Their featured seasonal for spring is the Whirlwind Witbier, a classic Belgian white ale brewed with imported German wheat, whole European hops, and imported Belgian yeast. The taste is “both spicy and sublime,” and I can attest that it has a great flavor–a balance of full and sweet, with moderate body and mild finish. The pour is slightly cloudy, typical of Belgian whites, with an inviting orange color that will attract any loyal Witbier lover.
Summer Love, Victory’s seasonal summer ale, is new on tap this week. Brewed with German and American whole hop flowers and imported German malt, the pour is light yellow-orange, with moderate head separation. Flavor is mild, with a burst of refreshing lemony-citrus. Summer Love is the perfect refreshment after a hot day in the summer sun.
Another tap feature is the Eclat Cocoa Lager. This extra dark lager was created for Victory’s Sweet Sixteen birthday celebration back in February of this year. Flavor tones include Eclat’s rarest cocoa bean, the Peruvian Pure Nacional, and a touch of smoky sweetness. Though it looks and pours like a stout, with perfect head separation and extra dark color, its light finish reveals its true nature as a lager.
The draft list at Victory also includes old favorites such as Throwback Lager, Golden Monkey, HopDevil, and the Storm King Stout. Throwback Lager is light yellow in color with minimal head separation, and a mild flavor and finish. Golden Monkey combines flavors both sweet and bold into a complex Belgian ale. The pour is only slightly cloudy warm yellow-orange with moderate head separation and a smooth finish. HopDevil is certainly not for the light of heart – its biting hop flavor subsides to a smooth finish. The pour is clear and bright red in color, with moderate head separation. Storm King is an extra dark stout with distinct head separation, and a flavor that is both rich and complex.
A complete list of drafts includes: HopDevil Ale, Victory Lager, Prima Pils, Festbier, Mad King Weiss, Golden Monkey, Donnybrook Stout, Storm King Stout, Braumeister Pils, Eclat Cocoa Lager, Helles Fire, Whirlwind Witbeir, St. Boisterous Hellerbock, Throwback Lager, Saison Du Buff, Lizard Bock, Bavarian Mandarina Pale Ale, Bavarian Spalt Select IPA, Bavarian Polaris IPA, and Summer Love.
With all of these options available, any thirsty patron is likely to find what they need at the Victory Brewpub. Why not make a day of it? Victory’s extensive menu provides several healthy and vegetarian options (this coming from a fellow veggie), personal pizzas, and burgers and fries oh-my. Enjoy a delectable meal in good company, get your growler filled, or visit the in-house gift shop for a six-pack and some glasses to go!
© Kellyn McNamara, 2012. Article was published in the DowningtownDish on May 4, 2012.
