Golden Monkey - Victory Brewing Company

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

fbone

Ohio

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

A:medium straw color,head left quickly,nice carbonation.

S:great fruity,yeasty smell.reminds me of banana & subtle spice.

T:This brew is extremely well balanced.everything comes together as you drink it.Tastes very similar to the Belgian brew delirium tremens.

M:perfectly medium body smooth finish.

D:this brew goes down fast!somehow it hides the alcohol content!I love this beer,it is one of my new favorites.I consider this beer to be a work of art.An american beer that that competes with Belgian craft beers,with a cheaper price.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2011 00:20:38 | More by fbone

mmthompson33

Kansas

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

As good of a brewery as Victory is, this tripel is a good example of their excellence. A sharp, spicy beer where the alcohol content kicks your ass if you don't watch it.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2001 21:10:17 | More by mmthompson33

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

Hazy, peach colored with a white head that holds fairly well, and drops to a nice creamy collar but leaves no lace. The aroma is quite full with a soft fruitiness, some orange, a sweet bready malt, a light spice and some alcohol. The body is medium with a very fine & effervescent carbonation that caresses the tongue and fills the mouth. The taste is rich and full, with candyish malt, spice - some coriander is noticeable, and finishing with a lingering spicy sweet malt. The alcohol is noticeable but not overwhelming. Very well balanced with just enough hop bitterness and spice flavor to keep the big sweet malt from getting out of hand. Not extremely complex, but big. Very rich and highly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2002 17:43:21 | More by NeroFiddled

jtw5877

Ohio

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

Pours a golden hue with a white head, smells like belgium, yet made in PA, this kicks ass, A multitude of flavors, yeasty spicy malty. I am a novice as far as Belgian styles go, but this beer seems to quench my thirst for that hard to descirbe flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2003 16:28:23 | More by jtw5877

Denali

Pennsylvania

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

Spanked the monkey with Davo and slander at Mugs Ale House in Brooklyn, New York. malto couldn't make it.

Appearance: Opaque pale yellow color with thick off-white creamy head. Impressive lacing.

Smell: Bready, yeasty, and sharp tangy aroma.

Taste: Nice bitter flavor first hits the palate. Then follows a very sweet candy-like flavor that mixes really well with another tangy flavor. Quite delicious, with nice balanced flavors and not as over-poweringly sweet as some other trippels I've had.

Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Well, mine lasted like 10 minutes tops. Wow is this drinkable. But be careful - the alcohol went straight to my brain.

Comments: Served at room temperature which was just perfect. Quite a nice and dangerous brew. It is incredibly drinkable but also very strong. Watch out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-12-2003 10:59:20 | More by Denali

Morris729

Texas

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

Pours a bright golden color with a foamy white head that soon settles into a good amount of lace. Nose is sweet cake-like malt, floral hops, and lots of spice. Medium to full in body with a very soft carbonation. Taste is sweet candied fruit and lots of spice at first followed by notes of bready malts and coriander. Some lemony citrus and peppery alcohol are present towards the end leaving a dry finish. A complex and thoroughly enjoyable brew. Thanks to francisweizen for the sample!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2003 19:53:21 | More by Morris729

jcalabre

California

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

The flavor reminds me a bit of a white beer, like Celis, but it is a strong ale & it hides the alcohol very well. I am sure glad that it is now readily available in southern california. Another fine beer from Victory. For such an elegant beer, it could be easily used to convert the BMC fool to great beer

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2003 07:56:26 | More by jcalabre

Mangus

Pennsylvania

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

Poring a glass of golden, cloudy sunshine, I watch the yeasty sediment dance to the rhythm of the fading bubbly white head.

Inhaling an orchard of fruity tones and warm spices makes my mouth begin to water. I can’t wait to taste this exotic smelling brew.

A rich, chewy mouth feel confirms my expectations of a warming, delicately spiced drink. Is there a presence of sweet honey or wheat? Is there a teasing clove in there? These questions fade as I take another mouthful and smile as the warm alcohol falls down my throat and leaves a lingering hint of sweet maltiness and satisfying hops.

I love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2004 21:36:56 | More by Mangus

Hibernator

Massachusetts

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

I had this out of a 12 oz brown bottle served in a tulip glass. Label clearly reads that this beer was bottled on 4/15/04.

The apperance is a cloudy and hazy yellow with a nice head on top. Sticky lacings are present.

This beer smells fruity and peppery.

Taste is very sweet and sugary with that classic Belgian yeast flavor. Some of the flavors remind me a piece of Juicy Fruit gum. Spicy with a citrusy bitter finish. There is an alcohol presence on the finish, but nothing too much.

