Golden Monkey - Victory Brewing Review
Some beers catch the eye but the timing just isn’t right to try them. We’ve been eyeing up Golden Monkey from Victory Brewing for a few years now… and the time has come. We’ve developed our palate for Belgian-style beers with lots of fruity esters, spicy phenols, and an absolute punch of alcohol in a deceptively light and aromatic ale.
This is what we hope for when coming into such a highly praised beer as Golden Monkey. But the task is still intimidating when approaching such a storied brew with so much kick. And Golden Monkey has kick! Victory Brewing keeps the base simple and traditional with Pilsner malt, Tettnang hops, and Belgian yeast. But these simple ingredients promise enlightenment with 9.5% ABV and 25 IBU.
We’re excited! You only get to try a beer for the first time once, so we’re expecting a lot. Enough chat, let’s get after it.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Golden Monkey pours golden and clear with tight, effervescent bubbles forming a nice stream through our tulip glass. It forms very little head, but is as clear as spring water.
On the Nose--Prominent clove and ripe banana aroma reminiscent of a complex and traditional Belgian Tripel waft from the glass. The aroma promises a nod to tradition but also a little more from Victory Brewing. It’s the perfect setup for what’s ahead.
On the Palate--The promised spiced fruit sweetness of the aroma gives way to a strong floral hoppiness. Honestly, my first impression is to say that Golden Monkey is like drinking a spiced banana bread, which is a good thing. And like a good banana bread, it’s aromatic, full of balanced spice and sweet fruit, and the touch of floral hops offers a clean finish. Victory alluded to notes of orange, but I personally don’t taste it, and I think this is because it is strong! The 9.5% ABV is not shy, though the Tripel remains light in the mouth, sweet in the body, and floral and dry at the finish.
Final Thoughts:
Tripels can be difficult to approach. They are forceful and strong, and often present us with flavors that challenge the palate. Golden Monkey is all of these things. It has the strong spiced fruit aroma with a punchy sweetness and quite an unexpected kick of floral hops to round it all out. It has everything the ultimate drinker seeks in a Tripel. It is an unapologetic ale that nods strongly to tradition but also seeks its own path of enlightenment.
That being said, if you’re new to the Tripel game, tread lightly with this one. Its force and strength are not to be trifled with. But if you go forth to challenge your palate, do so with courage, and you will find yourself with a unique beer borne of deep tradition.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew