2015 Victory Harvest Ale Released

Nearly certain the abv was 6.5 last year too. Definitely wasn't below 6%.

 

You are indeed correct (according to a Victory 2014 press release):

“Available for a limited-time only, Victory’s Harvest Ale is all about the hops. Infused with the resinous natural hop oils that give impressions of fresh fruit flavors like apricot, grapefruit, and citrus, this ale leads to a very juicy taste, while completing satisfaction with a sustained and bracing bitterness to the finish. Harvest Ale will be sold in 12 oz. bottles and on draft with an ABV of 6.5%.”

https://sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com/2...es-release-of-first-wet-hop-brew-harvest-ale/

Cheers!

 

Yep, definitely was 6.5% last year as well. Can't wait to try 2015!

 

This. The best harvest beer I tried last year can't wait

 

Does anyone know if they are distributing it to all the places they normally do?

 

If anybody in the SE Michigan area sees it PM me please

 

hard to see, but 6.5% and delicious is confirmed (last years)

 

It was both delicious and easy to get last year, but as with most things craft and hyped, it sounds like it will be much harder to get this year. Jeez, who the hell needs 4-5 cases of this one beer? I'd be happy with 4-5 singles.

 

Well the reason for the limited availability is there are only so many wet hops Victory can transport from the Yakima Valley to SE Pennsylvania and brew them on their schedule. Right now Victory has a ton of stuff getting bottled/canned at the moment. I'd imagine you'll be seeing it soon in NJ though?

 

Anyone see this in NC? Might not have been sent here.

 

I had this at a brewfest recently and it the best beer that I tried by far.

 

Have had my eyes peeled for this in the Raleigh Area, seems as though no one got any

 

Just saw it at my local (buffalo) shop (didn't check price)

 

Was this year's version a shade or 2 darker than last year's? Had an amber color this year. I remember it being more pale last. Flavor is off too. Aroma is excellent but the flavor is flat. Hate to say it but it was better last year.

 

Does seem to me a bit darker than last year. Thought both the aromas and flavors last year were a bit more citric (grapefruit) whereas this years seems a bit more resinous (pine resin). I say I enjoyed last year's more than this year's bottling.

 

I liked last year's version much more than this year's Harvest Ale.

I wonder if this is an issue of a differing hop crop or some change in the brewing process. Or maybe both?

Cheers!

 

From a comment sixpoint posted on his profile several weeks back, I'm guessing it has to do with the crop. IIRC he commented about visiting the hop fields and thinking that the crop looked a bit stressed from the water shortages.

Edit: Just looked his comment is still listed on his profile page.

 

I agree with everyone saying it looked pretty dark this year. However, I did put it a tick above this year's Founder's Harvest Ale, which I thought was amazing last year. In a non-scientific comparison I did with my unrefined palate the order ended up being Born Yesterday > Victory Harvest > Founder's Harvest > Sixpoint Sensi.

 

I'm sure you've seen but it's dropped in Raleigh now. Tasty Bev for sure has it.