Allagash Victoria Ale - Allagash Brewing Company

dirtylou

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle, from the cellar of "Blackie", corked and cage

appearance: pours a murky peach, large and fluffy white cloud head with long lasting retention, active carbonation noticeable

smell: very fresh and powerful nose...big yeast whiff at first, fresh orange-citrus, peppery spice, light white grape juice aroma, zesty

taste: lot of things going on...alcohol is a bit too hot in my opinion, and the carbonation is very high. yeasty, wheat, rather vinous, white grape juice, alcohol warming, pear, green apple, sweet and malty.

mouthfeel: very active carbonation, warming alcohol presence, medium body, lively on the tongue

drinkability: above average

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2006 23:51:31 | More by dirtylou

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.78/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 06/22/2009. I had this on draft. Pours a hazy gold with a thick white head. Aroma of candi sugar, light yeast, and wheat. Flavor of light wheat malts followed by candi sugar and sweet fruits. Overall, I found this to be very nice and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2009 18:47:00 | More by LilBeerDoctor

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml corked bottle share courtesy of egajdzis.

Poured a medium and hazy amber color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of grapes, caramel, yeast, vanilla and a little funkiness. Tastes of grapes, caramel, fruity and light yeast. A little on the sweeter side. Alcohol content hidden.

Notes from 5/4/06

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2008 20:19:34 | More by hopdog

blackie

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

appearance: The pour creates a 1" slightly off white head which is slow to dissipate. A layer and a ring of head is left throughout. The beer is a medium-light amber in color, only slightly hazy when poured off the sediment.

smell: There are upfront aromas of light fruit (white grape, candied pear, banana), with some considerable yeasty aromas. The pale malt aroma is moderately sweet. A little bready. Aromas of slight, aged noble type hops. A touch of spice including orange peel, coriander, and white pepper are found. The moderate ethanol presence contributes positively to the aroma, perhaps carrying some of the aromas to the nose.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is very high and prickly on the tonge, a little distracting. The body is light.

taste: Upfront are light fruity flavors of white grape, apple, and pear...and a mild sweetness of pale malt. There is not too much depth on the tongue, unexpected given the aroma. No hop flavor and just a touch of bitter astringency and a yeasty chalkiness and flavor in the finish. The finish is very dry.

drinkability: The alcohol seems well hidden, only slightly noticeable on nose. The carbonation is filling and somewhat excessive for my tastes.

Split with dirtylou during his stay in Raleigh...review entered from notes taken.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2006 20:47:44 | More by blackie

champ103

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a cloudy golden color. A small white head forms and leaves some patchy lace.
S: At first a great fruit aroma. Grapes, peaches, apples. A slight sourness, acidity, and dry wood aroma. This is good stuff.
T: Again, a fruity flavor of grapes and tart apples. Slightly sour with a nice malty sweetness that balances everything out.
M/D: A surprisingly lighter body than I was expecting. Though that is not a detriment. Very crisp, clean, and refreshing. Very creamy and smooth with good carbonation. This is very easy to drink. The alcohol is almost nonexistent. A great sipping beer.

This is a really interesting beer, and definitely reminds me of a wine. I would recommend this to anyone, and something that would appeal to wine drinkers as well.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 01:07:09 | More by champ103

GClarkage

California

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

08/17/07- Purchased at Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa, CA.

Presentation- 750ml bottle, both caged and corked. 2007 release which was poured into my Troubadour tulip.

Appearance- Light orange-yellow hued pour. Good one inch yellow-whiteish head with decent streaks of lace.

Smell- Lemon rind, maybe a bit of cinnimon and clove with a nice yeasty nose as well. Not really sensing many grapes here.

Taste- Ahhh, the chardonnay (assuming that) flavor really comes through in the taste. A bit sour, but more sweet. Has a lot of witbier characteristics as well. Lots of white pepper, corriander and clove spicyness.

Mouthfeel- Pretty well carbonated, but easy to suck down. More sharp carbonation that foamy.

