Golden Monkey - Victory Brewing Company

Hoppington

New York

3.6/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Golden goodness

S: Sweet malt nose

T: Creamy malt with banana/vanilla notes

M: Cream soda mouthfeel

D: Smooth with an exotic feel to it

A decent attempt at a Belgian tripel, but invariably sweet due to the high alcohol. Could have used a bit more balance with bitterness, IMO. Still, a nice drinkable beer with a fruity exotic creaminess to it. I would try it again but only as an occasional treat.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2008 23:40:42 | More by Hoppington

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Sampled on-tap at Victory, this Tripel pours a pale golden hue with some lighter yellowish highlights. The decently full pure white head recedes quickly to nearly nothing and leaves no real lace.

The aroma consists of lots of bright but rather yeasty fruits and wheat. Citrus, cherry, apricot, apple, honey, and caramel malt. A bit of spice is there as well; primarily coriander. Sweet, tangy and starchy.

Bright and very yeasty wheat. Again lots of fruit: citrus, apricot, cherry. The grain lingers well with some honey sweetness, more fruit, and some citric tartness. The flavors meld well but aren't terribly complex (and that's not necessarily a bad thing).

Heavy on the palate but clean. Bright with a yeasty warmth that lingers with a fruity vinous quality. The texture/flavor is a surprise after observing the appearance. I really expected something lighter and bubbly. Tasty and complete, a very solid selection. But beware because this stuff will sneak up on you fast with a relatively well hidden 9.5% abv.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2007 18:24:43 | More by letsgopens

Nesued

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on-tap at Dadz Bar and Grill in Lumberton New Jersey.

Appearance - Served in a tall pilsner glass. Pale yellow in color with a clear view of the carbonation feeding a mild head.

Smell - Spicy, a mild alcohol aroma coming forth. I've seen a few folks mention a banana aroma, I either didn't catch that or my nose took the night off. Did gather a sweet and clean presence.

Taste - Very deceiving. I was expecting more of an alcohol hit but is was nicely masked by a sweet and slightly spicy covering.

Mouthfeel - For a tripel, this left a thick presence as I continued to drink down the glass.

Drinkability - I have two of these in 12 oz bottles. I'm curious now to see how these will compare to the on-tap presentation. I enjoyed this brew for the variety and the additional expression of a more "fruity" tripel than I'm usually used to.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2007 00:50:02 | More by Nesued

sleazo

New York

2.98/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Victory golden monkey. Dark golden yellow. Thickish head. Excellent lacing. Smell very clean and mild. Taste. Very weizen esque. Typical peppery banana notes. Kind of like la fin du monde light. Not much carbonation. Thick on the tongue. Ends up with a dryness.


a little too sweet in the end. I would much rather have a La fin Du Monde.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2007 01:52:17 | More by sleazo

kajerm

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Draft at Clark St. Alehouse. Gold and slightly cloudy with a thick but moderate head. The aroma is very faintly estery. Tastes like malt with some sugar and a weird flavor that tasted a little like corn. Alcohol comes through slightly but is fairly well-hidden by the sweetness. Not awful, but not much going on here, especially compared to other tripels.

I seriously doubt that there are actually adjuncts in this beer, but I'll have to try again to be sure. The mouthfeel is fairly light, similar to Westmalle. The sweetness is nice in small doses, but it's just on the edge of being cloying; it'd be hard to drink a lot of these.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2007 18:00:58 | More by kajerm

EPICAC

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a golden-amber with a sudsy white head that quickly fades to a patchy film.

Smell: Spicy and peppery with a bit of banana fruitiness and some sweet tropical notes.

Taste: Bananas upfront, peppery spice in the center, followed by a mildly bitter taste that mingles with lingering fruitiness and alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.

Drinkability: Flavorful and nice though the alcohol is noticeable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2007 04:33:18 | More by EPICAC

AustinBeerLvr

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Tried this on tap tonight at the Draft House in Austin.

This brew is a very deep golden color with a good amount of head.

