Golden Monkey - Victory Brewing Company

cyclonece09

Virginia

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

Poured from a bottle into a snifter. Pours a nice dark yellow straw color with a large white head that leaves really nice lacing. Smells very highly of citrus and grain nice balance. Tastes of sweet grain, sight citrus, and slight yeasty tone, very nice. Beer is surprisingly light bodied and perfectly carbonated. Overall, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 02:00:37 | More by cyclonece09

rodney45

New York

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

A: Extremely clear amber, with a small, quickly fading head.

S: Notes of sour apple, munich malt, and cherry.

T: First taste profile is a tad sour, with the main flavors being apple, corriander and clove in small measure. Secondary notes of semi astringent bavarian hop, with a touch of candied belgian sugar. Dry finish.

M: Light and moderately carbonated. No hint of alcohol ethers.

O: Its a good triple, but very americanized. This beer has a one dimensional flavor quality that is its only downfall. Aroma could be improved, but is quite exemplary of the style. I would def have again, but im glad i only bought one in a mix 6. A lot of better beers out there.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 09:59:24 | More by rodney45

mooseo

Pennsylvania

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

12oz bottle into tulip.

A - Hazy golden yellow with a big white head.

S - Tart apple, banana, honey, Belgian yeast, herbal spices.

T - Sweet and bready malts with juicy apple, pear, and banana. Belgian yeast, clove, and pepper blend in to make this a very tasty brew. A slight earthy hop bitterness along with a hint of alcohol is evident on the finish.

M - Smooth, creamy, medium bodied. Crisp bright carbonation, warming alcohol.

O - A surprisingly easy drinking Tripel with pleasant flavor. Although this beer didn't blow me away (for the style), I have to give props to Victory for the low price point and sheer enjoyment it provided.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 00:19:45 | More by mooseo

gcamparone

Rhode Island

3.28/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a Samuel Adams pint glass. Purchased at Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield, RI.

A- Golden yellow, crystal clear. Small head that disappears within a minute. Minimal lacing.

S- Dark fruits, wheat, white grapes, alcohol

T- Wheaty, grapey, hops in the background. Somewhat harsh and peppery. Bitter aftertaste, but I can't really tell if it was because of the AVB or hops. Tried it twice and got this both times.

M- Light with medium carbonation.

Overall, I was somewhat disappointed with this beer. I will try other, higher quality tripels to get a better feeling about this style.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 00:10:45 | More by gcamparone

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

3.76/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured into chalice. Cloudy yellow-orange with a thin white head from a careful pour. Smells of banana bread and belgian yeast. Taste is smooth and sweet at first, only decaying into that belgian yeast taste at the end (which is why I find this one drinkable). Mouthfeel is relatively full, a bit fizzy.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 07:44:10 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

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

Poured into an ommegang chalice at whole foods- pours a clear, bright golden color with 1.5 fingers of creamy head that dissipates quickly and leaves some nice lacing.

Smell is in the styles ballpark- sweet candi sugar, yeast, what seems to me like coriander.

Taste is a little more complex- up front is the sugary taste, followed by yeast and slight bitterness, then a blend of spices (coriander, clove, lemongrass) to finish semi sweet.

Mouthfeel is pretty good- medium to fuller bodied, moderate carbonation, a little bready. This is obviously not really a tripel but is somewhere in steepen that and an American strong ale. I've been drinking it on and off for a few years, never loving it, but never hating it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2012 21:56:32 | More by Hopdaemon39

russwbeck

Virginia

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

This is a go to beer for me. Finally taking the time to review it. 2012 and 2011 side by side.

2012

A: Semi-clear yellow pour with about a finger of pure white head. Big, frothy white head that sticks around forever and coats the side of the glass with lacing. 4.5

S: The aroma has a spicy character, with big belgian yeasts, candied sugar, and a slight amount of booze. The balance is there, with spice and banana taking the spotlight. Booze is noted, but isn't overwhelming. 4

T: The spice and banana assault the palate, but they really overcome the alcohol I expected. Belgian yeasts and sugar start the taste off, which transition quickly to the bananas, slight booze, and spice. The finish is sweet with fruit being the most noted flavor. 4

MF: Light to medium body with an average amount of carbonation. This beer is as drinkable as it gets for 9.5%. Nice twinge of carbonation, great balance to hide the booze, and a really nice finish. 4.5

O: This is one of my go-tos in PA. It's not overly expensive and it tastes great. It's a beer I wish I could drink more often. 4

2011

A: A little bit more hazy yellow pour with the same, big white head. Retention and lacing are top notch. You can't even see through the glass where the head has been. 4.5

S: The booze and sweetness is much more prominent. The spice character has stepped back, but the overall mellowness is a nice addition. If I had to pick one word to describe it, I'd say sweet. 4

T: The taste is a lot different. WOW, I can't believe these started as the same beers. The freshest version is better, I''ll say right off the bat. This is a little watery at time. But overall is mellow, with the booze, sugar, and banana playing very well together. While the taste is different, and I prefer the 2012...I'm still giving this a four. I think it still tastes great and I like the changes that have occurred over the last year. 4

