Golden Monkey - Victory Brewing Company

hopheadfred

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

This is one of my favorite beers of all time! I had it on draft the other night and it brought back all the memories from visits to the east coast. I'm reading all these notes on how to "rate a beer" to style. I think this beer is freaking awesome, so I'm giving it a good score. Was it served perfectly with the perfect amount of head? No. I got it in a pint, not a snifter and was psyched because it's 9.5% MOFOs! That makes the score better, because it made me happy!

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 06:05:59 | More by hopheadfred

rabbitdeath

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance: looked nice, had a decent head and a dark yellowish tint that drew me in hook line and sinker

smell: smelled sweet with a citrus kick and some alcohol throw in

taste: i gotta say, this is one of my favorites when it comes to taste. its smooth and quite delicious with its fruity, citrusy flavor and a large dash of alcohol thrown in.

drinkability: i think i could drink this one all night and to be honest, im pretty sure i have. i am sucker for tripels, and this one is up there as one of my american favorites.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2006 07:51:48 | More by rabbitdeath

kidhatesyou

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into one of those fancy Sam Adams glasses.

Appearance - Nothing to complain about but nothing special either. I was expecting more for the price I paid but then again this is my first tripel. Barely any head, but I don't know if that is normal. It had beautiful lacing while drinking. But that lacing went away as quick as i drank it.

Smell - Definite banana smell from the head. The aroma is making me happier. After letting it sit, I still really liked the smell. It was subtle, but complex. Hints of bananas and nuts mostly. Everything was so intricate though. Judging the smell was hard for me.Trail mix would be the best way I could describe it. Pleasant, but not strong. Enjoyable although subtle. Very pleasant.

Taste - Very nice and good/strong wheat on the first small sip. Barely any hop-taste at all. I'm not sure if this is typical of this particular brew, but I liked it. Banana and citrus sweetness followed by brandy warmth without the burn. Very Agreeable considering the ABV.

Mouthfeel - As far as I know, I would call this thin to middle-bodied. When I drank it, I felt like I could chew on it, but only for a second. To me, it improved the flavor by being somewhat thick. Not enough to be called thick-bodied, but just enough. The carbonation was great. Not too carbonated, but just enough to enjoy. The beer sparkled in the glass and on the tongue, without being too carbonated.

Drinkabiliy - I would suggest bringing a 6-pack to split amongst friends, unless(!!!) if they don't like craft beers. This beer is more for the "snobs" than the Budweiser/Corona/Miller light crowd. I will surely make light work of this 6-pack, but I also like good beer. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2009 17:54:26 | More by kidhatesyou

l33tNinjaPirate

Washington

4.85/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle says enjoy by Jan 19 2014. Guessing it was bottled Jan 19 2011.

Appearance: Golden. Hazy from yeast suspension. Long head retention.

Smell: Definitely smells like Belgian yeast. You get those delicious banana/vanilla ester smells.

Taste: Tastes like a spiced Belgian tripel. No off flavors and very drinkable considering the alcohol content.

Mouthfeel: Thicker than the color suggests but this is a stupid category to consider anyway. Has a good microbew mouthfeel.

Drinkability: A sessionable 9.5% abv spiced Belgian. Enough said. Drink responsibly *wink wink*.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 09:33:14 | More by l33tNinjaPirate

monkeyrotica

Virginia

1.65/5  rDev -55.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Poured thick and golden, little or no carbonation, opaque. No head. Smelled slighlty sweet/sour with hints of citrus. Tasted like the inside of a homeless person's shoe stuffed full of hops and Lemon Pledge. Worst beer I've ever tasted. After forcing that first one down, I just kept it in the fridge and unloaded it on unsuspecting hop fetishists.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 20:16:16 | More by monkeyrotica

bbqwings

Massachusetts

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

served: bottle poured into a chilled pint glass

A: light and golden, about a finger of head that quickly dissipated
S: banana, alcohol, fruits
T: assorted fruits, spices, and hops. lots of flavor in each sip.
M: smooth and refreshing, leaves an enjoyable aftertaste
D: watch that high abv, great for when i am in the mood for the style

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2010 01:55:40 | More by bbqwings

batsdc

Massachusetts

2.6/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A friend highly recommended this beer to be but in the end I was disappointed. The color was a nice light yellow color, with a nice white head on top which soon disappeared. The taste was what turned me off the most, almost too strong of a wheat taste for me.

To me the more subtle fruity flavors were overpowered by the wheat taste, which while not a huge problem also left me wishing it had a more even taste overall. At the same time it isn't a bad beer, the ABV is nice and it is decent overall it just could be better.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2010 19:51:22 | More by batsdc

MellowG

New York

4.33/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm with Axl, who said:

"I really think price/value should be a rating on here. It matters to most people if a beer is affordable. Golden Monkey is a beer that a Belgian lover on a budget will fall in love with. It's 12.99 a six pack which beats the hell out Chimay. Plus they have a high alcohol content which means you only need a couple to get a little buzz. I highly recommend this beer."

