Victory Brewing (2020)

My thoughts exactly. Victory does Lagers well and at least one should be a showcase here.

 

Finally got to the straight bourbon...



So good, vanilla notes present.

 

Tried Hop Wallop for the first time in 7-8 years and it's still a great beer and a very nice diversion from the sea of NEIPAs.

The Hoppy Lager was also quite good.

 

I am not sure if you are aware or not but Victory performed an ‘update’ for the 2020 version of Hop Wallop. I discussed this beer a few months ago in a New Beer Sunday thread:

“Well the brewers at Victory are at it once again in performing another ‘update’ to this beer. Last year Hop Wallop was brewed using the following hops: Citra and Simcoe. For the 2020 version of Hop Wallop they added some additional hops to the mix, this year’s version has a total of four hop varieties: Citra, Simcoe, Cascade and Chinook.

So, last year’s version was solely new school hops but for 2020 a combination of both new school and old school.”

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-779.632517/#post-6779259

In my opinion Hop Wallop is best enjoyed extremely fresh (e.g., less than 1.5 months from the packaging date).

Cheers!

 

Such a great lager. I would definitely return to the brand if they could package a similar product, maybe just even for PA distribution only.

 

I did remember that but I have no true recollection of what HW would have had when I last had it, which was probably 5-6 years ago?

I think the bottle I had was pretty fresh, too.

 

To keep this thread going strong. I’m currently drinking a victory red from 2016. It was gifted to me a year or so ago. I have to say, it is an awesome beer. I know it’s probably not a beer many people still have to drink but just throwing victory love to the forum. But if you do have one lying around I highly suggest opening one up. Cheers!

 

I finally had the chance to try Classic this week. Very solid beer. The first few sips are actually a little malty sweet for my taste (even for a Helles) but after the palate adjusts it's quite good. Victory makes great lager, but we already knew that.

That being said, for me it's not as good as others in the area. I'd prefer a Sly Fox Helles (or Loyal Lager if I'm going non-helles).

 

I picked up some SF Helles recently (one of my favorites) and I too would give the nod to it but Classic is solid and I would be happy with either and we do have some great local choices. If going outside of local Jack's Abby House Lager is fantastic also...I was able to get six fresh 16 oz beers for a good price so a decent value here also.

I've been on a lower ABV kick and revisiting some of my old favorites and trying ones that I just never picked up and it has been fun. I am happy to see a renewed interest in Lagers and more options. I am also a sucker for pale Lagers and lime and I like seeing those on the shelves and a few new ones on the way.

 

A couple of weeks I discussed my first taste of Victory Classic Lager in a New Beer Sunday thread:

I discussed a similar thought concerning the aroma aspect:

"The first impression is bready Pilsner Malt aroma but after a bit it turns into a pleasant combination of bready malt aroma and herbal/spicy hop aroma."

My guess is this is an 'opening up' of the beer aspect.

You have given me an idea for an upcoming NBS post. A blind taste test of fresh Sly Fox Helles Golden Lager and Victory Classic Lager starting with a triangle taste test and then side-by-side.

I have a feeling that Victory Classic Lager will be the 'winner' here since I wrote:

"Overall:

This beer is excellent. I really enjoyed the balance of bready Pilsner Malt and herbal/spicy hop flavors. This beer is indeed consistent with the Victory Brewing ‘claim’ of an Easy Drinkin' Lager."



https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-790.637518/#post-6865033

Cheers!

P.S. For the past three weekends I have traveled out to Downingtown to pick up crowlers (6 crowlers per visit). At $3.33 per crowler this is a GREAT deal plus I feel good in helping a local brewery during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

That is great idea and I would love for you to do this and to hear your thoughts.

That really is an awesome deal but unfortunately for me I typically don't want to put away 32 oz in one sitting and I am not sure how well the beer would hold up once opened. Thoughts?

 

Lagers were made to drink 32 oz at a time or sorry, liter at a time if we’re staying true.

I have some black glasses I do this with and it’s so much fun.

 

Well, as I discussed in that NBS post I ended up drinking 32 ounces of that crowler of Victory Classic Lager since my wife wanted to drink a homebrewed Bohemian Pilsner instead (after only taking a couple of sips). I was very happy to drink that entire crowler; as I stated it: "...I was happy drinking her half of Victory Classic. Another classic win-win!"

Back in the good ol' days when I went to brewpubs and craft beer bars I would drink multiple pints of beers so 32 ounces is not all that much IMO.

Perhaps just gently pour yourself a pint and place the crowler in the refrigerator for your second pint when you are ready (20 - 30 minutes later). You won't lose much carbonation this way.

And even if you decide to only drink half a crowler (gasp!) that is $3.33 for a pint of beer. Still a pretty good deal and you can be proud that you are supporting a local brewery during a time of need.

Cheers!

 

Ha ha I feel ya but I have been watching how much I consume and 32 oz in one shot is a little more than I would like to do these days (especially if the ABV is on the higher side). Once in a while it's cool but not regularly. But that is a great deal and I want to be sure to support them so we shall see.

 

I suppose it is all relative but for Classic at 4.8% ABV I do not consider that to be an onerous ABV value.

If you decide to make the trip I would also highly recommend the Braumeister Pils – Spalt. A bit higher at 5.5% but well worth the splurge IMO:

"Overall:

This beer is very, very good! I found the herbal flavors from the Spalt hops to be very captivating. These flavors draw me in and entice me to really want another sip, and another and another…"



https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-791.637937/#post-6872978

Cheers!

P.S. Happy Hour is just a few short hours away. I will be cracking open another crowler of Braumeister Pils - Spalt.

 

Oh yeah totally agree re: the Classic ABV and 32 oz there isn't a huge deal but if I am getting a few Victory crowlers I am sure at least one will be on the higher side so that is where I would like to watch my intake in a sitting.

Absolutely! I enjoy that series and would love to try that one. Have you had the Play Action Pils?

https://untappd.com/b/victory-brewing-company-play-action-pils/3415303

 

I have not and in fact this is the first time I have heard of it.

I wonder why this beer is not available for pick up at Downingtown?

Cheers!

@rotsaruch

 

I see it on the menu only from time to time (but it was on it again recently) and I would like to try it sometime.

 

I also enjoy SF Helles, but I find it can be a little sweet sometimes, not sure if it's due to age or often pulling from an icy cooler and it's to cold. I tried Loyal a couple times and really wanted to like it, but it has an odd hop flavor I can't get into. Root Down also makes some good lagers.

 

Picked up a sixtel of Hop Devil today in Downingtown. Kegged January 2020. Was hoping for fresher. Should I be worried?