Victory’s Merry Monkey

Variations. It’s a word that describes different versions of something (a product, issue or style) and tends to possibly excite the interested viewer. It may come as a surprise or as an anticipated event. It also may be an annual release or newer version of a model. Nonetheless, variations of a theme are always of some interest. It is that way with craft beer too. Expectations of a variant can be of great interest.
As promised last week, we are going to examine the second of our two holiday-centered beers. It’s a variation of an original brew from our friends at Victory.
Victory Brewing in Downingtown, PA, opened their doors in 1996 after founders Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet decided to take their love of home brewing into a full time business. It was 1985 when Bill and Ron first brewed together and they loved the outcome. Great tasting beer creations led them on a path to expansion in 2014. That is when they outgrew their original brew space which allowed them to open a second brewery in Parkesburg, PA. By 2016, with three restaurants and brewery locations, they announced an alliance with Southern Tier Brewing in Lakewood, New York, called Artisanal Brewing Ventures. In 2018, Sixpoint Brewery and Bold Rock Hard Cider joined the Artisanal alliance. Victory has a brewing capacity of over 125,000 barrels a year and are distributed in 30 states and nine countries. They have 16 year-round beers, seasonals and a barrel-aged series. Look them up at victorybeer.com
Merry Monkey is a variation of Golden Monkey Belgian-style Tripel Ale (9.5%). The Belgian side of Golden Monkey is the yeast which yields a banana and clove feature. Merry Monkey takes this fruity beginning and adds cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg according to the label. Initial sips found mostly orange, very little cranberry or spice until late in the savoring. Hops for this beer are Cascade (west coast variety possessing citrus notes) and Tettnang (one of the four German Noble hops). Because Golden Monkey did not use the Cascade hop, a new variation is born. Another difference is the addition of roasted barley. This may be the attribute that gives the chestnut hue. Pouring this beer into a slim beer glass allowed a brief encounter with an antique white head. Taking Golden Money to Merry achieved 10% ABV. Although Merry Monkey is unique in its flavor, it might be a bit tough to pair it with specific food groups. Maybe that is just the way this beer is to be enjoyed… all by itself.
Victory’s Merry Monkey is receiving an 87 (Very Good) on BeerAdvocate.com and similar cheers from Untapdd and RateBeer. You can find your very own Merry Monkey at Case-n-Keg in Meredith as well as other fine beer providers. Look for other Victory offerings and enjoy the holiday seasons that are approaching. After all, variation is the spice of life!