Victory Lager - Victory Brewing Company

chodinheaven

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Light straw color with perfect clarity and lots of visible carbonation. Not a lot of head, but there is a thin and patchy white sheet on top after it rapid dissapation. Smells of wheat and barley malts, as well as some fine crisp hops. Fresh oranges back it faintly, rounding the smell out.

Light to medium body, slightly heavier than your average lager. Crisp, clean taste but some slight lingering of barley malts in the finish. Hops add the crispness and have a small bittering effect that balances out the barley. Definitely a twinge of citrus in the taste, adding a level of complexity that you don't find in a whole lot of lagers. Higher carbonation adds to the crispness. This is just a beer that is not overly complex, but they definitely paid attention to the details and brewed a solid lager with more flavor than most others you'll find out there. Definitely no off adjunct flavors, probably the best part of this beer. Great for a hot summer day that calls for a light and refreshing beer that tastes pretty damn good too.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 04:41:50 | More by chodinheaven

deadliest

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pale golden yellow. Lots of bubbles. 2 fingers of white head that sticks around for a short while and leaves dots of lacing behind.
S: Light malts and some citrus/grassy hops.
T: Light malt and citrus hops again. lemon zest, and biscuit.
F: Light mouthfeel. Crisp. Good carbonation.
O: Really good lager. Too bad craft breweries don't put out more examples of these beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 18:10:28 | More by deadliest

happy4hoppybeer

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a bright, clear yellow/light gold, with moderate white head about an inch thick. Retains for a few minutes, then quickly vanishes, leaving no lacing. Typical weak lager appearance.

My nose detects scents of lemon,citrus, grains and light malt. A little weird, but has character.

Mouth absorbs faint traces of malt and graininess. A slight acidic and bitter citrus-like edge near the end of tasting. probably from hops. Fairly light-bodied, with your typical lager high carbonation.

As you may know I am generally not a fan of plain ol' lagers(the non-pilsener and non-Oktoberfest kind), so I did not expect much from this. That said, it is what it is. Not supposed to be extraordinary, just an everyday-type session brew. It's rather average at that, because I know there's better offerings in this style out there.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 02:05:13 | More by happy4hoppybeer

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A clear light golden in color with a small frothy head. A fast fading head leaves just a ring and spotty lacing.

Smells of malts. There is a sharp crispness in the aroma as well as sutle hints of grass.

Taste has that crisp malt taste, but not overpowering more in balance. A light toasted malts or toasted biscuit. Followed by fresh grass with a lemon tartness at the finish.

Thin and ever so tart. Finishs clean.

A good easy drinking beer. A smooth sutle malt forward style that's sure to please.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 12:47:21 | More by micromaniac129

jizfiasco

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very clear goldenrod color that resembles a very watery American lager. The head is fluffy and white but disappears in a blink. Smells a bit more German than it appears with a little pepper and grain. The taste is so much betters than the look and scent. If I saw this beer in a glass not knowing what it was I would pass it by buy the flavor is on point. I get grainy breaded malts, herbal hop notes and that peppery feel that is necessary for the style. Carbonation is lower but very striking and the beer goes down easy buy it gets too sweet as it warms so it's a gulper. Overall a good representation but could be a little cheaper I'm my opinion for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 23:17:07 | More by jizfiasco

nickfl

Florida

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - The beer pours with one finger of loose, white foam on top of a perfectly clear, golden body. The head collapses quickly and leaves only light lace on the glass.

S - Grainy malt with some notes of honey. A bit of herbal hop character in the background as well.

T - Clean, grainy malt up front with some graham cracker character. A touch of honey comes out in the middle along with a little herbal hop flavor. Things finish up with more dry, grainy malt and moderate bitterness.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - Clean and well balanced with a decent malt character. This is a drinkable Helles, but not as flavorful as some others that I have had.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 05:21:05 | More by nickfl

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle - $1.89 at Olde Crabapple Bottle Shoppe in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Enjoy By: Sep. 29, 2011.

Appearance: Transparent, light yellow-hued body with a smallish layering of white suds.

Smell: Judiciously sweet-scented German malts supported by a pinch of finely-ground spice and a twist of lemon.

