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Victory Golden Monkey
Downington, Pennsylvania
BJCP Category: 18C Belgian Tripel
Victory Brewing Co. <visit site>
39
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[expand]Total Score: 42/50
High alcohol (9.8-percent abv) makes this a sipping beer for me, something to be enjoyed with a goat cheese appetizer, garlic-mayonnaise fries or steamed mussels. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Spicy, peppery aroma up front. Light, pilsner maltiness with light fruity esters. No hop aroma. No DMS. No diacetyl. Some alcohol notes, more noticeable as the beer warms. No fusels. (10/12)
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Appearance: Highly effervescent. Golden color. Substantial haze at serving temperature. Thick, long-lasting, white head. ((2/3)
Flavor: Sweet pilsner maltiness initially with a peppery spiciness reminiscent of grains of paradise rather than yeast-produced phenols or particularly spicy hops. Alcohol is very evident but not hot and without fusels and contributes to the overall sweetness. Low yeast produced phenols and only moderate esters. Dry finish with a moderate bitter aftertaste. No diacetyl. Sweet malt yet dry finish provides for an interesting complexity that’s not the most complex of Tripels but one of the most enjoyable. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, a bit full for a style that is typically lighter given the high gravity. Some alcohol warming. High carbonation results in an overall lively mouthfeel. Creaminess is evident. (4/5)
Overall Impression: High alcohol (9.8-percent abv) makes this a sipping beer for me, something to be enjoyed with a goat cheese appetizer, garlic-mayonnaise fries or steamed mussels (both steamed in the Golden Monkey and enjoyed with the mussels). I personally like the fruitier Tripels but this is very drinkable since it is drier and more “digestible” than many. Serve at 55-60° F to truly enjoy the complexity. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Billed as a Belgian Tripel, the higher, more evident alcohol and more pronounced fruit and spice are more appropriate to a Belgian Golden Strong Ale in my humble opinion. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Sweet orange and lightly acidic lemony esters; biscuity malt, with some grassy notes and an expression of clove spice phenols. No overt hop aroma. (8/12)
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Appearance: Brilliant golden, fine foam forms biscuity, persistent head with a pearly off-white surface. Fine bubbles continually rise; foam leaves lace on sides of the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Complex, with lots of citrus, pear, banana and Double Bubble gum, with allspice phenols mid-palate. Light, crisp malt flavor is dominated by fruit and spice. Alcohol flavor is present with some acetate notes in the finish. No hop flavor, but balancing bitterness lingers at the end. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Alcoholic warmth, medium light body with effervescent, prickly carbonation, and clean crisp finish. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Billed as a Belgian Tripel, the higher, more evident alcohol and more pronounced fruit and spice are more appropriate to a Belgian Golden Strong Ale in my humble opinion. Lots of fruit and spice up front. Aromas of citrus, but banana and pear in the flavor give greater complexity than is suggested by the initial impression. This is a wonderful fruit and cheese after-dinner drink, or a favored replacement for champagne at a Sunday brunch. Refreshing, but not light in the modern sense. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Very enjoyable Belgian-style ale. I would rate it a few points higher as a Golden Strong—closer to Duvel than Westmalle. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Bready malt with a pleasant sugary character and a touch of honey and vanilla. Moderate pear and banana esters with some clove phenols. Alcohol is a little more assertive than in most Tripels. (9/12)
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Appearance: Golden-bronze in color, with some haze from the yeast being roused during shipping. Head retention is good but carbonation is a little low for the style (but not enough to warrant a deduction). (3/3)
Flavor: Complex spectrum of flavors. Sugary malt up front with just enough dextrins to support the yeast contributions without being cloying. There is a little more emphasis on clove in the flavor compared to the aroma, but the same components are present here. The bitterness is elevated due to the alcohol and phenols—hop contribution is at the appropriate level, and there is an interesting woody/oak character in the finish. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: There is some alcoholic warmth, maybe a little more than expected, and the finish is a little harsh due to some astringency. A slightly higher carbonation level could lighten the body a little. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Very enjoyable Belgian-style ale. I would rate it a few points higher as a Golden Strong—closer to Duvel than Westmalle. My notes from a previous tasting of this beer mention that I found it a little cloying, but that was not at all the case in this sample. The balance is very good, and there are many layers of complex flavors that give it an interesting profile. One bottle was not quite enough, but I can remedy that easily enough now that it is being sold in my local grocery store. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 37/50
Better than most American versions but falls short of the dry bitterness and complexity of the best Belgian examples. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Aroma: Pils malt aroma with a sugary sweetness—moderately strong. Light spice of hops and/or phenols plus a soft alcohol warmth. Very light esters. The pils malt dominates the other aromatics. (9/12)
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Appearance: Tall, frothy white head, retained well. Somewhat cloudy, which detracts from the visual impact. Medium yellow color. (2/3)
Flavor: Sweet, clean pils malt, finishing medium-dry. Medium bitterness, which is lower than most Belgian examples but may be more suitable for American palates. Spicy flavor; moderate hop flavor with yeasty phenols. Fresh. Light alcohol flavor. Yeast complexity is restrained. Very light esters. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated with mouth-filling bubbles. Medium-light body, but seems a little fuller with all those bubbles. Warming but not burning. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Better than most American versions but falls short of the dry bitterness and complexity of the best Belgian examples. However, it is very deceptive in its 9.5-percent strength—that is certainly true to the classic Belgian character. I remember this beer as being much sweeter in the past. I commend Victory for moving it closer to the classic profile. It’s now good enough to be added to the BJCP Style Guidelines as a classic example. (7/10)
