Uncle Teddy's Bitter - Victory Brewing Company

edskirk3

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pint served from the hand-pump at the Grey Lodge this weekend.

Once it settled, it was slightly hazy golden orange with 1.5 fingers of deliciously foamy head. The aroma was of sweet malts, some fruit and herbal pine.

Quite a balanced flavor profile, both sweet and bitter. Lightly toasted bread and mild fruitiness cooperate extremely well with the earthy and citric hops.

This ale was very smooth and easily drinkable from the cask. If I see it available again, I shall drink more of it.

Serving type: cask

03-31-2008 03:16:25 | More by edskirk3

gdfan47

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

ok so my first review

i had this on the hand pump at standard tap in Philadelphia.

im not a huge huge excperts on bitters but i do like them. I have never seen this victory before and seeing this before and given victor's track record i figured i would give it a go.

it pours a golden coppery color. YOu can smell the aroma typical of bitters. But this one is a little special because it wasnt overly bitter. I cant put my finger on it, but it was very well balanced and smooth.

A great session beer I hope to see more of this from victory

Serving type: cask

03-27-2008 07:22:03 | More by gdfan47

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a .4 liter glass from a beer engine - brewed with German malts and Styrian and Kent Goldings hops. It arrives at the table a lightly-hazed caramel, with low carbonation and an inch of creamy head that deposits nice lacing. Gently hoppy in the nose, with a sturdy backing of toasted and biscuity malts. Similar on the palate, with notes of citric/grassy and leafy/spicy hops. It has a medium body that is smooth and creamy, low in carbonation, and leaves a medium, hoppy finish. Very enjoyable ale, with excellent mouthfeel and flavor. Definitely give this one a try if you see it at the brewery.

Serving type: cask

02-21-2008 21:02:00 | More by mmmbeer

Biscuit033

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Slightly hazy orange color with dense creamy white head that had great retention and left layers of foam after each sip.

S: Caramel and toffee, then the floral and fruity nots come out a bit.

T: Caramel, floral hints, fruits, slight piney/earthiness. This is one ofthe most flavorful bitters that I have had.

M: Creamy and mouth coating then finishing dry and leaving you wanting more.

D: I have at least one every time it is on at the brewery. One of my favorite beers. Something that could be drunk all night long.

Serving type: cask

02-16-2008 21:06:08 | More by Biscuit033

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

hand pump at the brewery (from notes)

Arrived a hazy, cloudy burnt orange with a 1/2 inch creamy white head. Possibly the whitest head I have ever seen. About halfway through, the head began to "crack" and formed some really cool island shaped chunks of head.

The smell was of bread, hops, fruit and malts. It was a really subtle smell and quite pleasing.

Taste was of floral hops and a clean yeast and malt presence. Very appealing and subdued. This was a real pleasant surprise for me. I have overlooked this one for too long.

Chewy and creamy. Delicious. I could drink this beer all day.

Victory has done it again, this will be a staple from now on every time I make my way to Downingtown.

Serving type: cask

02-03-2008 18:04:49 | More by ColForbinBC

DIM

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: Very slightly hazed copper in color. Has a short lived big frothy white head.

s: Perfumed hops and a hint of brown sugar

t: Mild dry hoppy bitterness and some gritty earthy malts. Is it my imagination or do I taste some alcohol?

m: Thick and very creamy, leaves a nice hop tickle in its wake.

d: Made for sessioning and hits the mark.

Serving type: cask

12-02-2007 19:31:36 | More by DIM

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Served on cask at Victory Brewing Co. in 14-oz. pint glass.

A - Hazy, cloudy rust colored body with creamy white head and nice lacing.

S - Moderate toasted maltiness with traces of grain and bread. Very light hop aroma with predominantly Kent Golding profile. Traces of cask wood in the nose.

T - Initial taste is lightly bitter with an average finish that is also bitter.

M - Light to medium body with a creamy texture that is a bit watery. Virtually no carbonation, but that is expected since it is a cask conditioned offering. Clean, smooth finish. Perfect temperature!

D - Pretty standard British-style ESB with Kent Golding hop profile. Not a bad cask offering from Victory. Not my favorite ESB, but I'd have another, especially on cask.

Serving type: cask

11-20-2007 02:06:40 | More by ffejherb

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears a clouded amber orange hue forms a vibrant creamy tan head. Froth and thick with thick even bands of lacing that develop with each sip, good cask conditioned gets harder to come by in the Burgh as time goes on. Bars that used to carry a cask or two don't anymore it's really a shame. Well, this flowing at Fathead's and as soon as I saw it I knew what I would drinking at least a few of. Aroma has roasted caramel with nutty edges herbal funky UK hops with just a finish of piney hoppiness. Flavor is mildly bitter nothing overplays anything else. Session beer at it's best can't hide any off flavors in a brew like this definitely a technical display of talent. That slick oily rush of hops quickly disperses with the roasted malt nut flavors, like a said just a clean drinkable mix of flavorful beer were both sweetness and hop flavor have multiple dimensions. Mouthfeel is of course the strength of most cask beers, and this one is no exception. Creamy fluffy body with hop oils streaking the palate natural light carbonation goes down with such ease, no alcohol burn when it's 3.5-4% abv. Drinkability anytime I see this one flowing, hopefully next time I belly up to a long wooden bar in Downingtown that would be a nice place to meet up with this brew again.

