Festbier - Victory Brewing Company

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Chicago Bears shaker pint glass.

My boi VDubb86 tipped me off to the quality of this brew, so I gave it a chance in my mixed sixer from DICarlo's. It pours a clear amber orange topped by a finger or so of very light ecru foam. The nose comprises caramel, clove, vanilla, and brown sugar, with a hint of orange in the back. The taste ups the orange's ante slightly, diluting the sweeter notes, but the caramel maintains itself nicely, making up for some of the once-lost ground. The body is a nearly-heavy light, with a light carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a very nice O-Fest, proof that Mike ain't completely crazy just yet.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 00:13:52 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Creamy, bubbling, humdinger head; a perfect darkish amber color. Aroma: fresh, clean, floral, nuts, buttery and sweet, vanilla, bananas, soft spices. Little hops, heavy with malt. Incredibly sweet on the tongue, long and lovely finish. A tasty sizzle on the palate, very flavorful, and an unusually characterful lager. One of the more subtle, but satisfying Oktoberfests I've ever enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2002 20:31:31 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.33/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark gold/amber color with a thin offwhite head that fades to spotty lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a musty and slightly malty scent that is dry and nutty. The taste is decent also. It has a complex, but not very good flavor. It is slightly malty with nutty hints and a dry lager yeast finish. It has a breadlike quality that detracts from the taste. There are hops in the aftertaste, but they are weak. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with good carbonation. This is an average Festbier. It tries to be unique and it succeeds. It is uniquely average.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2004 00:49:45 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At the time of this review, this beer is the #32 Märzen / Oktoberfest on the beeradvocate.com best of styles list, poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a New Belgium globe glass.

Beer is dark amber with a mild haze, lazy head, low carbonation.

Aroma is mildly nutty and mildly sweet, nice.

Beer is medium in body and sweet, nice finish, mildly bitter, really drinkable, good mouthfeel. I enjoyed it and would have it again, the munich malt comes through nice on the finish and midpalate.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 04:07:17 | More by drabmuh

metter98

New York

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear copper in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down but never completely faded away.
S: There are light to moderately strong aromas of caramel and toasted malts in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the overall taste is quite malty and has flavors of caramel and toasted malts with hints of malty sweetness and a touch of bitterness and spiciness in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied, clean and very smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There are some hints of dryness towards the finish.
O: The beer is very easy to drink despite all of the maltiness because the hops help to balance off the associated sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 21:31:26 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright amber color with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a very thin lace on the glass.

S: The rich aroma is off malt, spice and caramel, with a little bit of hops.

T: Bready & malty tea-like flavor comes out first with some spice to it. Then there’s some hops and a little bit of caramel sweetness. The after-taste is mild with a slight touch of sweetness.

M: Crisp & smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, clean finish.

D: Very good representation of style, tasty, not very filling for this style, easy to drink, I could stick with this one for the duration of an evening.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2006 01:37:38 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.35/5  rDev -37%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I like that fact that they wanted to create something for the Oktoberfest season but, I don't know if this beer really fits that perspective or not. It's more along the lines of a Pilsner than a Marzen. The flavors that Victory came up with her are most definitely German but I don't think that it was the best way to go in making this brew. It was also a little too weak for a beer in the fall season.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 22:49:22 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.43/5  rDev -8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours orange with a finger of tan head. Zero head retention & lacing

S: Breadyness & not much else

T: Herbal & metallic hops, grainyness & some caramel up front. Dryness, slight leafy hops & a touch of caramel as this warms. finishes dry with a little grainy breadyness & toffee

MF Medium bodied with low carbonation

Very drinkable, but alas, the flavor profile is lacking. I expected more from these guys

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2008 03:29:18 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

4.3/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours orange with a small white head, average retention.

S: Strong malt, light caramel, sweet.

T: Strong caramel and cereal malt flavours. Sweet, almost a pastry flavour. Hops are noble and give a light grassy and herbal feel, all around a great taste.

M: Carbonation is quite light, you could drink a lot of these, creamy, soft.

D: This is a really good marzen, my first of the season, even though it is only August. I would not hesitate to have this again, this is one of the best Oktoberfests I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2008 06:23:04 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear amber in color with a thick 2" tan head. Carbonation levels seemed a little low, but some minor lacing did develop. The aroma is of caramel and a hint of roasted nut. The flavor is simple yet pleasing as malt, caramel, mild bitterness, and a touch of nut were well balanced. This isn't an overpowering oktoberfest like some others.