The nose is sweet malts and alcholol.

Very sweet flavors dominate this brew up front and all throughout. A hope bitterness kicks in just in time to balance everything out, but this brew is still just too sweet to be highly drinkable. One very good thing about this brew...it does a damn good job of hiding its high ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2007 05:56:53 | More by AustinBeerLvr

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

On-tap 2/4/07 at Pitcher’s Pub in Cumberland, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark yellow color, with a thin white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin but even lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of yeast, dark fruit, brown sugar and some spice.

T: The flavors of yeast and dark fruits jump out first, with flavors of banana and brown sugar in the background. The after-taste is yeasty and sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry and a little sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easy, it has a good kick to it, however this one wouldn’t be my first choice within the style, even though it’s a pretty decent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2007 22:58:36 | More by TheManiacalOne

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I got this 23 ounze on tap pour at the Fox and Hound in King of Prussia, Pa.
Appearance: It poured a very gold color, if my memory serves me correct, it was the exact same color as on bottles I have had perviously. I didn't get much head, maybe about a finger, and it disappeared fast. The lacing was nonexistant.
Smell: There wasn't to much of a smell, for a beer which such strong tastes, I was quite frankely expecting something more powerful.
Taste: It was fruity, malty, hoppy, all over the place. At points, it reminded me of a Lambic, and at other times or a Spiced brew. The taste certainly did make you think.
Mouthfeel: All I have to say is that Golden Monkey goes down easy.
Drinkability: This beer has moderate to high drinkability (only one at a time though)
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2007 20:00:01 | More by treehugger02010

Doomcifer

Rhode Island

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Aww man. This already is one GREAT tripel. I sang its praise in a previous review but it's even better on tap!! Finally got to have it on tap at Track 84 in Warwick, RI. It's the same ol' Golden Monkey but even more fruity tones are up front. I was surprised at how it was even more complex than it is in the bottle. Great beer got even BETTER.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2006 20:29:34 | More by Doomcifer

IntriqKen

California

4.43/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler received via a trade with jonjon...
Poured a golden/yellow/orange with a half finger white head that becomes sticky lacing just like from the bottle except with less carbonation.
Aromas of bread, candy malt, tropical fruits (tangerines, oranges, papayas, bananas) and belguim yeast.
Taste is considerably fresher, cleaner, and brighter than from the bottle (no doubt due to the freshness of the brew) with more dimension and a gentle blending of all of the flavors.
Alcohol is deceptive and surprisingly abscent Aftertaste is very clean.
Unfortunately, if this were on tap in my area I could spend the whole day at the bar...maybe the weekend.

Serving type: growler

10-06-2006 19:01:10 | More by IntriqKen

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Yardhouse in Glenview, Illinois. Served in a chalice.

Pours a slightly hazy golden, thick white head forms, great retention and sticky lace all over the glass. Smell is sweet, caramelly, alcohol and citrus through the middle, yeast, wheat, some honey as well. Taste is more or less the same, very sweet up front, wheat and alcohol, lots of citrus, yeast, very flavorful. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation, some significant heat going down. Not bad, pretty different, not as subtle as most tripels, but enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2006 03:41:09 | More by Viggo

albertmdh

Pennsylvania

2.88/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I had heard many, many good things about this beer from multiple people, and having tried and thoroughly enjoyed other Victory offerings, I decided to try it on tap at Cobblestones in York.

Served in a stemmed glass, honey colored, with a half inch of fizzy head, which stayed along for the ride. The smell was fairly inviting, crisp and fruity. With the first sip, the front of the mouth really lit up, and I thought for a moment I would really enjoy this one. A strong rotten peaches aftertaste followed, along with alchohol. I don't see myself buying this one again, as I had a hard time finishing.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2006 15:16:35 | More by albertmdh

Damian

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy golden yellow with a small head and sparse amounts of lacing.

Smell was intensely spicy and fruity.

