Harvest Ale 2008 | Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the Blind Tiger 04-11-09

Pours a clear dark copper with a 2-finger white head, with a small amount of lacing. The amora is of citrus, wet hop, that one would expect from a Harvest Ale. Taste was a toasted sweet caramel almost biscuit like, with a nice fresh hop attack, very well balanced. Great mouthfeel, not too heavy, not too light, heavy carbonation, leaves a nice hop bitterness. Easy drinking, could def. kick back a few. I noticed there were (2) Harvest Ales listed, I'm assuming this is the one, even though it says 2008. Either excellent stuff if you can find it, I'm guessing its brewery only with limited keg distribution

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4.42/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Victory on 10/26/08. Served in an imperial pint glass.

A - Clear amber/orange body with very tiny percolating bubbles of carbonation and one-finger white bubbly head that receded into a patchy film but yielded nice amount of sticky lacing. Solid head retention throughout.

S - Mmmm... wet-hopped goodness with lots of citrus and floral hops, as well some herbal notes. Malt has a toasted grainy character with a biscuity aspect and a bit of burnt caramel sweetness.

T - Nice blast of fresh, tasty hops with hints of citrus rind and a bit of earthy, herbal flavor. Hints of pine and sticky burnt sugar as well as a mild peppery spiciness in the backend. Finish packs a crisp hop bite with a grainy malt character to complement the bitterness.

M - Medium body with a slight syrupy texture and plenty of oily hop residue on the palate. Carbonation is quite vigorous. Finishes with a nice lingering hop bitterness and dryness on the palate.

D - I've been loving these wet-hopped harvest ales lately. This one is certainly on the bitter side of the spectrum... almost IPA-like, but with the crispness of a pilsner. Very nicely done!

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4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Bright orange with nice dense white head with good retention and very nice lacing.

S: Bright pine and earth with some citrus hints.

T: Earthy piney, with moderate malt background but the hops are definatley the star here.

M: Oily with some hop astingency and long hoppy finish.

D: Very nice at 5.7%. This is a great example of the style with the hops leading the way and the malts playing a supporting role without getting noticed.

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