Moonglow Weizenbock - Victory Brewing Company

Brenden

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is a thick, heavily clouded ruddy bronze-brown with lots of yeast particulates ("floaties"). Swirl the glass for best effect. The tan head rises to just over a finger but fades off more quickly than expected, leaving respectable lacing behind.
The aroma is strong out of the bottle. It's got the just-ripe banana with some sweet and bready malts along with clove and a touch of spiciness. Almost like gently rum-soaked fruits and breads (not fruitcake, certainly better).
In the flavor is just a little more complexity and balance, particularly as very gentle floral notes come out. This beer is really well attenuated and everything's complementary; as it is, it could be too sweet, too boozy, too malty, too heavy, too spicy, etc., but everything just goes together so well and nothing's overdone at all. Victory knows how to brew...
...as further exemplified in the feel, a lush, rich but not too heavy, free flowing creamy and crisp medium body. Great stuff all around here.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 06:06:06 | More by Brenden

Foamster

New York

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

Just enjoyed this on a cool summer's day, even though this is a "fall" beer.

Another great beer from these guys. They never disappoint.
That unidentifiable flavor? Licorice! Enough said. World class,, 4.5 in taste and mouthfeel (4.5), 4 in appearance and smell.

The appearance and smell were modest, self-effacing -- which made the outstanding taste and mouthfeel that much more enjoyable and surprising.

Nothing more to say except - make this the first beer of your day. Savor it.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 19:57:17 | More by Foamster

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloudy orange-brown with an epic cream topping. Unfiltered, for my pleasure.

Overripe banana and clove esters, some gooey vanilla, and lemon pie filling. Great aromatics wafting off of this'un.

Big-time clove and juicy red apple/pomegranate. Alcohol kick with soft banana, sweet cherry, and buttered pumpernickel bread. A clove-forward weizenbock.

Slick and filling. Above-average carbonation. Drinks at a fast pace.

Pennsylvania rocks out some great German beer styles. Moonglow is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 23:19:37 | More by thecheapies

Mora2000

Texas

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

Thanks to djrn2 for sending me this bottle.

The beer pours a hazy brown color with a white head. The aroma is full of caramel malt with quite a bit of clove and banana mixed in. The flavor has some additional notes. I get a lot of caramel and toffee, as well as some cloves, pepper and spices. There is also a little bit of banana as well as some alcohol. Medium, full mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 02:41:41 | More by Mora2000

superspak

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into weizen glass, best by 9/2/2012. Pours very cloudy reddish orange color with a nice 2-3 finger fairly dense off white head with great retention that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some nice spotty lacing on the glass, with plenty of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of big caramel, banana, clove, pepper, molasses, orange peel, toasted biscuit, raisin, prune, and yeast spices. Great aromas here with good complexity, balance, and strength. Taste of big caramel, banana, molasses, toasted biscuit, clove, prune, raisin, pepper, citrus peel, and yeast spices. Lingering notes of dark fruit, banana, clove, biscuit, and molasses on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic flavor balance and complexity. Medium carbonation and body; with a creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Dangerously easy to drink for 8.7%. Alcohol is extremely well hidden, with only a slight warming after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent weizenbock. Great flavor balance and complexity; and super smooth to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 04:40:11 | More by superspak

budgood1

Minnesota

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours out a sediment laden, chunky and cloudy dark amber with a billowy light tan head. this froth reduces slowly leaving lots of lace. spicy, peppry aroma with doses of wheat and fruit. bananas, cloves and lemony notes abound. smells delicious. the flavour profile is a meaty mix of doughy malts, wheat and yeast, and lemon pepper spice that damnces on the tongue in a spritzy dance of joy. it's got a boozy aspect to it which also adds a subtle spicy flair. more floral and spice derived hops finish things out with more fanfare. big and bold body. effervescent mouthfeel keeps thing interesting on the tongue, but is also has a velvety, rich feel to it also. dangerously drinkable for a high ABV weizen bock. yummy stuff.

overall a damn nice stab at a classic bavarian style. victory nails down the most important aspects and delivers a winner. highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 21:22:11 | More by budgood1

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from session notes.

A. Nice dark brownish orange color with tons of delicious looking yeast turbidity, tall fluffy head that has great retention and better than average loops of lacing left behind on the glass.

S. Near textbook aroma of yeasty banana bread with cloves, but slightly more amplified in breadiness than the other two features.

T. Flavor contains the usual suspects of yeast, cloves, and banana bread but also has momentary flashes here and there when the tongue picks up on some ester fruit spectrum. Gets a bit of warming booze towards the finish.

M. Thick, creamy mouthfeel sensation feels like cramming silk scarves into your mouth. My only whining on this is that I would prefer slightly more carbonation to move the liquid around across the surface of my palate. That's a really subjective preference, however, so as always YMMV.

