Victor's MemoriAle Altbier - Two Brothers Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dusky garnet with bright orange peel trim. It's too bad that it's overcast today because I have a sneaking suspicion that bright sunlight would make MemoriAle look even better. The golden brown sugar colored crown is firmly creamy. It has barely fallen in the several minutes since the pour, but I can see the beginnings of a wonderful lace display.

The nose is reminiscent of a balanced brown ale. Balanced, that is, between heavily toasted malt and herbal, grassy hops. I hope it opens up with warming because I really like what I'm able to appreciate at the moment. Despite the high ABV (for the style), there's no trace of alcohol.

Victor's is good beer. Solid, drinkable and well-crafted are a few other words that come to mind. As the nose suggested it would be, the flavor profile is incredibly balanced. In fact, it might even be hoppier than it is malty; definitely a change of pace for an alt.

The flavor profile consists of well-toasted brown bread (not quite pumpernickel) spread with a thin layer of melted caramel and orange marmalade, then sprinkled with cocoa powder and shredded hop leaves. I'm thinking Saaz or Tettnang. Warming brings out a bit more complexity and depth. Even though alcohol is still well-hidden, I could have come pretty close to guessing the correct ABV.

The mouthfeel is more firm than soft, due partly to the carbonation, and almost develops a light creaminess on the swallow. Although it doesn't fit my preferred profile, it fits the beer well and will be scored accordingly.

Victor's MemoriAle Altbier can't touch the excellence of the Uerige altbiers, but it's one of the best American alts that I've ever had. Only Heavyweight Stickenjab (R.I.P.) and Victory Ten Years Alt can compare. This is a worthy member of the Two Brothers Artisan Beer series and was well worth the price of admission.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2007 13:22:47 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Acquired this one in a trade a while back and put it in the fridge and to be honest I had forgotten about it. Last night I decided to go ahead and open it when I reached in as I thought it was a Green Flash, boy was I happy. Twenty Two ounce bottle was served slightly chilled in a pint glass. Consumed on 08/20/2008.

Huge rich billowing head was the biggest thing to take away from this one. Really just a mammoth explosion of froth that never really would die down, or hell even calm down. Lots of cloudiness and haze in here as well, really very nice looking, easily one of the best of the style I have ever seen. Lots of carbonation was evident as well. This was really just perfect looking I have to say.

The aroma was charged. Lots of really sweet malt notes playing around in here. Just a tremendous amount of caramel and fruity tones. Figs, grapes, hell almost a wine like aroma coming off of this. Great flavor, in fact I had a hard time not going with a five here. Just an explosion of caramel, and candied sugar. Light fruit notes swirling around with almost a hint of a smoked flavor in there. Long drawn out finish was just what the doctor ordered here with a huge bomb of a bitter taste at the end that rolled up with a kettle corn like flavor that stuck with me until the end. Medium bodied with perfect carbonation, I could really never get sick of sipping on this one for the rest of my life. Truly unique and utterly exceptional in every way.

I was blown away by this overall. I think I may have found my new favorite style. One of the easiest drinking, most complex beers I have had in years. Hands down this was great.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2008 10:36:37 | More by mikesgroove

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

I wanna see if we can get a count of the number of new portmanteau words coined by brewers over the years for their beers' names... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear deep garnet topped by a finger-and-a-half of sandy tan foam. The nose comprises earthy greens, toffee, tea, and a kiss of clove. The taste holds notes of light tea, dry caramel, light earthy greens, light brown sugar, minerals, and a splash of cola. The body is a light medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a generally smooth feel. Overall, this was a pretty enjoyable alt, though it did at times come to resemble a dark mild that had been mixed with a cola. Still, not a bad combination in practice...

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 14:20:02 | More by TMoney2591

emerge077

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a one-time release, as far as I know, guess time will tell.

Served in a stange cylinder, around 45º. Two fingers of tan creamy foam have a creamy surface texture. Loopy drips of lacing are left around the edge after every sip. Color is a very deep reddish mahogany that light can just barely pass through.

Aroma of dried black cherry, wood, faint cocoa, and dark malts. It really creates an appeal once the bottle is opened. After sitting in the bottle for the better part of the year, much of the hop aroma that I noticed on draft has diminished. Still it's very unique and pleasant.

Robust feel that is impressively smooth with light carbonation. It rolls across the palate, evaporating quickly. Bitterness of earthy aged hops linger into a mildly dry finish. A little woody in the taste, with a big malt bill. Some light nutty character with a light sweetness that is balanced by an equally mild bitterness in the finish.