Taste was similar to smell. Fruity (peaches were noticeable) along with allspice and honey. At 9.5% ABV, the alcohol was hardly noticeable initially but a nice warming sensation could later be felt in the back of the mouth and the throat. Sweet, short lived aftertaste.

The mouthfeel was syrupy and the beer seemed to turn to a creamy foam once it hit the tongue.

Overall, quite flavorful, easy drinking and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2006 06:28:18 | More by Damian

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at the Victory brewpub. The beer was served in a chalis and poured a hazy straw color with a substantial white head that left solid lacing on the glass. The aroma of the beer has some strong yeast notes along with lemon peel and other citrus tones. The taste also had a strong yeasty presence but was also complimented by the citrus tones and a hot burn of the abv on the tongue. The body is medium to full and makes for a drinkable triple.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2006 03:17:56 | More by ggaughan

expatsteve

Wisconsin

3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Bright golden yellow with an impressive 1/2 inch head that lasts five to seven minutes; lingering lacing across the top of the beer and the sides of the glass. Medium clarity, light/medium viscosity.

Aroma: Nearly no aroma at all, probably owing to the temperature of the beer, despite snorting the beer harder than a line of coke. Light lemon and lemongrass notes, with honey and sour notes developing as the beer warms up, but throughout the course of a glass there was still little nose to it at all.

Taste: Deceptively mild, with little front or middle palate development at all - it certainly wasn't as sweet as I remembered it being from the bottle. Malt and alcohol finish, with an aftertaste of pine, anise, and lemon. Honey and lemon rind notes develop on the middle palate. The lack of immediate flavor detracts a little from this beer, particularly given its designation as a belgian golden ale (stick with Duvel or DT if these beers are your thing).

Mouthfeel: Smooth enough, owing to medium body and light carbonation. The booze is a little too present in the aftertaste.

Drinkability: Definitely drinkable, and Golden Monkey definitely tastes like a well brewed beer. Check it out on tap, or pick up a six, but this beer may not stand up well to strict comparison with beers like La Chouffe, La Fin Du Monde, Duvel, or Delirium Tremens. A little too sweet and one-dimensional.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2006 03:51:47 | More by expatsteve

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

1.95/5  rDev -47.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

The multiple taps of Golden Monkey I’ve consumed over the past several weeks in an attempt to understand why so many people enjoy this beer were a complete waste of space in my belly where better beer could have been. Golden Monkey could be appropriately renamed Sugar Monkey. It’s main aroma and flavor is sugar. The yeast works and so does the appearance but other wise I am done trying this beer. The syrupiness churns my stomach. Way, way too much sugar. Blech!

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2006 19:38:16 | More by DaPeculierDane

Kendo

New York

3.43/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Was poured an Imperial Pint at Ginger Man in NYC on 3/1/03. . . . Nice clear, orange color with a white head that lasted a little while but not too long. . . . First impression was the scent: fruity but I couldn't quite nail it down until about halfway through the pint, when I concluded that I was smelling (and tasting) bananas and cloves. . . . As for taste: yeasty and fruity, with the banana and clove tastes predominating but followed by a definite alcohol burn. I didn't know this was a 9.5% ABV when I ordered it, but I realized it packed a kick as I drank it (especially as I had 20 oz to go). . . . It reminded me of a stronger version of Wit, a Belgian-style craft beer brand that I used to come across about 10-12 years ago at beer festivals. . . . The battle in my mouth was between the fruity banana and alcohol burn, with the fruit winning most of the time. . . . Personally I didn't find it tremendously drinkable as the alcohol and banana tastes were somewhat overwhelming, especially as I worked my way down the Imperial Pint. But I do think it's a nice version of a Tripel.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2006 21:38:44 | More by Kendo

rodrot

North Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer poured a yellowish, cloudy gold color with a nice 1 inch head that lingers throughout. Smell was kind of fruity with a slight whiff of hops. The taste of this beer was way too sweet. I could detect some spicy, clove-like flavors but mostly all I could think about was the sweetness and the alcoholic punch that came with it. There are some much better representations of this style available. I would drink this again, but only if there were no other choices.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2006 14:29:14 | More by rodrot

