Summer Love
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown


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- From:
- Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Style:
- Blonde Ale - American
Ranked #101 - ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #24,198 - Avg:
- 3.7 | pDev: 13.24%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 12, 2022
- Added:
- Jul 11, 2010
- Wants:
- 114
- Gots:
- 657
SCORE
84
Good
84
Good


Notes:
Composition
Malt: imported 2 row German malts
Hops: whole flower Tettnang Tettnang, Simcoe and Citra hops
ABV: 5.2%
Flavor
With the sublime, earthy familiarity of noble European hops backed up by fresh, clean German malts, Summer Love Ale ends with a surprising burst of lemony refreshment from fistfuls of American whole flower hops. Love Summer, now.
Malt: imported 2 row German malts
Hops: whole flower Tettnang Tettnang, Simcoe and Citra hops
ABV: 5.2%
Flavor
With the sublime, earthy familiarity of noble European hops backed up by fresh, clean German malts, Summer Love Ale ends with a surprising burst of lemony refreshment from fistfuls of American whole flower hops. Love Summer, now.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.25 by DVMin98 from North Carolina on Apr 12, 2022
3.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by 2market from Pennsylvania
Good beer
Jan 13, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by 2market from Pennsylvania
Good beer
Jan 13, 2022
3.26/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
It's October, but let’s hope it's not too late for love. A brown twelve ounce bottle has been decanted into a clear pint glass. It's a nice pour. Now inside this is a sparkling and mostly translucent amber brew. There's a modest, yet sustaining white head. The aroma is very mild, only vaguely malty and hoppy. No doubt, the nose predicts this to be uneventful for the taste buds. Obviously, this isn't brewed to contend with the best ales on the planet. It's meant to be a better alternative to the mass of adjunct lagers out there and it succeeds. It's well balanced between mild hops and mild maltiness. This really isn't for any serious beer drinker, but as a change of pace, as a session beer, for example, this will do. It's one of those nothing great and nothing bad beers.
Oct 13, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
It's October, but let’s hope it's not too late for love. A brown twelve ounce bottle has been decanted into a clear pint glass. It's a nice pour. Now inside this is a sparkling and mostly translucent amber brew. There's a modest, yet sustaining white head. The aroma is very mild, only vaguely malty and hoppy. No doubt, the nose predicts this to be uneventful for the taste buds. Obviously, this isn't brewed to contend with the best ales on the planet. It's meant to be a better alternative to the mass of adjunct lagers out there and it succeeds. It's well balanced between mild hops and mild maltiness. This really isn't for any serious beer drinker, but as a change of pace, as a session beer, for example, this will do. It's one of those nothing great and nothing bad beers.
Oct 13, 2021
3.75 by mpenske from California on Sep 19, 2021
3.76 by Terrysbmw from Pennsylvania on Sep 10, 2021
4.37/5 rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Foyle from North Carolina
Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass. 1" off white sudsy head drops quickly with moderate lacing. Color is hazy yellow orange. Aroma of lemon, citrus, and cracker. Mouthfeel is light with an easy dry finish. Flavor is a blend of cracker, biscuit, lemon, citrus rind. Overall: excellent and refreshing on a hot summer day.
Aug 24, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Foyle from North Carolina
Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass. 1" off white sudsy head drops quickly with moderate lacing. Color is hazy yellow orange. Aroma of lemon, citrus, and cracker. Mouthfeel is light with an easy dry finish. Flavor is a blend of cracker, biscuit, lemon, citrus rind. Overall: excellent and refreshing on a hot summer day.
Aug 24, 2021
3.71 by NastyNorseman from New York on Jun 26, 2021
2.79/5 rDev -24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by teromous from Virginia
From the right side of the label under the "Y" in "VICTORY" in white text: "Best By SEP 09 21 PBG 21068 2311"
Appearance: The body of the beer is a slightly hazy gold color. It has a medium-sized white head that is fluffy and has various craters and bubble sizes. Good retention. Over time it recedes to a short creamy textured white cap. It leaves great lines of lacing on the glass.