Drinkability- Seems more like an imperial wit if there is such a thing. Overall really tasty, but the price was a bit steep...$13.99 at a store where prices are very good...I've seen it for as much as $17.99. Maybe a good $9.99 bottle of so.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2007 15:37:16 | More by GClarkage

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Busy Bee in Raleigh

A - copperish yellow; no head

S - winy, buttery

T - winy, buttery, a bit bitter, white grapes

M - viscous, smooth, warm, little carbonation

This definitely leans more towards the wine side but is a solid offering nonetheless. If you're a white wine fan this is for you.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 11:18:13 | More by tdm168

Gmann

New York

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy golden color with a small head that settled into nothingness, flat. The aroma is sweet, apricot, coriander, honey and green apple. The taste is of tropical fruit and coriander. Big spice profile, perhaps some white pepper. Some honey notes as well. I don't really pick up the white grapes as I did on the Victor. The brew has a moderate body, prickly carbonation, sweet and a bit sticky. A spicy BSPA for sure. Not really my bag but others might like it. I preferred the Victor over the Victoria.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 07:20:07 | More by Gmann

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Finally, I got the chance to try this out. Poured in a wine glass at the SPTR.

A- Victoria holds a hazy gold color with faint spots of orange depending on the light. No head or even a small cap of foam, just some small streaks of fizz on the surface. No lacing on this one.

S- Well, this does not exactly smell like a beer, has more of a wine appeal from the grapes used in the brewing process. Scents of Chardonnay grapes with some fruity spice plus banana and some pepper thrown in as well. Some Belgian yeast as well. Not a pungent aroma but a pleasent one.

T- Reaffirms that this "beer" has a huge wine influence with the chardonnay type taste peeking through ever so carefully, without a full blown flavor assult. The Belgian Yeast used is probably the only thing keeping this in the realm of beer as hops are not very prominent. Some other sweetness from the malt and I like the banana ans slight apple with a spicy finish with pepper. A good "beer"

M- Victoria has a great feel that is not all that strong which I think suits it well. This is a small step above light bodied with just a touch of carb which is perfect. A very smooth beer that has a wine profile throughout. The flavors gloriously coat the mouth for a few seconds not leaving a long aftertaste.

D- Very drinkable. I hardly even noticed that this was a 9% beer, drinks more like a 5-6%er. A great beer for pairing with many types of food. My glass was gone before I knew it. Im interested in seeing how a bottle of this stands up but im sure it pales in comparison with this tap version.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2009 20:25:44 | More by onix1agr

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured into the chalice lightly hazy amber golden with an almost white head which was coarse and loosely gathered, and fell slowly enough to coat at the glass.

The aroma was fruity with a sweet candy aromatic and a light Belgian yeast spice and a grapeskin undertone. The light spice in the aroma was enough to excite the nasal passages and was probably enhanced by alcohol. The aroma also exhibited a light citrusy presence, notably orange in character.

The flavor was fruity with a light sweetness and a graham/bready presence. The malt was some caramel and a candy presence coupled with a light fruity undertone that once again had a grapeskin and grape presence (not raisin). The flavor was interesting with the spicy nature being peppery and lasting on the tongue and palate. The flavor also contained a citrusy presence, muted and well mixed, similar to that of a witbier in nature.

The finish was dry with lasting, make that long lasting pepper flavor and fruitiness into the aftertaste and well beyond. The body was medium full with a lower than expected carbonation level. The alcohol in this beer really came into play in the flavor and in the warming after consumption, the aroma was enhanced by the alcohol the flavor, not so much.

750 ml corked and bailed bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2006 22:02:56 | More by GCBrewingCo

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am biased when it comes to Allagash. I think they brew interesting, tasty beers, and this is no exception. I had a 750ml bottle all for myself. After pouring the first glass, I let the bottle come to more of a room temperature. The beer was a cloudy orange with a medium head. The smell was mostly sweet fruit. The taste was fruity, somewhat tart, with a little hoppiness. I'm not certain I could detect a vinous character to it. As the beer warmed, it became dryer and more malty/yeasty. Very interesting. Somewhat carbonated. Another great offering from Allagash.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2006 13:50:05 | More by lordofthewiens

billab914

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into my Southern Tier tulip glass. It poured a light, golden amber color with a frothy and thick white head filling the top inch of the glass. The head faded but left some nice lacing as it did.

The aroma has a grainy and almost bready pale malt quality to it. The chardonnay grapes really come through and add a bit of fruity complexity. Some bright citrus flavors round out the flavors in the nose.

