Victory Festbier

[steveh]

I'll start this thread, but I can't give an honest review yet because I didn't cleanse my palate from the Ayinger Oktoberfest I just reviewed.

I saw this brew at the same time I found the Ayinger and remembered how good their Prima Pils was.

This is quite nice, a good toasted malt nose, but a lot of DMS at first cap, some fruitiness back.

What surprises me is the hoppiness that also takes on a rhubarb flavor character - not very pleasant, and could also be a result of already having had the Ayinger. I had a similar encounter with Lake Front's Oktoberfest a couple years back, I wonder if it's a result of hop-misuse by brewers who aren't familiar with a proper lager...although the Prima Pils was terrific.

This was certainly enjoyable enough (very nice malt toastiness coming through) to try with a clean palate and give a review, but I wondered about that rhubarb character since I'd run into it before - anyone else ever experience it?

S.

[BluesHarp]

Can't say I noticed any rhubarb; I preferred Victory's offering to Lakefront, Tyranena, and Capital this year...as much as it pains me to say that ;)

Brewpub-wise, Delafield has a very nice Okto this year...perhaps leaning a bit on the sweet side, I thought a little more hop presence would have balanced it nicely. Very flavorful, though.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I preferred Victory's offering...

Wish I'd saved some Lake Front, but I thought the tap version was quite nice, and Capital was very good this year. Better than the Victory? Mmm, give me some time on that one.

Brewpub-wise, Delafield has a very nice Okto this year...

Oh man - you freaking tease!! My girlfriend loves Delafield (the Weizen, especially - but also the menu), unfortunately she's been hospitalized (and getting better) for the past 5 days and may not be released for another 3. I may have to make a run for a couple growlers!

S.

[threecb]

I haven't had any of the Victory Fest since last year, but that doesn't sound right to me. In General, Victory does very well with lagers. I'm not certain, but I think at least one of the founders is German-trained. I know their new(er) brewhouse is a state-of-the-art German system.

American brewers like to push styles so I wouldn't say a definite "no" to the possibility, but I think they're straight-up German styles try to be accurate.

[Hawg73]

I tried the Victory Fiest beer and thought it was pretty good......but then again what do I know!

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
My girlfriend loves Delafield (the Weizen, especially - but also the menu), unfortunately she's been hospitalized (and getting better) for the past 5 days and may not be released for another 3. IS.

I hope she is doing well. Best wishes to her.

[HarkJohnny]

taking a 6er with me to the beach this week. i'll have to give it some deep thought during sunset. :cool:

[steveh]

There's a beach in Cincinnati?

S.

[HarkJohnny]

yeah....
http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/


but the view in Oak Island, NC is more like this:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Oak-Island-North-Carolina.html

[The Alchemist]

Considering how much Victory is appreciated by most, I know this will sound like sacrilige, but I wasn't all that impressed with this offering. As a whole I like Victory's line-up and this was fine, but... I didn't think it stacked up with the more traditional Oktoberfests. Call it Americanized perhaps. Maybe modernized is a better word. I haven't had rhubarb in along time so I'm not sure I would have thought of that ,but if I try another sample of it, I'll think about that flavor.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
My girlfriend loves Delafield (the Weizen, especially - but also the menu), unfortunately she's been hospitalized (and getting better) for the past 5 days and may not be released for another 3.

S.

Best wishes to the GF for a speedy recovery :) . Delafield has a nice IPA pouring currently, as well a an Irish stout.

[steveh]

A rich amber lager in the tradition of Oktoberfest.

12 oz. brown bottle, no ABV noted (5.6 at the Victory website).

pours a deep amber/copper color with a light tan colored head that settles quckly to a thin film.

DMS in nose, mild toasted malts with spicy hops and some alcohol back.

Dry malty flavor followed by some spicy hops and alcohol pepperiness, some vague fruit esters, possible citrus hoppiness back (not quite rhubarb, I'll write that off to a tainted palate), finishing in a smooth, nutty maltiness - some hints of melanoidin peaking through.

Light-medium body with a crisp mouth-feel.

A good beer that reminds me of this year's Lake Front Oktoberfest, perhaps a bit drier and crisper in body. I like it, I need to find more of Victory's lagers...and their other offerings.

S.

[Ales-Stouts]

Originally posted by HarkJohnny
yeah....
http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/


but the view in Oak Island, NC is more like this:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Oak-Island-North-Carolina.html

If you can find the Fest brewed by Weeping Radish I recommend
trying it or any of their brews. My neighbors vacationed at the
North Carolina coast every year and always brought me back a
sixer in appeciation for watching their property while they were
away. Sadly they moved to Pa. last year so no Weeping Radish
Fest for me this fall.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Ales-Stouts
If you can find the Fest brewed by Weeping Radish I recommend
trying it or any of their brews. My neighbors vacationed at the
North Carolina coast every year and always brought me back a
sixer in appeciation for watching their property while they were
away. Sadly they moved to Pa. last year so no Weeping Radish
Fest for me this fall.

Last time I checked bottled Radish beers were made at Clipper City.

BTW, the two O'fests I've liked best this year are Hofbrau (so far out that it's like an over-hopped Dortmunder -- forget about O'fest -- so drink w/your eyes closed) and Dominion's which had the most balane of the ten or so I've tried so far. Spaten on tap wasn't slacking either.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Derekt2
BTW, the two O'fests I've liked best this year are Hofbrau (so far out that it's like an over-hopped Dortmunder -- forget about O'fest --

Yeah, the Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, and Augustiner are the typical festbier-style being brewed for the big event these days. It's sort of a Maibock Lite or an Imperial Helles. Though the last Hofbräu Fest I had wasn't real hoppy, but maybe that also follows my theory?

I really need to see if I can find some Dominion...or start bragging up the Capital and Lake Front 'cause you guys can't get that! ;)

S.