Aroma: From a distance the beer smells skunky. Getting closer, some more of that scent comes through stronger, mixed with tobacco and tea leaf aromas. There is a bit of a rye bread character on the nose as well.
Taste: Bitter roots with a light bit of lemon zest summarize the majority of the flavor. There is a bit of basil character in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Light carbonation and a light body that edges towards medium. The beer finishes wet and it has a stronger bitterness than what the malt supports.
Overall: The skunky character on the nose and the bitterness of the beer detract from it overall. There is a light citrus-like lemon zest character which is pleasant but the malt character is absent in the beer. I probably wouldn't buy it again given the alternatives on the market. I don't recommend it unless you're just looking to see what a Blonde Ale tastes like from Victory Brewing Co.
Jun 18, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by teromous from Virginia
From the right side of the label under the "Y" in "VICTORY" in white text: "Best By SEP 09 21 PBG 21068 2311"
Appearance: The body of the beer is a slightly hazy gold color. It has a medium-sized white head that is fluffy and has various craters and bubble sizes. Good retention. Over time it recedes to a short creamy textured white cap. It leaves great lines of lacing on the glass.
Aroma: From a distance the beer smells skunky. Getting closer, some more of that scent comes through stronger, mixed with tobacco and tea leaf aromas. There is a bit of a rye bread character on the nose as well.
Taste: Bitter roots with a light bit of lemon zest summarize the majority of the flavor. There is a bit of basil character in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Light carbonation and a light body that edges towards medium. The beer finishes wet and it has a stronger bitterness than what the malt supports.
Overall: The skunky character on the nose and the bitterness of the beer detract from it overall. There is a light citrus-like lemon zest character which is pleasant but the malt character is absent in the beer. I probably wouldn't buy it again given the alternatives on the market. I don't recommend it unless you're just looking to see what a Blonde Ale tastes like from Victory Brewing Co.
Jun 18, 2021
4.18/5 rDev +13%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by profpilky from New York
Poured from a 12 oz. can, Best by 090821. Light mouthfeel, crisp, refreshing. Has a bit of tartness to it - lemon notes cannot be understated. Smell reminds me of sour diesel. Overall pretty solid and tasty beer. 4/5
May 29, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by profpilky from New York
Poured from a 12 oz. can, Best by 090821. Light mouthfeel, crisp, refreshing. Has a bit of tartness to it - lemon notes cannot be understated. Smell reminds me of sour diesel. Overall pretty solid and tasty beer. 4/5
May 29, 2021
3.28/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by Jaasoares from Virginia
Pours a clear and pale straw color with a foamy white head which lingers ultimately into a lacing with some islands. Weak on the nose with very minor hops. Refreshing taste and easy to drink with a minor citrus flavor with some floral, slightly hoppy characteristic.
May 17, 2021
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by Jaasoares from Virginia
Pours a clear and pale straw color with a foamy white head which lingers ultimately into a lacing with some islands. Weak on the nose with very minor hops. Refreshing taste and easy to drink with a minor citrus flavor with some floral, slightly hoppy characteristic.
May 17, 2021
3.88/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jockstrappy from Pennsylvania
Pours a bright gold color with a soapy white head, nice lacing on the glass. Nose includes earthy and floral hops, lemongrass and cereal grains. Flavor is hop forward, but it doesn’t overwhelm. Grainy malt base adds balance. Crisp and mildly bitter on the finish. Its simple, it’s well done, and its exactly what you want after you put the mower away.
May 12, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by jockstrappy from Pennsylvania
Pours a bright gold color with a soapy white head, nice lacing on the glass. Nose includes earthy and floral hops, lemongrass and cereal grains. Flavor is hop forward, but it doesn’t overwhelm. Grainy malt base adds balance. Crisp and mildly bitter on the finish. Its simple, it’s well done, and its exactly what you want after you put the mower away.