When I've shopped for a good Belgian style Tripel, Golden Monkey (where available) has had an excellent price-to-quality ratio. Certainly with wine, the price to quality ratio is a HUGE factor in one's choice. With good craft beers coming in at higher and higher pricepoints (even if deservedly so) the price to quality ratio, or overall value, is undoubtedly a major consideration.

Unfortunately, I don't have a Golden Monkey in front of me right now, or I would add more specifics. I'm writing this from memory. Good memories...

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 00:09:40 | More by MellowG

the1hammer

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured a light gold into a tumbler...

Has a nice friendly smell to it, inviting.

first taste reminds me of a hefe...the banana, the clove, etc, but not as pronounced. It's a bit spicy on the back-end. I can tell that this little guy has got some ABV to it.

Overall, I think this was a good one to have on the back-porch after a particularly stressful day...just got to remember not to drink it so fast next time

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 13:41:33 | More by the1hammer

Wooderson_420

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The feeling that you get after two or three Golden Monkey's is really something that every beer enthusiast must experience in their career. For whatever reason, there is a warm subtle feeling of joviality than will permeate through you after you sip down a few, which is truly unlike anything else that I have tasted. I always jokingly warn first timers that if you happen to finish off a six pack, you may feel a slight aura of psychedelia starting to set in. A one of a kind brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 00:58:19 | More by Wooderson_420

frankbtxt

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

Look: This is where this beer really shines. The beer pours smooth, golden, with a thick, creamy head that is present throughout. Not much lacing but it retains a wonderful head. Cloudy golden color with excellent carbonation. Very appetizing.

Smell: The thing that immediately hits me is how I'm reminded of Duvel with this smell... only somewhat more sweet. Citrus-y and spicy at the same time but not overpowering.

Taste: Banana, biscuit malt and wheat are persistent throughout. Some very nice spice kicks in at the end. Some hoppy bitterness is present. Overall it's very well-balanced. The taste of clove is a bit strong for me, but not excessively sweet.

Feel: Coats the mouth very well. Thick with a good spicy kick. Very smooth, and as many have noted, the 9.5% alcohol is masked very nicely.

Overall: This is a solidTripel. I had tried this a few times previously and it never wowed me. This time around I took my time with it and I have to say I enjoyed it more. Every time I take a sip, I can't help but think of Duvel. I might get killed for saying that... but I definitely think it has some similarities. It's not a go to for me as I still enjoy La Fin Du Monde and Chimay Cinq Cents. So yeah... a good but not great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 01:44:44 | More by frankbtxt

dirtrat1066

3.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice even pour. Half inch head. Pleasant sticky lace that remains for the duration of the glass. Smells of tropical fruit and clove. Belgian inspired ale, nice mouthful. Definitely a spicy belgian taste. Cant taste where the 9.5% alcohol is, which is a good sign. Overall, its a very good beer, but its one that I would have to be in the mood for. Perhaps, during a sword and sorcery or Robin Hood type movie.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 15:47:07 | More by dirtrat1066

NateEmz

Tennessee

3.03/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Drank this straight from the bottle.

Smell was very powerful and almost overwhelming. Taste was very intense and perfume-like. Strong alcohol flavor with intense herbal tones. Too much for my liking. First beer was very strong and potent. After the initial bottle my pallet embraced the beer and I enjoyed it more.

Would like to try this beer on tap, but don't think I will be buying in a store again.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 02:00:34 | More by NateEmz

Axlrose

New York

5/5  rDev +35.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Golden Monkey has become one of my favorite beers.

A: Golden in color with bits of yeast floating around. Looks real cool if you hold it up in a bright light.

S: Smells like a great Belgian tripel

T: Very complex taste. Fruity and spicy.

M: Crisp with just the right amount of carbonation

D: Great, not too heavy, so you can have a few.

I really think price/value should be a rating on here. It matters to most people if a beer is affordable. Golden Monkey is a beer that a Belgian lover on a budget will fall in love with. It's 12.99 a six pack which beats the hell out Chimay. Plus they have a high alcohol content which means you only need a couple to get a little buzz. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2010 02:52:17 | More by Axlrose

Reux

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance:
One finger head that quickly dissipated; little to no lacing
Crisp, golden color

Aroma:
Fruity, banana, sweet, perfume-y

Taste:
Very sweet and a bit sour
Banana, alcohol and spice (cinnamon, cardamon and pepper)
Small bitterness in the aftertaste, but not quite enough to balance the beer. The sweetness in the aftertaste can be a bit overwhelming.
Medium-bodied. Really like this beer's mouth feel for a Belgian trip.

