Found this at my local, Liquor Barn Redding. It’s been over a year since I enjoyed Victory’s Golden Monkey Tripel last, and looking at the ingredients (and ABV strength of 10%) I decided to give it a try.
APPEARANCE: Poured at 50F. Color is deep golden, bordering on amber with a 2-finger height very light tan, dense head. Although the beer was not bottle conditioned, there is floating particular matter in suspension (possibly due to the use the adjuncts used). Even sheeting of lacework on the sides of the glass as the head collapses. Moderate length in head retention.
AROMA: Notes of Pilsner malt and sweet grainy roasted malts, along with fruity esters of banana. The use of cinnamon and nutmeg blend well with the spicy, floral characteristics of the Cascade and Tettnang hops. The faint tartness of the use of orange peel and cranberry give it a nice pop to round it all out.
TASTE: Very drinkable for a 10% ABV spiced Tripel, the peppery phenolics from the fermentation along with the malt / hop / adjunct bill harmonize well.
AFTERTASTE: Medium plus in the spicy finish, the cinnamon and nutmeg notes are very prevalent, lingering in moderate length.
IMPRESSION: I found Victory Beer’s Merry Monkey to be a nice beer. (I would have like to tasted it around Christmas time!) Due to the use of Candi sugar, it is medium bodied, not cloying, and as mentioned, quite drinkable. Pair with holiday meals of smoked ham with cloves, mashed sweet potatoes or yams. Enjoy with desserts such as snickerdoodles, Bananas Foster, or Baklava.
Santé!
Gordon A. Ponce
CEO – Beer Review Journal