Moonglow Weizenbock - Victory Brewing Company

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours brown with red/orange highlights. Light tan head. Leaves small bits of lacing. Body is mildly opaque.

S-Banana bread. Light chocolate. Yeast and other different spices float about. Alcohol becomes a bit more apparent as the beer warms.

T-Akin to the nose. Banana bread. Nuts and chocolate with yeast and spice. Cloves are present. A bit too solid on the booze here. Not as smooth as other I have tried, a bit too sharp.

M-Medium body with moderate carbonation. Smooth enough with mellow carbonation.

O/D-Overall, it was alright. Not as good as a few others I have tried from the same style. Not very high on drinkablility. Too pricey too at nearly $13 a six pack. One single will permanently be enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 05:35:03 | More by VelvetExtract

mactrail

California

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Strong, strange perfumey smell and flavor is the first encounter. Big German esters and a Hefeweizen taste topped off by a dollop of hops. Quite spicy, but also grainy and cereal tastes. Some of the bitterness tastes like it's from some process other than hops.

No date on this bottle. Yeasty chunks in the bottom of the glass. I wonder if it's been around a while. I'm sure I've liked this better a year or two ago.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 03:08:16 | More by mactrail

CFHMagnet

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I slow poured this baby, stopping 2/3 of the way through to swirl for the sediment. I got 3 and a half fingers of extremely foamy yellowy cream colored head. Body is a nice brown with orange hints, lots of sediment can be seen both on the bottom and suspended throughout. The head never actually dies down all the way, and there is a lot of lacing to this beer.

Banana, yeast and dark fruit, notably figs prunes and raisins are noticed initially. Wheat, malt, light brown sugar and a floral hint are noticed in the search while waiting for the head to die down a little.

There is so much flavor to this it's overwhelming. Starts off with yeast, banana and a hint of spice. Malt and dark fruits are noticed, then light floral hops. They all come at you, one after another, daring your tongue to pick them out.

Medium bodied, it doesn't coat your tongue very much. A little dry on the finish, it left a somewhat unpleasant taste in my mouth at the very end which I couldn't identify.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 02:09:34 | More by CFHMagnet

DerekP

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Moonglow is a beautiful, modestly effervescent brown brew with an orange-ish glow at the bottom and hints of red hues throughout. A lot of yeast in suspension. A soapy light beige head sits atop and plans on going nowhere.

Smell is so pronounced: pineapple & tropical fruits, booze, under-ripe banana. Floral. Treated wood. Much going on.

The taste is exceedingly bright up front and then turns down to toasty notes, wood and booze. Alcohol lingers while accompanied by moderately aggressive phenols. I sense hop flavors in the middle pushing their way through, but they're hard to really discern amidst the myriad of things going on with this brew.

Bottom line, it's a spicy, yeasty, fruity and lively beer with a little bit of heat and a mildly dry finish. Well played. I'll continue sipping & enjoying this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 01:18:20 | More by DerekP

jtierney89

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a hazy ruby color with an off white head. Sediment floating around in the glass. Looks rather nice.

Oh wow, the smell is nutty and filled with banana, butter and clove. Wow I'm really loving the scent on this thing.

Thick and silky, rich and buttery. Not bad so far in the least. Big and chewy with a banana bread presence. Super creamy and rich too. Slight hop presence but I wish it was bigger to really give this beer some balls. Excellent though!

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 04:11:29 | More by jtierney89

davewlfpckfan29

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this one in a 10oz glass straight from the tap at Parker Pie in Vermont.

The freshness was great, poured a nice what I would call dark golden color. With a solid foamy head on top. I enjoyed the look, but most of all the smell of this beer.

The fruitfull smell was pleasant, and a good balance of hops and different types of fruit.

I couldnt tell what kind of fruit I was tasting, but it was a good. What I really liked about this beer was the balance of fruit and alcohol and hops in the taste. I would love to have this beer again anyday.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 21:24:52 | More by davewlfpckfan29

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-brown to burgundy hazy color and a light tan head which dissipates slowly with good lacing

S-sweet fruit and malt aromas

T-tangy wheat flavor with sweet fruit and malt following

F-medium to heavy body with medium carbonation, alcohol very subtle and well-balanced

O-a nice smooth drinking beer

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 01:46:57 | More by MDDMD

CHickman

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Eleven Madison Park in NYC; pours hazy copper orange color with a creamy 1 finger tan head that faded very slowly and left very good lacing that stuck to the glass.

