Festbier - Victory Brewing Company

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a crystal clear orange, small off white head forms, some sporadic lacing. Smell is smoky and sweet, some grassy hops and a little bit of citrus. Taste is sweet and grassy, some caramel and citrus, light touch of smoke. Mouthfeel is light bodied, with medium carbonation. A fine example of Oktoberfest. Thanks DrJay!

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2005 18:04:21 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is a clear amber, but lacks a head. Only a slight collar is present. Aroma is full of a deep maltiness. A bit of a candied like aroma is also present. Has a medium full body. And unlike many ofest, this one has a taste I can get in to. I think it's got a little bit more of a munich and vienna characteristic than a lot of the other ofests. The hebal hops accent very nicely as well. This is a nicely put together oktoberfest. Very clean tasting and highly drinkable. Nice effort from the gang at Victory.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2002 21:14:16 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden amber, light copper color with golden orange hues when held to a light source and a one finger off white head that quickly fades into a lasting ring that leaves sporadic thin rings of lacing throughout.

Sweet malty aroma with hints of brown sugar, cinnamon and subtle hops. There is also a very faint roasted malt presence that is very promising.

Surprisingly very full bodied and chewy, especially for the style with a lot of sweet malt and fall spices. Hints of cinnamon, brown sugar, biscuit, and that slight toasted malt flavor that the aroma alluded to. There is also a very subtle hop presence which provided an excellent balance of bitterness to the sweet malts and spice notes. An excellent example of an American interpretation of the style but I can't really see to many Germans liking it. Either way I highly recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 02:30:29 | More by corby112

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: on tap at ? (possibly Johnny Brenda's)

A clear amber beer with a patchy layer of white head. Biscuity aroma, caramel malts. More of the same in the taste--it's a märzen, basically--nutty, bready, with a caramel sweetness, and some light floral hoppiness for a good balance. Medium-bodied and tasty. Easily drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 00:54:55 | More by Rifugium

glid02

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this from Green's in Atlanta.

Pours a completely clear amberish-brown color with a head of just under one finger. Head recedes pretty quickly to a wispy layer of bubbles on top and a very thin ring around the glass.

Smells good. Lots of bready and sweet malt aromas, with some noble hops. There's also some caramel in there.

Tastes about the same as it smells. The sweetness brings itself to the front a bit more than in the smell, and there's a good amount of bitterness at the end.

Mouthfeel is a good, but a bit thin. However, the carbonation is good and it goes down smoothly.

Drinkability is good. The tastes are pretty well-balanced the whole way through, and they go down pretty easily.

Overall this beer really doesn't differentiate itself from any other Ofests, but it's a solid offering. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2008 23:22:43 | More by glid02

DoubleJ

California

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I nead a break from packing. How about a marzen? On to the beer:

A low forming semi-fuzzy looking head forms on top of this brilliant amber orange colored beer. Lots of bubbles are racing through the clean body. If only the heead retention were better. The nose brings out a modest maltiness. The malt reminds me of a pumpkin aroma, a brush of husky malt and hay.

This is a pleasant tastng O-fest. The maltiness is there, providing big doughy flavors and a reminder of pumpkin. Lighly whipped with caramel and nutmeg notes. There's a little kick of alcohol that I find as the beer dries. It's a highly carbonated beer, which can work depending on style, here it is pushing the limits. The body weight is alright, and it drinks well.

Not all O-fest beers are created equal, and Victory Fstbier is one of the better domestic examples I've had. This is one to try during the fall.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 06:52:07 | More by DoubleJ

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: light cranberry-amber color with a very light, thin tan head.

S: lighty toasted sweet munich/Vienna malt sweetness and bite followed by flowery hop notes.

T: The flavor had a nice dry flowery hop bitterness with a light graininess along with some sweet caramel that creeps in. The palate is fresh grains with some light notes of dry fruitiness.

M: The mouthful was medium bodied, lightly carbonated with light fresh grains on the tongue.

D: Drinkability was smooth though not as sweet as typical marzens, dry, hoppy with some wet grains make for a nice fest style.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2008 01:16:15 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear caramel/amber with a short stand of fine, off-white bubbles that showed good retention and a bit of lacing. Malty aroma with some toasty caramel, a slight smokiness and faint hops. A malty, caramel flavoured brew, the moderate bitterness continued and increased into the finish. Overall, a very clean grain flavour with some toastiness that's balanced by moderate hop flavour. Very smooth texture, medium carbonation, some residual sweetness and sugar. Clean, malty, and tasty -- an enjoyable offering from Victory.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2005 01:04:48 | More by DrJay

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Whether it's a really deep orange or a softer hue of brown can be debated; that it is a stunningly handsome colour cannot. Its body is clear and possesses a charming little bit of sparkle. Bubbles flutter in the same way autumn leaves fall to the ground. The beer is carbonated like a soda pop; pouring produced a whole lot of sizzling but not much foam.

This brewery has a particular fondness for using hops in all their beers - whether traditional style guidelines call for them or not - and so, naturally, they couldn't resist using whole flower German ones in this recipe. Surprisingly, the result isn't all that apparent. Only a touch of that spicy, earthy resonance is sensed over all the sweetness of the malts.

It took me not one sip but rather a few to be able to formulate any kind of opinion about this flavour. And, after a lot of lip and tongue smacking, I'm still not able to offer much of one. The malts procure only the faintest suggestions of bread and caramel. Now that I think of it, this both smells and tastes more like a Helles than a Märzen.

And it drinks like one too. The malts are hardly (if at all) caramelized and contain no hints of dried fruits, toasty crumbs or toffee. They aren't substantial, they aren't even all that sweet. Between the minimal presence of the malts and the nonexistence of any hops, this beer makes for easy drinking but not all that exciting or gratifying drinking.

Victory Festbier is likely to appeal as much (if not more) to the mainstream crowd as it is to craft aficionados. Given its lighter body and lighter flavour it might also go over well with those looking to celebrate Oktoberfest in the stereotypically gluttonous and over-indulgent fashion. As for me, I'll likely celebrate it responsibly - and with a different beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2009 15:59:07 | More by biegaman

Brad007

Vermont

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

Pours a mild amber color with a one-finger head into my tulip. Not unusual for the style.

Aroma is full of sweet, crisp malt that never gets too sweet or crisp. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Taste is full of mildly sweet malt that is a tad bit smoky in nature. Great texture (chewy) and goes down well. Carbonation level is just right.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering sweet, smoky malt. Not much else to see here.

An enjoyable example of the style. Certainly not the greatest but definitely better than some other examples I've seen. It would work well on a day colder than this though.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2010 23:57:45 | More by Brad007

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A: Amber-bronze with an off-white head, light retention & lace.

S: Steelie mineral, grass & floral hops, grainy biscuit & dark toffee.

T: Grainy biscuit, dark toffee, mineral & grass, good bitterness.

M: Moderate body, carbonation a little high.

D: A decent drinker.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 22:30:21 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours copper with a relatively thin head and little lacing. Smell is malty and fruity, maybe cherries. Slight tang from the yeast on the finish. Taste is smooth with dry malt noticeable, but slightly watery. Earthybitterness in the middle and a spicy finish. Not bad, but a little disjointed. Mouthfeeel is spritzy and spicy. Smooth, but not creamy. Pretty easy to drink, but the whole package just doesn't make me shout.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2007 01:34:33 | More by Georgiabeer

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On draught at the Mill Hill Saloon in Trenton, NJ: The beer pours a clear copper color with a medium thin light beige head that dissipates slowly. Spotty lacing. Light malt and caramel along with hops in the nose. Medium body with a soft mouthfeel. Flavors of toasted malt and caramel, plus mild hops and fruit. The finish is sweet malt and a hint of hops. Slightly above average all around.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2007 20:09:03 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice orangey glow and copper in color, good white head that stuck around the glass. Smell was all over the place, very complex for an Oktoberfest. Lots of sweet smelling hops and malts, some nutty notes and roasted barley and some pale citrus. Taste was pretty decent, not bad at all. Kinda sweet and malty bitter, very clean hop feel, a bit watery with a slight sweet twinge on the tongue. Its a drinkable fest, but this could be bolder and slightly heavier. Nothing really wrong with it, a bit of a different approach to the fest style then I'm use to.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2003 10:45:58 | More by tavernjef