May 12, 2021
4 by TheCakePounder from Pennsylvania on Apr 18, 2021
3.31 by T66tah from Pennsylvania on Apr 11, 2021
3.81/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Act25 from New Jersey
Love brewer, summer's coming (but I think this is 1-2 years old)
a) Still splashes massive lace and looks Kolsch like in the tulip.
s) Tea like. Blossoms, honey, grain.
t) Bigger, earthy, again spring blossoms, earth, tea, lemon, juniper, and honey. More ticklish hops.
f) clean bill like a Kolsh/ blonde.
o) Hoppy Blonde.
Apr 06, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Act25 from New Jersey
Love brewer, summer's coming (but I think this is 1-2 years old)
a) Still splashes massive lace and looks Kolsch like in the tulip.
s) Tea like. Blossoms, honey, grain.
t) Bigger, earthy, again spring blossoms, earth, tea, lemon, juniper, and honey. More ticklish hops.
f) clean bill like a Kolsh/ blonde.
o) Hoppy Blonde.
Apr 06, 2021
3.99 by imanidiot777 from Pennsylvania on Jul 01, 2020
3.69/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by 1009 from Massachusetts
I really enjoyed drinking this Summer style ale. The golden color and foamy head glisten in the sunlight and just scream "refreshing." As I lifted this beer up toward my lips and nose, I was greeted by the hoppy and lemon mixed scents that tempted my taste buds. Once I took the first sip, I was very satisfied with the thirst quenching nature of this beer. The citrus highlights really give it that Summer identity, but it doesn't overdo it with the lemon unlike other warm weather beers. This still has the grassy and hoppy tastes that many beer lovers want! And without the fruity chemical nonsense!
Jun 29, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by 1009 from Massachusetts
I really enjoyed drinking this Summer style ale. The golden color and foamy head glisten in the sunlight and just scream "refreshing." As I lifted this beer up toward my lips and nose, I was greeted by the hoppy and lemon mixed scents that tempted my taste buds. Once I took the first sip, I was very satisfied with the thirst quenching nature of this beer. The citrus highlights really give it that Summer identity, but it doesn't overdo it with the lemon unlike other warm weather beers. This still has the grassy and hoppy tastes that many beer lovers want! And without the fruity chemical nonsense!
Jun 29, 2020
3.59/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Frank73545 from New Jersey
On tap in the pine room. Happy to get it considering the lack of available kegs.
It’s. Good not great. A bit heavier and sweeter than I was expecting in a summer ale.
But very drinkable on a sunny afternoon or pleasant summer evening.
Jun 27, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Frank73545 from New Jersey
On tap in the pine room. Happy to get it considering the lack of available kegs.
It’s. Good not great. A bit heavier and sweeter than I was expecting in a summer ale.
But very drinkable on a sunny afternoon or pleasant summer evening.
Jun 27, 2020
3.84 by Taenim from New Jersey on May 28, 2020
4.14 by Ernald_Elbertson from Delaware on May 13, 2020
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by RaulMondesi from California
This is a fine beer. And by that, I mean that it will do the trick like Cinemax at midnight when you were 14. It’s all blonde and stuff like Marilyn Monroe after a fresh press... Again, it doesn’t get Raul hella excited, but I still feel as cool as a cucumber.
Yep!
May 03, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by RaulMondesi from California
This is a fine beer. And by that, I mean that it will do the trick like Cinemax at midnight when you were 14. It’s all blonde and stuff like Marilyn Monroe after a fresh press... Again, it doesn’t get Raul hella excited, but I still feel as cool as a cucumber.
Yep!
May 03, 2020
3.5 by BeerMick from New Jersey on Apr 20, 2020
3 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Apr 02, 2020
3.75 by Jdells09 from New Jersey on Jan 30, 2020
3.67/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Peach63 from New York
Pours golden yellow with a 1/4 inch white head, which dissipates. Moderate lacing.
Aroma of lemons, grass, simcoe hops.
Tastes of lemon zest, biscuit malt, slight spiciness. Moderately bitter.
Light bodied, light carbonation. Dry, slightly bitter finish.
A bit late for a "summer" ale but a nice quaffing, thirst quenching beer.