Smells of wheat, brown sugar, caramel, yeast, herbs, grains, earthy tones, floral hops and light spices; aroma is soft sweet and earthy, and quite nice.

Tastes of wheat, brown sugar, caramel, yeast, herbs, sweet malt, lightly toasted grains, earthy tones like peat moss or pine cone, floral hops, cinnamon and other light spices like pepper; sweet overall, it's refreshing and went down easy. Mild spices give it just enough sizzle for complexity and an identity.

Mouthfeel is light and creamy, with zesty carbonation, a medium body and a sweet grainy finish that's slightly funky from the yeast. Interesting and pretty drinkable, another fine mix of two styles that worked well together.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2011 19:12:40 | More by CHickman

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish brown in color with orangish hues on the edge of the glass and a deep haze. Poured with a short off white foam that reduced to sparce wisps. Wheat malt and ripe apple and banana aromas. (Hick, smooth feel. Sweet caramel and wheat malt flavors up front followed instantly by dark fruit and banana. Spicy herbal tangy flavor through the middle to the finish. Started to show a bit of boozy character at the finish as this warmed a bit. Very easy to to drink. Would certainly have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2011 11:15:45 | More by IronLover

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep amber and brown body hint of orange. All colors come through depending on how the light is hitting it. Pours a good size of tan head which has settled to a nice thick alcohol ring around the glass.

Faint banana and heavy spice aromas from the yeast are most noticable. Cinnamon/sugar bread, alcohol notes, and chewy maltiness.

Spice flavor jumps on the palate right away and stays through the finish. Mild banana bread and toast. Creamy body with a nice dose of carbonation. Spices play the biggest role here which are quite enjoyable for the fall/winter seasons.

Take the label off this beer and I'd think I'm drinking a Weizenbock from Germany. True to style and executed very well. I've only had Ayinger Weizenbock, Aventinus, and Weihenstephaner Vitus as far as Weizenbocks go but this right on par with all of those. I do enjoy Vitus and Aventinus more, but this one is quite good.

[92/100]

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 20:47:58 | More by mindspin315

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, bottle marked “best by Sept 2012”. Victory is a local brewery for me at about a one hour drive.

Poured into a Franziskaner Weissbier Signature glass.

Pours a thick two finger head, which reduces to a 1/8” cap. A thick “sticky” head which clings to the glass with each drink, yet minimal to no lacing, strange.
Deep amber color, very cloudy with lots of yeast. You really cannot see thru it.

Distinct yeast and banana nose, spicy, followed by rich sweet smelling malt. This pronounced aroma lasts through out the pour. Excellent!

Crisp entry on the palate of very distinct yeasty malt. The malt is quite rich and the spicy banana from the aroma comes along in the flavor. Very full mouth feel and medium sweet, but not overdone for the style. The lingering malt has a roasted quality to it. Excellent carbonation.

Long finish of yeast and malt, with some lingering sweetness.

A very enjoyable Weizen Bock. Delicious.
Perhaps just a little too sweet, but I am really nitpicking, the crisp acidity, excellent carbonation, and great spicy/yeasty/malt have what it takes to balance this brew.
Very, very easy to drink. Seems at its best on the colder side, say about 45 to 50 degrees max.
I recommend it, if you have the opportunity to try.
It’s not on the bottle, (something new for Victory?), but Victory’s web page states the ABV to be 8.7%, nowhere is this noticeable to me.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 01:45:01 | More by JTSbeerislife

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy reddish brown body with sediment floating.

The smell is fresh, perfectly ripe bananas, brown sugar, and cloves.

It's a tastey weizenbock, to be sure. Phenolic banana flavors, brown sugar, caramel, and a spiced chai tea.

Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, with moderate carbonation.