The mouthfeel was smooth at the start, and had a slightly dry and smooth finish. The caramel tones lasted briefly on the tongue after swallowing. Very drinakble and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2004 23:52:40 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

"Enjoy by Jan. 13, '08:

Pours orange/amber with plenty of clarity and a half-inch off-white head that soon becomes a slowly vanishing thin patch. Minimal lacing sticks to the glass.

The smell is of light caramel with a slightly nutty/earthy spice background.

The taste is of brown sugar, caramel and bready notes. Slightly nutty. Subtle hop spice balances out some of the sweetness. A hint of vanilla passes through as it warms. Something slightly burnt about it. Pretty clean finish. Medium-bodied.

Decent...The slightly burnt edges irks me a bit, but overall it's decent enough to put in the yearly line-up of O-fests.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2007 19:42:51 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Yeah, its a good fest beer. Its got a basic, mostly sweet taste of caramel malt with a bit of grassy/spicy hops at the end. The carbonation seems a touch low and I cant get any head or lacing. There's a slight burnt or heavy roasted note in the back of the flavor, like some black patent malt was used. I'd drink it, but I wouldn't really seek it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2007 03:21:51 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The lager is a copper colored wonder, crystal clear, with a decent fluffy head that retains well.

S: Sweet caramel malts dominate the nose.

T: The lager has a malty sweet flavor that has hints of biscuit and caramel. The grains are mixed very well, imparting just enough sweetness. The hops are practically nonexistent, which is good because the malts here are doing a very good job on their own.

M: The mouthfeel is a delicious sweet flavor that invites another sip.

D: Very drinkable, a well made Oktoberfestbier.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2006 22:17:48 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: Copper amber with an orange glow to it leaves a nice sized cream vanilla colored head with sufficient lacing left after the foam wains away. Aroma: Slight floral hop note lingers in there but more importantly a toasted malt character that is possibly the most delicate and pleasant from an Oktoberfest bier to this point mildly sweet Bavarian malts a blended so nicely here. Tase: Defines a well balanced beer, not tame or muted just made in an accurate approach toward the Oktoberfest or Marzen style that is consumed by the liter in Munich every year rolling syrup like malt sweetness with toasted nuts representing as the backbone of delicious tasty brew from Victory. Mouthfeel: Not watery but medium to light bodied has a slightly sticky texture that glides well down the palate. Drinkabilty: Must surely be the most drinkable example of an American made Ofest to date, wow just awesome beer everyone needs to sample this beer then go out and buy a case like I am going to.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2003 22:41:51 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear amber that has a brownish/orange hue to it. Crème head. This beer just looks good. Nose has some leafy character to it. Just earthy overall. Flavor is vibrant and full. Nice deeper leaf tone to it. Very, very minor roasted thing going on. Leaves what I think is an inky aftertaste. Feel has a very good level of carbonation to it and the liquid is good. Overall a good marzen. Probably a bit too deep to make a session out of it, but would probably pair very well with food.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 04:18:37 | More by RblWthACoz

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Decent start to the head with great ring lace. Very clear and lighter than I'd expect.

Overall, strong amber malt (crystal?) smells like a marzen should be.

The taste matches the aroma--malty, smooth and milky. Light hop gives some balance. Good body, low carbonation.

Overall, a nice entry into the marzen world.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 01:53:30 | More by smcolw

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a dimple mug)

A- This beer has a amber brown body with a thick creamy light tan head with a gentle carbonation of tiny bubbles.

S- The smell of light graham note is balanced with a honey malt smell that finishes with a faint hop hint.

T- This beer has a smooth nutty fresh malt flavor with a light toasted dry note. There is a green pine and noble hop finish with a slight mineral water hint. There is a pot caramel flavor that is soft with a slight tangy almost sweet note in the finish.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a slight slippery finish.

D- The flavor of this beer are good but a bit muted making it a little thin and not that exciting for a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2006 22:59:38 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12 oz brown long neck bottle with no freshness date.

Appearance: Big bubbly and frothy head, good retention at that. Light orangey copper hue that shows bright to the light. An appetizing brew.

Smell: Aromas of doughy bread, herbal hop and a clean alcohol in the rear. Clean to the nose yet still quite aromatic.

Taste: Sturdy medium body laying down a slick and crisp mouth feel. Big twang of toasted malt and soft herbal hop runs across the palate. Chewy hit of caramel in the middle, a tasty hit I might say. Maltiness is clean yet flamboyant with an icing of nutty toasted grain. Herbal hop is very noticeable with an ample bitterness and long lingering flavour. Finishes semi-dry with faint toasted grain.