The taste shows a bit more of a Belgian yeasty, spiciness to it. The chardonnay are present as well and add a nice dry, grape, complexity to it. A bit of citrus and pale malts come through as well, but the Belgian yeast and the grapes steal the show.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and carbonation is moderate. Drinkability is good, it had some great flavors to it. I liked the complexity the grapes added and they also didn't overpower the beer. A very cool and well made beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2010 02:05:27 | More by billab914

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, 2009 vintage. Pours moderately cloudy golden amber color with a nice 2 finger fluffy dense white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big white grape, grape skin, pear, apple, honey, floral, apricot, grass, herbal earthiness, white wine, light black pepper, light funk, and light yeast spiciness. Damn nice aromas with good balance, strength, and complexity of malt notes and yeast esters. Taste of big white grape, pear, apple, apricot, honey, floral, grass, herbal earthiness, light pepper, white wine, light black pepper, light funk, and light yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of light fruits, honey, floral, grass, light pepper, herbal earthiness, light funk, and white wine on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice flavor balance and complexity of malt/yeast esters; with zero cloying sweetness present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly slick and very smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Belgian Strong pale ale. Great flavor balance and complexity of malt and yeast esters; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 07:15:57 | More by superspak

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazed yello straw, light bubbly head, little spots of retention. Scent leads with a sweet and tart fruit component, biscuity malt, some herbal and earthy qualities. Taste tones down the fruit a bit and focuses it more on the grape notes, decent grain profile, some leafy and herbal notes. Medium bodied, lightly bubbly. Slightly better than the Victor as it tones some bold flavors down and blends them well.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2012 21:46:37 | More by rfgetz

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008 Biergotter Tasting, Day 2: Stouts and Belgians. Viggo contributed this one, so thanks eric!

750ml bottle, corked and caged. sampled nov 28/08.

pours hazy orangey amber with a small fluffy cream coloured head. the head drops slowly and leaves lots of lace behind.

aroma is good. nice bright citrus. orange, apricot. touch of vanilla. light belgian spice - makes me think of a tripel. white grape.

taste is wacky. i was thinking tripel based on the aroma, but got something completely different. white grape. very light white bread malt character. touch of cracker. bit of light spice. orange marmalade. touch of caramel and honey sweetness.

mouthfeel is good. just under medium carbonation level. medium body.

drinkability is good. neat, with a nice balance. interesting stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 21:55:26 | More by grub

nickd717

California

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Draft at Gourmet Haus Staudt. $7 for about 10oz.

Hazy yellow in color with a one-plus finger white head and good lacing.

Nice aroma. Grains of paradise, lemon, Belgian yeast, perfume, and some malty sweetness.

The flavor is decent, but not for the price ($17/750ml). Sweet pale malt, floral and herbal notes, lemon and citrus, and some perfume.

Good mouthfeel with semi-lively carbonation and medium body.

Overall good...but yeah...not for $17.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2011 15:45:53 | More by nickd717

flexabull

California

4.3/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of brandonman63. Thanks again!

Pours a cloudy gold color with a nice big head.

Aromas are spicy, yeasty, and very floral.

Very creamy, nice sweet and full malt flavors. Some yeast and spice on the finish. Somewhat tart as well, very nice balance of flavors. Would like a bit more of a spicy kick to this one though... still quite tasty.

A lot fuller in mouthfeel than others in the style I have tried. Very nice.

Super easy to drink, and very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2007 01:35:57 | More by flexabull

Pencible

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured a hazy light gold with some white head.
S: It smelled like fresh lemon zest and coriander and clove, with some white grape and grapefruit and sour Belgian yeast.
T: It tasted like lemon zest and grapefruit hops, with sweet wild honey and sour Belgian yeast, and a bit of coriander. The aftertaste was bitter but smooth.
M: It was slightly thick with moderate carbonation.
D: This was a nice pale Belgian with good complexity and clean taste. It had a more enjoyable balance of flavors than most of the style, and it hid the alcohol well, so it was easy to drink. The body could have been a bit better, but this was otherwise a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 21:44:42 | More by Pencible

Boto

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle: This one pours a hazy, darker golden yellow. It has a fairly decent sized off white head on it. There is quite a bit of effervescence going on in the glass. The aroma is quite nice. Yeasty, bready, grains, and fruitiness that almost smells like it could be coming from a chardonnay. The taste is excellent. It is somewhat sweet. The fruits are there, but they have merged into a unique flavor. Spices and a hint of caramel also. There is a bit of fiziness on the tongue. Medium bodied. An excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2009 21:53:23 | More by Boto

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle, corked. Sampled June 2006.

