Questions about Victory Brewpub in Pa

Well, I'm not a regular visitor (stopped by my first time after a trip to Longwood Gardens last week) but Victory is the beer brand I buy most, with Hopdevil and Prima Pils my standard "house" beers and Old Horizontal and Storm King of various dates in my cellar. I obviously don't find Hopdevil "overpowering" or one dimensional but realize many do. At the brewery they had it on a hand pump, as well as regular draft. Prima is my all time favorite US-brewed pilsner. I've never had a Victory product I didn't find well-made and interesting. (Altho' I never did open my bottle of V10...).

Your seemingly negative opinion of the brewery, based on having tasted only one of over 20+ beers is not unusual, I suppose, but why would you pick it as your destination if you don't think they brew "decently balanced" beer and feel they charge too much for it? Seems you'd be better off doing a bar tour of Phila. and be able to sample a lot more beers and brands.

I paid $2 a glass (12 oz. I think- not the standard "pint", which they also serve but I don't know the price) and IIRC they said it was a special but don't know if it was a "happy hour" or some other kind of promotion. Kinda doubt they MAKE you buy all 16 samplers- most brewpubs and bars will gladly GIVE you a taste of any beer on tap. I liked the pub itself, a little different feel than the typical brewpub- more utilitarian and "working class" feel rather than "upscale fern bar" of some BP's, since it's really a bar/restaurant attached to a rather large working microbrewery. Food was good, too.

No negativity here ! I didn't think asking if a car goes from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds or less implies disbelief that it does. I picked Victory as a destination because it is fairly close by, and has been recommended. I was

*hoping*, in a positive manner, that Victory would have some less-hoppy-than-hop-devil selections, so that I could then happily hop over and sample them.

Thanks for the info, especially about the $2 per 12 ounce glass special. I'm spoiled by low prices and good beer at the places I frequent (during happy hours). I'd perhaps happily pay $4 a pint for a few excellent pints at Victory, just for the fun of the whole "beer trip" thing. But I'd just like to know ahead of time what the prices are. And less money spent at the bar means more money to spend at the distributor.

Thanks again,

L

I prefer Victory's Storm King imperial stout over Black Chocolate by a mile. It's got a definite hop bite, but there's plenty of maltiness to it as well. One of my favorite beers.

Yeah, but (well, I don't really understand your analogy but) if that's so, you've driven the Corvette, thought it was too "overpowering" and you've now ask "Are the Monte Carlo, the Vega, pick-up truck, minivan and Chevette all that fast?". Criticizing HopDevil for being excessively hoppy is like (I'll switch metaphors here...) criticizing a nudist for not wearing clothes- Hey! That's the point.

I picked Victory as a

And I thought it was odd that you've only had 1 of their beers, didn't like it, didn't try any of their half dozen or so other bottled beers (many of which are considered some of the best of their particular style) and, yet, still thought about visiting.

Well, I don't think "excessive hops" is a house style of Victory- making good beers that fit a particular style is, though. As someone who grew up on Ballantine XXX and India Pale Ale, I was ready for the re-introduction of the hop in US beer, but even I'll admit some do go overboard on them (and on the alcohol content, as well).

Again, I didn't catch WHY they were $2 that day, so don't expect it when you walk in. Also, note that the pub doesn't open until 4pm on most weekdays (one of the reasons I've never visited before- I usually find myself in the area in the mornings or mid-day.

I finally got to visit Victory a couple of weeks ago -- it's a long way from Oregon, so I'm thinking I won't get by again. By the time we got there, I wasn't paying much attention to prices, but I'm pretty sure they were whatever passes for standard.

If HopDevil is too hoppy for you, I have a feeling you'd be happier somewhere else, although it certainly doesn't hurt to challenge your own tastes. They had a maibock, their "10" (strong Belgian style) and Golden Monkey (tripel) on, and none of them is especially hoppy. HopDevil and Prima Pils are, of course, as is the Storm King.

On the way there, we stopped at a place called the Sly Fox, which had some well-made beers you might prefer. It's somewhere out there -- do yourself a favor and pick up Lew Bryson's book on Pennsylvania beers for details.

--Jeff Frane

Not to mention Hop Devil has a nice maltiness (German Vienna?) to that backs up-- dare I say balances?-- the hops.

Victory (which I visited for the first time a couple weeks back) has a varied lineup of lagers and ales, and I'm confident you can find at least several beers there to your taste.

As others have said, Victory does a number of styles. IMO, they do a better job on a greater range of styles than any other brewer out there. I happen to think Storm King is the best imperial stout in the world and Old Horizontal is the best barleywine in the world. With their diversity of styles, it should be easy finding something to like.

Those two are great. I also love Victory's Moonglow Weizenbock.