To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this year, Aristaeus Craft Brewing released a limited-edition America 250 Collection, a series of beers and cider inspired by Pennsylvania’s colonial brewing traditions.

The project began through a collaboration with Pennsbury Manor, the reconstructed estate of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. Working with the historic site’s educators and researching recipes preserved in the Penn family archives, Aristaeus owner Harry Arnold developed four beverages that showcase different aspects of Pennsylvania’s early brewing and cider-making history.

The centerpiece of the collection is Gulielma Penn’s Special Apple Ale, a 10% ABV collaboration with Pennsbury Manor. The beer is inspired by a historic apple ale recipe attributed to Gulielma Penn, wife of William Penn, that was discovered in the Penn family recipe book. It is brewed with cider pressed from heirloom apples grown at Manoff Market Gardens and M2 Cidery in nearby New Hope.

Penn’s Apple Ale

Using the same locally pressed heirloom apples, Aristaeus created Penn’s Apple Ale, a lighter 4.5% ABV interpretation of the historic recipe. The beer offers fresh apple character while providing a more approachable version of the beverage that inspired the collection.

1681 Hard Cider

Aristaeus also created 1681 Hard Cider, the brewery’s first-ever hard cider. Named after the year William Penn received Pennsylvania’s royal charter, the cider is made with the same heirloom apples and pays tribute to the important role orchards and cider played in Pennsylvania’s colonial history.

Alice’s Swankey Tavern Ale

Rounding out the collection is Alice’s Swankey Tavern Ale, a 4% ABV revival of the historic Pennsylvania Swankey style. Named after Alice Guest, proprietor of Philadelphia’s Blue Anchor Tavern, where William Penn is believed to have first landed in 1682, the beer features notes of molasses, brown sugar, graham cracker, and ginger spice while celebrating one of Pennsylvania’s nearly forgotten historic beer styles.

The America 250 Collection is available now at Aristaeus Craft Brewing, with draft pours available in the taproom, along with select beers and cider packaged to go. The limited releases offer craft beer fans the opportunity to experience flavors inspired by Pennsylvania’s rich brewing history while celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.