Moonglow Weizenbock - Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown

I feel like I should make a confession before starting in on this beer. First, I have yet to drink a Victory beer that I liked. A couple of them weren't bad, but I wouldn't buy any of them again. That shouldn't really be a problem since Victory doesn't distribute to my area... Secondly, I love Weizenbocks. This is definitely one of my favorite beer styles. My diluted German heritage might have something to do with it, but I think I'm predisposed to liking Weizenbocks. So, I feel conflicted about trying to review this beer... On the one hand, I know I like this style of beer but on the other, I know I don't like any of the Victory beers I've had before.

I decided that if there's one Victory beer I'm going to like, this might as well be it. Hopefully Victory's take on the Weizenbock doesn't change my opinion of the style, that would just be unforgivable.

Victory Moonglow Weizenbock pours a thick and dull brown color and develops a khaki colored head right off the bat. The head dissipates quickly but this beer remains very highly carbonated. The body is thick but you can still see a million small bubbles racing up the side of the glass. There's no head left by this point and my glass sounds like it's full of Pop Rocks rather than beer. The aroma is really subtle, perhaps masked by the CO2 escaping through the bubbles. For whatever reason, there's not a robust aroma, just a little buttered caramel malt and a slight yeasty twist.

The flavor of the Moonglow Weizenbock has redeemed Victory, at least slightly. This beer tastes amazing, it is almost exactly like I was expecting. This Weizenbock has a great butterscotch malt flavor that coats your palate, a sweet banana bread and fig follow through and a little more yeasty twang on the end. This beer is best when the bubbles settle down and the texture smooths out, it's plenty enjoyable throughout though. I have to admit I almost didn't make it to the point where the carbonation mellowed out because I nearly drank the entire glass before then.

Weizenbocks are among the most delicious beers on the market in my opinion and Victory's Moonglow is a great example of the style. This is a very approachable beer despite being 8.7% ABV and I would definitely drink this one again.