Summer Love - Victory Brewing Company

Omnium

Pennsylvania

3.44/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Bottle > Pint Glass

A - Pours a light completely clear straw/light gold color, shy of a finger head, minor lacing.
S - Some grains and light malt, a little yeast.
T - Tastes like a pilsner, I dont really get any of the Simcoe hops in here at all, just a little minor bite from the german hops.
M - Light, refreshing for summer.
O - Eh, could do without, but its not awful.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 00:56:40 | More by Omnium

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into tulip. Nice inch thick white foamy head sits on a golden color. Really fantastic hop grassy crisp grain aroma. Nice crisp malty flavor with great floral and fruity notes. Its very well balanced and a super easy drinker. One of my go to summer session brews. Wish they would make a double version...
You really never find this much flavor in a blonde too often.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 00:49:44 | More by DrinkSlurm

kojevergas

California

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard blue branded pressure cap acquired at a local SoCal beer store and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average; I've really enjoyed some beers from this brewery in the past. No ABV listed on the label as far as I can tell.

Served cold, straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 2-25 finger beige colour head of decent cream, decent thickness, and above average (~3-4 minute) retention. Body colour is a clear transparent pale yellow. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. No lacing at all. Standard fare for a blonde.

Sm: Grainy pale malts. Floral hops. Light nuts. Grassy. Dank. Lemongrass. Caramlts are dominant. A mild to moderate strength aroma. No yeast character or alcohol is detectable.

T: Grainy malts are dominant. A twinge of lemongrass. Floral hops. Grassy malts. Pale malts. A bit of biscuit malt, perhaps. Malted barley. Clean barley. A hint of straw/hay. Simply built. Balance is there, but the simplicity of the beer makes this unimpressive. No yeast character or alcohol comes through. A simple blonde with little to impress. Approachable and pleasant, but unimpressive.

Mf: Smooth. Wet. Overcarbonated. A bit too thick for its lack of diverse and/or deep flavour. Decent presence on the palate. Not soft. Suits the flavour profile decently.

Dr: Drinkable and enjoyable but unimpressive. It's just too generic overall. I'd bring a sixer of this to a barbecue, but otherwise I doubt I'd get it again - even if it is well priced. Very drinkable - just not exceptional. There are better beers in this style at an equal or better price point. Hides its modest ABV as well as could be expected. Another decent but not exemplary beer from Victory.

High C+

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 03:42:10 | More by kojevergas

tastybeer

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Clear golden color. White head with ok retention and some lace strings. Many many little rising carbonation bubbles.

S: Sweet fresh grains and citrus in the background. Smells juicy but not nessecarily with fruitiness. Very simple yet well done. Clean, crisp and super fresh.

T: Matching the smell very well, the taste is packed with fresh grains, some citrus and also peppery spice.

M: Nice smooth, swirly feeling beer. Body is on the medium side. Texture is a weee bit resinsy-dry feeling.

O: A solid choice for an outside pleasant weather beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 23:51:37 | More by tastybeer

BucannonXC5

California

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Stone pint glass
From: Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido, Calif., on Jan. 5, 2013
Price: $2.29
Misc.: N/A

Poured a golden hazy straw color with a finger of gray head that dissipated rather quickly. Minimal lacing, below average retention.

Smelled a surprising sharp whiff of hops up front. Seemed to be icy Cascade hops. Also some lemon grassy notes - a bit like lemon Jolly Ranchers - honey, caramel and lime. A bit like Sprit or Sierra Mist. Pretty good smell for a summer brew.

Taste wasn’t quite as good as the smell. Got those Cascade hops still and grassy hops with a bitter finish. In between was sweet alcohol, lime and pine. Later got some tangerine and slight grapefruit.

Light body. Thin texture. Lively (above average) carbonation. Bitter finish. Clean, crisp and refreshing, though.

A pretty good summer beer overall, which is saying something, because most taste the same. I’d have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 04:35:24 | More by BucannonXC5

mjtiernan

New York

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a tulip. Can’t find a bottle date, but since it’s nearly November this one might be past its prime.

A: I can see why this is a blonde! Very pale hazy straw color. Nice white head with big bubbles and lots of lacing.

S: Some grassiness and tropical fruit...apricot and mango. Some spiciness. Really a nice smelling beer.

T: Well if it’s past its prime then I can’t really tell. Everything from the aroma comes into play in the flavor, plus there’s a good amount of bready grain added.

M: It’s nicely refreshing and makes you want to take another sip. Finish is a tad dry which I think is part of what draws me into wanting to immediately take another drink. On the watery side with some nice scrubbing bubbles.

