The Fly Fishing Beer That Gives Back: Workhorse x Orvis Release “Speckled Stream”

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This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world—all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.

Subscribe today and use promo code: "WORKHORSE15" at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts supported by Namor Outdoors.

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A Brewery Born from Blue-Collar Grit

Philadelphia doesn’t hand out respect—it makes you earn it. That’s the ethos Workhorse Brewing Company was founded on. Built to celebrate the region’s hard-working roots, the brewery has become a staple in Pennsylvania’s craft beer scene thanks to its focus on quality, community, and doing things the right way.

“We really wanted to encapsulate the hard-working, blue collar mentality that Philadelphia and its people embody,” the Workhorse team explained. “If you’re from Philly, you earn your keep. What better way to celebrate that lifestyle and commitment than to have a well-crafted beer whenever the occasion allows?”

Their name reflects that mission. Their beers live it.

The Orvis Partnership: A Perfect Cast

Workhorse’s values made them a natural partner for Orvis, a company long known for championing conservation and fly fishing culture. The two brands recently joined forces to create Speckled Stream, a hazy IPA brewed to honor trout waters and raise funds for stream restoration.

The collaboration began over a beer and a shared passion for the outdoors. “One of our brewers is an avid fly fishing enthusiast,” they said. “It really just took a beer and a trip to a local Orvis in Chester County [PA] to get the conversation started.”

From there, the process became fully collaborative.

“We designed the labels together, curated activations, and focused on impact from the very beginning. We’re really blessed to work with such an outstanding organization and their talented group of employees.”

A Hazy IPA with a Purpose

So what’s in the can? A soft, tropical haze with aromas of mango and peach—balanced, crushable, and crafted for river days.

“We wanted to make a beer that didn’t look like a milkshake but still had all the hallmark attributes of a hazy IPA,” they said. “It’s flavorful, approachable, and brewed with the choicest ingredients at an accessible price point.”

The label design itself is a tribute to trout—the speckled patterns on the can mirror the textures and flow of wild fish, reinforcing the beer’s fly fishing roots.

But it’s more than a theme—it’s a cause.

Giving Back to the Waters That Raised Us

A portion of every Speckled Stream sale goes to Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, a local nonprofit that protects the very streams anglers wade into. From water quality preservation to habitat restoration, BRC is on the front lines of keeping Pennsylvania’s waters wild.

“BRC plays a vital role in protecting the waterways that are essential to the outdoor lifestyle championed by both Orvis and Workhorse,” the team said. “This initiative raises both awareness and funding—especially for clean water, biodiversity, and environmental education.”

Beyond the Brewery: Building a Culture of Conservation

Workhorse Brewing doesn’t stop at beer. Their track record of impact includes everything from a partnership with Philabundance, a Philadelphia-based hunger relief organization. Specifically, they donate $1 from every case of their Philly Light 12-pack sold to Philabundance. This initiative aims to support Philabundance's efforts in fighting hunger in the Greater Philadelphia area. 

The Brewery also hostsYappy Hour events that raise funds for local animal rescues. And their upcoming projects continue that streak.

“Giving back to our community is at the core of what we do,” they said. “Whether it’s hunger relief, rescue shelters, or watershed protection—these are just a few of the ways we make a meaningful impact.”

They’ve even hosted Sip & Shop events with Orvis stores, bridging gearheads and beer lovers, and turning local shops into hubs for shared culture and craft.

What’s Next for the Speckled Stream Series?

With a strong reception to the first release, Speckled Stream is just the beginning.

“This was always envisioned as a series of seasonal releases,” Workhorse shared. “Each beer will feature new label art inspired by the patterns found on trout. Just like no two trout are alike, each beer will bring something new in both design and flavor.”

Beyond that? Expect the return of fan favorites like Prickly Pear Margarita in June, the beloved Oktoberfest this fall, and a sports-themed collaboration with a local university that they say will be “big on hometown energy.”

Where to Find Speckled Stream and More

You can find Speckled Stream and other Workhorse brews at their taproom, at bars and restaurants across the region, or through their online shop (free shipping in PA on orders over $75). They also host frequent public events—check their site for tastings, taproom happenings, and outdoor activations.

To enter their Ultimate Fly Fishing Experience sweepstakes and learn more about their impact, visit their Giving Back page.

Follow them on social media:

• Instagram: @workhorsebrewing

• Facebook: Here

  
  

A Toast to Hard Work and Clear Water

From the banks of Pennsylvania trout streams to the tap lines of Philly’s bars, Workhorse Brewing is proving that good beer can do more than taste good—it can do good. And in Speckled Stream, they’ve bottled something rare: a beer that speaks the language of anglers, uplifts the community, and celebrates the waters that inspire both.