Mad King's Weiss - Victory Brewing Company

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at the brewery. A clear apricot gold pour. Nose is stone fruits, orange citrus, light coriander and spice. More spice in the mouth, ground coriander. Orange, lemon. Highly balanced, creamy, sharp carbonation. Would like a bit less spice, but an excellent hefeweissen. Though not on this day, I've had this beside their Whirlwind Wit and Sunrise Weiss, and this seemed to me clearly the best.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 03:15:08 | More by JAXSON

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This came from a growler I bought at Victory Brewery and Restaurant in Downingtown, PA. I poured it into a pint glass.
Appearance: The body is a cloudy dark gold. The head is three fingers tall, white, great retention with lots of thin lacing.
Smell: The aromas are dominated by bananas, but also have orange and earthy notes.
Taste: The taste is overwhelmed by bananas and doesn't have much else dimension wise.
Mouthfeel: This beer had a crisp mouthfeel.
Drinkability: This is a drinkable beer.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: growler

06-03-2009 22:50:52 | More by treehugger02010

frank4sail

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Brought my self back from the brewery a nice jug of this stuff from the 4/5 BA Event. Hazy yellow/orange almost glowing color. A very appealing beer to the eyes. A thick rich lasting white head results from the pour and stays with ya for a while. Beautiful persistant lace on the glass. Sweet wheat smell with some spice (corriander) and fruit (banana) in the nose. Rich wheat malt taste with a hint of marshmellow sweetness. The sweetness is enhanced quite well by the corriander and banana notes on the tongue. Very smooth silk mouth. Sharp yeasty and ABV punch at the finish. I enjoyed this brew very much. It gives their Whirlwind great genetics.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2003 11:20:43 | More by frank4sail

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Victory brewpub. This beer poured a cloudy yellowish body with a thick foamy white head and respectable lacing on the glass. The nose was dominated by some quality spice tones and banana notes as well. The taste also had some good spice notes, cloves, as well as touches of banana and vanilla. Very well put together beer and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2006 02:49:35 | More by ggaughan

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Hazy gold beer with a small, white, frothy, mostly diminishing head. Only a small amount of lacing.

Smell: Fairly typical wheat smell. Lightly phenolic with hint of clove and banana

Taste: Sweet, but not as sweet as I expected. There’s a slight bitterness along with citrus rind, banana and vanilla. The finish is average length and dry with the touch of chalkiness and alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Light-medium body, watery texture, low carbonation.

Drinkability: Because this isn’t as sweet as most other hefes, I find it more drinkable and satisfying. I’m not even a fan of the style and I still enjoyed this beer and hope to have it again sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2005 21:41:26 | More by ski271

goindownsouth

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A fantastic representation of this style, I truly enjoyed this German wheat brew while gnashing on some crusty German bread at Ludwig's Garten. After disposing of the provided slice of orange, I noticed a fantastic head that stood the test of time. The aroma was of bananas and maybe some faint clove. The flavor was smooth, palate-cleansing and refreshing. I am not the biggest fan of hefeweizens, but this one is a Bier that I would not hesitate having again.

Zum wohl!

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2004 00:44:28 | More by goindownsouth

RedHaze

Nebraska

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Tuscadora Mill in Leesburg, VA.

Pours a very hazy pale straw with a one finger head that takes a long time to fade to a nice cap. The lacing is thick and sticky, leaving a nice sheet behind.

Smell; lots of cloves and wheat, with a little bit of bananas thrown in. There was a nice lemony citrus, as well as a touch of a peppery spiciness.

Taste; very nice wheat flavor right away, and then fades into the cloves, bananas and lemons. The spiciness that was in the aroma is there, it just took until the beer warmed up to come out. This was also a a little sweet in the finish.

Mouthfeel was medium bodied and very smooth, and the drinkability was really good, as I had no problem consuming a couple of these during dinner.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2007 22:36:54 | More by RedHaze

marcpal

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

On tap, Stuff yer Face event in NJ. Admittedly not a fan of this style, but I do give it credit for representing what it should.

Served on tap at the restaurant.

A: Pale yellow with wheaty head and lacing. Offered and rejected the fruit accompaniment.

S: Wheat and strong spice.

T: Wheaty, a little too much of clove or spice for my personal taste but appreciate the quality there.

M: Good job here, good texture.

D: Honestly surprised to see this beer be as strong as it was - a credit to Victory on that one. Well disguised and drinkable.