This is very drinkable at 9.5% ABV. Very good American interpretation of this style. Another great offering from Victory Brewing in PA.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2004 22:56:40 | More by Hibernator

CBFanWish

New York

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

A belgian style tripel is one of those beers that often is an aquired taste. The complexity is often too sophisticated for the average joe six pack. I'm not saying that the average guy is unsophisticated, I'm saying that one really has to train his or her taste buds for something of this caliber. It's like going from a Daisy bb gun to a .50 cal. It just doesn't work. But once you have learned to appreciate one of these beers, it's love.
Golden Monkey, by Victory is an excellent example of one of these beers. Pouring a orange hue with flakes floating through it and a slight, modest head, this appears to be a specail treat.
The aroma is that of banana and white grape juice along with mild floral accents. It really gives the sences something to look forward to.
The taste is super complex. Banana, sugars, grapes, with a mild bitterness that really brings things together.
I am in love.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2005 18:16:41 | More by CBFanWish

ITK4ever

Maryland

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

Probably my favorite all-around beer. Good pour, nice golden color, good head. A friend turned me on to this directly from the Victory Brewery. I will always have this in my fridge.

Malty taste and good balance of hops. You can tell from the first taste that this is a well-crafted beer.

WAY TO GO VICTORY!!! Keep up the good work and keep those Monkeys coming!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2005 18:12:58 | More by ITK4ever

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

lordofthewiens

Maine

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

Victory has arrived in Maine, and I am very happy to see it. This beer is a great tripel. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tulip glass, the beer was a hazy orange color with a medium-sized white head. It had a fruity (banana) and spicy (clove) aroma. Fruit and spice in the taste, some biscuity malt. Warming alcohol. A very smooth, drinkable beer. I was tempted to drink more of the 6 pack, but stopped after two.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 12:52:24 | More by lordofthewiens

Stunner97

New Jersey

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

Appearance- beautiful thick thick foam white head such great retention so pretty, great yellow golden color with high carbonation as bubbles stream up the glass,

Smell- sweet, spicey, sugar malts, yeast and even slight hops a full boquet of aromatic smells, very nice smell, apples peaches,

Taste- very smooth, great after taste, slightly sweet, slightly spicey, apples , yeast peaches, great full flavor, very sweet and warming, nice flavor for sure

Mouthfeel- thick creamy and syrupy, very full thick feel

Drinkability- scarily drink able and delicious, long crispy refreshing finish, alcohol is extremely hidden and the beer is fine american example of the style, a good beer and one that i will definitely be trying again, great value for the price check it out

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 02:02:21 | More by Stunner97

diamondc

Texas

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

$2.99 12 oz bottle. Enjoy By Jun 24 2012.

I've had this on tap one time before and didn't really enjoy it. I remember the taste being just a bit TOO boozy that really overshadowed the Belgian-style ale flavors. Saw a single at the local liquor store and decided to re-evaluate.

Not that much head or lacing when this beer landed in my Duvel glass, but this beer was alive with plenty tiny bubbles (def. a sign of bottle conditioning) and a bright, golden hue.

The aroma of this beer is godly. Banana, passion fruit, mango, white grapes, some pumpkin pie spices, but the main aroma that stuck out was bubblegum straight outta Bazooka Joe.

The taste is classic Tripel. Banana, cloves, yellow apples, more of the nutmeg pumpkin pie spicing, and a slightly medicinal cherry flavor. Some moderate hopping at the end. This beer can give LFDM a run for its money.

The mouthfeel is perfect due to the bottle conditioning. The aftertaste is a bit dry due to the more than usual amount of hops. The high abv limits consumption to one or maybe two bottles in one session. One of the best American made Tripels.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2009 05:41:05 | More by diamondc

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - A clear golden color. Decent head retention. Not much lace on the glass. Alot of bubbles rising through the beer.

S - Faint sweet aromas. The aroma is the weakest link, as it is not a strong aroma.

T - Excellent. Sweet malts and honey flavors. Spices round out the mix.

M - Drinks smoothly. Highly carbonated.

D - Very drinkable for such a high ABV beer. I could drink several of these. A very good beer that I will be buying again.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 03:55:02 | More by BeerDawgs

Btrue121

South Carolina

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

Appearance - Very golden, but cloudy. finger size head with lacing throughout my experience of drinking it. The appearance tells you to try it.

Smell - Comes off as almost ginger. Banana with a crisp lemon/type sour smell.

Taste - Very nice carbonation, with a sweet full flavor. Taste the smell with a peppery but slight hoppy ending.