Serving type: cask

10-23-2007 13:12:27 | More by WVbeergeek

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy orange-ish color with a off white head. Aromas that are hoppy and a sweet maltiness. In the taste there is a small bitter, a sweet maltiness and a nice presence of fruitiness. A light bitter, yet mellow mouthfeel and a dry, sticky bitter aftertaste. A nice session-y bitter, a bit light and water in taste, but easy to drink.

Serving type: cask

09-30-2007 16:44:20 | More by OWSLEY069

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A pint hand-pulled at the brewery.

A: The pint is served with a bubbly flourish. The ale is a hazy orange-brown color, muddled and swirling. The creamy head atop the ale measures around a finger and laces nicely as the glass is consumed.

S: The nose is hoppy with nice sweetness that is equal parts malt and creamy head. A great bitter aroma comes off of the beer.

T: Drinking this pint reminds me of sitting at The Wharf Rat in Baltimore with a best bitter in hand. Few things beat a solid English ale on cask. The bitterness is muted but focused, kicking some earthy hop bitterness before melding into the creamy head. As the hops fade, the sweeter malts emerge. The flavors are biscuity and pleasingly sweet. This beer is all substance and no frills.

M: Creamy head, solid hops and sweet malts, all in one pint. This is a tight beer.

D: This is one helluva session beer, easy to drink with a great flavor. I was tempted to waste my night in Downingtown, downing pints of this beer.

Serving type: cask

08-17-2007 00:21:37 | More by akorsak

mobud

Delaware

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cask at the Brewpub.

A- Nice pale hazy beer with small tight head that laced nicely as the beer was sampled.

S- Gentle hops smell with a some bread aromas after several sips.

T- Muted hops taste with a return of the bread element.

M- Light, but rich. A smooth finish and very little aftertaste.

D- A great beer that is only available at the brewery. This one goes high on my list of session beers. It was so good I stayed alittle longer at the pub so I could have another!

Serving type: cask

08-13-2007 17:41:50 | More by mobud

goindownsouth

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I very, very special brew, to be sure. Pale in colour, this offering presents in all it's gravity fed glory. Fantastic notes of bready goodness and mild fruity hops to balance this highly quaffable brew. Smooth on the palate - to say the least - the hops played a predominant role on the tongue, but was balanced with some nice biscuitiness. The prototypical session brew if there ever was one.

Serving type: cask

07-22-2007 20:06:48 | More by goindownsouth

brentk56

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a hazy amber color and great head retention that leaves sheets of lace

Smell: Fruity aroma with hints of earthy hops

Taste: Bread and fruity flavors up front with nice moderated earthy bitterness, mid-palate; after the swallow, the bittter earthy flavors dominate but there is a sweet fruitiness on the tip of the tongue at the end

Mouthfeel: Heavy body and low carbonation

Drinkability: Excellent example of a style that is rarely brewed on these shores

Serving type: cask

04-06-2007 00:26:14 | More by brentk56

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Hazy caramel/orange colour with a super-dense, cream coloured head. Great retention and thick, solid rings of lace were left behind at each sip. Sweet caramel and citrusy, piney hop aroma. Solid bitterness throughout with plenty of malt up front, fresh grain character, and a bit of hop character. Low carbonation with a slight astringent graininess. An excellent session brew that really shines in the cask format.

Serving type: cask

05-19-2006 02:04:44 | More by DrJay

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served a medium copper colored beer with creamy white head. Smell is superb with a nice mixture of malt and hops. Taste is even better than the smell with the malt and hops forming an excellent balance. Finished with a moderate dryness that is supremely refreshing. The perfect session beer with modest alcohol content, great taste and perfect drinkability. Definitely a winner.

Serving type: cask

05-07-2006 00:30:16 | More by tgbljb

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What a fantastically palatable, sessionable real ale style English Bitter. Impeccably balanced sweet malt base and great hop character that is smooth not bitey. Very clean refreshing flavor with a hint of 'amber' in the malt and a dry hop, crisp finish. Delectable. I highly recommend.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2006 07:29:11 | More by Phatz

HugoGrim

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on cask draught at the Victory brewery.

My first time trying a cask-conditioned beer, and I was excited. It arrived with a healthy white head that would never leave, body was a hazy golden color.

