Raising a Glass to 250 Years: First State Brewing Company and 250Ride.org Announce Commemorative Beer Collaboration
- Mar 2
- 4 min read
As our country prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, 250Ride.org is proud to announce a special partnership with First State Brewing Company — a collaboration rooted in history, community, and celebration. Together, the organizations are releasing a commemorative beer crafted to honor the spirit of 1776 and invite communities across the region to raise a glass to the journey that helped shape a nation.
The beer will be available at both First State Brewing Company locations — Middletown and Rehoboth Beach — and distributed at retail locations throughout Delaware. While brewed locally, the collaboration supports a broader mission that spans state lines, culminating in the historic reenactment journey from Dover to Philadelphia — a tribute to one of the most consequential rides in American history.
A Brewery Built on Community
In just over five years, First State Brewing Company has grown into a strong presence in the Mid-Atlantic craft beer scene. What began as a passion project has become a thriving community hub known for innovative releases, beer dinners, private events, and creative partnerships.
“We’ve been proud to call the ‘First State’ home for just over five years,” said Jeff Horne, Marketing and Creative Specialist for First State Brewing Company. “It’s been incredible watching the community embrace what we’re building. Opening our Rehoboth location was a BEAST of a project, but we’re already seeing the same excitement down there. We’re excited to see what the next few years bring.”
That community-first mindset made the partnership with 250Ride.org a natural fit.
“The day-to-day of a brewery can be hectic — one of our goals is always ‘have more fun.’ When this partnership came up, it just made sense,” Horne added. “Supporting an organization focused on education mirrors our own mission of educating people about beer. It’s an honor to celebrate America turning 250 in such a unique way — and let’s be honest, it’s even better to do it with beer.”
The Commemorative Release
For this collaboration, First State Brewing chose to craft a clean, crisp, approachable beer style designed to bring people together.
“With so many wild beer styles out there, we wanted to go back to the basics,” Horne explained. “There’s nothing to hide behind — no crazy fruit, no coffee, no intense flavors. It’s clean, classic — a true ‘beer-flavored beer.’ The goal is to get it into as many hands as possible to celebrate what 250Ride.org is doing.”
The beer will be available at both brewery locations and in retail outlets throughout Delaware, extending the celebration well beyond a single event.
Beer Release Celebration – April 30
The official 250 Ride Beer Release Party will take place on Thursday, April 30th from 5:30–7:30 PM at First State Brewing Company’s Middletown location. The event is free and open to the public.
Guests will see the historic 250 Ride carriage on display for photos, appearances by select Revolutionary-era reenactors — including representatives from the “Unheard Voices of the Revolution” — and have the opportunity to meet members of the 250Ride.org team.
The evening serves as both a launch celebration and an invitation to engage with the broader mission of bringing history to life through education, storytelling, and community connection.
“I am stoked to see the Revolutionary-era reenactors and learn more about the ‘Unheard Voices’ of the Revolution,” Horne said. “It’s going to be an absolute blast.”
A Shared American Legacy
For First State Brewing, the partnership carries both local pride and national meaning.
“Anybody who lives in Delaware knows we’re #1 — quite literally, as the First State,” Horne noted. “Since ‘First State’ is baked right into our name, being part of a project that celebrates Delaware’s role in American independence feels personal. It’s a chance to raise a glass to the history that shaped this place.”
That sentiment is echoed by 250Ride.org leadership.
“This collaboration represents what the 250 Ride is all about,” said Hugo A. Immediato Jr., 250 Ride Co-Producer. “We are honoring a defining moment in American history not just with ceremonies, but through shared experiences that bring people together. While the journey begins in Delaware and concludes in Philadelphia, the meaning of this anniversary belongs to the entire nation.”
Lisa Marcozzi, 250 Ride Event Director and Co-Producer, emphasized the connective power of the event. “The beer release is more than a party — it’s an invitation. It allows people to engage with history in an accessible way and become part of something bigger than themselves.”
Jesse Heninger, 250 Ride Marketing Director, added, “What excites me most is how partnerships like this bridge local pride with national storytelling. This commemorative beer is brewed here, but the mission it supports reaches far beyond any one state. It reminds us that the story of independence was regional in action and national in impact.”
As America approaches its 250th birthday, the 250 Ride seeks to honor both the well-known figures and the often-overlooked individuals who shaped the Revolution. Through this partnership with First State Brewing Company, history becomes something you don’t just read — you experience.
Admission to the April 30 beer release celebration is free, and the public is encouraged to attend, meet the team, and raise a glass to 250 years of American independence — because some anniversaries deserve more than remembrance; they deserve a celebration.
For more info: Check out our 250 Ride Events Section of our website!
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