Taste: Moderately grainy-tasting, faintly bready pils malt with a drop of honeyed sweetness. Spicy, lightly lemony hop profile with ample bitterness to balance V out. Closes out dry with a small tingle of effervescent carbonation.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium-light carbonation.

Overall: A pleasant, likable all-malt lager.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 20:10:25 | More by ChainGangGuy

Brent

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nice, old-school aspect to this beer. Light gold/caramel color with good head retention. Moderate bittering with a bit of fresh grain popping through in the middle. Finish is even, with the barest hint of honey sweetness. Could be a little smoother around the edges, but overall quite nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 18:10:38 | More by Brent

rebel1771

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a pale yellow with little to no head.

S: Grainy aroma with sweet corn and honey. Just a touch of a grassy/hoppy note at the end.

T: Very similar to the smell, the taste is full of sweet grains and a notable honey flavor. Slight hop note at the end.

O: This is a very good brew, perfect for summer cookouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 22:18:55 | More by rebel1771

JednoPivoProsim

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 fl oz bottle into a pint glass. Enjoy by May 6 2011. Why do I keep finding such out of date Victory beers?? I guess I need to pay better attention at time of purchase.

Appearance: Cloudy yellow-golden lager color with a thin white head that all but disappears completely.

Smell: Very malt heavy aroma. Does not have the grassy, metallic smell of most helles lagers.

Taste: Wow, this beer actually tastes good. I hate to try it when it is not three weeks past the "enjoy by" date! I think I just found my summer go-to and my next case purchase. Very malt forward with just an slight hop bite.

Mouthfeel: Appropriately heavy mouthfeel with very little carbonation.

Overall: Again, I am very impressed by this beer. I just hope I can find some fresher examples!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 15:03:12 | More by JednoPivoProsim

TheWhiskerReview

Tennessee

3.55/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliant orange-tinted yellow with some yeast flecks and a small white head. Minimal retention and lace.

The nose is soft and delicate, with a vaguely chalky-lemon zest dusting over the creamy pear flavors. There are touches of corn and hoppy flowers lingering in the background too.

Palate is very smooth, with more malty and creamy flavors. I'm thinking the hops weren't meant to be too noticeable. It's almost too drinkable of a brew.

Overall, wonderful flavors but the delicacy and smoothness make this borderline too chuggable. Even when I'm looking to get trashed I want to savor a beer a bit. But still very delicious and a sure recommendation for someone who hates hops.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 04:28:25 | More by TheWhiskerReview

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.2/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Best if enjoyed by May 6 2011.

A: Sparkling gold, with small specks of yeast floating around in the brew. The nice finger or so white head was picture perfect.

S: Bready, yeasty, and with a slight hop crackle.

T: Bready... more like unsalted crackers, with little to no sweetness to make it interesting. Disappointing.

M: Crisp, well carbonated, but... whatever.

O: This one was in dire need of a little something special to make it interesting. Meh...

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 22:24:22 | More by Chaney

ajfa531

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle with best by May 6 2011 on the label.
-Poured into a Duvel tulip. (maybe should've grabbed a pint glass for this lager, but, hey... shut up.)

I didn't give it the most vigorous pour. So, literally no head. Ring around the collar bubbles. Very close to white foam when swirled. The beer color is mid-range yellow. Straw color. Looks refreshing. I had thought on the verge of gold, but, I take that back. Very clear. Some floaties (Maybe coagulated proteins. Makes me want to go to a brewery and have some unfiltered helles lager.)

Sweet nose. Makes me think of mead. Might just be the sugars, but, almost a honey quality to this aroma. Earthy hops. There are some hops that impart a honey-ness, but, they are English, if I remember correctly. The malt, honey nose adds to the refreshing qualities. A Helles should be refreshing... so, here come the points.

Definite maltiness upfront, but, the hops come in quick with spice and grass. I was expecting more malt sweetness and bread. However, the color isn't that dark. So, maybe I should've known better. Not bad by any means, but, it does leave maltiness to be desired. (Maybe I just want a bock.)

The mouthfeel is a little thin to me at this moment. The carbonation is fine for a session beer. There are watery feelings. This aspect make me wish that those spots were filled in.

