Country of Origin: United States
Availability: 2002 vintage; limited quantities still available for purchase.
Price comparison: About three times the price of everyday beer.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 12% at brewing (in 2002). Oh, yes. I have 12% Beer.
Cute bottle/label? 750 ml brown glass, corked and caged. The cork is marked with the year; the bottle is labeled in jewel-tones of red, orange, blue, and yellow.
Appearance: Dark copper brightening to a golden orange at the heart of the goblet. Quickly dissappating ivory head yielded attractive tendrils of lace.
Scent: Summer fruits (apples, pears, plums) with a nice allspice backdrop; pleasantly yeasty as it warmed.
Flavor: Pears, peaches, apricots; a bit of brandy; the overall flavor gently balanced with malt for a nice crisp finish. Sweeter than an everyday beer, but with enough hops to keep it from being cloying.
Impressions: Oh, my heavens, I never thought I'd taste a domestic beer this pretty. They refer to it as "Belgian-inspired" and, although I don't see that so much, the 12% ABV does make it a huge beer; really a bit much for session, especially since the alcohol is all but completely camouflaged, but it left me with a warm glow - the perfect antidote for the bitter cold outside.
Will I buy this beer again? V for Victory. I like the Golden Monkey. I like the Hopdevil. I love the V-12. I will buy another for immediate consumption and yet another to put away for safekeeping.
Rating:
5 out of 5 cute beer glasses — perfect score!
Reviewed: January 14, 2004