Overall, an excellent Weizenbock.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 00:31:00 | More by WastingFreetime

tdm168

North Carolina

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

Pours a dark amber with a ton of dense, soft, foamy, off white head that has decent retention. The nose has a sweet, bready, malty aroma as well as a fruity, banana note. The flavor is bready and caramelly up front with a peppery, spicy, clove-like, banana smooth finish. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied but a bit crisp. The alcohol adds warmth, body, and a bit of spiciness to the finish.

Overall, this is a smooth and enjoyable beer. The malts and spice blend together very well. The alcohol is heavy but not overly boozy. Nonetheless this a solid take on the German style.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 23:23:13 | More by tdm168

buschbeer

Ohio

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

12oz bottle
Served in a weizen glass

A - It pours a brownish orange with amber highlights. It is hazy from the yeast present. On top sits a huge tan head.

S - The aroma is banana, cloves, and some bread.

T - The taste features the banana and clove but is spicier than the aroma let on.

M - Medium with some biting carbonation.

O - This is the first beer from Victory that I have liked. The alcohol is very well hidden. I think I could get a buzz on a few of these easy drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 19:42:06 | More by buschbeer

JohnnyMc

Ohio

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

A very good and balanced beer. There is a predominantly wheat taste, followed by subtle spices and a slight hint of banana. It has this very rich texture, but balanced at the same time.

For such a high alcohol content, all the flavors do a perfect job of masking it. Very interesting and easy to drink. A pleasant surprise.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 04:20:31 | More by JohnnyMc

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

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

12 oz. bottle poured into Golden Monkey goblet.

A - Pours a deep amber with a sizable head which sticks around for a while. Good lacing. It is very cloudy and tiny specks of suspended yeast can be seen throughout, giving it a neat look.

S - Banana, cloves, wheat, and sweet malts. Complex and fruity.

T - Starts with sweet malts. I get banana, tropical fruit, some clove, rounded out with a bready character. Alcohol isn't very present.

M - Thick and chewy. Light carbonation complements the flavors well.

O - There are all kinds of flavors going on here, but it is very well balanced and highly drinkable. Yet another example of why Victory is one of my favorite breweries. I highly recommend Moonglow and will definitely get it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 04:14:49 | More by NoLeafClover44

SLeffler27

New York

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

Develops a long lasting big creamy head that is off-white, almost almond. Hazy brown with amber highlights and suspended yeast amidst the carbonation. Glows toward the bottom of the glass while patch lacing develops above.

The flute glass helps to develop a fresh, doughy bread aroma that brings back memories of unbaked apple pie. There is also an earthy component and hint of cedar.

The aroma was a good forecast of the flavors. However, the flavors are more blended than distinguished. There is some banana bread and excelled balance of sweet, sour and bitter. The interplay is intriguing. The finish is moderate with subtle yeast influences.

Moonglow has a medium to full body with a slick velvet texture. Carbonation is over the top, almost aggressive, while alcohol is just right.

Refreshing and satisfying at once, this is superbly easy to drink. Enjoy either with a hearty lunch or early dinner, perhaps as something to sit back and relax with. Regardless, Moonglow is a winner.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 22:36:31 | More by SLeffler27

mariposafan

Wisconsin

2.83/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Murky burnt orange with a beautiful beige, creamy head. The head lasts very well.

The aroma is mostly pretty classic hefeweizen - banana/bubblegum with a hint of cloves. Quite a bit of alcohol on the aroma as well. Overall it could stand to be a bit more potent and have a bit less alcohol.

The flavor is a major letdown. Lots of bitterness. Lots and lots of straight alcohol. Not much at all of the hefeweizen flavors I expected let alone the more intense versions that I hope for from a weizenbock.

The mouthfeel is good - a little thicker than a hefeweizen and with plenty of carbonation. The carbonation does a decent job of cutting through the bitterness but doesn't do anything for very excessive alcohol flavor.

Overall a major disappointment. The overwrought bitterness and alcohol just swamp anything I might enjoy about the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 19:39:07 | More by mariposafan

jera1350

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A muddled light brownish orange color with a dirty fizzy head that shrinks down to a creamy ring.

Wheat, clove, banana and herbs. Quite complex.

Complex for the style. Getting lots of various spice and fruit notes. Clove is there and a hint of banana, but not the typical dominance for the style. I like how the fruit comes through. Some creamy dairy in there too.

Lots of carbonation, but it is soft. Dry finishing. Medium body.

Not what I was expecting for the style. Thought I was going to get hit with lots of banana and clove, but there is a wide array of fruit and spices here. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 02:25:49 | More by jera1350

J23hc

New Jersey

4.55/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Exquisite mahogony tone with an orange tinge. Thick and foggy. Creamy off white head, down to clumps. Lots of banana on the nose, with peanut butter and chocolate truffle. Very complex flavor including caramel, clove, citrus, hop bitterness. Chemically aftertaste. Very full bodied and refreshing. Smooth yet crispy. What a great offering from victory, relatively high abv

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 22:37:17 | More by J23hc

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