Victory Helios Ale

Brewed by Victory Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Downingtown, Pennsylvania USA

From a 22oz bomber into a snifter. Pours with a TON of white pillowy (but strangely thin head which, over about 3 mins, dissipates into a thin layer. Mild lacing which remains in splotches on the glass. Aroma is of lemon and funk. Tastes is of lemon and pepper and a good deal of funk. Alcohol taste is not present. Mouthfeel is nice and smooth, in a light sort of way, but there is too much carbonation which detracts from the taste. Overall, I like this beer a lot. It also is priced well ($3.65, which is especially important because it’s only sold in bombers, which in my opinion are notoriously over priced. Kudos to Victory for brewing this one and for cutting the price from the $7.50 they charged for V-Saison (the predecessor to this beer). I think this will be my go to saison for the summer.

Pours a clear gold with a booming white head on the first pour, gets a little smattering of small particulates in the second pour. Peppery, slightly grassy aroma. Perhaps a touch of brett (not funky though). Crisp malt in the flavor backed by a balanced lingering mild bitterness. Tasty beer. Easy drinking, but not exactly exciting.

Clear golden pour with a fluffy head and nice carbonation streamers running up from the bottom of the glass. Aroma is spicey and peppery. Flavor is spicy, with black pepper, yeasty with a bit of musty funk. Finish is crisp with lingering pepper. Not a huge fan of this one as there is little depth. It is, however, a crisp, refreshing brew.

First time with a saison, very nice big bubbly head lots a fizzy carbonation, very fruity Belgium aroma,citrus, lemon, grapes..Taste was very nice, it goes especially well with dinner..light hop backround comes through with all your Belgium yeast and fruits..Nice V Brew

On tap. Grape and yeast aroma. Hazy golden color with a medium white head. Sweet tangy beginning with a moderate bitter finish.

Bottle from K&L Redwood City, bottled on July 3, 2007. Part of my first haul after Victory started distributing out here, which was very exciting since I’m from Pennsylvania. This bottle is well over 2 years old, and that worried me a bit about how it might have aged. Fortunately, it seems not to have changed much over the years. Cork comes out of the corked & caged bottle with a nice pop. Pours bright golden with lots of tiny bubbles rising up and a creamy, lumpy white head that leaves some good lacing. Aroma is barnyard funk, Belgian yeast, pale malt, and spiciness. Flavor is pale malt, Belgian yeast, funk, mild citrus, black pepper, and floral hops. Not at all oxidized or stale. Body is medium-light and palate is somewhat peppery and lively. Overall this is a very nicely done saison.

POurs a clear rich yellow with a giant white head. Nose is heavy yeast, lemon, orange, pepper. Flavor is a crisp, tart sweet malt, sour lemon peel, unripe oranges, mild brett? I get a little funk in there.