Very light feeling despite it's robust flavor profile. Easy to drink, something I could have once in a while. One bomber is the perfect serving size.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2008 00:19:09 | More by emerge077

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 22 oz bottle from a trade with Autumnaldave.

A: The altbier is a dark cola color, deep brown with an orange highlight or two when light shines through. The head is nearing two fingers on pour and laces nicely in the glass.

S: A strong malty body emerges from the ale, providing a biscuity nose that has a subtle tart element and some dark alefruits lingering around.

T: The body is thick and dripping with malts. The flavors are biscuity with a great deal of grainy bread. The strength of the malts creates a dry, near tart mouthfeel that fosters some raisin and brown sugar flavors. The finish kicks up a bitter hop flavor that gives a nice flourish on the way down before deferring to the raisins as a lingering taste.

M: A solid malt body that holds its strength throughout and a big hop finish, the mouthfeel is grainy and full.

D: The full mouthfeel and higher abv leave me content with the one bomber that I have. The bier is quite good however, a must-see for fans of the alt style.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2007 01:35:41 | More by akorsak

Wasatch

Utah

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to autumnaldave for this brew.

Pours a nice clean/clear dark brown color, some carbonation, tiny fizzy head, some sticky lacing follows. The nose is mostly malts/caramel, and some toffee/vanilla. The taste is very nice, malty, a nice little sweetness, nice touch of caramel, toffee, and vanilla. Medium body. Very drinkable, this one goes down real smooth, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2007 23:51:43 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a dark brown body with a thin head of tan foam that fades to a ring after a bit. There is a strong carbonation of tiny bubbles that glide to the surface.

S- The soft notes of dry dark roasted malt has hints of light toasted malt in the background. The aroma is nice but pretty soft.

T- The smooth dark toasted malt flavor has hints of chocolate malt and a note of prunes in the background. The finish is a very light dry spice note that might be from hops followed by a soft bitterness from hops. There is a light biscuit malt note and a soft nougat note that comes through when it warms and each add a nice bit of depth.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with no alcohol heat in the finish.

D- This beer has a smooth but light flavor. Even though it has a nice malt quality there isn't much depth.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2007 20:42:05 | More by rhoadsrage

jlindros

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice creamy 1 finger head that has good retention. A dark murky brown color with hints of reddish hue.

N: Lots of sweet malts and fruit really stand out. Almost raspberries, sour cherries, raisins, and other reddish fruits. Some almost tangy sour aromas come through as well. A little deeper comes slight chocolate malts and some roast. A touch of some hoppy aromas as well.

T: Wow, lots of different flavors. Lots of malts to start, some dark malts, roasted, toasted, chocolate, creamy, etc. Then some fruit, sour cherry, raspberry, other fruit flavors. Some cereal taste. Some hops and a pretty good bitterness as well. Earthy flavors, prolly from the hops, and some creamy roasted flavors. More slightly tangy sour fruit flavors. Quite a few flavors blended pretty nicely.

M: GOod body, some carbonation.

F: Pretty bitter on the finish, with more earthy spicy hops. Pretty dry but maintains a good malty sweetness feel and a slight syrupy feel. The sour flavors linger only long enough for the long bitterness to seem to take over and ride out the finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2010 19:04:33 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" tan head over the clear burgundy brew. Head holds well, with ample lacing. Aroma is lightly of dark malty and fruitiness. Taste starts with fruity roastiness, goes a bit dry in the middle, and closes with hints of hoppiness. As it warms, the nuttiness comes out and balances the fruit well. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both okay, but this one just doesn't come together well for me. The late arrival nuttiness helps though.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2007 20:57:32 | More by ppoitras

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy brown, some red highlights, thin tan head, nice lacing, settles to a ring. Smell is malty, toffee, bread, some iron, dark fruits, minor roast, yeast, neat. Taste is very malty, roast, toffee, some fruits, bread, bit of chocolate, solid bitterness in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, low carbonation, alcohol is well hidden, shows itself as some fruitiness. Nice shot at doing an 8% altbier, this works pretty well. Doesn't come across as too big for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2007 00:31:10 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Mahogany. Perfectly clear mahogany. Brilliant looking. Bubbly beige head leaves nice rings of lace. Nice whiff of malt and hops. Toffee blends with a little nougat like maltiness and caramel on the nose with a backdrop of slight minty hops. Good nose. The taste up front is that of toffee and nuts and caramel and nougat. Even with the 34 IBUs, this is a malt dominated beer. And that's not a bad thing either. The hops add balance to this beer and a little dryness to the finish. Somewhat velvety mouthfeel. Medium-full body. At 7.8% a/v, this is quite a hefty alt. Sticke like in strength and texture. Not quite as good as Uerige, but this stuff is pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2007 02:33:46 | More by Bighuge

