Review: Victory Summer Love Ale

Brewery:  Victory Brewing Company

Locale:  Downington, PA

Craft Circa:  1996

Style:  American Blonde Ale

ABV:  5.2%

IBUs: 25

Notables:  Summer Season

Label:  Appropriate.   Although it feels at times the NFL offseason via transactions and hard knocks gossip have overthrown Baseball as the official ‘Summer Love’ representative.  If they can replace the baseball with a football, and the silhouette of the slugger with Drew Rosenhaus comforting T.O., that would suffice.

Overall:   Quite Good.  Not quite great.  It’s 100 degrees currently and yes this photo has not been altered. 

This is in fact Chicago, and what better circumstances than to give Summer Love, this lovely American Blonde, a whirl.  Being married to one, I must have something for blondes, although this one is natural.  She’s also a Polish beauty… not the beer, my wife.  In fact this ale is a moderately attractive German Blonde as there are some sneaky German Pilsner flavors that creep up into the mix. 

If it’s possible to create White Sangria in the form of suds and ale, this is it.  I get some pears, some apples, some peaches even?  There is almost too much to intake.  There’s no consistency, however it is rather refreshing.  The heat index may play a role in the refreshment aspect, but kudos for the brew… isn’t that the point of a flavor of the season?  Again, it’s quite good, not quite great.  I would like to reference some Magical Mystery Tour into the mix proclaiming “All You Need is Love”, but I feel that Mr. Heat Miser is doing the talking and skewing the refreshment assessment of this ale.

Whenever Heat Miser skulks up, this beer serves its purpose, and that is kicking Heat Miser in the fire crotch when his reign is felt on this ehhhhem…. 100 degree June day. 

Acquisition:  6 pack $10

~gY

Review: Founders All Day IPA

Brewery:  Founders Brewing Company

Locale:  Grand Rapids, MI

Craft Circa:  1997

Style:  American IPA; Session Ale

ABV:  4.7%

IBUs: 42

Notables:  2010 - GABF Silver Medal Winner

Label:  Slick.  Is that Chester "Chet" Ripley headed to a lake resort in Pechoggin, Wisconsin for the summer?

Overall:   I could drink a few of these... Nice low ABV change up for an IPA, however I feel it does sacrifice some of the flavor.  With that said, although it lacks the malt flavor boldness and true flavor of an American IPA, it works well, and is quite satisfactory for a Session IPA, and under the Session Ale restrictions.  According to Urban Dictionary, a Session Ale is described as: “a beer that is low in alcohol and has a balanced flavor of both hops and malt.  The purpose being so that it can be drunk over a long session of time without overwhelming the palate or getting the drinker too intoxicated.”  Never knew that.  Under those guidelines, the beer is quite abundant for following the rules.

It’s practically all grapefruit.  Nice citrus, but I feel that dissipates on the palate as you try and enjoy what it has to offer.  It’s nowhere near the Founders Centennial IPA, but it’s conquerable when no Centennial is in sight.  Stephen Stills (below) would proclaim:  “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with.”  All Day; give me the non session American IPA.  With the lower ABV, you may need a few more in you if you plan on dancing on the bar tops to Land of 1,000 Dances. 

Acquisition:  6 pack $10

~gY