O: I had this on draft over the summer with some oysters and was surprised by how much I liked it. I’ll be picking this up again when the warm weather returns.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 02:43:19 | More by mjtiernan

Vashtar

Texas

2.6/5  rDev -31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

HOPS
The appearance is... Sadly, I drank it from a bottle.

The aroma is pleasant, but I couldn't detect anything special.

The taste was very hoppy. It was overpowering.

The mouthfeel was flat and thin after 8 sips

Overall, this beer was way too bitter for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 01:50:26 | More by Vashtar

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

While it's not quite summer anymore, it is 75 out and sunny and feels like it still is, so since the weather is giving me some summer love, I might as well drink the same.

Pours a light white fizzy 1/2 finger head that fades at a med pace, a little lacing slowly falling down the sides of the glass, over mostly clear straw golden yellow colored beer.

Nose is nice, some light malts, a little cracked straw, hint aromatic malt, and nice hops, noble hops, little grassy and hint fruity, just a touch tropical fruit too.

Taste starts with some bitter hops actually, a nice light spicy slightly earthy bitterness that ramps as it goes, and brings a light grassy flavor, little orange rind as well, and hint of tropical fruit. Malts add a nice backbone, blond malts for sure, with a light straw flavor pilsner malt like. Finish is big hops, fairly bitter, slight orange rind citrus and a bit more grassy hops lingering, a long bitter finish, quite bitter actually, and fairly dry.

Mouth is med to lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall pretty good. I was not expecting that hop kick, but it's a nice addition. As much as I like the hops, I personally would have liked a bit less hop in this and more malt forward, or at least more late addition hops and less bitterness. Otherwise a nice tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 20:57:34 | More by jlindros

claspada

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light gold color with a thin white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

Aroma begin with citrus, light earthiness and pine with complementary grainy, a little sweet and caramelized malts.

The tastes begin with out with a pilsner, grainy, pale malt sweetness. Then a strong but not over-powering citric hop presence comes in. Some more toasty, bready and light candy malt sweetness emerges.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is farily dull, crisp and clean.

Overall this is a decent example of the style and one that is fine to consume on a warm summer afternoon. The flavor profile is not too outstanding and leaves me wanting a little more. There are much better sessionable ales out there that this one does not need to be in anyone's regular rotation.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 16:28:42 | More by claspada

mdfb79

New York

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 09/01/12 notes, Had in LBI, poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

a - Pour a of hazy yellow color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of citrus hops, bready malts, grains, and some wheat. Citrus is light, but nice.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, fruity malts, bready malts, grains, wheat, floral hops, and some earthy notes. Some honey as well. A step up from the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Body is very smooth.

o - Overall a pretty nice blonde ale that is smooth and easy to drink. Lots of citrus to it, especially in the taste. Would definitely have it again sometime; a good summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 20:00:40 | More by mdfb79

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from bottle to pint glass with nice thick foamy head, which dissipates rather quick leaving behind some nice lace, color is a golden hue with nice clarity.

S: Aroma is of Hop ,Hop, Hop!<smiles>! Light Mild maltiness in back mostly fruity/piney notes.

T: First sip gives way to nice hop burst on tongue with fruity /piney hop characteristics much the same as the aroma but stronger ...more present.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full very nice almost a chewy feel to it.

O: Overall a great beer and like it a lot will enjoy this sixer and perhaps more before summer is over.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 21:52:15 | More by nukem5

buschbeer

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass

A - It is golden colored with pale yellow highlights. Three fingers of off white head make a fleeting appearance.

S - The first thing that I get is lemon zest. I also get some bready malt and some floral hops.

T - The taste mirrors the smell. I get lemon, some malt and some hops. I get a slight metallic aftertaste.

M - Thin to moderate

O - I am not a fan of Victory, but this is one of the better beers that I have had from them.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 19:05:38 | More by buschbeer

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a chance to enjoy a few of these beers while on the beach in the Outer Banks. Surprised to see it as a blonde ale, tasted pretty hoppy and struck me as a pale ale.. regardless, it's a delicious, refreshing beer that's well balanced and crisp with a great finish. Would definitely recommend and makes for a nice, light summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 22:01:29 | More by marlinsfan4

ithacabaron

California

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a straw blonde with polished copper highlights. In the right light, there's a hint of green. A foamy, loosely packed head soon settles down into a halo of tights bubbles at the top of the glass. Good active carbonation in the glass too.

Aroma is remarkably unique; a marriage of noble and citrusy hops. Fresh cut grass, candied papaya, tangelo, and peach wave by on a breeze. Lovely.