Again, not a fan of the style, but I do give them credit from what I think is a good representation. Honestly surprised by the ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2007 01:52:33 | More by marcpal

Nickls

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(From notes)

A - Sunny, hazy yellowish color with a thinner pure white bubbly head

S - Citric and tart up front; some banana; spices as well

T - Seems like a cross between a Belgian Wit and German Weiss; citrusy but yeasty as well with spiciness; and the banana shows up toward the end

M - Touch creamy and medium overall; fairly muted carbonation

D - OK in this arena; good flavors, but I've had more refreshing in the style range; was good that the citrus cut through the banana, but it was a bit scattered for my taste

Overall, an interesting brew and take on the style, and more than worth a look.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2009 22:49:33 | More by Nickls

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is such a very good beer. It was poured with a nice creamy head which had a lace which lasted for a while. The taste had a good hefe taste with considerable citrus flavors, but they did not overpower. Very, very drinkable. This beer shows us just how good a brewery Victory is. This beer has a depth and subtelty which one normally associates with European breweries. This is definitely a victory for your taste. I would highly recommend getting this hefe over the imports if you are at Ludwig's in Philly. You sacrifice no quality and you support local.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2004 02:42:33 | More by GeoffFromSJ

Jarod

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this one from the tap at Victory Brew. It came to me a slightly cloudy gold/yellow color. The head was a beautiful white color that was full and the lace was decently present as it stretched on the sides of the glass. The aromas that were coming out of the glass were some ripe bananas, wheat grains, slight cloves and some citrus hops. The flavors that danced in my mouth were subtle but refreshing. I tasted hints of slight bananas, cloves, yeast, wheat and a little citrus hop bite at the end. Not an overpowering beer when it comes flavors because they meld so well together, the brewers definitely have a firm grasp on flavors and beer. Refreshing and simply great. I can’t wait until the summer so that I can reach for this and quench my thirst.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2003 13:22:13 | More by Jarod

SIRIUS2

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at the Victory Brewery.

Light yellow, not really pale, but rather a golden color with a fair colored haze. The head was very creamy and thick at a solid two fingers with great retention. The foam left heavy trails down the sides, not really dainty enough to be called lacing. This look really good!

The aromas brought me back to center with the typical light fruity banana smells and a hint of spicy clove. You can pick up some of the wheat malt and just a bit of citrus on the nose.

Interesting, this is. It has a light, delicate sense to it but at the same time has a very complicated set of flavors that come through. The wheat malt is noticeable, along with banana, clove, & yeast that typically goes along with it, but there was something on the order of cinnamon or nutmeg that was faint but seemed to bring everything together. Toward the end came some light bitterness, presumably from hops, that seemed to hit just before the finish and then everything ended with a relatively clean finish. Carbonation was fine and abundant and lent itself well to a slightly creamy texture. This was a beauty!

I don't know that I am doing this brew justice with my review. It's not your average hefeweizen and you really just need to experience it to get that wonderful complexity. Very drinkable, very smooth, and very recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2008 17:16:11 | More by SIRIUS2

PSUDREW

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a great beer all around, as well as a good way to prime your friends off of macros and unto wheats (among others)

Hazy yellow color. nice straw complextion. Not much head to stay, but some lace to go with it.

Sweet smelling, anlway drinkable. Has a nice mix of sweet clove and banana and a good dose of citrus for an after taste.

It is a crisp and clean drink, and can keep you going all day long, regardless of ABV. if you can find some, get it, they really do need to bottle this though!

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2003 04:51:45 | More by PSUDREW

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Light golden color with good carbonation and leaves impressive lacing on the glass. Smells of a typical Weiss bier - not too strong and with a hint of lemon. Fuller bodied taste than many Weiss biers with lemon and other spices present. This is a nice quality brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 22:06:21 | More by Oakenator

HugoGrim

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is one of if not my favorite Hefe of all, and it does not disappoint from the growler. Unfortunately Victory does not bottle Mad King's, so I can't get it very often.

The thick head of the beer does not translate from the tap to the growler so the appearance suffers a bit, and the aroma is not as full and intense, but overall it is nearly just as good as my initial glowing review of this beer.

Victory makes a lot of great beer, and I think this is bare none the most underrated of their line.

Serving type: growler

11-06-2007 01:05:43 | More by HugoGrim

BierStein711

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Draught into pint. I wish it would have been a weizen.

Two finger off white head with cloudy gold body!

Smells of cloves and spices

Tastes of clove, bubblegum, spices, and a little hop!

Mouthfeel: Smooth and refreshing.

Overall, this is a good example of the style.

I plan to try it from the bottle, as I prefer Weissbiers to be from the bottle and not the tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2013 21:36:23 | More by BierStein711

rdrummer

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the Brewery. It pours a cloudy golden color with a nice white head and lots of lacing. It is a very representative German wheat with a wonderful aroma of hops and wheat and citrus undertones. A very nice pour that has a wheaty flavor that keeps building as you drink. There is a strong hoppy accent with a citrus aftertaste. It is a little light in the mouth; less full-bodied than some Germans. It goes down really smooth. I could drink a lot of this one. Bought a growler for home.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2003 00:15:38 | More by rdrummer

ChrisBowers

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is some tasty stuff! Definite apple cider notes to this one with just a bit of that weiss tingly bite at the end. Pours a foggy amber/yellow hue with a nice lingering head. I don't like it quite as much as the Whirlwind Wit on account of its sweetness, but it is still excellent and a far cry from the tasteless wheat beers many other brewers are churning out in the US. Has a lot of character and a very unique taste. Another great brew from Victory.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2003 02:41:54 | More by ChrisBowers

dmarch

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

They seem to have this every time I go to Victory, but they never bottle it. Pours with a hazy golden color and a quickly dissapating head. Aroma is of bannana with some citrus and a little clove. Taste has notes of citrus and bannana. Somewhat strong for the style, but very drinkable. Too bad I only got one growler.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2003 20:47:10 | More by dmarch

purplehops

Maine

4.22/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Mad King’s Weiss poured a hazy golden yellow with a frothy white head that had staying power as well as leaving a nice lace on the glass. The aroma was wheat and fruit with a hint of spice. Some nice banana esters in there along with some citrus notes. The taste starts with a rush of mild citrus and malt flavors. This is followed by some soft hop bitterness and spice notes of coriander, clove, and bitter orange peel. The finish is a bit spicier with some banana and lemon flavors blending with the wheat malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Aftertaste is a lingering wheat maltiness with crisp citrus notes and a hint of alcohol. Mouthfeel is crisp and medium light with a refreshing yeasty chewiness to it.
Overall a nice weiss. Perhaps a bit more tartness would make this closer to a perfect weiss; IMHO. But I did bring a growler full back to Maine.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2003 22:00:12 | More by purplehops

dwarbi

New York

4.68/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a decent head, but it goes away quickly. Cloudy orange-yellow color. Hearty smells of heartland. Robust aroma. Heavy taste, but very crisp and clean in the mouth. Incredibly drinkable.
One of the best wheat beers I've had and another victory from Victory.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2003 08:36:20 | More by dwarbi

WMEugene

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the brewpub.

A - golden in color, nice head retention and good lacing.

S - banana, clove, wheat, typical and classic weiss smell.

T - bright, banana/clove flavor, wheat. Almost as bubble gum esque flavor. A little sweeter than a normal weiss beer, but it works.

M - Medium bodied, slightly chewy. Nice finish and carbonation level.

O - an enjoyable weiss, I would love to see this one available where I live.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 23:59:29 | More by WMEugene

ithacabaron

California

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

From the brewery's tap to my german growler, and then in my glass about an hour later.

Appearence is very good for the style, a surprisingly bright yellow, deeply clouded, with a friendly, puffy head settled in the top of my weizen glass. So far, so good.

Aroma is clean, and subtle, with notes of bananas, vanilla cream soda, and just a little hint of lychee. Very cool and mild. Good stuff.

Taste is again, very mild, but spot-on. Bananas, fresh and a little green come across the palate first, with a cool, dissappearing finish. No lingerer, this brew. There is a surprising lack of clove notes here, but there is still a spiciness, brought by notes of coriander, allspice, and the like. Cloves...probably a bit, but not that featured. I'm sure they would deny it, but I wouldn't be shocked to learn that there are actual spices used in the brew.

Mouthfeel is smooth, highly yet softly carbonated, and frothy. Very good.

Drinkability is right up there as well. The mildness of this brew (despite the ABV) makes it a perfect sessioner.

A well done and nuanced version of a difficult style. I prefer the traditional versions from over the pond better, but the freshness of this makes a great case for picking up a growler (which I almost do every time I'm up there). Here Victory shows why they're a german brewery first, and everything else second. Prosit!

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2005 15:03:37 | More by ithacabaron

Hefe

Maryland

4.88/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had a sample of this at Victory this past Mon (7/23) Took a Growler home based on that experience.

The beer pours a hazy luminescent amber with a pillowy white head. The aroma is wheat and clove with subtle underpinning of tropical fruit. The flavours are wheat, spice, citrus peel, banana, all balanced on one of the smoothest mouthfeel's you can imagine. As for the drinkability, I could have easily polished off the 64oz Growler myself If I didn't have to share. ;-)

Serving type: growler

07-26-2007 14:27:21 | More by Hefe

mophie

Delaware

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the source in Downingtown, PA. Cloudy golden color, minimal head. Some slight banana aromas, but they were fairly muted, as were any other aromas. A little spiciness in the taste, but there was a sour aspect that was not quite what I wanted. It's possible my opinion of this beer was impacted by the previous pint of Storm King I had just finished, so I may come back and revise this review at a later date. All I know is I don't think I'll be ordering this one again anytime soon.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2002 19:35:27 | More by mophie