Notes: Next time I have this beer I’m going to pair it up with a big fat juicy Ruben … extra kraut please. I think Victory tackled the style quite well with this one, a must try for any beer geek that makes their round of Oktoberfest Beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2002 18:34:06 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle pour from Deciccos in Ardsley, NY
Pours clear medium amber, w/ a slight golden hue. Typical khaki head, moderate retention and then a film, collar and upon a moderate swirl, the appearance ofminor spots of lace. Dull malty nose. Pretty typical O'fest brew, the expected smooth malt, the expected clean bready notes, the expected easy to drink quality. Never been my favorite style, on the dull side IMHO. This one fit my expectations. Works in a marinade if you have more of this type of brew sitting around and you are not real interested in drinking more of it...

Serving type: growler

09-23-2009 21:59:55 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 08/30/10 notes. Had on tap at Fire Works in Arlington, VA.

a - Pours an amber color with very light carbonation and an inch of white head.

s - Smells of sweet biscuits, caramel malts, bready malts, and a hint of spice.

t - Tastes of bready and caramel malts mostly. Some grain or wheat as well.

m - Medium bodya and moderate carbonation.

d - A decent beer. Mostly bready and caramel malts; would drink again but probably wouldn't seek out.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2010 18:24:02 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Catching up on some fall seasonals I missed last year.

An aggressive pour yields a small 1/2 finger head that fades at a decent rate over a crystal clear amber orange brown color, maple leaf colored.

The nose brings lots of sweet and toasty amber malts and crisp lagers, with a little sweetness, and some of that dry malty Oktoberfest style malts, but lighter.

The taste is similar, with light toasty malts, some sweet almost syrupy flavors, a little crisp lager flavors with a little juicy fruity taste, some light bitterness.

The mouth is lighter with lower but tolerable carbonation.

It finishes still lightly sweet but dries quite a bit. Some lingering syrupy flavors with more toasty and bready malt lingering, as well as some crisp lager flavors. Now more of the bitterness comes through with some light earthy and mild grassy hop flavors.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2010 20:50:59 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle received via I Want That BIF 3 from ClockworkOrange. Thanks for the opportunity. Best by Dec 30, 07.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, forming a 1 1/4" beige head over the clear orangey amber brew. Dense head lasts well, with prevalent frothy lace. Aroma is sweet nutty malts with a top of hoppiness. Taste follows the nose, nutty sweetness balanced by lightly bitter hops. Mouthfeel is smooth and drinking is easy. This one combines interesting flavor profile with a sessionable fest-style brew. Just what the doctor ordered.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2007 00:13:50 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears a copper toned amber with a decent white head that sticks around. Lots of sticky lacing tries it's best to cling.
Smell is of rich malt, a bit of sweet fruit, a touch of sour bread, along with a mild helping of hops for good measure.
Taste is a nice blend of the above making for a nice rendition of the style with just enough difference to make it a Victory beer.
Mouthfeel is malty sweet with some sours and bitters and a crispness on the tongue and palate.
Pretty enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2005 17:04:35 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled due to the efforts of Lackenhauser and The Great Pumpkin BIF.

Pours a nice orange to amber colored beer with a nice tan head.

Smell is quite fragrant, strong scent of malt and fruitiness. Scents of grain and caramelized sugar with a hint of rye? Maybe not any rye in this but that is what it smells like to me.

Taste is semi dry and fruity at the beginning. Moderate sweetness and mild herbal hop flavor throughout the experience. A tasty mild beer here.

Mouthfeel is solid.

Very drinkable beer here. Tasty and mild this is easy to drink and is a fine everyday type of beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2005 22:11:42 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ Resurrection Ale House (Philadelphia, PA) on 10/3/09. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a crystal clear copper, with thin covering of eggshell-white head. Fizzy retention around the edges, with some thin film in the middle, leaving back minimal lacing. The aroma has a deep sweet tang to it of bread and citrus, along with plenty of festive hoppy spicing and earthy undertones. This smells like Fall in a glass.

The taste is very bready in the mouth, but isn't coming off as overly sweet. Leafy and spicy Noble hop character really makes this pop in the mouth. Nice balance overall. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a prickly and crisp feel to the carbonation, which fills the mouth up nicely.

Just a solid take on an O-Fest by Victory. Of all the times I've had this in the bottle over the last few years, I believe that this was the first time that I've had it on draft. I'm glad that I did.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2009 12:10:54 | More by Kegatron