Aroma was very subtle, nothing sticking out really... hints of sweetness and fruits if anything.

The flavor is perfectly balanced. Malts, hops, and a mild fruitiness.

Feel is 100% smooth.

Serving type: cask

12-25-2005 14:15:57 | More by HugoGrim

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer came a bright golden brown with an off white creamy head that had a Guinness like cascade effect going on that left some nice lacing. Smelled of oatmeal, sour dirty pineapple and maple syrup. Tasted of creamy corn, smoky caramel, copper and grass that faded into a pleasant dryness that tingled my tongue. Mouth feel was very light and thin with very tiny bubbles. I could definitely knock back a few more of these!

Serving type: cask

12-16-2005 13:34:51 | More by DarkerTheBetter

pentathlete

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On cask at CAH. Pours a hazy orange...I let it sit and had another brew while I waited. The bartender had the decency to not sit this on the ice rail. Small head and gobs of lace. A little aspirin in the flavor, but dominated by a mild malt smoothness. Medium mouthfeel with a big smooth finish. This is one of the easiest drinking brews I've had in awhile. Buttery and wonderful. Recommended.

Serving type: cask

07-16-2005 00:25:32 | More by pentathlete

Boto

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cask Draught @ Victory: This one pours a clear golden color. Mine was pulled with a thick, creamy head on top. There was a good amount of lacing. The nose is light and consists of a bit of malts and spiciness. The taste is very good. It is a somewhat dry malt taste, with a good amount of hops that results in no sweetness but limited bitterness. A tad biscuity also. This was also served at cellar temperature. An excellent session beer.

Serving type: cask

07-06-2005 12:51:15 | More by Boto

bmills1608

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Smooth and creamy pour from the hand pump. Lighty amber in color, a bit hazy. On the nose, fruits (peaches) and soft honey malt. Flavor is over the top awesome. Smooth, starting slightly sweet with flavors of light tea, honey, soft white bread and a touch of yeast far in the background. Warm and gentle tingling bitterness follows, very clean, noticable but not overpowering. Finishes super creamy and fairly rich. Mouthfeel on cask is just killer, so rich, creamy and smooth. Ultimate drinkability.

Overall - One of my favorites from by far, my favorite brewery. Incredibly delicious stuff from the hand pump..

Serving type: cask

02-27-2005 21:02:18 | More by bmills1608

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fresh cask from the brewwpub.

Tough froth atop a golden pour. Liquid dessert.

Scents of berry, red apples, and cake dough sans sugar.

Solid bitter brisk tea and plenty of complex notes to be exceptional.

Killer suds enjoyment.

Quite drinkable. Enjoyed while touring VICTORY t'nite.

Serving type: cask

12-30-2004 06:31:35 | More by blitheringidiot

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Unbelievable, at least on-cask. Looks absolutely incredible. The head just wouldn't go down. It was so beautiful I just let it sit for a while. Seriously. I normally call beer God's gift to man. Sometimes you need to just sit and appreciate.

I couldn't get too much of a smell. After the head eventually got down I got more of a smell. I have a poor sense of smell, so I'm not going to hurt it too much in the rating.

The taste is a little heavy on the hops, but the beer is made from second-runnings of Old Horizontal so that makes sense. The malt is perfect up-front. The aftertaste is hops, but not overpowering. A very good drinking beer. I would tone down the hops just a little bit (only in the aftertaste) to give this a five. This style is delicate so I suggest not tinkering with the recipe. Yes, that's right. Don't listen to me!

The mouthfeel is as smooth as silk. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

Drinkability? I can't get enough. This is the ultimate session brew.

This beer shows Victory's incredible versatility. They do big-beers well. But they do medium-strength beers well. And they do these small beers well also. My hat is off to them. Bravo!

Serving type: cask

12-30-2004 02:49:51 | More by GeoffFromSJ

Jason

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Victory scores again with this bitter, tasted like an ordinary bitter to me which not many US brewers dare to touch being that it is such a delicate style to tangle with. A good rounded malt sweetness throws toasted crackers and a mild fruitiness to the taste buds. Hops were at a impeccable level of balance. The cask-conditioned smoothness was so impressive that I wanted to quaff this one all night. Great job guys!

Serving type: cask

03-31-2004 12:07:57 | More by Jason

cerevisiaephilus

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I really enjoyed my experience with this beer. A session beer that can be enjoyed pint after pint after pint. I once thought that cask beer's appearance was unappealing, but not any more. I think cask ales are a beautiful thing to behold. A very nice fruity yeast flavor with just enough hops to barely overpower the malt in this beer. I'm not sure how this would be in a bottle or from a keg, but from the cask, it was excellent.

Serving type: cask

09-10-2003 16:11:08 | More by cerevisiaephilus