Victory Lager - Victory Brewing Company

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.75/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance: Appears a pale straw color gold with a nice sized white foaming head leaving speckled lacing without much consistency to the pattern. Aroma: Grainy and light in malt sweetness, there is just a touch of hop presence in the air, I mean I know the helles style lager is delicate but this is a beer marketed toward the masses not one I m proud to hoist from Victory at this point. Taste: Crisp refreshing grassy sweet texture from the imported malts and a good amount of bitterness here to obtain balance, overall disappointing in the flavor department whatever happened to my beloved export style lager, shame on you Bill and Ron your targeting a "Bud/Miller/Coors" crowd with this one what happened to "we brew the type of beers that we like to drink"? Okay that was harsh considering this is a difficult style to make clean tasting balanced brew, I can also fathom how Victory needs a beer on the light side, but this one borders watery for me. Mouthfeel: Is thin carbonated water like texture, just no character. Drinkability: It's alright even good and refreshing but lacking the awesome flavor profile of the export style lager that anyone who purchased the Victory sampler found as a true jewel, in one word disappointing I was at least expecting a very flavorful Helles, oh well yeah I think I could drink a six pack of this without feeling anything. Light, crisp, refreshing lawnmower beer with no off tones, well constructed but lacking flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2003 14:13:54 | More by WVbeergeek

Wasatch

Utah

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

Thanks goes out to jctribe25 for this brew.

Pours a nice clean/clear golden yellow color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy white head, not much sticky lacing tough. The nose is malty, with some hops, slight spice. The taste is sweet, malty, slightly hoppy, with some spice. Medium body. Drinkable, this is a nice one.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 02:10:48 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

(Served in an American pint glass) best before Mar 19 2010
A- This beer has a crystal clear golden yellow body with a thin white head soon to disappears with tiny bubbles in slow motion. S- This beer has a soft sighty sweet malt with a Munich malt hint and pale malt with some field corn note finish.
T- This beer has a big sulfury hops flavor that grows with a fizzy water taste in the finish.
M- This beer is a light mouthfeel with a big scrubbing fizzy finish.
D- This beer is sulfury and fizzy that covers most of the flavor and aroma except for the watery taste in the finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2010 15:15:24 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz brown bottle with no freshness date. Blurb about the beer on the label.

Fluffy foamy off white head, a touch of haziness from either a chill haze or yeast on a dull yellowish straw hue. Head retention is decent.

Aromas of a hay like grainy malt, lemony herbal hop and a faintness of yeast.

Light crispness, more smoothness, on a moderate body. Raw snap of grain upfront with a doubling of hop bitterness that wants to linger. Soft graininess with a powdery, almost doughy character. A kiss of yeast in the back with hints of alcohol and a drying husky grain.

I bet you this brew on tap is lovely, pretty good in the bottle to say the least. A raw lager, not like most at all … light yet flavourful. As others have noted this could be a great crossover beer if not just a brew for macro drinkers to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2002 14:45:50 | More by Jason

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Part of the Poitras/VA 2004 vacation.

Enjoyed on tap at Capital Ale House - Innsbrook, Glen Allen, VA

14oz pils glass presentation. White 1/2" head over a plae straw brew, and no lacing present. Light pale malt aroma, and the flavor expanded on this with the crisp malt character leading up to a hoppy finish. Mouthfeel and drinkability excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2004 12:21:46 | More by ppoitras

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a darker yellowish-golden color with a foamy white head that settles into a nice lace. Aroma is nothing special with subtle hints of floral hops. Flavor is a nice balance of hops , maltiness and a crisp golden flavor. Very smooth drinking enjoyable session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2008 08:32:11 | More by corby112

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Victory, Downingtown, PA

First had this a while ago, but I just recently revisited it. It's not something I'd normally go for, and it's not my usual style, but if the owner is going to buy me one, who am I to decline?

Served in a 0.3L German-style tumbler, Victory lager pours a crystal clear golden brown color with a nice cap of foamy white head that retains well, and leaves just a bit of soapy lacing. Aroma of light German malts, light floral hops, basic, no nonsense. Taste follows the aroma, pale malts, crackery grains, floral hops, crisp, clean, nothing complex or amazing, but it's a standard lager, so what more can you ask for? Light body, and goes down as smooth as anything. For the style, this is a very good beer. If you want something simple and extremely easy to drink, yet miles ahead of the macro market, look no further.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 14:15:33 | More by Rifugium

glid02

Georgia

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

On-tap at Taco Mac Metropolis in Atlanta.

Pours a clear light straw color with a one-finger bright white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of absurdly crisp light malts with sharp light citrus aromas. Also present are hints of leafy and spicy hops.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though note quite as robust. Smooth light malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by bright citrus flavors - more lemon rind than anything else. Midway through the sip the citrus influence fades a bit and the flavor profile becomes more bitter with the addition of earthy hops. Very slight hints of breadiness come into play before fading out to allow the hops carry through to a solidly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall this is another very good lager from Victory. Very smooth and I wish I had access to this more regularly. Very well worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2010 02:41:08 | More by glid02

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured a medium-pale gold with feverous carbonation and a sudsy thin head that faded quickly.