This is the most flavorful I've had of the style and a very enjoyable beer. I'll definitely pick up some more of this next season.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 02:51:20 | More by Vonerichs

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Wegman's Malvern, 11/13/11.

A-Pours an autumnal orange brown, little bit of white head, little bit of lacing.

S-Huge banana notes, gret malt base.

T-Great flavors, excellent banana and clove, good malt base, excellent.

M-Medium bodied, moderately dry.

O-Nicely drinkable, among my favorite Victory seasonals for many years.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2011 21:14:28 | More by sholland119

lstokes

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A hazy dark copper beer with a four-finger head, although minimal lacing, and a sweet toffee-like nose with some fruity notes. I found it quite complex on the tongue--caramel, raisins and apples, some yeast, a little bit of vanilla and clove, and a very long finish, with lots of clove on the tongue even a minute after the swallow and a lovely warming quality. Yum! What a great late fall beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 03:57:55 | More by lstokes

jayhawk73

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Moonglow Weizenbock pours a copper color w/ orange highlights. Very murky in appearance. The one finger cocoa head quickly disappears down to a sliver. Lacing is good. The nose I get is mainly clove, banana, apple, malt, bread. Very nicely blended into a good cold weather brew. Ah... The taste takes it up a notch. Everything in the nose is here- and it's blended very well. It's close to a 4.5, but I'll leave it at a 4 for now. The flavors really come alive in this beer- and the spices are very well done. Feel is medium-full, w/ some big time carbonation on the back end, and aftertaste. Big spices on the aftertaste as well. The only complaint I have is there isn't more presence from the malt. Overall, a solid brew from Victory.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 21:03:45 | More by jayhawk73

bs870621345

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Best by Aug 11, 2012

Pours a hazy amber color with nice head and pretty good lacing. Nice collar forms as the head recedes.

Smells like spice, fruits, alcohol, and herbs. Like a fruitcake or potpourri.

Taste opens with the fruits and an earthy tone, moving into the spiced and fruit flavors. Finishes with the spice and a bit of lingering sweetness. Not cloying, but it definitely lingers a bit.

Mouthfeel is flat feeling and a little thin. Not what I expected.

Overall, its pretty good, nothing great.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 22:32:34 | More by bs870621345

DeltaGolfSierra

Tennessee

4.53/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is a cloudy dark amber with a tan head. Had to be patient with the pour and wait for the beautiful dense head to fade a bit. Not much lacing left behind. Scents are mainly fruity - orange peel and lemon - with a little wheat as well. The smell could use a little more oomph though. There's a lot going on in the taste - it combines the flavors of a wit with a hefeweizen - and boy is it good! Banana and bread give a bubble gum-like sweetness, and a twinge of lemon gives a perfect amount of tartness. Mouthfeel is full-bodied, though carbonation is high. This is one of the best wheat beers I've had. Victory has a winner.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 05:09:46 | More by DeltaGolfSierra

WMEugene

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Pours a hazy, light brown color. Head quickly dissipates with spotty lace.

S - Very fruity (bananas), with smells of cloves, spices and yeast. Notes of wheat and malt as well.

T - A bready and fruity taste that blends nicely with the wheat and malts. Yeasty as well. Not overly sweet, very delightful and extremely well balanced.

M - Medium bodied, rather smooth tasting with a nice finish. Hides the alcohol very well.

O - I found the Moonglow Weizenbock to be an amazingly tasty brew. Victory makes some excellent beers and this is no exception. Refreshing and delicious!

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 00:12:04 | More by WMEugene

coalcracker

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a cloudy dark gold with billowy head that lasts forever and a day.
Smell: Malty sweet with hints of spice and dark fruit.
Taste: Malty is the operational word- wheat stands out in a big way with a good dose of spice (pepper, nutmeg) and with a substantial wash of those sweet dark fruits again. Not too sweet as to be cloying. Alcohol warmth experienced towards the end- though the alcohol is fairly well-hidden throughout.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and on the thick side, ala a good weizenbock
Overall- Great effort here. Tasty and a good late autum/early winter brew IMO.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 23:04:02 | More by coalcracker

bubseymour

Maryland

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Murky dark brown kinda funky and scary looking. Really nice billowy head though that I had to wait 5 minutes to finish pouring the last 2oz of beer into the glass. Numerous fingers high. Actually an extremely impressive billowy head that is now 1/2 inch above the rim without pouring over side.