Enola

North Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I orederd this thinking it was a mid range beer in the alcohol dept. Boy, was I wrong.
The color was a semi cloudy light medium yellow. There was not much smell I could pick up on. Maybe a little alcohol. The taste was of alcohol and bannannas. The alcohol presence was unmistakable. The mouthfeel was a little harsh due to the bite. I would not want to drink many of these in a row but it is not a beer I would not want from time to time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2006 06:39:26 | More by Enola

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.1/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Yellow with golden hues. Awsome head that last a long time.
Nose is ok. Can smell the alcohol some spice and tartness.
Complex taste. First I taste the alcohol. After getting that out of the way I taste some spice. Parsley. Taste a little like a good rum. Nicely bitter at the end.
Feels good in the mouth. Has a bite.
Not very drinkable as it could hide the alcohol better.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2005 18:59:14 | More by wcudwight

jakester

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is from Victory's sampler case. The bottled on date is clearly stamped on the label, and the expiry date is clearly marked on the case. YAY!

Pours a hazy golden yellow with a 1/2 finger head of bubbles and foam. The head quickly drops to islands and a ring, with small pieces of lacing here and there.

Aroma is phenolic-y, with hints of citrus, cloves, black pepper, honey, and faint banana. Also smells of light bready malts, sugary, with a pretty strong aroma of alcohol.

First flavor is hot alcohol, followed by sweet malt, honey, and spices. Seems a little out of balance. I think it could use more hop bitterness to balance the almost cloying sweetness, and maybe a more attenuative yeast. Faint citrusy/spicy hops are way in the back. Aftertaste is sweet and hot.

Mouthfeel is medium to full, with medium to high carbonation. This beer just doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. On one hand, it's cloyingly sweet. On the other, it's alcohol hot.

This beer has been around for a long time. It's not a bad beer at all, but I'd be willing to bet that Victory is at least slightly embarrassed by this offering. It is a good selling beer, and if I were Victory I wouldn't change it, but I find it hard to believe that Victory Brewing Co. can't make a really good Belgian ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2005 17:35:44 | More by jakester

fingolfin72

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Color- Slightly hazy straw-gold, with a fine, white, short-lived head.

Nose- Lemony, sugary Belgian bouquet. I detect some yeasty, spicy notes.

Palate- Citrus-spiked creamy goodness. Floral notes waft up the back of my nose. The mouthfeel is a lovely, fine, creamy effervescence. A slight mineral firmness and a note of sage are in there, perhaps coriander also.

Delicious. The mineral and alcohol give it some backbone.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2005 01:35:41 | More by fingolfin72

JackStraw22

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this over at the Chapter House. Slightly golden body, big white head that held its own throughout the drinking. Nice and sweet aroma, corriander, yeasty. Really sweet taste, lots of bananna, maltiness. Quite a bitter kick at the end. Quite drinkable as well for 9.5% abv. Certainly worth a try, won't be dissapointed.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2005 00:25:23 | More by JackStraw22

BuckSpin

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Lucky enough to try a freshly tapped barrel. Poured a warm amber gold with a tight 1/2" head of white foam that clung incredibly, forming beer tree rings with each sip.

Nose was pleasing - light, sweet, reminiscent of honey and very mild citrus. Initial tongue is smooth & even, with a subtle, wonderful citrus (orange) presence noticable. Lite wisps of some spice present - very nice. A very enjoyable peak of hops rose on the tongue as the tastes continued to mingle. Its slick & smooth on the throat, the sensation (and slight taste) of honey comes to mind. It swallows sweet but not sugary nor out of kilter with the previous taste, leaving a very clean & inviting aftertaste.

A very enjoyable brew that would be an excellent kick-off to any session or pair well with some lively/spiced foods. Will enjoy this one anytime opportunity allows.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2005 00:46:51 | More by BuckSpin