S: some light fresh grains, light herbal hopping.

T: The flavor bore some wet grains, floral hopping and a light fresh grassiness. Overall the flavor appeared rather, safe, non-offending but fit per style.

M: lively from the carbonation.

D: Drinkability was ok, was on the fence for this one. Drinkable but with a shoulder shrug for excitement.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2009 23:41:43 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

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

Poured a medium straw hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retenton and lacing.

The smell featured a soft doughy aroma which was cut by a spicy hop presence.

The taste was likewise soft and doughy, with a mild and tasty grain profile. The strong hop spiciness really made the taste authentic.

The mouthfeel was clean and crisp.

Overall an authentic rendition of the style. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2006 02:15:50 | More by plaid75

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This poured with a huge, foamy, white head that quickly dissipated into wispiness. It was a very pale yellow, almost straw-like, in color. The mouthfeel was very light, but I got a nice maltiness on the nose. In fact, I even thought that nose reminded me of hay. There was a good malty sweetness both in the mouth and on the finish. The finish was surprisingly dry, reminding me that an American lager is far different from a Helles-style lager. Viva la difference!

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2005 02:50:37 | More by woodychandler

Brad007

Vermont

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

Color: Bright yellow color with a very thin head.

Aroma: Malt sweetness upfront with a tinge of hops in the nose. Not bad.

Taste: Sweet and malty with some hop bitterness in the middle. Goes down easy. A bit bready. Seems drinkable. Smooth.

Mouthfeel: Dry and not too sweet. The hops balance out the sweetness. I'm not much for describing lagers but I like this one.

Drinkability: Decent lawnmower beer. You should drink this instead of PBR. It's smooth, refreshing and inoffensive. I don't normally drink lagers but I would drink this again if I could find it easier.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2008 16:19:04 | More by Brad007

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Clear straw yellow with a bit of head that recedes to just around the edges.

S. Bready yeast and a bit of malt.

T. Very flavorful. Mild hop bitterness, some grainy tastes, sweet background and ultra smooth. Interesting style lager from victory.

M. Medium bodied and almost creamy, but it is alittle watery around the edges.

D. Drinkability is very good. A nice beer to relax with and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2008 23:56:09 | More by Stinkypuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale golden yellow with a small white head. In the aroma, a sweet maltiness. In the taste, a small sweet to dry maltiness and a very clean taste. A smooth, medium bodied mouthfeel and a small dry maltiness in the aftertaste. A very nice lager, yet nothing too exciting.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2008 17:30:05 | More by OWSLEY069

avalon07

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle to a pilsener glass. Had a golden yellow color and a middling consistency - neither thick nor thin. There was a nice head and some good lacing.

I smelled the malt above anything else, though a little citrus peeked through.

The taste was decent. Malt, a little lemon and hops. A good taste.

This had a fair amount of carbonation and a crisp finish for a well done mouthfeel.

I'll be honest, I don't necessarily care for this style of beer. I think it's, by nature, thinly constructed. I tried it because Victory is a solid brewery. That being said, this is an okay beer. I think it's as good as you can get with the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2008 14:52:14 | More by avalon07

TheLongBeachBum

California

3.85/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12 ounce bottle, freshness date is “Enjoy by May 20 03”. Has a red, blue and yellow label that is quite striking in appearance. It has a picture of a hand holding a bottle of Victory, whilst simultaneously giving the famous Churchillian two-fingered “V” sign. The label is in the style reminiscent of old Communist Posters from the 1930’s Soviet Union. Has a short blurb on the left hand side, which has a nice, but polite, dig at some other Lager producers that use Corn & Rice.

Appearance: Amber gold in color, with a very clear body. Frothy head easily forms when first poured, looks great at first. But it slowly rescinds to settle down to a thin collar covering. Low carbonation but the head never completely breaks down.

Nose: No surprises. A malty nose to start with, which has a sweet caramel aspect.

Taste: Starts rather reserved at first, and builds with every sip. Malty beginnings amidst a creamy caramel setting that has a light grain feel. The end is slightly dry but with a lip-smacking malt finish. An extremely clean beer from start to finish, no rough edges at all.

Mouthfeel: Average, yet the creamy mouthfeel and a lovely smooth malt texture, all help to increase the mouthfeel slightly and aid its Drinkability. Very nice!

Drinkability: Started as an easy to drink run of the mill lager, that finished as a very quaffable, extremely tasty malty lager. I would imagine this to be a real imbiber on tap.

Overall: Took a short while and a few mouthfuls, but this Lager really grew on me in the end. Impressive!!

Thanks to Francisweizen for the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2003 03:27:14 | More by TheLongBeachBum

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I had this at Wegmans-pulled from the singles cooler- poured chilled into a tumber from the 12oz brown bottle.