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Quite dark brown with a deceent head, but one that dissipates quickly. There are aromas of rye, an undefined graininess, mint, and some sweet maltiness toward the end. Really nice flavors here with lightly toasted grain, some bitter hops in the background, and some nice bubblegum flavors on the finish. The mouthfeel has good body, but its a little grainy and perhaps a tad heavy for the style. Very drinkable, just delicious. In the U.S., just rivaled by the 10 year alt from Victory.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2007 21:03:59 | More by Georgiabeer

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great ruby amber color beneath a nice two finger head that slowly recedes to nothing. You can barely see the bubbles in this dark ruby beer. The aroma is an awesome fruity, nutty, toasted malt extavaganza! The taste starts with a toasted plum with maybe some brown sugar. The middle mixes in some hazelnuts that move to very grainy but still pleasantly sweet. Nice mouthfeel that is grainy sweet and very well carbonated. Great integration ofthe abv. too. A session beer in flavor and palate. But the abv. makes that pretty unadvisable.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2009 04:30:23 | More by scruffwhor

merlin48

Kentucky

4.38/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle pours a clear and radiant ruby brown body with a 2 cm beige head. Good retention and lots of spotty lacing.

Aroma features chocolate, McIntosh apples, floral hops and a hint of roast.

Mouthfeel has a satiny crisp carbonation and medium body.

Taste is caramel and chocolate, dark fruits, fruity red apples, walnuts, and spicy and floral hops. Some doppelbock character here. Alcohol is hidden well. Very Germanic all the way through.

One of the best alts I've had. Very well done!

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2007 12:54:40 | More by merlin48

GbVDave

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass at Sheffield's 5/18/07.

A: Served a dark black with a 1/2 finger cap of tan-colored foam.

S: Nice aromas of toasted malt, rye bread, caramel, toffee, and cola nut.

T: Flavors of toasted malt, chocolate, black cherry, cola, caramel apples, mild roast coffee, rye tang, and slightly bitter hops.

M: Smooth, sweet, with a bitter zing.

D: This is a very refreshing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2007 15:37:05 | More by GbVDave

mcallister

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beautiful shade of cola. Has the cherry hints and all but a much nicer off white head that leaves some sticky lace behind and.

Dark bread full of spicey aromas. Even hints of cola in the nose. Nose however doesn't have much more than that going on. There are some dates with a bit of raisin. Nice aroma but lacking in overall complexity.

Nice alt. Very drinkable. Smooth as a whistle and not as chewy as I like my alts. Again there is the cola, with a tobacco hint. Some dates as well as prune. Dark yeasy breads. Lacking depth of mouthfeel but has a finesse too it that is unmatched.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2007 21:11:17 | More by mcallister

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Label explains that this alt is brewed in memory of their grandfather who was a dairy farmer.

Bomber bottle pour of deep mahogany eggplant topped with an ivory khaki splotchy cap that instantly settles to a collar with a coating.

Nose appears with a light toasted caramel and red grape aroma, but seems to be lacking a malt front.

First swigs: Toasted malt with some grain breakfast cereal aspects of Wheaties. Light buttery caramel. Some rock candy sugar aspects, perhaps from some unfermented sugar? Finish of walnut shell finally wraps up the show.

Feel is brisk and bitter fast finish with a ton of tea bag like astringency and raw unbridled oatmeal.

Last swigs: A porter meets altbier, but an altbier in the end. Now if I could only remember where this bottle came from? Clocking in at 7.8% ABV is impressive.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2007 02:53:51 | More by blitheringidiot

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on-tap at Hackney's in the Printer's Row area of Chicago.

Served in a pint glass.

A: Poured a dark brown, damn near black color (or at much, much darker than I was expecting), with some ruby slivers poking around the edges. The finger or so sticky, mocha head made my day.

S: The caramel delectableness made this totally special, along with the whole wheat toast and Rolo candy fumes. Very inviting indeed!

T: Wow, what full complex flavor! Caramel nougat, lactose, with a sort of candy coated booze that let you know this was a high octane brew with a flavor-infused purpose. I would best describe this as a cross between a Wee Heavy and a milk stout.

M: Thick, chewy, and sticky, without being cloying in the least. The carbonation level was spot on and the lacing was mildly splotchy.

O: Consistent from start to finish. This was truly one of the highlights of my holiday vacation, therefore, I went next door to a local wine shop and grabbed a bottle to bring back to DC to share at a future tasting.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2012 11:48:46 | More by Chaney

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm glad I have a chance to taste how this beer is supposed to taste. I left my original post below which I rated 1.5 or so. With the #12 of 15 retro release the beer is quite drinkable. Great malt character and easy to drink....love those retro releases.

