Yakima Glory - Victory Brewing Company

omnigrits

Texas

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

Received in a straight pint glass, a very dark copper-coloured pint with a firm head that doesn't really go away. Both malt and hops in the nose, piney, grassy, citrus, lots of caramel and chocolate. The taste is somewhat muted after the big blast of powerful aroma. Let's just call it subtle and dignified. Bot malt and hops at the friend and a superbly dry, bitter finish with an aftertaste that lingers and lingers. Good, if slightly oily mouthfeel. Very nice indeed.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2010 02:00:22 | More by omnigrits

Minotaur

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a goblet glass.

An interesting dark, clear ale a thin head and mouthfeel.

Obviously the yakima hops play a significant role in the aroma - lending an earthy, sour scent to it.

The taste follows; there is a rich maltiness with an overlay of the sharp and dominant hops. It is clean, citrus-pine, and smooth. Grape-fruit is predominant. The taste is wholly unique even among the hop-heavy beers.

It is drinkable though with a noticeable bitter dominance coming in towards the end of the warmer glass.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2010 20:20:31 | More by Minotaur

Deuane

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A-Dark reddish brown with a medium tan head that reduced to a thin cap and left some nice lacing.

S-Citrus and floral hops combine with roasted malt and a touch of brown sugar.

T-Surprisingly strong roasted malt up front with decent backing from citrus hops. Not bad but this one comes off a bit too raw and ends too dry for me to really get into.

M-Medium bodied quite sharp with long lasting roasted malt and hop bitterness.

D-This is certainly a well made beer but the flavors just didn't come together for me. I found it to be too harsh and raw. Not a beer I will seek out. The cask version I had when it was first made was MUCH better.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2010 13:48:47 | More by Deuane

PSUBeerman

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap, served in a tulip glass

Pours a rich mahogany color with a thick creamy, sticky tan head. Was quite impressed with the head on this.

Aroma of caramel malts is quickly followed by a pronounced hop citrus smell. Assumption of complexity just with the aroma itself.

Flavor supports the aroma. Malts hit you up front with the well incorporated hop bitterness right behind it. there's also a surprising roasted flavor with this that adds to the mix. Well balanced overall.

A little bite to the mouthfeel, but no complaints. Decent carbonation.

The ABV hits me with this brew. I've tried it several times, each time I felt this rather quickly. Might be hard to do more than 2 of these.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2010 03:49:17 | More by PSUBeerman

inspektor

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep brown color with no head. Minimal lacing

Surprisingly hoppy smell, complimented by malt and honey.

The taste is malty with a honey flavor and a caramel finish

Medium-bodied mouthfeel, medium carbonation, definite taste of alcohol.

Very drinkable to be so dark

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2010 22:15:36 | More by inspektor

armock

New York

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured a mahogany color with a tan head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of citrus hops on sweet malt backbone

T - follows the nose citrus hops upfront the some sweet malt rounds everything out

M - This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation to it

D - This is a very good beer that I'm really enjoying it's easy to drink this one too fast if you like hops this a beer to look for

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2010 21:46:20 | More by armock

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

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

Served on-tap at Prime 16 in New Haven, Conn.

A: Poured a deep, reddish copper amber color with a thin head of lavish white foam which left a nice curtain of clingy lace. A little residual chill haze from protein and yeast.

S: Smells floral and bitter with a sweet, juicy ale aroma layered over pine and citric hops. Deep and robust nose.

T: Sweet roasted caramel malts blend at first with a fine bittersweet crystal malt and fruity ale taste; plum, cherry and pear. This soon gives way to waves of citrus and pine hops, with a very dry yet coating oily grapefruit finish. Slight notes of alcohol picked up along the way, but actually quite smooth and hoppy.

M: Full bodied flavor with a slick, oily and prickly dry feel at times. A sipper for sure.

D: The big ABV of a strong ale and DIPA rolled into the fruity ale complexity and strong hop backbone and finish as, well, a strong ale and DIPA. At 8.9%, quaff one back or age to see where the flavors lean towards in terms of malty ale qualities.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2010 06:13:20 | More by Gambrinus1184

slayer3604

California

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

mahogany with a pillowy white head, lots of lacing. Smells like pine, spice, damp forest floor, with some herbatious citrus to it. delicious! Lush malts with a sharp but ballanced hop bitterness give way to a creamy caramel candy middleground, and is spicey and warm in the finish. Has a lingering bitterness. Full bodied, dancing carbonation and a well rounded flavor profile. Didn't like how it finished a little sticky, but overall a wonderful beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2010 05:00:29 | More by slayer3604

Seanibus

California

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

There is something uncharacteristic about this beer for Victory, which specializes in restrained, precise and delicious beers. This one is delicious, all right, but it has got a raw, exuberant quality, like an incredibly talented homebrewer has been turned loose in the brewhouse.

Pours deep ruby red with small shortlived head, which is itself slightly purple. Aroma malty and almost ryelike, with a slightly sour overripe edge. Flavor is malty, dark caramel with an overripe flower hop character and a deep sharp bite on the finish, almost peppery. Mouthfeel is fairly slight. The beer is unexpectedly raw, with a young, almost unfinished quality to it.