A - A golden yellow w/ good clarity and streaming bubbles visible. The head is a quickly dissipating white that turns into a ring w/ small beading

S - A musty, mildly vegetal nose w/ sweet malt note and hint of hops that have a mild herbal scent

M - A crisp clean sparkling carbonated on the tip of the tongue feel. The effect is dry almost spicy on the palate w/ feel appropriate to style but lacks some malt sweetness

T - The taste is lightly yeasty like a german lager should be w/ mellow malt which is dry and takes a backseat to the hops slightly, but has a nutty kernal and blends well w/ the mild herbal hops. The finish is slightly creamy as the carbonation stirs up some gastric expulsion of vapor.

D - A lager that is well made, but doesn't compare to some other Helles biers I have had, just better than average drinkability wise for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 19:53:13 | More by Slatetank

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I received this in a trade with jwc215...thanks, Joe!

This pours from 12oz bottle(best by Jun 19 07) a clear, bubbly straw gold colour with a large head of foam. It settles down after a while but stays for the entire session as a fine layer and there's lacing.

The smell hasa pretty hoppy aroma mixed in with some malty tones.

The taste on first sip has a nice hoppy presence... I'm getting some lemon zest. Further sips in and there's some non sweetish malt and bread there but they are on the light side. It finishes crisp and clean and makes for a good thirst quencher.

The body is light as is the carbonation. I like this one and it has a good German feel to it.

Bottom line: This is a good Lager...no bells or whistles, just a good solid Lager. I'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2007 14:06:43 | More by Bitterbill

Tone

Missouri

3.38/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, pale yellow color. 1/5 inch head of a white color. Slight retention and poor lacing. Smells of yeast, pale malt, grain, and hint of hops. Fits the style of a Munich Helles Lager. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of yeast, pale malt, grain, slight hops, and a hint of citrus. Overall, a slightly better than average lager, but still weak in body for my taste. It does get much better as it has a chance to warm.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2009 03:55:30 | More by Tone

kylehay2004

Florida

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: thin head on a hazy pale golden body.

S: musty light pale malts and grains.

T: overall bland with little standing out. Mostly malts and grains.

M: moist finish. medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: this one is very bland. I guess drinkable but not for the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 23:45:25 | More by kylehay2004

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought a bottle in Western Mass, poured into a pint glass. The beer is crystal clear, light gold colored, with a thin head. The aroma is light and malty, definitely smells like it came out of Munich. The aroma is malty, a little sweet, and maybe a little bread dough. The mouthfeel is light as water, and drinkability is very good. There should be more lagers like this in the U.S., I wish I could find it easily at home.

I've liked most Victory beers I've tried, it's a shame that they only market several (Hopdevil, Storm King, Prima Pils, Hop Wallop) widely in OH. I'd like to see this (along with Moonglow) on OH shelves.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2008 03:01:43 | More by TurdFurgison

DefenCorps

Oregon

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

Bottle from Chevy Chase. I've lost track of how many years its been since I've had this beer. Five? In any case, there's no freshness date on this, so I hope it isn't ancient.

Clear golden yellow with a dense, white head that falls off to a disk rather quickly. The nose is rather excellent. MOderately hoppy with a blend of earth, lemon snappiness, and a touch of soap, this is a pretty enjoyable blend (despite the soap). This complements the malt character, which is a blend of crackers, bread, grain, dough and even a touch of honey. Very nice.

The palate is better. Opening with a firm bitterness, lemony, dusty and snappy (though not quite as nice as in Summer Love) flavors follow. Grainy and doughy for the most part, with a touch of honey, the malt character is quite nice, and nicely complements the hops. Drying, grainy and bitter on the finish with a mild mineral character that actually tastes like it might be a combination of the earthy hops and the carbonic acid. I really like the hop profile of this beer. Light in body without being watery, this beer has a medium-high level of carbonation (appropriately enough) and a drying finish that's mildly hoppy and mildly grainy. Very nice, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 02:31:29 | More by DefenCorps

francisweizen

Australia

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

A very clean, malty, german style lager beer. This lager pours a dark amber colour into my pint glass. The aromas are of malt. The taste is very malty, with the hops hiding in the background, if they are even there...The mouthfeel is full, crisp, and satisfying and the drinkability is very good as well...

A very simple beer from Victory, but one that is very easy to quaff all night long(if need be)

Cheers to Victory for this one!,
F.

PS: the new version is very similar to the old one, but now it tastes more like Miller High Life! Judge that one for yourself!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2003 10:21:30 | More by francisweizen

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.4/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally got this down here in TX! 12 oz bottle with a best by date of Nov 28 2011. Pours a fairly clear, light gold color with a decent cap of white head. Retention and lacing are both average.

Nose is saltine crackers and a light, citric-flesh fruit. I thought I would find more graininess and grassy hops, but Victory has beat a different drum once again.

Taste is light and crisp with some biscuit grain and a fair amount of bright hops...both flavoring and bittering. I like this beer quite a bit, not necessarily a classic helles, but damn is it refreshing and tasty. I would have no problem finishing off a sixer of this in a day. Tasty, clean and interesting...just what I want in a nice lager. Excellent beer, I see a repeat purchase in my very near future.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 00:47:56 | More by twiggamortis420

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