Victory V12

Brewed by Victory Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Downingtown, Pennsylvania USA

Bottle from Ross that I shared at Springslicker’s fish fry. Price tag reads 5.99! Pours deep amber with a an off white head. Non-agressive aroma of fruity esters and a hint of alcohol. Flavor is fairly simple- pale belgian malts, pear, banana, and light toffee candy. There is lots of sweetness on this one. Finish is slightly yeasty with a some notes of clove. Alcohol is extremely well-hidden for 12%. The best way I can describe this is a hefe meets triple. Good.

I enjoyed this beer a lot. Nice flavor, excellent mouthfeel, great finish. Victory has a winner with this one. I can’t wait for number thirteen

Victory will be mine. I shall never claim defeat and I shall never give up, which is how I was able to finally capture the Victory 12 which sits in quiet surrender before me.

She poured a clean and clear amber with copper-orange hues glinted almost like gold in the passing light. A tiny head crowns, and then fades into nothingness. A lackluster head doesn’t mean the brew is such, and for the Victory 12, she would have just been in the way of barrage of aromas. Caramel, toffee, and sweet bready malts whisper while brandy, spice, and caramelized sugars remind me of that holiday curse, fruitcake. Personally, I think fruitcake tastes horrible, though the caramelized sugars mixed with preserved sugary, bready fruits have always been deceptively enticing. Lots of bread with pumpernickel and rye taking the lead as they guide me into her awaiting amber depths. Immediately, I am struck by how frothy her body is while sweet caramel, toffee, and spices mingle. Cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled on top of the awaiting bready body leaves a mouth-coating impression while grassy notes of hay and straw linger in the finish. A very intriguing brew indeed, sticky and sweet with a chewy bready body soaked in warm spices, faint brandy notes, and a dry hay-field finish.

Ironically, I remember enjoying my Victory 12 when we together, but time has faded her memory more than I would like. She was simple, straightforward, and knew exactly what she wanted to say which was to her benefit. Not as grandiose as I was hoping, but far more sessionable than I was expecting. Personally, I think I need to capture another Victory 12 and reaffirm my quaffing authority.

750ml in Chimay glass. Slightly hazy reddish amber with lasting flat ring head. Caramel fruity alcohol nose with a little cardboard. Malty toasted caramel with some red fruit and (like girlybeer says) some cognac, actually reminds me a little of Utopias. Somewhat bitter slightly astringent finish. Full body. Eh. Seems pretty average for a beer like this.

Location: 750 from Gilly’s, 4/5/09

Aroma: Sweet, dark fruits, some light bread, maltiness, a little brown sugar
Appearance: Orange, amber color, some carbonation, medium off-white head that dissipates quickly
Flavor: Nice sugary sweetness, some decent spice, malts
Palate: Very decent mouthfeel, nice flavor, enjoyably drinkable beer
Overall Impression: I like this one, it’s got nice Belgian qualities to it, a very enjoyable beer.

bottle. had at 3rd beer meeting. i liked this beer. would like another one

A very fine Belgian. Definitely one to get again. Had that great, banana aroma and burst of flavor, followed by other darker fruits and spice. Almost a butterscotch quality, but not too sweet, just right. The alcohol shows up slowly, and lingers, adding to the experience.

Cidery and somewhat cognac tastes. Malty. Good balance of hops and sweetness. Pours with a tan head with large bubbles. Fruity aroma of apples, dark fruits and apricots. Alcohol burn in the mouthfeel yet smooth. Good winter beer, sweet, smooth and enjoyable.