Seems like the brewers at Victory let themselves go for an experiment - and it paid off.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2010 23:07:39 | More by Seanibus

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, translucent, dark mahogany. Aroma is spicy and hoppy and just a little malty. The richly hoppy flavor has a spicy undertone and an interesting metallic taste that complements the rest of the body rather than being unpleasant. The sharp, edgy texture has some tingle and a firm alcoholic bite.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2010 02:42:13 | More by Cyberkedi

KyleMWood

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Came in a half-pint glass, on tap. Dark copper, red tint, small tan head

S - Strong, fruity hops on the nose, similar to IPAs, think Stone. But, not overpowering, because I still pick up malt sweetness.

T - Crisp, fresh clean taste, well balanced though for a strong beer. You get the hops at the beginning on the nose, and on the backend, but you definitely pick up a great deal of malt in between. The malt taste isn't "sweet," but has a biscuit flavor similar to Fat Tire.

M - dry, but not sweet. Very drinkable for ~9% beer.

Overall: Great beer, I would definitely go and try to find this in the bottle for home consumption. I'll be returning to the pub to try again. Would recommend trying. The bartenders said they loved this beer, and now I understand why. Great beer, try it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2010 15:09:12 | More by KyleMWood

GJ40

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on tap at Trappeze in Athens, GA.

A - Brown with a cherry hue and very good clarity. A moderate beige head that yields some nice lacing.

S - Floral hops and brown sugar.

T - Malty with a mild roasted malt. A firm bitterness that seems to come from both the hops and the malt. I thought it was a bit too dry.

M - A moderate consistency with a nice low carbonation.

D - This is a decent beer but the flavors just didn't come together for me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2010 12:46:28 | More by GJ40

ThirstyBird

Germany

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Doherty's in Pawtucket RI
A - Deep brown with a reddish tint. Big tan head that lasts. Tons of lacing.
S - Malty/hoppy mix-up. Piney, resin, Little cat urine smell
T - Bitter up front, sweet malt follows. I get some licorice as well. Pine. Tart fruit. Lingering bitter aftertaste.
M/F -Active carbonation but fairly fine in structure. Quite nice that way. Medium body...rather filling like.
D - Looks wonderful and feels wonderful in the mouth but the raw bitterness doesn't match the elegance in it's framework.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2010 15:02:04 | More by ThirstyBird

CrellMoset

Virginia

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

Yaikma Twilight, served in a 10 oz. nonic at Capital Ale House, Innsbrook location.

Appearance: Served a crystalline amber, dark and mahogany, capped my one finger of dull tan head with admirable retention. The lacing is sticky, clumpy initially, but ultimately a little runny, with hardly any surface lacing and only a thick, frumpy, uneven collar.

Aroma: Huge spicy, piney, and floral hop aromatics - a very varied bouquet here - mingle with tons of dark and in some cases blackened malts. "Candied hops" is a term I've heard thrown around that seems apropos here.

Taste: The closest I've ever come to eating the pine cone of an orange tree dipped in chocolate. Of course, orange trees don't have pinecones, but if they did, it'd taste like this - huge "C" hops (definitely the grapefruit, orange and pineyness of a Cascade or a Centennial, but also the spiciness and herbal minty and tobacco notes of a Chinook or a Columbus) over a bed of heavily toasted malts, astringently dry in some places, and more like darkly roasted toffee in others. A moderate to high bitterness compliments the biscuity dryness well.

Mouthfeel: Moderately thick with moderate carbonation says it all. Perhaps a little dry and bitter to be this thick, not that it doesn't work - just a little unusual.

Drinkability: Not a black IPA, but ... a brown IPA? A deep red IPA? A blackened Imperial Amber? Alright ... it's an American strong ale. Whatever. This is definitely a beer that defies easy categorization, and though it's not an instant classic, it is an interesting amalgamation that pushes the envelope just a little on what American brewers have been doing as of late. At 8.9%, one of the tendencies of what American brewers have been doing as of late does detract from the drinkability a little, but other than that, it was very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2010 20:55:12 | More by CrellMoset

champ103

Texas

3.6/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear reddish/brown color. A two finger beige head forms, but recedes after a minute. Light lace.
S: Oily, soapy, and slightly bitter hops up front. A candy like sweetness follows.
T: Follows the nose. Oily, soapy, and sticky hops that is a little bitter. Really sweet candy like malt in the finish.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Pretty easy to drink considering the alcohol.

This is not bad, just a little odd. The malt and hops do not mesh well IMO. Worth a try though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2010 00:02:55 | More by champ103

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at 6 & Save in New Kensington, PA (poured Christmas Eve).

Poured into a pint glass, dark, russet but also clear, like a cola, with a thin dusting of head.

Smell is rich hops, resiny, pine, a little tea.

Taste is super hoppy up front, woody. That hop yields to a toasty flavor without being super-sweet, subtle underlying caramel. I love how the malt presents here: not sugary but just sweet enough, & defined by its toasted flavor.

Mouthfeel is full, some attack from the hops but not overwhelming. A little sticky after a while.

