Yeah, but you gotta go with what the brewer says. (Unless the brewer says it's a Mexican lager. Then all bets are off.)
Yeah, that is the argument that has been put forth. FWIW, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a Pale Ale for me (as per the branding). Cheers!
Agreed. And furthermore, IMHO it is THE standard by which all other APAs should be judged. Unfortunately, this is another example of the extreme hop craze ruining everything.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale started the craft revolution in the USA. I remember drinking it in the early 80's and being blown away.
A few years back, there was a Voodoo Ranger pale ale that was actually very good. I haven't seen it lately...
The Victory beers were once among my favorites - with HopDevil and Prima Pils being "house beers" for a time, Storm King and Old Horizontal in the cellar and happy to buy their traditional German-style seasonals. So, I was surprised a few weeks back when I saw, from a distant, the Victory logo on a beer labeled VIENNA. "Alright!" Got closer and read the entire name "Nevermind."
For me the one Victory beer that still holds up and scratches the hop itch from time to time is Hop Devil. It saddens me a lot to think about Victory, Troëgs managed to hold onto some of it’s past as has Sly Fox; Victory should have a different name at this poin, except for Hop Devil that is.
I think I get where you are coming from here since there has indeed been a lot of 'adjustments' to their portfolio and availability over the years. Just like the adjustments that Sierra Nevada made with there Little Things portfolio is a business thing to serve changing customer tastes. I am a fan of Belgian Trappist/Abbey Ales so I think that Golden Monkey is a high quality brew. I personally avoid the other monkey beers. And I don't make it to the brewpub (Downingtown) as often as I did in the past but they do have a nice assortment of brands available on tap there. My last visit was two pints of Braumeister Pilsner. But yeah, Victory is indeed different from the good ol' days and I feel similarly with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (e.g., I was a BIG fan of the Sierra Nevada seasonal 12-packs which were discontinued quite some time ago). Cheers!
Yes I agree Jack and the same could be said for “insert Sierra, etc.” I just feel like it is more pronounced and extreme with Victory than SN, etc. the Key Lime Pie Vienna being a perfect example. That and I’m probably just more sensitive to Victory because of what they meant to me. I do know they have some decent beers on tap but unfortunately Downington is quite the hike for a beer or two.
I understand the emotional aspect here. And I get that too. I am much closer to Downingtown than you and I don't get there as often as I did in the past. Maybe because Von C Brewing has opened? Cheers!
Looks like Victory Headwaters might be making a comeback. https://mybeerbuzz.com/beer-industr...ters-pale-ale-returning-in-new-can-packaging/