Mouthfeel - Very drinkable, maybe a few would suit me for a night, only because of the sweetness is thick. Not a heavy beer, but very sweet. Very enjoyable and if you enjoy a fruity flavor, this may be your A+

Drinkability - I may buy this beer again, just to enjoy one or two through the week. Not my type of beer, but very good. I recommend trying it. I enjoyed the beer very much so.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 03:32:41 | More by Btrue121

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Revisit June 28, 2003 - Pours a nice golden orangey color with a heavy white loose frothy head about two fingers high, leaves minimal lace in strings. Smell is super nice floral aroma with good amounts of crispy citrus with a bit of spice. Taste is very smooth with complex layers of hard candy, bright citrus of lemon, orange, and grapefruit, with a sweet caramel malt backbone and a note of spiceyness. Feel is full bodied and solid. One hell of great offering of the style, impressive.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2003 09:27:15 | More by tavernjef

RTJakarta

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a lovely golden yellow. Not much of a head, but I probably just poured it really terribly into my glass.

The smells is amongst the best in terms of the tripels I've had.

A rich bold yeasty, spicy smell with some fruity backup scents. Gorgeous.

The taste....YES. A nice spicy, bread and yeast sort of blend. Bold, but not too overpowering. Absolutely exceptional.

Smooth in the mouth considering pretty decent carbonation.

Drinkability is perfect. Exceptionally smooth for 9% abv, and a taste I love to come back to more and more. Probably my second favorite tripel. Great beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 23:59:26 | More by RTJakarta

SteelerNation

New York

4.45/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: OK lacing and head retention. Bright golden color with some suspension.

S: Malt sweetness and fruity yeast. Smells like banana and spice. At 9.5% abv, I can start to smell the alcohol.

T: The yeast hits hard with this one. The fruityness is so strong at the beginning that I can barely make out any flavors. There is a super fruity bubble gum, banana, and spice flavor. The hops don't interfere with the yeast and make a brief appearance and quickly fade away. The aftertaste is surprisingly wet for being so alcoholic. Moderate alcoholic warmth. Tremendously balanced sweet fruityness, light hops, and alcohol. Earthy aftertaste.

M: Not bad at all for a trippel. Dextrins make their presence, but don't give off a syrupy character.

D: Probably the best single aspect. It drinks like a 6.5% abv. The aftertaste is mild and it ends wet. This would sneak up on me FAST at the bar.

I'm not as crazy about the Belgian beers, but this one is both complex and balanced. A great all around Belgian brew that stays true to its roots.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 22:30:04 | More by SteelerNation

Bighuge

Minnesota

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

Pours cloudy golden with a fizzy white head an inch thick. Small sediments make their way through the beverage. The head has good retention as it laces the glass nicely as I consume this beer. Aroma is spicy. Orange peel/orange curaco. Nutmeg. Cinnamon. Very nice. This beer has some taste. There's a bit of alcohol. There's a bit of hard candy. There's some spice, including cinnamon and pepper. A bit lemony. Tangy. All of this backed up with a nice belgian malt backbone. Very complex beer. Has a light-to-medium body I would say. Very drinkable for a beer with this much alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2002 20:11:30 | More by Bighuge

Bierman9

New Hampshire

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

Bottle review from 15DEC02...
Slightly cloudy, dullish golden color, with a small, fine head and a bit of lace left in the glass....; I like it's nose...spicy, fruity and a touch yeasty.... Has a pretty good mouthfeel, overall. Body is medium, and it travels over the tongue in a smooth manner. Going down it has a nice combo of fruity flavors, spiciness, yeasty notes, and some traces of pepper...leaves you a tad warmer than before... Real nice!! (Original bottle review: 08JAN02...4.50, re-review 15DEC02).

overall: 4.35
appearance: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4.5

*** ***

On-tap review from 07JUL02...
Fresh from the Victory taps... Lovely cloudy, medium- golden color, though a very small head and minimal lacing. Wonderful nose! Sharp and spicy, with some sweetness! Good body, and nice over the tongue, especially towards the last half of the pint. Great semi-sweet malt and candi-sugar-like flavor, along with a sharp, Belgian-style spicy bite. Better as it warms...Superb! (4.0/4.5/5.0/4.0/4.5 - 4.55)

253

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2002 09:36:16 | More by Bierman9

frank4sail

New Jersey

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

Pours with a nice head but this disapates fast due to the ABV%. Sweet complex nose. The taste beats the tongue with honey sweetness and a yeast/clove taste.. the finish is dry. This brew is not for the timid, but you will will be rewarded with a "mindblow" of a beer if you try it... Watch out for the 9.5 ABV....

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2002 20:21:31 | More by frank4sail

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

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

poured a beautiful golden color with decent white head and bubbles that just will not quit. The smell is hard to describe (bananas??) but I love it. The first taste is superb, and each additional sip is even better. The felling it leaves in my mouth is complex and long-lasting. A winner !!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2005 02:24:30 | More by tgbljb