Summer Love - Victory Brewing Company

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, poured into a SA Perfect Pint

A - Clear, bright golden pour with a good finger's worth of bright, white head. Retention is good and eventually settles to a thin skim across the top, leaving a loose lace.

S - Aroma is, well...summery. There's a clean citrus aroma, mostly orange with bits of tropical fruits and a bit of lemon.

T&M - This brew carries an appropriate crispness to it. Flavor turns to a bit more of a lemony presence, with a citrus zing in the finish. Toasted malts seem to be in perfect balance with the hops, and provide a slightly more then light body.

O - Easy drinking, lighter alcohol level, and a fine beer for a hot summer day. Reminds me a bit of Southern Tier's Hop Sun...although I haven't had one of those this year yet.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 02:10:42 | More by ZeroSignal

wedge

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Crystal clear straw color with a fat, pure-white head of frothy suds. Oily, grassy, herbal hop aroma. Cereal grain, zesty citrus juice, and peppercorn. Slick citrus oil flavor finishing with some fresh malt. Quite a bit hoppier all around than I expected. Crisp, grassy, and spicy over a nice cracker-like base. Medium-light and very drinkable. Fresh! Not exactly to style, but another well-crafted beer from Victory...

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 01:05:04 | More by wedge

emerge077

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass, it pours with a thick three-finger head of white foam. Body is pale straw gold, with some lazy rising trails of upward bound carbonation. Pretty good head retention, it sticks around for the duration of the glass, and a crown of lace adorns the rim.

Grassy, yeasty nose, soft and minerally, somewhat bland.

Light in feel, "wet" and slightly watery but with a crisp hop bitterness that balances. Mildly hopped, grassy and bitter like dandelion. Lightly crackery pilsner malt flavor, dry finish. Refreshing. It has a pedestrian character though that reminds me of ballpark macros in the summer. There is some hop nuance there, and the flavors are clean, just not a lot to keep you interested. For summer bbq's this is the beer to transition your craft-novice friends, but there are far better craft blonde ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 01:20:00 | More by emerge077

SwarthmoreBev1

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a 12 oz bottle and poured it into a pint glass.

When I poured it I noticed the lightness of the brew, it made me think of the Headwaters Pale Ale. The aroma was very nice and light, which I would expect in a summer beer. There was a spice and citrus feel to the brew. The head was a nice white color that looked good.

When I sipped it, I noticed a very light taste that went right along with the color of the beer. The whole drink was smooth and pleasant to have.

This is the type of beer that one could have at a pool party or at a BBQ. This is a beer that everyone can enjoy for the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 17:23:49 | More by SwarthmoreBev1

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle from the 2011 release, poured into a pint glass.

A: Crystal clear golden yellow body with a fluffy and rocky white head. Lacing is pretty poor but I wasn't really expecting much while the retention ring is really nice.

S: Grassy hops, wheat, hay and some spice notes are most dominant. This is leading me to believe I will see some bitterness on the palate, not something I truly expected for a Blonde Ale, but hey...

T: Faint piney hops (not really bitter or overpowering, thank goodness), more spice, wheat and some apricot elements. Very ripe citrus fruit notes but the underlying is a very earthy/grassy malt base. This finishes rather chalky and dry, too bad.

M: REALLY carbonated, bubbly and prickly - easily fixable. Lighter side of medium-bodied but I wouldn't call it overly thin, it's not bad, reminds me of a AAL.

I think my 6-pack purchase is justified here. I had no clue what to expect going into this beer but I've come to trust Victory puts out quality beers. And it's really nice to see them bottling different ones - a very light, crisp and fairly typical profile for a Blonde Ale. Not bad, not their best.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 22:45:49 | More by ShanePB

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle - $1.89 at Olde Crabapple Bottle Shoppe in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours out a crystalline, light golden body with a smallish suds layer.

Smell: Cleanly grainy, with notes of simple garden flowers, light citrus, and a pinch of piquant white pepper, though it grows ever more lemony as it warms. So I say let this sucker warm up a smidge.

Taste: Lightly grainy malts, with no more than a bit of sweetness imparted overall. Floral, peppery hops with a bit of lemon rind and, for just a half second, some fresh Valencia orange juice. Moderate pinch of hop bitterness, too. Dry, relatively crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Thin-bodied. Medium-plus carbonation.

Overall: Works for me! Am I a terrible person to suggest this tastes like a light golden ale version of the Prima?

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 21:16:28 | More by ChainGangGuy

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very pale gold, practically cam call this fizzy and yellow?! Two fingers of fluffy white head. Decent retention, decent lacing.

Smells of lemon peel, wet grass, and floral hops.

Taste is exactly what I expected from the nose-- very light malt, some lemon and grass notes with a floral hop presence and bitter bite. The body is overcarbonated with a fizzy seltzer feel. The aftertaste has a light hint of sourmash, but I chalk that up to the lemony flavor. The body is insanely light!