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer comes out a beautiful amber, very appetizing and inviting. Aroma is fairly strong and malty, not complex but pleasing. Flavor is richly malty with just a hint of spice and no hoppy bitterness. Texture is very smooth. Lip-smacking and easy on the palate, this is a decidedly drinkable beer - good from bottles, but better on tap.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 02:04:47 | More by Cyberkedi

RoyalT

Ohio

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

Appearance – The head was a bit modest here and didn’t show a lot of good retention, but the beer itself was a brilliant orangish-brown.

Smell – The light grain shows a touch of class and is mixed with some caramel malts. I can also pick up a hint of molasses.

Taste – The caramel and gooey malts are more prevalent at the taste. The grain is light and of high quality (not the cheap husky stuff on most American lagers). The sugars are subdued but raw.

Mouthfeel – This is in between light and medium-bodied with some nice carbonation. It is very refreshing and thirst-quenching.

Drinkability – This is a true session bier and one of the better efforts at the style from an American manufacturer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2005 02:34:27 | More by RoyalT

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

12 oz bottle: An amber colored brew with a slight off white head.

Smells of caramel malt and sweet bread.

Flavor revolves around malt sweetness, but is not cloying at all. Caramel, Munich and a hint of Chocolate malt in the flavor profile. Subtle light herbal hopping.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly smooth on the back end.

A middle of the road Octoberfest beer, easy to drink and always available in this area. Solid.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2009 21:17:20 | More by Stinkypuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clean orange-ish/ copper color, with a light tan/ off white head. In the aroma, earthy, sweet malt, and a small hop backing. In the taste, a small, sweet roasty malt, with a balanceing small hop. A small hop bitterness and medium mouthfeel, with a dry, lager-ish hop in the aftertaste. Nice balance, nice fall-ish beer, and a bit bit bigger than standard.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2008 17:49:45 | More by OWSLEY069

avalon07

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a brownish-orange color and a clear consistency. There was a big, creamy, long-lasting head and good lacing.

S: Smelled of malt and bread, with a sweet quality. Not overpowering, but pleasant.

T: Taste consisted of roasted malt, the sweetness mentioned in the smell category and a breadiness. A nice, warm taste, well-balanced.

M: A solid amount of carbonation with a smooth, dry finish. Light-bodied.

D: A well made, drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 12:27:25 | More by avalon07

gford217

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a tulip.

Pours a bubbly, clear reddish amber with a good-sized off-white head that lingers as a cap for a while and leaves a little bit of lacing. Roasted caramel malts dominate the nose with a bit of sweetness of vanilla as well. The hops are present but subdued in the aroma. The taste is even sweeter than the aroma indicates with a much more bready malt backbone and tons of caramel and vanilla sweetness. There is a bit of earthy hops in the finish leaving a little bitterness. The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied - crisp and clean with good carbonation. Not overly complex, this brew is definitely drinkable and a good representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2008 02:49:15 | More by gford217

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: My bottle looks just the like captured in the Database. Best Before Date is Dec-12-05; guess its time to crack this sucker.

Appearance: Gorgeous ruddy copper and dark orange body. Vanilla white head is creamy and produces a thin but patterned lacing. Lively but with a low key carbonation.

Nose: Hmmmm……definitely a great component of this brew!! The nose is warming, slightly herbal, mildly spiced with warming toasted caramels and freshly baked bread. Very nice indeed, even a few days past its Best Before Date.

Taste: Parallels the nose, but the tastes are higher in strength. The toasted malts are herbal caramels are dominant. Spicy hops and a lovely soft finish that lingers leaving you wanting more and kicking up the Drinkability a notch or two. A myriad of flavors but they are all in check, controlled and assembled in a very clean manner.