MF: Light to medium body with a below average carbonation. It's a bit more smooth on the palate, and the mellowness only helps the drinkability. 4

O: I wish I put another bottle down to age. I think this beer has changed over the last year, and is very interesting. I won't, however, say that it's better. I would prefer the freshest version, but I can see it continuously changing over the years. I'd say grab one to drink, grab one to age, and find out for yourself what you think. 4

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 22:24:39 | More by russwbeck

Kisejohn

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Victory - Golden Monkey

Appearance: Honey color with slight chill haze. An aggressive pour almost lead to disaster. Five fingers of head, with some nearly on the table.

Aroma: Yeast fruitiness predominates. Some malt sweetness and a hint of alcohol as the beer warms.

Taste: Belgian yeast flavors take center stage. Fruit, spice, and hints of banana. Malt sweetness from beginning to end. Little to no hop flavor detected.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied beer with very high carbonation. Pour gently or risk disaster.

Overall: This is a fruity sweet beer, well within style. This would beer the perfect beer to pair with desert.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 20:40:03 | More by Kisejohn

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

phiberoptik

Ohio

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

Poured into a snifter, this is a fairy clear, bright golden color with a thin white film of a head.

Nose has alcohol up front (no surprise), banana, clove, slight vegetal aromas, undefined spice.

Flavor forward for sure. Banana taffy up front, juicy fruit gum, coriander, pepper, hints of clove, slightly buttery, warm, bitter finish.

Medium bodied, drying on the tongue, prickling carbonation.

The flavor is the star of this potent brew. Slightly too thin for my liking, but an enjoyable sipper. At 9.5% this IS a sipper. Enjoy one and review it for yourself!

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:18:59 | More by phiberoptik

DewTheBrew

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a draft glass. Appearence was deep and golden. Very welcoming!

The aroma whilst pouring was just as good. Warming sensation brought about just by smelling that lovely Tripel smell.

Taste is by far the best quality. I love any beer with banana in it but this is one of my favorites. Beautiful strong banana after taste (In a very good sense) that leaves you craving the next sip. And at %9.5 you better make sure you limit yourself to a few if you're driving. A lot of beers that are this strong and flavorful I can get tired of drinking as much as I like them , but this Victory brew is definitely not one of them. A very solid brew that I'd recommend

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 12:53:55 | More by DewTheBrew

SpasticKoala

New York

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

Appearance: Yellow/amber in color and very cloudy with lots of yeast. The white head quickly dies and leaves a little lace.

Smell: Fruity with banana and yeast on the nose.

Taste: The taste aligns well with the smell. Plenty of banana and fruitiness. Clear alcohol flavor that's warming in the mouth.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is medium and warm.

Overall: This is a decent beer, but there are better tripels out there. The alcohol flavor needs to be balanced out.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 02:52:51 | More by SpasticKoala

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

Philousa

California

3.4/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, pale golden yellow with a billowy whit head that settles to just ring the glass and rise from the laser etched bottom. Aroma is sweet and tart with the familiar Belgian Pils malt. It's very spicy too, mostly clove and pepper, but with a bit of banana. Taste is similar, showcasing the malt which is first sweet, then pungent. There is some pepper and then the clove sets in at the back of the throat. I think the sweetness takes the edge off of this slightly unpleasant after taste, but it's still there. You can tell when you drink it that this is a force to be reckoned with. If you were gulping at first, you start to take the hint and sip. Finish is very dry (too dry), feel is balanced. Very effervescent and spritzy.

This is a solid Tripel that I would put up against some Belgian Tripels I've had. There are better, more complex ones out there, but I wouldn't pass it up if I was in the mood and saw it on the shelf.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 04:47:41 | More by Philousa

freditoj

Alabama

4.68/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Dark yellow, good thick 1 inch head. It's an inviting beer to drink.

Smell - Smells toasty.

Taste - Amazing taste, very hoppy and flavorful. Complex mixture of flavor which is amazing.

Mouthfeel - It feels smooth on the mouth, taste again is very bold.
Overall - Very good beer, good ABV, amazing taste. Will definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 21:49:10 | More by freditoj

UCLABrewN84

California

3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy orange with a foamy bone colored head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, yeast, and some slight spice aromas. Taste is much the same with a medium spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is pretty tasty but has a mild smell.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 02:28:16 | More by UCLABrewN84

WoodBrew

Illinois

3/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours straw clear with some sediment flecks quickly dissapaiting head, little bit of lacing as it goes down. Taste is banana and kind of a yeast funk and alcohol. Has kind of a homebrew yeast taste. I was hoping for something better from this brewery and style.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 00:10:26 | More by WoodBrew

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Excellent Victory brew - an easy "go to". In the glass it is gold with a copper hue. Good quality head with good lacing. Scent is on the mild side but definitely a Belgian style ale. Mouthfeel is fine champagne like carbonation. Flavor is sweet with a significant banana presence, spices and some other mild fruits.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 00:42:32 | More by Oakenator

Beer_Runner

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

No enjoy by date on the label.
Poured slowly into a standard pint glass.