This beer poured a cloudy, golden color with white foam that settled. The smell was mild grape skins with a slight sweetness that became more pronounced as it warmed. There was also a Belgian maltiness. The taste was lightly tart grape skins with Belgian malt and light hoppiness. There was a faint flavor of tannins. Overall the flavors were somewhat subtle. The mouthfeel was very dry with medium body and very pronounced carbonation (frothy). The sweet maltiness and grape skin flavors lingered. This was a good and enjoyable beer, but with subtle flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2006 07:06:01 | More by UncleJimbo

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another one I sampled at the Beverage Warehouse, beside the Victor. Out of a bottle this brew was a slightly hazy amber/peach color with a slightly yellow-tinted head. The retention as a cap was good and the lacing very nice. The aroma was similar to the Victor, dry and bready malt, Belgian yeast, fruit esters, orange and grapes with some alcohol heat. The flavors were very similar but I liked it better than the Victor. Lots of orange and more fruity sweetness was the primary difference aiding in how drinkable I found it. I also thought the alcohol was better hidden. It reminded me of a rose champagne, fruity, highly carbonated and fizzy in the mouth only with a malty complexity. The body was medium and it was dry and rather acidic. Still expensive for what it was and not Allagash's best offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2009 20:24:41 | More by thekevlarkid

mcallister

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Drank this after a bottle of Westy 12 and I must say I thought this held it's own very well.

An awesome shade of orangish, yellow straw. Large frothy white head, dissapeared fairly quickly and left lacing down the Riedel Bordeaux glass.

Belgian yeast on the entrance aroma, followed by pear, fig, herby smells, apple, plantane, and good malt prescence.

Again on the front palate is exploding with that funky belgian yeast character, and a good maltiness. Dried bananas, bosc pear, apple, dried fig, and spicy hebacious characters. Very well balanced and complex.

Smooth, creamy, delectable mouthfeel. No signs of alcohol in the nose or mouth so I think it would be rather easy to drink a few to many of these before it knocked you down.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2006 19:38:36 | More by mcallister

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed at a tasting at Julio's. Reviewed from notes.

A - Poured a crystal clear golden hue with a nice slightly rocky head that faded quickly and dissappointingly.

S - Smell i snice. Fair amount of vinous qualities on this with some light belgian yeast notes.

T - Taste is very similar to the nose. More of those belgian yeast notes, some nice malt sweetness, and the dry grapey qualities of the wine.

M - Mouthfeel is nice. Crisp, sharp, and try thanks to the chardonnay.

O - Overall, this is a good beer from Allagash just not worth anywhere near the $19.99 price tag for it in MA.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 22:39:59 | More by rudzud

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on June 3, 2011 at the American Craft Beer Festival. It had a kind of pale yellow-olive pour with a moderate head. The aroma had a hint of grape but more of a yeast and spice note. The taste also had a vague green grape flavor with a nice spicy and malty character. Overall, a beer that is worth having again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2011 17:30:27 | More by puboflyons

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle at 58 degrees. Vintage 2009.

Pours clear yellowish gold with a two inch head of dense white. After the settle, a solid skim coat remained on the surface as well as plenty of clawed lacework.

Aromatics lead off with biscuity malt, clovey phenols, and honey overtones. A hint of spice, vanilla, and white wine follow through.

Light bodied with a creamy, soft mouthfeel. Lively carbonation without being prickly.

Sweet malt and honey-drizzeled biscuits start the palate. A building warmth quickly steps up as does hints of pepper, grape must, oaky tannins, and dessert wine.

Finishes with a lingering sweetness, warming alcohol, and light spice.

The barrel aging is very subtle, but seems to add a bit of complexity. More wood and dryness would be better.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 01:07:57 | More by brewandbbq