Mouthfeel: The body is like one of the bicycles that Lance Armstrong rides, lightweight but incredibly strong, it never lets you down. Bolstered by a synergistic nose and taste profile the body feel is incredibly solid yet vivacious and fleet of foot. Smooth too!

Drinkability: A tasty brew that has a high end return factor. Oh so easy to put down the throat, but not so easy to put the glass down back on the table. I could easily manage a 6-Pack of these puppies, now worries.

Overall: Lovely Jubbly – one of the best US Oktoberfests that I have sampled to date. I picked this bottle up whilst in PA last month, it’s a real shame that this one doesn’t come West with the other Victory brews. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2005 08:30:01 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A malty, clean tasting 'fest that is highly drinkable....looks great in the glass....orangish...lace coats glass nicely...nose is of sweet malts...the body rates about medium....tastes of sweet malt and toasted grains...finishes on a dry, spicy note....very drinkable...very tasty....one of the better O'fests I've had this year...

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2002 21:12:55 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Market Cross Pub and Brewery a few nights ago. Served cool in an Imperial pint glass.

A - A deep amber w/ mahogany shades w/ a full two fingers of off white head that settles quickly into a minimal lace pattern.

S - Nutty lactic odors of malt and yeast w/ a lightly spice hop aroma and buttery sweet nuances of German malts.

M - A blend of full carbonation and dry malty/toasted biscuity textures with subtle sweetness. A gentle bit of spice swirls into the dry finish.

T - A mildly smooth and sweet malty flavor that is crisp w/ a nice grainy fullness that has a creamy round element and a fair amount of twiggy hops in the mix. I like the subtle lactic yeasty aspect that nods to original fests - it has an aroma that is pungent w/ a mellower flavor. The taste is one of Victory's thta I have maintained a fondness for over the years and has stayed true to its origin.

D - A very drinkable Octoberfest/Marzen that is darker than most, but is more flavorful and overall very quaffable. It is a style that is for celebration and this one is fit for it. I am glad this is one of PA's best festbiers since I have been a fest fan since visiting Germany in '92, this one makes PA proud.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2007 12:46:00 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

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

12oz single, bought a 6 pack at Sam's in Chicago for 8.99, best by 2/24/07...havent seen this around Madison yet

appearance: pours into a great dan imperial pint glass...glowing amber body with a big fluffy beige head and some quality lacing...nice appearance

smell: nice bold malty aroma, sweet caramel, red apple, nice nutty characteristics, sweet and bready

taste: My affection for oktoberfests is actually rather bizarre...September-November is really the only time I drink a lot of lager beers, much be something about the season. I love the style and I am starting to build quite a stash... Anyways on to the Victory...the flavor isnt particularly bold but its very easy drinking. I like the nutty nature and the toasted grain/malt keeps well with the style. Flavours driven by fruit sweetness and a strong bready taste. Higher than average hopping comes through especially in the finish At the end of the day, I like to see bolder malt/nut but this is still a good attempt

mouthfeel: medium body, above average carbonation which could be turned down

drinkability: good

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2006 23:55:35 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Auburn-tinted copper with a rising sandstone head that gradually recedes to a mere edging.
Flour tortilla nose, with glints of grapes, caramel, honeyed graham crackers, and corn syrup (relax...it's a simple impression, and not in the derogatory macro sense).
Into the mouth, it's bready first, and toasty second. Trickles of caramel sweetness wiggle in, along with a prolonged walnut-laden nuttiness. That same, slick corn syrup sweetness from the nose makes an appearance, and I can't really place where it comes from, having seen the ingredients. But it quickly morphs into fleshy sourdough with a tic of seedy grapes. It concludes with a tempered, but cleansing burst of herbal hops.
Medium bodied in the mouth. It approaches grabby, but is slaked clean with a slow, but persistent carbonation.
It's not a standout (and actually a small letdown coming from Victory, whom I assumed would put out a classic),. But to say it's anything less than solid would sell it short as this ultimately succeeds in its cause and would be downable in minivan-sized steins given the right occasion...and absence of other similar options.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2007 08:35:23 | More by cokes