Smell - smell subtle and pleasant but I can't really put my fingers on what exactly I'm picking up.

Taste - High alcohol is very well hidden as this is a very smooth and balance beer with plenty of spice. Some slight crispness in finish but otherwise very smooth.

Mouthfeel - full bodied.

Overall - Seems like this is very well done for the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 01:27:47 | More by bubseymour

clint1019

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - medium-amber in color with a slight hazyness to it. The head is toffee colored and leaves some minimal lacing.

S - caramel malt aroma with bready notes and a spicy yeastyness.

T - has a wheaty/bready flavor with a spicyness.

M - medium bodied, has a ton of carbonation.

O - overall a pretty good weizenbock. Although I don't think this years is as good as last years.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 23:57:05 | More by clint1019

minterro

Michigan

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

A & S: The smell is yeasty, fruity (tropical), slight breadyness in the glass and more so when poured into a glass. big fizzy tan head when poured, however the head settles down to more of a foamy texture (still pretty big even after sitting a bit). Translucent copper colored beer, with vigorous bubbles rising from the bottom. Bits of lacing hanging around near the top of the beer.

T & M: bananas, slight spiciness, cloves are fairly present. Good balance between sweet and bitterness. I feel like its pretty complex, I can’t really discern all the flavors enough to describe them. Very drinkable, medium bodied and medium carbonation.

O: I’m impressed. This beer was very enjoyable. For both taste and mouthfeel my 4’s are riding on the high end of the spectrum, so this beer probably should get a higher grade then I gave it. I would give this beer my full recommendation and I hope the other beers of this style live up to the expectation that this beer gave me.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 00:17:59 | More by minterro

Bendurgin

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass. This one pours a hazy muddy brownish tan with about an inch of biege head. It settles leaving a solid cap of creamy foam with some spotty lace.

Faint bananas in the aroma with a sweet breat aroma and some cloves and hints of nutmeg in the aroma. A nice spice profile on the pallet; cloves and allspice with some mild banana and hints of caramel.

The body is medium with good carbonation. Overall pretty much what I was expecting here. Victory continues to be old reliable.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 03:46:56 | More by Bendurgin

horshack7

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured into a flute is a hazy dark amber beer. On top is about two inches worth of head that stays around rather well.

Aroma: Sweet fruit notes, brown bread, ripe bananas, clove among other spices whirl around. Yeasty notes fruity esters with hints of alcohol.

Taste: Spices cloves, estery alcohol wisps. A smooth mouthfeel with only a little bite. Bananas, dark bread, sweet fruits all over. A touch of breadiness in the back.

Notes: Quite the tasty brew a very good example of the style. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 00:00:23 | More by horshack7

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Victory tulip.

A - Pours a murky, dark orange color with a bit of muddy brown to it. Completely opaque and fuzzy, it also builds a big, 3-fingered creamy head with decent retention. The lacing is nice as well, with long, flowing strands of foam streaking the glass.

S - Very potent nose on this, full of traditional wheat and alcohol esters. Lots of clove and some all-spice, and also has a decent amount of yeast character in the form of slight bananas. Some great grape bubblegum aromas as well.

T - Instantly, the mouth is hit with a burst of wheat and spice intermingled with the strong malt influence. A bit of chocolate that plays underneath the leading notes. Banana banana banana. Yeasty with a splash of freshness from green apples and plums. Finishes with just a hint of alcohol heat.

M - Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with good carbonation. The spices and wheat give it a somewhat dry finish, making it end quite crisply.

D/O - Drinkability is high. This is my first time trying it out of the bottle, but it is every bit as good as from tap. Insanely drinkable given the complexity and alcohol and it constantly draws me in to drink more. And with every sip you get different flavors as the temperature change draws out different elements. This beer is definitely in contention for one of my favorite beers from Victory, drawing neck and neck with Storm King.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 01:58:50 | More by nhindian