Found a bottle of this in Indianapolis...no date on the bottle, so I have no idea how old it is...yeah....overprimed....smelled like fermented milk...the appearance was nice very dark with red hughes....tasted awful. Perhaps it was good when fresh....but nasty now!

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 00:48:15 | More by WoodBrew

orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Recently picked up this 22oz bomber. Always like to find a new treat from Two Brothers, the artisnal series has produced some really good brews. This one pours into my glass a extremely dark brown with some dark red hues. A nice half inch of foam tops the brew. Wonderful clarity as well. Aromas explode from the glass big spicy, roasty dark bready malts. Chocolate, roasted nuts and a touch of coffee come through as well.

First sip brings a spicy, dark bread maltiness upfront that's nice and roasted as well. Chocolate flavors move in along with a hint of bitter coffee as well. Somewhat nutty, it flows down with a nice herbal, noble hop bitterness. Light hints of dark fruits are there as well. Wonderfully balanced with a great flavor...this is a damn fine brew!

Mouthfeel is great. Wonderful medium body and smooth carbonation. This one goes down incredibly easy and is quite refreshing. An intensely tasty, big altbier...I could get myself into trouble drinking this one I imagine. I'm sitting here kicking myself for only buying one bottle, it's time to go pick up some more. One of the best altbiers I have ever sampled. Cheers to the memory of Victor and everyone at Two Brothers...keep 'em coming!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2007 00:12:18 | More by orbitalr0x

Bung

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz picked in Columbus OH. From the re-release series.
A sturdy mohoghanny pour, about a finger of cream colored head.

Aroma, quite malty, toffee. Herbally notes, tea, leather.

Taste, Peaty, tobacco, leather up front. Toasted malt and toffee. Pretty strong walnut. A faint anise and cocoa.

Maybe a little lighter than mid body, a nice amount of carbonation. A tad watery may be the only flaw. Drinks get easily.

Not as good as the Sticke brews from Germany, but it is close. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 03:39:41 | More by Bung

BeerBelcher

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

I like altbier's, and I really like other Two Brother's beers I've tried, so I was really excited when I heard about this one. It was pretty good, but I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed by this beer.

It pours a coffee brown with a very minimal head (less than a cm). Aroma is light, pleasant, and toffee-ish. Flavor is slightly sour and heavily caramel-y...more like a bock than I expected. The sourness seems slightly off to me, and I must say that the mouthfeel is over-carbonated, which is odd given the small amount of head when I poured it. This beer is also sticky in your mouth, which in my opinion is consistent with the style. Still, I must say i was a bit disappointed with the flavor of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2007 19:38:35 | More by BeerBelcher

Cresant

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured this 22 oz. brown bottle into a stange. No date. The body was an iced down cola color with red highlights. The first pour produced very little off-white head. The second (and third) produced a huge fizzy head that left sticky lace.

Smell was toasty, sweet malts. A totally unique aroma-- almost like a clean wet dog and cherries. Cream of wheat, A pleasant sourness appeared. Very interesting.

Taste was sweet up front, with a tangy finish. Black cherries. Very well hidden alcohol. Understated, yet present hops. Rich, interesting flavors.

Mouthfeel was smooth with a slightly oily feel. Medium carbonation. I have really enjoyed every Two Brothers beer I have tried. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2007 18:47:11 | More by Cresant

jasonjlewis

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Decent initial head with GREAT lacing.

Smell is faint of mainly chocolate malts and a faint hoppiness. Nice, but a little faint.

Taste is very chocolate malty with a hop balance. low bitterness, but nice balance. The alcohol is blended in very well.

Mouthfeel is a little thin, but this beer is fairly easy to drink. It's worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2007 06:47:15 | More by jasonjlewis

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Victor's MemoriAle pours a dark mahogany color with a small, thin light tan head on top. The beer almost looks black in the glass. On top, the head dissolves quickly to a foamy ring around the beer leaving only a few spots of lace on the glass.

The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, toffee, brown sugar and a touch of raisin fruityness. Each sip of this medium bodied beer is slightly chewy with a moderate fizz on the middle of the tongue. The flavor is mainly malt. It begins with caramel and roast malt with some chocolate and brown sugar mixed in. In the middle dark fruit notes of raisin take over, before the hops announce themselves with some bitter nutty notes of pistachio. Once gone a caramel-raisin flavor lingers on the palate.

This is a tasty, well balanced beer. Reminds me of a Belgian Dubble. I thought the appearance was a bit flat and mouthfeel a little thin. Otherwise a great brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2007 22:39:50 | More by WanderingFool