Well, saying awfully might actually be a stretch in itself... Golden Monkey is a tripel, and I have never had one before so I'm really not sure what I am in store for.
Here is a quick run down on a tripel per www.beeradvocate.com
-The name "Tripel" actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Trappist "Simple." Traditionally, Tripels are bright yellow to gold in color, which is a shade or two darker than the average Pilsener. Head should be big, dense and creamy. Aroma and flavor runs along complex, spicy phenolic, powdery yeast, fruity/estery with a sweet finish. Sweetness comes from both the pale malts and the higher alcohol. Bitterness is up there for a beer with such a light body for its strength, but at times is barely perceived amongst the even balance of malts and hops. The lighter body comes from the use of Belgian candy sugar (up to 25% sucrose), which not only lightens the body, but also adds complex alcoholic aromas and flavors. Small amounts of spices are sometimes added as well.
Tripels are actually notoriously alcoholic, yet the best crafted ones hide this character quite evil-like and deceivingly, making them sipping beers.
I looked around on Victory's website a bit and pulled up some stats on this brew.
It holds a Silver Medal in the International Beer Competition in '04 and also holds a Bronze Medal in the Australian International Beer Awards in '08.
Victory has this to say about the beer -
Strong and sensual, this golden, Belgian-style ale glows with goodness. The richness of German malts and Belgian yeast are tempered by a sparkling approach and overall light body. Considerable depth of character with abundant herbal, fruity notes make this one to savor.
COMPOSITION
Malts: 2 row German malt
Hops: European whole flowers
Yeast: imported, of Belgian origin
Alcohol by volume: 9.5%
I'm a little nervous because I feel with the way I have hyped up Victory that I HAVE to like this beer.
A - First of all, yes that head is as fluffly as it looks in the picture. Unbelievable. It's about 5 minutes after pour and it's still that big too. The lacing is just stuck all over the glass. Wow. As you can see it's a nice golden color. Maybe that's why they named it Golden Monkey and not Brown Monkey. Looks like your typical Witbier in my opinion but with a fluffier head.
S - Disappointed might be a bad way to say this, but when I saw 9.5 ABV I was expecting this beer to reek of alcohol upon opening. It didn't. Not even the slightest hint of alcohol. I'm hoping the taste duplicates that. Can't really put my finger on the smell that good. Smells a little like pears and apples. Also it smells like it will have a sour bitter taste.
T - Oddly enough, it tastes like it smells. It has a really smooth taste to start with and then it gets a little tart and hoppy. Definitely a hint of alcohol front loaded on the taste but the hoppiness contrasts well with it and it's a little hard to notice. The alcohol definitely warms up the mouth/throat/stomach but it doesn't feel like it's going to burn a hole anywhere. After the alcohol goes away there is a pretty pleasant grassy taste along with hints of the pear/apple. I wouldn't say the taste blows me away, but I was expecting it to disappoint me and be terrible.
M - Very smooth and very bubbly in the mouth.. no other way to really describe it.
D - Dare I say that even though this beer is 9.5% ABV it's shockingly drinkable. Seems like this compared with the smoothness overall of the beer could cause problems. It could easily creep up on you if you don't have self control and sip it. After all, a beer this high should be sipped.
I really want to give this beer two thumbs up, I really do. But because it's not really my style and didn't blow me away and want me begging for more, one thumb up will do.
It's a pretty good beer. I'd imagine it's probably better than the average tripel.
But I do applaud the fact that I don't want to drain pour an almost 10% ABV beer.
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