Overall, a real good beer. I'm a big aroma dude and that part is great. On the other hand, I don't feel that it carried over to the taste. I've helped brew Helles in production and the Honeycomb qualities were strong on all fronts throughout. I wanted more in the taste. Then, again, I'm a day-to-day taster. I really enjoyed the first 5 bottles and this one fell short of those.

Future edit in mind.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 06:19:08 | More by ajfa531

bubseymour

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Yellow clear like a pilsner. Carbonated throught drinking yet very little head develops at all.

Smell - Lemony, grassy and strawlike but subtle and nothing really jumping out.

Taste - Very true to the european origniation and not an over-the-top American craftbrew style. Straw and grass flavorings present but like the smell, flavors are subtle and not overpowering making this a great session beer or summertime drinker. Has some similarities to the pils but there is no hoppy bite to it.

Mouthfeel - Slightly watery but this is a 4.8 ABV lager so I wouldn't expect it overly rich or buttery.

Overall - this is a very well made, true to Munich style lager. Easy drinker, with pleasant light flavorings. Anyone and everyone can enjoy this brew whether your a BA or not.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 20:39:35 | More by bubseymour

sturner26

Pennsylvania

2.38/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into normal pint glass.

A: Clear pale yellow, bordering on golden. Tiny bubbles and a 2-3 inch white head that fades quickly.

S: Smells like an adjunct to be honest. Some lemon and grass but the smell makes me think I'm drinking an BMC.

T: With the smell of adjunct in my nose, I couldn't help but find the taste to be slightly above BMC. Lemon overtone and some cereal or wheat but it had a distinct aftertaste, like sulfur and was not great.

M: Good (compared to an BMC, which has become my standard for this beer unfortunatly). Good zest and active carbonation similar to a pils.

D: Not great. Packaged in a mized case with Hopdevil, Prima Pils, and Golden Monkey, I know which beer will be my last resort every time I visit the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 15:41:50 | More by sturner26

yesyouam

New York

1.7/5  rDev -52.6%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Victory V Lager is a cloudy, pale yellow beer with a small white head that quickly dissipates. It has a soft herbal aroma. It smells a little sweet and corny and very faint. It's light bodied and foamy with a dry finish that's kind of chalky. It has hardly any flavor. There may be a touch of lemon and mint or catnip. There is no bitterness. Sorry, Victory, I've peed better beer. This is an obvious attempt to make a Superbowl beer and they nailed it.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2011 15:44:58 | More by yesyouam

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle thanks to ChrisPro as part of the Blind BIF Round 4. Served in a tulip.

Pours a clear golden-straw color with a short white head. Carbonation bubbles are apparent. Head does not stick around for all that long. The nose is a bit grainy with some pilsner malt and a bit of floral and herbal hops. The taste brings a bit more of the hop components of the nose along with some grain in the background. Light body with good carbonation and a dry finish. Drinks quite well; very quaffable. This is a nice session brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 21:07:51 | More by Thorpe429

drabmuh

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Thorpe last night in a blind taste test. We had to figure out what beer this was and we all pretty much agreed that this was a pilsner, turned out to be a helles. We were close.

Beer is yellow and clear with a thin white head that tries really hard but just can't quite make it work. Carbonation is a little low and there isn't much lacing, still looks fine.

All pilsner all the time. This is a nice crisp bright pilsen sweetness to this beer that is very awesome. I love this aroma. Mild sulfur but it's not detracting.

Beer is thin and wet with a decent finish with a mild acidity that I kind of wish wasn't there. I think this is more like a Czech pils than a Helles. It has nearly nothing between the lead off sweetness and the finishing acidity. No middle ground flavors. It's definitely not bad and since it's a German lager not only would I have more of it I would drink a case one day.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 19:33:53 | More by drabmuh

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a standard pint glass; nice pale straw color with thin white head, decen lacing and light carbonatation.

Smell is grainy, with slight hint of corn. hops come through nicely, light citrus notes that mix well with the grain.

Taste is light, good malt sweetness and crisp with a bit of hop citrus.

Mouthfeel is great, nice and crisp with the flavors sticking well throughout.