This is a good sipping beer that will kick your ass if consumed too quickly or in excess. I enjoyed two over the course of a long summer evening. It was refressing and bursting with complex flavor on the tongue, but the sweet after taste was slightly annoying.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2010 22:52:52 | More by Reux

Jeremym27

Pennsylvania

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

a: Pours a light golden color with decent head the fades quickly and leaves little lacing

s: lots of sweetness and candi sugar with some belgian yeast and some alcohol

t: similar to the nose with a lot of sweetness and some spiciness from the yeast

m: smoothness and carbonation leave a good feeling in the mouth

d: a little too drinkable for a 9.5% tripel the sweetness hides the booze very well

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2009 01:06:35 | More by Jeremym27

ScubaStevebcd

New York

2.55/5  rDev -31.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Look: Poured out of a bottle into a pint glass: light amber color, mostly transparent but a bit cloudy from a very high amount of yeast floating around. Big head, but it dissipated very quickly, and not much lacing.

Aroma: Smells fruity, with a very strong note of spice. Just a little bit of hop can be sensed as well.

Taste: Smooth right off the bat, but that ends very quickly. A fair dose of hop hits you pretty quickly. Not overpowering, but enough to let you know it's there. Definitely a little spice, but then you can start to note the alcohol. Its masked better here than with some tripels I've had, but it's still definitely there. Kind of a harsh beer overall, and not in the good "damn that has a lot of flavor" way. More like the "damn whats the ABV on this?" kinda way.

Overall: Not a bad beer, but not a very good one either. Drinkability's fairly poor, and it definitely didn't live up to my own expectations. As sipping beers go, its just ok, but I don't see myself drinking more than one or two in a night.

As far as drinking it again: I've had better tripels. I'd probably try to find those first.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2009 17:43:51 | More by ScubaStevebcd

pretibrwneyez

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this beer on tap during Philly beer week 2010.

Exceptional color and taste. The smell was exceptional. I liked it so much, I had two and tuned my friends with me onto it.

I am going to buy a few cases of this and share with only the friends I like who could savor the flavor and respect the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2010 02:54:59 | More by pretibrwneyez

Choo

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I bought this delightful beer on a whim and now I am officially addicted! Mind you, I had but one bottle and felt slightly tipsy. (OK - I am a small female who doesn't get out too often.) There is a zesty, zippy taste to this beer that forces my palate to beg for more. I highly recommend trying this glowing Belgian ale!

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2010 01:22:58 | More by Choo

slick0ne

New York

1.75/5  rDev -52.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

One of the worst beers ever made....Way to sweet. More like a first timers beer. Very disappointing. For the price your better off getting a chimay tripple. For the taste... your better off with a bud lite. I like the lable though. Wish it tasted at least as good as it looked.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 00:00:50 | More by slick0ne

jerryphil1

Delaware

5/5  rDev +35.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Best beer I've ever had! Great taste, but if you have 2 or more, do not drive! Reasonably priced, I have been drinking it for 9 years now, it is one of the pleasures of life. For the past week it has helped me get over the Philies devastating loss to the Cardinals in the playoffs. It has an abv of 9.5%, the monkey will catch up to you.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 04:21:22 | More by jerryphil1

wvbeerdad

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice aroma - definitely hits the spirit of a Belgian. Taste is much lighter than you would expect from a beer in this class and with an alcohol content this high. Almost leads to a bit of disappointment that the initial aroma and taste don't linger.

Overall a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 23:32:38 | More by wvbeerdad

AFHOPHEAD

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I believe that this is a high powered beer brewed in the Belgian trippel fashion. I received this beer when I told my waitress that I liked American double IPA's . She was way off but this is a great tasting beer light but with a kick. It is perfect for drifting off into oblivion on a hot summer day after a long bike ride or a round of golf. Taste fruity and finishes smooth. Good malt taste at 9+abv. You would expect an alcohol taste yet it is masked quite well. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 00:41:06 | More by AFHOPHEAD

Waomau

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

12oz bottle/Chilled, poured into pilsner glass.

Appearance: golden yellow, amber hue/cloudy; half inch head dissipated within first minute.

Smell: banana/clove/yeast/alcohol

Taste: gumball/banana/caramel/clove/BRIGHT

Mouthfeel: medium body/warm/"fizzy" on tongue/DRY finish

Overall: One of my very first Tripels - a good introduction to the style. The dry finish reset my palate for each taste... a "fun" beer to drink. I would like to try this on tap.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 03:47:20 | More by Waomau

toshiromifune69

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I found this at a small local market with a nice craft beer selection in Lowell, a little pricey at $14/six pack but the quality has had me come back and buy it at least 8 times since I first tried it. It's a spice-laden ale with some nice mouth feel that hides it's fairly high ABV well--great for sipping at the end of a hectic day and feeling it slowly unravel your overtaxed mind.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 00:50:10 | More by toshiromifune69