Imagine an American beer that tastes like it's straight off the plane from Belgium. That's the Victory Brewing Company Golden Monkey. I tried Golden Monkey on a whim. It was on tap at the local tavern and listed as a tripel. I had never heard of Victory Brewing or their Golden Monkey ale, but I never refuse the chance to try a tripel. I was not disappointed with my choice. The term "tripel" (or triple) may have originated in Belgium in the 1930s. The Oxford Companion to Beer notes that Westphalle Abby was the first to use the term, using it to refer to their strongest ale. To me, the definition is simple: delicious! Victory Brewing Company is located in Downington, a small, unassuming town on the East side of Pennsylvania. The founders, Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, have been friends since 5th grade. They learned their brewing craft in Germany. And it shows. Golden Monkey tastes very much like it's European cousins. Founded in 1996, Victory Brewing is committed to sustainability. They re-purposed a Pepperidge Farms factory for their brewery. And their heating system recovers approximately a third of their energy for reuse. On top of that, they use solar panels to harness the power of the sun, compost 73 tons of food from their brewery restaurant every year, and allow a local farmer to recycle their wet, used grain as a feed supplement for his cattle. Not bad, eh? Golden Monkey Tripel Ale Nose: Sweet coriander, clove, light honey Taste: Crisp floral notes, mildly bitter finish; lemon peel and grapefruit rind. Recommendation: Try this delightful and savory American-Belgian tripel wherever you find it (For me, it was on tap at the local tavern for $4). |
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