Taste brings on notes of freshly-baked bread; yeasty, malty, and just slightly sour. The hops keep a wonderful balance, ensuring that what could be an overly sweet beer stays in check. Incredibly easygoing, refreshing, and simple.

Mouthfeel could stand to be a bit higher, but is fine and foamy as is. Would have liked to see it a bit tighter.

Overall, this is a wonderful beer for hot weather, providing refreshment and flavor at the same time. Sign me up for a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 22:57:43 | More by ithacabaron

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer looks very nice on the pour. And the nose is outstanding. The flavor hit me kind of sideways as I didn't expect it. But as time went on it either mellowed out, or I got used to it (and appreciated it more). Real nice floral hoppy character. Consistent, smooth, fresh. A very nice beer. I'm feeling the summer love on this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 02:25:21 | More by RblWthACoz

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours a light golden color with a 1 inch cramy, bright white head.

S: Aroma starts off with some citrus hops and has a good blend of lemon peel, grassy notes and clove.

T: Taste is a lot like the smell starting with some citrus, but a little more sweet than bitter. Flavor follows through with grassy notes, lemon, clove and a bit of nutmeg. Slight yeast feel on the finish, very nice flavor.

M: This brew has a sweet taste with a little bite, slight creamy texture from the residual head and well balanced with the earthy ingredients added.

O: Very enjoyable summer beer. I haven't had a lot of Victory beers, but each one had impressed me. This one is no different and is a "gotta have one, gotta have six" beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 00:49:00 | More by SouljaSaia17

pt_

4.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not a review as much as a comment - this was my go-to beer last summer but have been unable to find it in 2012. It is what a summer ale shopuld be... light but hoppy. Refreshing but not too filling. I miss it. In the meantime I will be cooling down with new holland white hatter. Although completly different styles they are very similar.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 02:23:47 | More by pt_

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The hottest days of the year are gone, but this beer is still in season to me. Cheers.

The Best By date is only a month away from now (“Enjoy by: Sep 18 2012”), so it’s not perfectly fresh – fresh enough, though, for Victory’s standards, which I trust.

A: Pale golden-yellow with only a touch of bubbly head; there’s hardly any bubbles there at all. Only a slight, white layer of creamy fizz stands now, and with only a few strings of lace. Average macro-brew presentation, but with a bit more retention.

S: Soft citrus, orange zest, and basil-like herbal aromas over a widespread scent of toasted wheat bread. Smells like a pilsner, with all of its husky graininess and diminished hop presence.

T: Hop-forward, bread-based, and pleasantly simple, this beer has nearly everything I want in this style. A salty, lemony, Noble hop-style taste stands tall from beginning to end, dropping only to let the grains have a moment – crackers, light toffee, and a hint of yeasty biscuit dough. More lemon on the back end, finishing with a clean aftertaste of semi-dry grasses.

M: Pretty watered-down in the feel, as there’s not a lot of fizzy carbonation; what little bubbliness is there could be considered soft above all else. I guess you could characterize it as refreshing on a hot day (and that’s the point, anyway).

O: If you ever wanted a beer that is simply straight, no-frills, German-style drinkability, this one’s for you. It’s not going to win any medals or satisfy a palate that’s looking for complexity, but it does do exactly what it advertises: drink smooth and tasty on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 22:45:27 | More by BarryMFBurton

paulhargus

Pennsylvania

2.03/5  rDev -46.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Yikes. I am not a big fan of hoppy, bitter beers, so take this for what it's worth. This is in the top 5 of the worst brews I've ever had.

A: Pale, light yellow in appearance with decent head to begin with, which quickly fades. Some retention left on sides of glass.

S: As rough as this beer tasted, the smell was no better. Lemon zest and citrusy. Not to be mean, but it reminded me of sweaty gym socks.

T: As stated before, I have never been a fan of summer/hoppy brews, so I didn't expect much going in. This was overwhelmingly bitter and citrusy.

O: Just not my glass of beer. It seems to have a great cult following, so if you're in to these types of beers, you may like it. Unfortunately, I did not.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2012 22:53:34 | More by paulhargus

HalfFull

California

3.7/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into a shaker pint glass. Pours a clear deep straw/light golden and offers a half inch of white foam. Touch of haze and a moderate retention follow.

Aroma of nuetral grain along with some lemon and coriander/pepper spice. Light hop notes compliment the lemon pepper delivery with lemony saaz emerging more with warming along with a touch of wheaty funk.

