Bottle at ABF on 6/16/07
Light copper-golden beer with some darker bronze shades. Clear, with a medium-small, off-white head that receds quickly to ring, leaving minimal lace.
Sweet honey and toffee are combined with fresh, zippy lager yeast and well-tempered toasted maltiness, providing a fair balance in the nose. Hops are earthy, mossy and only moderately bitter, though they do lend some yellow fruit qualities that help ripen the complexity. No flaws or alcohol in the nose, though with warming, a sugary, cakey sweetness threatens to take over, with vanilla icing and honey getting a little too overt. Medium strength of aroma.
Not anything earth-shattering in flavor, but proof that Victory can and does still make some very competent, drinkable, lesser-known styles. Honey and lots of sugary dough crowd the beginning, while lager yeast crispness is laced throughout, ending somewhat pronounced on the finish, though breadiness and creamy-vanilla notes add a lot of sweetness. Carbonation is a little lackluster, probably too loose, allowing some wateriness on the end and too much sweetness up front. Fruity hops with just a tinge of citric bitterness and light earthiness, add a pleasant depth.

Tap at Barcade - whoa, now this is a nice maibock! - crystal clear, honey-colored beer, with constant, bubbly carbonation - sweet, malty aroma, balanced out really well with soft, herbal notes and hints of wildflowers - strong honey sweetness up front, quickly tempered by herbal, almost tea-like flavors - very bright, fruity/berry notes, complimented well with a mild hop bitterness - this is followed quickly by the wildflower quality from the aroma, which combines well with the constant honey sweetness - really nicely balanced and a pleasure to drink - the best victory beer I’ve had in a long time.