A: Poured to a white, one-finger head that quickly disapated to a single layer of bubbles that lasted until the glass was empty. The brew is a darker shade of golden straw, and there are lots of carbon bubbles raising to the head.

S: The aroma is a sweet type of Belgian yeast funk with a hint of sweet caramel malt, too.

T: The taste has hints of bubble gum that blend with some banana. There is also a bit of sweet, light roasted malt and a solid dose of bitter hops to keep the sweetness in check. There is also some sharp spiciness that helps to focus the Belgian yeast funk.

M: The beer has a medium weight body and plenty of carbonation. It finishes fairly clean and leaves just a bit of an aftertaste of hops bitterness and Belgian yeast funk.

O: Wow. I am wowed by the flavors that explode forth from this beer. The many flavors make it complex, but not too complex to enjoy. The Belgian yeast funk is more bubble gum and banana (as opposed to yesterdays socks and a sweaty t-shirt). It also has plenty of carbonation, but again, not too much. For Belgian yeast funk lovers this should be a "must try."

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 00:35:07 | More by Beer_Runner

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I was so excited to finally see a Victory brew on tap, but looking back I am disappointed it was the Golden Monkey instead of one of their other beers. This one looks quite nice. Foamy head with great lacing and retention. But on the smell & taste front it was pretty one-dimensional. A textbook tripel, if you will. Nothing offensive, but nothing terribly exciting either.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 17:49:29 | More by TheRealBigC

Flounder57

Massachusetts

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

12 oz bottle was poured into a tulip.

Appearance: This beer poured a minimal head that still has retained to the same layer. It is a golden pale yellow color with good clarity and vision of bubbles coming up through the glass.

Smell: apples, pears, golden raisins, vanilla, spices, bready and sweet malts.

Taste: everything above is blended well together with a hint of alcohol noticeable in the back of the sip and some bitterness in there too.

Mouthfeel: smooth, medium carbonation, light to medium bodied, a little dry, and easy to dirnk.

Overall: Pretty solid tripel. Could be a bit cleaner in taste, but still a go to favorite. I have enjoyhed many of these over the years.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 03:20:36 | More by Flounder57

MadScientist

New York

3.08/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Light golden with a excellent clarity. The long lasting off-white head of compact bubbles leaves a some lacing on the glass.

S: Moderate lighter fruit notes of pears and peaches dominate the aroma with a moderately-light pepper and spicey phenols. The hops and alcohol add a light floral element. There is a faint malt softness in background.

T: A harsh bitterness dominates the flavor followed by moderate spice flavors for the first several sips. Without enough malt support for balance the moderately-high bitterness is sort of pithy like a bitter orange rind. There is a faint malt softness and a light floral hop flavor but not much of either. The bitterness lingers long past the dry finish

M: A moderately-light body beer with a moderately-high level of carbonation. There is a bit of warmth from the alcohol, a faint astringency and no creaminess

O: The high level of bitterness from the hops and spices make this tough on every sip and I'm a fan of highly hoped, very bitter IPA. Too bitter is phrase I haven't used until I met the Golden Monkey thought my palate adjusted half way through the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 01:12:18 | More by MadScientist

turnerk3

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a pleasing pale golden straw color with a moderate head. There is more retention then expected for a tripel.

S: Fruit aromas are the most dominant aspect, but there is an attractive complexity which includes an alcohol spiciness and yeasty essence.

T: A delectable spicy fruit zest paints the palate. The spicy aspect produced by the alcohol works excellently with the fruity banana clove flavor.

M: A bold carbonation does well to administer the flavors and gives the spice flavor a little more snap. Astonishingly, the alcohol does not come across as a burn like most high ABV brews.

O: The combination of an enjoyable taste and lack of alcohol burn makes this beer relatively easy to drink, so remember to proceed with caution. Victory is one of my favorite breweries and this is one of my choice beers when available. This is a refreshing tripel at an affordable price.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 00:01:56 | More by turnerk3

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

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

Thanks Jeffo!

Appearance. Pours a hazy straw-gold with half a finger of white head.

Smell. Sweet bananna, some toasty malts, light belgian yeast and spices.

Taste. Cloves, corriander, toasty malts and bananna and just a hint of citrus juices. Tastes pretty good actually, and the booze is well hidden.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium+ carbonation.

Overall. A good brew. I liked it.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 02:51:30 | More by Rutager

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Review from 3/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a golden amber, one finger white head and lacing. Light fruit, sweet malt, banana, clove aroma. Light fruit, Belgian spicing and a bit of a hop bite. Nicely balanced. A pleasant low-key tripel. Nothing exciting, but calmly well done. Worth a repeat visit.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 19:58:47 | More by LiquidAmber