Taste is full enough and slightly grainy. Touch of spritz and grain on the finish. Full and spicy body and feel. Very neutral as for yeast influence but clever spicing/hop influence. Warming yields more lemon and pepper upon a nice pils base. Quite drinkable and not overdone with a clean finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 05:03:22 | More by HalfFull

Ben4881

Texas

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

A - Pale, champange yellow, somewhat bubbly, but just the slightest of haziness. A thin egg white head that disspates very quickly, which is misleading because the lacing is spectacular. <4.5>

S - Grapefruit, piny, and sweet. Hops are pleasantly present. <4.5>

T - Acute bitterness first hits the pallet, which briefly gives way to a pale malt flavor before a piny moderate bitterness takes over with a subtle alochol flavor behind it. The finish is dry and sticky. Hops are the main attraction, but I would expect no less from Victory. <3.5>

M - Light to medium body with moderate carbonation. <5>

O - Love the hopcentricity of this summer creation. The lingering bitterness makes it a quaffable sipper, while the body makes it possible to take a few down. It might be a better fit as a summer pale ale, but again, expect no less from Victory. <4>

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 23:17:47 | More by Ben4881

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a pale, slightly hazed, goldenrod coloring with a slow flow of small carbonation bubbles present throughout and a thin ring of film around the surface. Aromas of toasted grains, slight buttery sweetness, and a light hopping. Flavors are a bit more hopped, with a slightly bitter forward flavor followed by a solid, smooth toasted grain backbone. The buttery notes catch the tail end leading into the bitter and spiced hoppy aftertaste. The finish is crisp, clean, and slightly dry. Very easy to drink, very refreshing, and slightly hoppier than most brews in this style...tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 22:47:30 | More by GarthDanielson

omnigrits

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a straight pint glass.

A. Clear, very clear golden yellow colour, Plenty of white foam at first but it vanishes pretty quickly and leaves a ring of bubbles around the glass.

S. Grain, some malty sweetness, a little bubblegum even, but muted once the head's gone.

T. For a blonde ale this has more going on that I would have expected. There's some sweetness in the taste but also much more hop character than I'm used to for the style, which is a plus I think. A nice bitterness around the edges of the tongue and a citrusy, grapefruit finish.

M. Light, refreshing, nice carbonation without being too prickly.

O. A really nice summer beer and one that I'd seek out again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2012 22:46:45 | More by omnigrits

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a regular glass.

A: Pours a medium straw color with amazing clarity. Lots of effervescent carbonation trails rise upward in this. The head is a three finger white color with impressive retention and a light texture. Intermittent but thick lacing is left on the glass.

S: This has a similar aroma to Prima Pils - strong grassy hops, some lemon zest, and backing pils malts. But there's also an unmistakable fruitiness to it that reminds me it's not a lager.

T: First sips are strong with initial lemongrass. The malt backbone here is too subtle, but the hops do a good job of not overpowering things. The finish is almost too neutrally dry at first - but the hops do a solid job of accumulating on the palate without become. The lightest hint of fruit esters pop up right after the mid-taste, giving it another subtle layer of flavor. Refreshing and easy to drink, just like a blonde ale should be.

M: What a light, spritzy beer. The texture and carbonation are nearly perfect, with just enough finishing dryness keeping it nice and drinkable.

O: Pretty damn good. This is the kind of beer that knows what it is, and knows what it isn't...drink it on a hot summer day (cough) without a care in the world, and it'll treat you like a champ.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 21:10:52 | More by ThisWangsChung

CHickman

New York

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

Pours crystal clear light yellow color that’s almost colorless with a huge 2 fluffy foamy snow white head that was full of bubbles and faded very slowly, leaving very good spotty lacing.

Smells like grains, floral hops, lemon zest, wheat or yeast (hard to tell), sweet malt, light caramel, a little husk and some grass or other earthy notes. Smells like a nice big backyard and was quite inviting and enjoyable, especially since I thought the nose would be dull.

Also shocked by the flavor, as this was much tastier than it looked; a blend of floral hops, lemon zest, citrus hops, grains, wheat, sweet malt, light caramel, husk, grass, tea leaf, earthy notes and mild spices which add up to an extremely refreshing beer that’s perfect for summer. Hops add nice flavor and bitterness, while the malt and grains bring the sweetness and balance to make this a session beer.

Mouthfeel is light, crisp and zesty with a lemon pucker, light carbonation, a light body and an herbal essence that tingles as it fades slightly bitter and on the dry side.

A real nice summer treat, this was perfect to throw back and enjoy. Very above average taste, and while not the most complex of beers it is a stand-out as far as summer beers. Forget the style, think beer to drink all day and night at a party which has much better flavor than a macro brew. I’ll definitely seek this out in the summer again.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 04:20:44 | More by CHickman