This is a complex character, very good & tasty but challenging, too. Had no idea the ABV was as high as it is, I'd probably stick with the one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2009 23:23:21 | More by OneDropSoup

ImusBeer

Georgia

3.3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A large pour at TMac, brownish red with a light tan head some lacing don the sides as I drank.

Smell was really understated, couldn't detect much. The pine hop taste hits you hard and then the malt sweetness kicks in.

It hits the tongue light with the harsh bitterness of the hops and then feels heaveier by the aftertaste. Drinkability is OK, but more than one would be a bit too much IMHO.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2009 15:54:30 | More by ImusBeer

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It's kind of like Hop Devil's bigger brother: more malt & hop character, darker, stronger, etc. I've had this quite a number of times on draft and in a take-home six-pack. While this is a really good beer, the more I try it I seem to find that it greatly resembles the Victory IPA family (Hop Devil, Wild Devil). I guess I wished it had a little more character of its own, but it's still a completely satisfying beer I would seek out more often than not.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2009 01:11:02 | More by jwhancher

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pint on tap at Goodbar in Buffalo, ended up being free as well! Hard to beat that. Arrives a dark brown, not quite black, not much head on it and even with a swirl not much is raised.

This is an interesting beer that is hard to categorize. The pine resin and hints of citrus hopping that are so prominent in the nose and flavor hint of an IPA. The hint of roast, chocolate and coffee which feature in the taste hint of a porter. The big robust body, hint of biscuit and slightly boozy finish perhaps more of a strong ale. Not sure what it is but it's kinda tasty. A slight odd astringency and the boozy burn hold the drinkability back though.

Neat beer, couldn't drink too much of it though, seems a little disjointed especially when following it with something like Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous (which I did) which was much more in sync. Big and slightly brutish, it's worth a try though,

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2009 15:46:09 | More by ritzkiss

northaustin

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

pours a nice clean and clear goldish red with a very even off white head with long retention and leaving a very solid coat of lacing.

smells glorious. definately a unique mixture of piney citrus and floral hops. very crisp and the citrus is heavy.

tastes very similiar to many double ipas, but with a nice citrusy acicid bite to it. very enjoyable.

mouthfeel: a tad tart and carbony with a big soda style bite followed by big hop oilyness.

drinkability: very sessionable. no heat and definately full of a unique flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2009 03:32:22 | More by northaustin

billzee

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this on tap at Scooter's in Lititz, PA. Deep scarlet in color with a bronze glow and light tan foamy head with significant lacing. Smells is of sweet caramel, roasted malt and big hops and maybe a hint of apple. Taste is a mix of chocolate,caramel and citrusy hops. Full mouth feel with moderate carbonation. Only a bit of warmth is noticeable. This a is a nicely balanced beer. I really enjoyed this.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2009 03:10:25 | More by billzee

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a mahogany color with fluffy off white head, good retention and lacing. Smell is of earthy, grassy, floral and piney hops with a good fresh dried grain background. Taste brings the delicious fresh earthy, grassy, grapefruity, piney and floral hops. A definitely solid fresh bread like background with some nice roasted grain, granola and fresh bread tastes. Great medium body with perfect carbonation... crisp and resfreshing feel, semi-dry finnish. Excellent beer that takes a multitude of fresh ingredients and combines them into a bold, flavorful and fresh brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2009 17:54:24 | More by rfgetz

gregmoscetti

California

2.6/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Maybe it was my palate (though I doubt it), Maybe it was a dirty tap line, or maybe its because the restaurant i had it at told me it was a double IPA but christ I hated this beer...

When the beer was set down, I noticed it was a bit dark, but no darker than the DFH my buddy was drinking. Naturally I thought nothing of it... The smell was my first indicator that i didnt know what I was messing with. smell was stale and dry. Taste... also stale and dry. very dry. I handed it to my friend. He tried and also made a face of a baby being spoon fed gerber spinach... This is all I have to go on here but I vow to change my review if I somehow stumble upon one of these and it doesnt suck ass

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2009 22:44:28 | More by gregmoscetti

xanok

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Eli Cannon's in Middletown, CT. Psyched to try this.

A-Pours a thick reddish brown that's see-through. Great thick, creamy, 2" white head. Leaves crazy good lacing.

S-Fruity and floral. Great scent of malts and bread as well. Faint hop smell.

T-Grapefruit is the dominant fruit taste. Some malts and toasted charcteristics in the middle. Has a clean hop finish.

M-Great body and medium carb. Just the way I like it.

D-The high abv is well hidden for the most part.. I could probably have two of these in a sitting without any trouble.

This is a helluva brew. To me, it's one of the best of it's type. My oly complaint is a bit too much grapefruit flavor, butI will definitely grab a sixer of these in the near future.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2009 21:16:46 | More by xanok

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 12/3/09 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright reddish brown color, large off-white head that fades very slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of floral hops, caramelized malts, dark fruits and citrus.

T: The taste starts with a strong burst of hops bitterness followed by mildly sweet flavors of citrus, dark fruits and caramel. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, it's a very good beer to drink for a long time, however I couldn't stop thinking that it seemed like a clone of Arrogant Bastard.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 18:01:52 | More by TheManiacalOne