Dec 31, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Peach63 from New York
Pours golden yellow with a 1/4 inch white head, which dissipates. Moderate lacing.
Aroma of lemons, grass, simcoe hops.
Tastes of lemon zest, biscuit malt, slight spiciness. Moderately bitter.
Light bodied, light carbonation. Dry, slightly bitter finish.
A bit late for a "summer" ale but a nice quaffing, thirst quenching beer.
Dec 31, 2019
3.5 by pete6341 from New Jersey on Aug 19, 2019
3.77 by StretchZep from Ohio on Aug 19, 2019
3.75 by toast9 from New Jersey on Aug 18, 2019
3.75 by seakayak from Massachusetts on Aug 15, 2019
3.93 by BilleGibbons from Pennsylvania on Aug 13, 2019
3.69 by Z-man from Michigan on Aug 12, 2019
3.4 by paleoplant from New York on Aug 03, 2019
3.62 by Rubezahl from Pennsylvania on Jul 25, 2019
3.58 by sherrymj from Ohio on Jul 05, 2019
3.44/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Urtravel from Pennsylvania
L: pale hazy gold with quick light head and lace with quite a bit of carbonation
S: lemony front end with mild hoppy citrusy finish
T: initial intro was as per smell; backend citrusy hops get a bit more pronounced as you continue drinking
F: somewhat lively on tongue but mellows out over time
O: the citrusy hops tend to eventually take over for my tastes, but it achieves brewers aim
Jun 17, 2019
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by Urtravel from Pennsylvania
L: pale hazy gold with quick light head and lace with quite a bit of carbonation
S: lemony front end with mild hoppy citrusy finish
T: initial intro was as per smell; backend citrusy hops get a bit more pronounced as you continue drinking
F: somewhat lively on tongue but mellows out over time
O: the citrusy hops tend to eventually take over for my tastes, but it achieves brewers aim
Jun 17, 2019
3.43 by Eychung from New York on Jun 06, 2019
3.79/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by deleted_user_995920
Pours a semi clear light golden with massive carbonation bubbles,quickly receding foamy white head. Smells earthy, fresh hay,mild popcorn, Taste grains,hops,slight lemon zest. Feels well carbonated with a semi dry finish. This is a good beer but that does not distinguish itself among the others. Overall mediocre to good, albeit quite refreshing.
Jun 02, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by deleted_user_995920
Pours a semi clear light golden with massive carbonation bubbles,quickly receding foamy white head. Smells earthy, fresh hay,mild popcorn, Taste grains,hops,slight lemon zest. Feels well carbonated with a semi dry finish. This is a good beer but that does not distinguish itself among the others. Overall mediocre to good, albeit quite refreshing.
Jun 02, 2019
4 by jguzman718 from New York on May 22, 2019
4.02/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by good_to_sea from Pennsylvania
Look: Clear, light golden/amber with a thick, creamy white head. Lots of lacing on the side of the glass.
Smell: Sweet, fruity malt aroma mixed with earthy hops.
Taste: Herbal, slightly spicy hop bitterness mixed with sweet, bready malt flavor and some citrus fruit. Really nice bitterness.
Feel: Thin-bodied, light to medium carbonation.
Overall: Pleasant, tasty, and drinkable. I love the bitter hop flavor in this beer. Looking forward to picking this one up again.
May 21, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by good_to_sea from Pennsylvania
Look: Clear, light golden/amber with a thick, creamy white head. Lots of lacing on the side of the glass.
Smell: Sweet, fruity malt aroma mixed with earthy hops.
Taste: Herbal, slightly spicy hop bitterness mixed with sweet, bready malt flavor and some citrus fruit. Really nice bitterness.
Feel: Thin-bodied, light to medium carbonation.
Overall: Pleasant, tasty, and drinkable. I love the bitter hop flavor in this beer. Looking forward to picking this one up again.
May 21, 2019
3.35 by Jbalintjr from Pennsylvania on May 18, 2019
3.71 by Thirstygoat from Illinois on May 18, 2019
Summer Love from Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
2423 ratings