Goshen, N.Y. – The Newburgh Brewery has created a beer inspired by a Newburgh war hero and Orange County’s trip to Europe later this month. The trip will pay tribute to the 40 County residents who died on the same day in 1918 during World War I’s Battle of the Hindenburg Line.
The beer is named after Private Walter Allison who packed his wool Newburgh Free Academy football sweater when he left to serve with the 107th New York Infantry Regiment in World War I. Allison and 20 men from Newburgh were killed-in-action on September 29th, 1918 near the St. Quentin Canal, a German stronghold on the Hindenburg Line.
Allison’s football jersey was brought home to Newburgh where it remains today.
“The story of Private Walter Allison is an important part of the overall history of Newburgh itself.” said Paul Halayko, owner of The Newburgh Brewery. “By naming a beer after him, we hope to shine a light on his incredible story and the ultimate sacrifice he made 100 years ago.”
The beer bearing Private Allison’s name is Newburgh Brewery’s Brown Ale, which was aged for 14 months in Coppersea Distillery Rye Whiskey barrels. It will be released on September, 29th, the same day that the County’s tour group will be holding a memorial service at the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France. Allison’s jersey will be on display at The Newburgh Brewery on September 29th.
The County’s trip will take place from September 24th through October 2nd and will explore locations that served as notable backdrops during World War I. The Battle of the Hindenburg Line is one of the most famous engagements that occurred during World War I. After an intense 56-hour-long attack, Allied forces breached the Hindenburg Line, the last line of German defenses, on September 29th, 1918.
The Hindenburg Line was a heavily fortified zone running several miles behind the active front between the north coast of France and Belgium. The 40 soldiers from Orange County that perished on September 29th, 1918 were members of the 107th New York Infantry Regiment. There were 995 total casualties from New York State on that day. Breaking through the Hindenburg Line helped the U.S. and its allies win World War I, which ended on November 11th, 1918.
For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.
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