PJW 30th Anniversary Ale
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown

 

 

Pours a dark copper/chestnut brown color with deep amber edges and a two finger frothy white head that slowly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Very good retention with steaks of soapy lacing coating the glass on the way down.

Floral aroma with resinous pine, fresh cut grass and a spicy hop presence countered by a sweet malt backbone. Dank buds, pine needle and spruce tip countered by sweet caramel malt, toffee, hazelnut, dark fruit and lightly toasted bread. Perfume like with decent hop character in the nose. Nothing really stands out but it smells nice enough.

On the fuller end of medium body with a crisp, spicy hop bite hat provides dry, lingering bitterness which is countered by a slightly roasted sweet malt backbone. Surprisingly hop forward for what is described as an easy drinking session beer. Plenty of dank resins and earthy bitterness wih grassy pine needle and slick hop oils. Decent malt backbone with subtle roast and burnt bread followed by caramel, dark fruit and toffee sweetness. Balance shows as it warms with stronger malt flavor but the hops still dominate the palate. Subtle boozy sweetness with some alcohol heat in the finish which is surprising given that it's only 5%. Surprisingly complex and more aggressively hopped than expected. Another solid beer from victory to commemorate PJ's anniversary.

Had on tap at the brewery and was not impressed one iota. Always glad for the experience though, especially when it comes to my beloved IPAs. Bitter indeed, but extremely grassy to boot. Nothing exciting here at all.

 

 

 

 

 

Served at P.J. Whelihans in its own branded 30th anniversary glass. Pours a medium copper color with a white head and lace. Aroma of grapefruit, toffee and flowery lavender. In the taste, solid bitterness and loads of pine. Nice caramel taste. Leans towards the bitter edge. Medium bodied well carbonated. Overall, delicious ipa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom line: a nice, medium-hopped beer that advertises itself as a Session IPA, with some nice malt, hop flavors that are on the lighter side. Also very affordable

More brown in color than a typical IPA.

Very session-able at 5.0 ABV.

Flavors are on the lighter side, with less citrus aromas or flavor notes than I would typically like from an IPA. It's probably right for a beer that clocks in at less ABV than even Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Sold at PJ Whelihan owned restaurants, but brewed by Victory, these are always on tap and often for $3 a pint - A steal at that price compared to many other $6 pints that aren't as good