Overall, this isn't bad. It isn't the best I've had in the style, but it is very easy to drink, and I'd certainly prefer this over a BMC lager! Still though, I'd prefer Gossamer or Bombshell Blonde.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 03:04:07 | More by AleWatcher

baldmasterflex

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Found this at Sam's in West Chester. Really suprised to see this in bottles, i thought it was a small volume, keg only seasonal. $12.50 for a six pack, which i would expect to spend on something with a double preceding the style name.

The beer pours a super-thin pale yellow with a very small white head. Lacing is plentyful, though not sticky. Head stays patchy in the center of the glass.

The smell is good, immediately reminded me of their hop wallop. Very sharp and grapefruity.

Taste was a light and buttery "hop wallop" light. Citrus and grapefruit, with a little sweetness.

Mouthfeel is super light, dry and crisp wich makes drinking it addictive.

Overall, its good and very drinkable. More citrus than sweet, which i love. But im not completely sold, id like it to have more body and punch. A decent beer, and i appreciate Victory's recent push to start bottling and distributing a wider range of styles.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 02:48:36 | More by baldmasterflex

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pale clear yellow, finger fluff, patchy lacing

S: malt, grassy, perhaps tad peppery

T: lemon grass, grain, mild bitter crisp finish

M: light body, solid carbonation, dry/crisp finish

O: Usually not a big fan of Blondes, but this is nice. Victory continues to impress me. Great throw in your cooler,
head to your favorite fishing hole/camp ground.
Could drink a 6 pack with ease.

YUM, WORTH TASTING!

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 17:21:46 | More by BeerLover99

metter98

New York

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is slightly hazy amber in color and has a thin off-white head. No carbonation is visible in the form of rising bubbles.
S: There are moderate aromas of smoke in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the overall flavor is very smoky, but it isn't too heavy.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer isn't that difficult to drink because the smoky aroma and taste is not overpowering.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 08:59:09 | More by metter98

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Summer Love has a crisp, golden body with fairly active carbonation bubbles. The small white head is pretty solid looking and leaves some good lacing behind.

Lemony hops and cereal-like grains mix in the nose to create a pleasant aroma.

I liked Summer Love from the first sip, it is crisp and refreshing. Grainy, cereal-flavored malts mix with just a hint of fruitiness from the yeast. The hop profile adds a little bit of bitterness, and a lot of grass and lemon. The flavors are well-balanced, but skewed a little bit to the hoppy side.

Summer Love has just enough body to keep things together here.

Victory makes lots of great beer, and Summer Love is no exception.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2010 14:38:03 | More by Hojaminbag

mtnbikerpa

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I had this brew on draft. Poured a bright yellow/golden color crisp with a foamy white head. Lots of carbonated bubbles coming to the top. Smells of strong lemon zest and fresh cut grass. The flavor has some hay, grass, and lemon flavor, a hint of some grains more like cereal. Mouthfeel is pretty watery. The drinkable nature for me was hindered by the flavor. I did not really fully enjoy the flavor of the brew. I am glad I got to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2010 23:24:50 | More by mtnbikerpa

Kendo

New York

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Poured from the growler (Oliver's, $10.99) into a pint glass. Body is clear, light golden yellow with a fluffy, 1-finger white head. Good lace down the glass.

S: Florally hops and a bit of grassy-ness. Some basic grains too.

T: Cereal grains up front. Hint of fruitiness, but not much - just enough to remind you that this is an ale, not a lager. Finishes with a bit of grassy hops and a touch of lemon or lemon zest. A basic earthiness is there as well. Good long lingering aftertaste, mainly of grass but with a touch of lemon.

M: Light in heft. Fairly crisp finish after a slight slickness.

D: Flavorful yet light in body makes this one a quaffer. Nice beer, real flavorful for a light style. Reminds me at times of a pilsner, at other times it's more like a Helles Lager, but a touch of sweetness says "ale." All in all, it goes down real easy, without packing a big punch, ABV-wise.

Serving type: growler

09-03-2010 23:31:04 | More by Kendo

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Victory Brewing : Summer Love

LOOK: Appears a bright gold in color, hazy, with a decent sized white head and plenty of lacing.

SMELL: Aroma is full of grassy, citrusy, herbal hops.

TASTE: Flavor follows the nose with a nice herbal hop character. Lemon, grass, mild citrus and a bready pale malt backing. Light and refreshing, and very hop forward.

FEEL/OVERALL: Good overall feel, well carbonated. Easy to drink and something I would definately have again. A perfect summer beverage.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2010 17:46:18 | More by Stinkypuss

Gavage

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: golden yellow in color with a two finger head. Nice lace painted the glass too.

Smell: floral hops and some grassy tones are pleasant on the nose.

Taste: grass, light lemon zest, some earthiness, and a floral bitterness that seemed to enhance the flavors.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Crisp from start to finish. Aftertaste was surprisingly long for the style.

Drinkability: this was a superb beer that was very easy to drink. Several could be has in a session without getting bored. Really nice beer worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 23:37:32 | More by Gavage

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had this at the Hulmeville Inn. Poured into a pint glass. Pours a nice slightly darker than yellow with a fizzy white heading that sticks around for a while.

