Day 18 of the 7th Annual Holiday Beer Advent-ure Calendar
Day 18: Victory Brewing Company Merry Monkey
Merry Monkey has been a huge crowd pleaser in the past so I think we’re all excited to try this one again. Victory’s Golden Monkey is a flagship beer of the brewery, which is pretty daring since it’s 9.5% and not everyone is a fan of Belgian-style beers. But it’s damned good so it’s worked out well for them. This one is the holiday spin on the original. From the Victory website: “This Belgian-style holiday ale combines the beloved flavor profile of Golden Monkey with notes of cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg to deliver a delightfully smooth finish, perfect for merry gatherings with family and friends.”
Reflections
Ben: Victory’s Golden Monkey was one of the first craft beers I ever drank…and it knocked me on my ass since it was once of the first 10% beers I ever drank too. This holiday version is slightly different, but not in its quality. I get the most subtle hints of holiday fruit and spices, but the finish is classic Belgian. It’s like the best fruit cake you’ve ever had, but liquefied, and not actually a fruit cake cause fruit cake is terrible. This combines everything I love about winter beers: slight spice, booze, and Belgian-ness. It’s a winter winner.
Julia: I’ve always been a fan of this one. It’s a classic Belgian Christmas ale. I’m just not feeling it tonight, because I honestly feel like drinking wine tonight. But putting that aside, it still holds up. I get the notes of orange, cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a nice blend of Christmas spices with the classic flavors of a good Belgian ale. I would happily keep this in the Christmas ale lineup every year
Adam: Cherry | a little sweet | bitter | candied ginger | doesn’t taste like monkey at all
Alex: Victory Merry Monkey is a Belgian style beer, so naturally I find it delicious. I wouldn’t say it necessarily tastes like a holiday beer, but I would drink it again in a heartbeat.
Scott: Beer 18 is a banger. The Victory Brewing Merry Monkey tastes so much like the delicious Franziskaner Hefeweizen, with all of its similar banana flavor. The Merry Monkey is a little more spicy than that beer and has a nice level of carbonation. I’m really happy this beer made it into the rotation.
Christa: This beer tastes like BANANA. And if you know me at all, that is my favorite thing. Ever. So this beer is my new favorite holiday beer. I don’t know what makes it holiday other than the fact I sometimes get a banana in my stocking (thanks, mom) but I’ll be drinking this one again, over and over.
Tony: Hello old friend! This one has been on the calendar the past couple years and I look forward to it cuz its a good one. The cranberry adds an extra, enjoyable “hey whats that?” element to the flavor to go along with the orange peel and spices. Its also high abv but doesn’t taste overly alcoholic. This is a great one and would definitely recommend it if you haven’t had it……p.s. also goes great with Taco Bell haha
Megan: I remember this being a fan favorite last year and smells like it would be this year as well. It feels like it would be light yet flavorful and well balanced. The can calls out cranberry and citrus but the only flavor I get is honey but it’s not overpowering. Without testing I would confidently suggest this to someone looking for a good holiday beer.
Brad: Excellent (as said in my Bill and Ted’s voices followed by air guitar)! I’m very happy Victory provides us this delicious Belgian around the holidays. The 10% may scare some people but it’s a very balanced beer and doesn’t taste overly boozy. Just be careful because it’s easy to drink a few of these and forget about the alcohol.
Heather: Victoryyyyyyyy!!!!! Yes! Merry Monkey is a fave, and this is the first time I’ve had it this year. I love it so much. Victory in general cranks out great beers, and this one has just a *hint* of festive flavoring, nothing overpowering. It’s a true Belgian, nice and boozy, so it’s a good supper on a cold night. We’ll keep stocking (stuffing) these for years to come.