU sports, Tony loves to say, “There’s always a West Virginia connection.”

The West Virginia connection tagline became a theme and catchphrase for Tony and Brad on their radio broadcasts, including on the 3 Guys Before the Game podcast, where the cast also includes Hoppy Kercheval as the third guy. The three guys decided they needed a themed beer to drink and promote and came up with the idea for a beer that celebrates the West Virginia connection that always seems to be there.

PBC designs new beer with a modern taste

They got with the folks at Parkersburg Brewing Co. and explained the concept. Brewery co-founder Dan Curtis listened and designed an initial recipe. Then, following a little back and forth on taste tweaks suggested by the 3 Guys, Connection 304 Appalachian Ale was born.

Connection 304 is a beer brewed to sorta mimic a German-style pilsner, using light pilsner malts with plenty of hops, giving it a very clean and crisp flavor at a 5% ABV. However, the hops used are not German but are popular American West Coast hop varieties, including Cascade, Citra and Mosaic. This gives the beer an attractive, modern taste signature that appeals to folks in the craft beer market, but is also a taste that is quite attractive to those coming out of the standard American lager camp.

“We’re hitting that crossover market hard,” said John Cox, a Parkersburg Brewing brewer and co-owner. He said the beer’s flavor appeals to a wide range of people, both craft and American lager drinkers. Its high drinkability has generated brisk sales.

At GoMart, Par Mar & beyond

Six-packs of the beer are now available at GoMart and Par Mar convenience stores and beer specialty shops across most of the state. You can also find it at many bars and restaurants in West Virginia. Because the beer is widely available through a network of distributors, if you don’t see it in your favorite beer store or watering hole, ask them to get it for you.

During WVU football & basketball season and beyond, Connection 304 is the featured beer at events and tailgate parties hosted by the 3 Guys Before the Game crew.

LINKS

Parkersburg Brewing
707 Market Street
Parkersburg, WV

3 Guys Before the Game Podcast
Purchase a Connection 304 Beer Can Cooler