Smell is very earthy with a nice subtle grassy aroma with a touch of spice.

Taste has gotten me by surprise a very smooth,crisp cracker like maltiness in the beginning which is quickly taken over by the grassy,piney like hoppiness.

Mouth is crisp,clean and goes down extremely smooth. Leaves a heavy linger in the mouth of those unmistakable green hops.

Very light and very tasty. This one caught me by surprise and I highly recommend if you find it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2010 01:09:43 | More by TheFightfan1

allboutbierge

Austria

4.58/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Absolutely spectacular. Only thing keeping it from 5's across the board is that its too hoppy for the style (to my understanding).

Pale golden color with ample fizzz white head and with considerable lacing. Nose is pungent and full of grassy aromas. Very crisp and earthy. Flavor is much the same with a faint citrus profile. Malt is thin but present and slightly straw like. Very very refreshing and the most enjoyable Blonde I have ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2010 18:51:42 | More by allboutbierge

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Vicotry Summer Love was commissioned by the Philadelphia Tourism Bureau (called With Love, Philadelphia XOXO) for Philly Beer Week 2010. Their hope was to create a beer with mass appeal. Draft only, though they bottled it once for Philly Beer Scene magazine.

I had a pint served at Frontier Saloon. Even though almost every beer served up in this place looks like the head is MIA, you cannot refuse Summer Love its rightful head. Simply amazing! This beer is a beautiful golden color that is as clear as can be. The thick, rich white head shows off the endless carbonation. Not to mention, it sticks all over the glass, something you don't see too often in pubs.

Even a smoke-filled saloon such as Frontier cannot mask the scent of floral, lemony hops wafting off of Summer Love. It smells like a toned down Hop Wallop. The beer is an accentuation of the All-American Citra hop.

With a smell like that, and Victory's line-up of bitter beers, I am expecting an IBU bomb! Surprise! There is no serious bitterness here. Yes, there is some hop flavor up front, but the large majority of this drink is smooth and even. A very well balanced beer!! Gentle bitterness in the finish compliments the malty middle of this beer. Tastes extra fresh.

The carbonation is quite lively, and creates a very refreshing libation. The mouthfeel is smooth and finishes dry. I find this to be quite sessionable. I could drink this all night and all the next morning....

Try this if you can find it in your local tavern.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2010 20:34:48 | More by MusicaleMike

adkirkish

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: golden yellow and clear, wispy stark white head, slight persistance.

A: pale malts, clean herbal hop aroma, no esthers, no offs.

F: slight (sweet) blonde malt but then clean herbal hops round out the taste. Balance is toward the hops. Finish is slight hop bitterness, but clean and refreshing.

M: light med body and mouthfeel, medium high carbonation. No alcohol warmth.

O: this is a great clean and fresh summer beer. Not heavy on the palate, but with a good dose of hop bitterne ss, with a steady malt backing. Pairs perfectly with a cheesesteak? You betcha!! Cheers to the boys up in PA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2010 23:47:25 | More by adkirkish

plaid75

New York

4.47/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at The Blind Tiger, NYC.

Poured a medium straw hue with a two finger frothy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured an upfront herbal hop and a bready malt.

The taste consisted of a full herbal hop spice, biscuity grain and touch of caramel at the finish.

The mouthfeel was crisp and dry.

Overall a very easy to drink APA with an excellent use of hops.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2010 14:07:28 | More by plaid75

Axic10

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the brewery after the Saison du Buff Brewmasters' Lunch. Served in a 16oz pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a light golden color with a thin layer of head on top.

Smell: Nose is slightly spicy with a distinct grassy aroma. Very clean smelling.

Taste: Malty, grass/hay taste and a slight yeast flavor comes through on this.

Mouthfeel: Light, crisp and clean.

Drinkability: This was a very enjoyable beer that helped almost cleanse my palate after the three course lunch with three different styles of beer. It was a refreshing on a day that was too hot for me (high 80's). I can see myself drinking this at cookouts through the summer. Nothing spectacular, but not bad at all.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2010 03:57:23 | More by Axic10

mtoniatt

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I believe this beer is an excellent choice for those who enjoy some hoppiness in their beer, but are interested in a thirst quencher - crisp and refreshing. This is an excellent beer to enjoy on a warm summer night or kicking back at the beach!! I am not a huge fan of the color. The aroma is soothing and it had a nice lacing along the glass. I am sorry this is not offered through bottles!!

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 23:36:16 | More by mtoniatt

Soonami

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A special beer brewed in collaboration with Philadelphia "With Love" tourism board, is a pale ale made with german pale malt, and locally sourced water (duh). Summer Love was very pale in color almost blonde and had a nice tuft of foam on top. In appearance it could have passed for a pilsner, which is to say too pale for a pale ale. The smell is dominated mostly by grassy hops with a little tinge of lemon--there is a bit of sulfur in the aroma as the beer warms and a bit of cooked veggie. The taste was very nice and clean with light malt flavors, crisp hops and slightly citric finish. The beer was lighter in body than I would have liked, but was easy to drink and refreshing

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 02:59:45 | More by Soonami