Very drinkable, though i could see some of the flavors sticking around too long for more than a few.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 00:34:19 | More by mvanaskie13

beep71

Pennsylvania

1.35/5  rDev -62.4%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I was given a few of these at a family dinner over the holidays. This brewery is local, but I've never had this before and was looking forward to it. I popped the cap and poured, and was instantly disappointed. Very little head, and a cheap beer color. The smell wasn't all that pleasing, and the taste was worse. easily the worst microbrew lager I've had. Thank God I didn't have to pay for it. I never will, not when I can buy Yuengling for less and not ever be wishing I didn't.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 04:33:38 | More by beep71

random846

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +10%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: Pours a translucent straw color with a short lived white head.

Smell: Light smell of sweet malts with some yeast and light hops.

Taste: Crisp, the sweet malts and yeast are still there. Hops are more evident than in the smell but are still fairly light.

Mouthfeel: Between light and medium body, quite smooth/creamy. What I typically expect with a lager.

Drinkablity: Very good, could drink this all day. Does not have any offensive qualities.

Although I typically drink hoppier beers I'm always happy to see this beer in my fridge on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 09:42:58 | More by random846

adamette

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4.5

Live review. Poured from the 12 oz. brown bottle that I was generously given by my friend Bruce (thanks Bruce!) into my Cooperstown Beverage Trail pint glass. "Enjoy by Feb 12 2011" stamped on the left side of the label.

A Glowing straw yellow translucent body under an all too brief light white head. Kind of a standard look for a lager but not displeasing. 3.0

S Barley centric smell of a classic lager with an emphasis on corn. Again here, somewhat standard and unadenturous. Repeated sniffs revealed an even more grainy, pleasing presentation. 3.5

T Good tasting lager. Sure the barley malt (not sweet, more grainy) is primary in the taste but there is also a depth to the barley taste that I do not always find in lagers. 4.0

M Rather thin actually. Sure lagers are mostly thin but this was really too thin for me. 2.0

D Very, very good indeed. 4.5

Notes: If it had more body and had a better look and smell I am sure my ratings would have been higher. This is a reasonable alternative to other lagers but I think that there are better ones out there in the craft beer world. Thanks again to Bruce for seeing to it that I was able to try this one tonight!

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 04:05:13 | More by adamette

paulozanello

Brazil

3.8/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a Bottle into my SA Perfect Pint Glass.

V Lager has a egg-yolk yellow color, with lots of sendiment being almos totally hazy. The white head is about 1 cm and falls very quickly to a thin membrane on the surface. Not good looking at all! I would expect my Helles to be a crystal clear beer with creamy white head.

Aroma starts with pale malt and bread/biscuit with faint fruity/floral hops towards the finish. Smell is very discrete and it sure could be stronger.

Taste is muuuch better! Lots of bready and malty sweet flavors upfront finishing with delicious and delicate fruity/floral/grassy hop notes. Nice subtle bitterness that goes well with the malt profile. Finish is dry and pleasant. Aftertaste is mildly bitter at first, progressing to mild malt sweetness.

Body is very light and carbonation is high as well as drinkability.

Despite its flaws on appearance and smell I still enjoyed this beer. It still loses to the better German Brands and Stoudt's Gold Lager but I'd definitely session this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 02:41:16 | More by paulozanello

dogfishandi

New York

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle pulled from the fridge poured into an imperial pint glass. enjoy by oct 10 2010 on bottle, so a month over freshness, but i dont think itll matter much.

pours out a pale straw yellow with a fizzy white head that faded to nothing almost instantly. just a slight touch of sediment visible if you look hard.

not huge in the aroma. mostly grain husks and lager funk.

much better taste than the aroma would suggest. a nice balance of grains and lemon citrus hops. lager yeast throughout. simple, but well crafted.

very light in body, good carb for the style, most are overdone.

excellent drinkability. id love to session this beer but its hard to find in sixers, picked this up as a single. worth a try if you can find it, but i wouldnt really go out of my way to drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 01:24:52 | More by dogfishandi

thekanna

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Yellow bordering on gold with white head that dissipates quickly.

S: Yeast and light hops with notes of flowers, citrus fruits, and slightly sweet malts.

T/M: Incredibly crisp, sweeter malts with yeasts and notes of grassy hops and citrus fruits in the aftertaste. Light body with a lot of effervescence and slight creaminess. Delicious.

D: One of the better lagers I've had. Bravo, Victory.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 01:39:53 | More by thekanna