Victory - Hop Ranch Imperial IPA

I think I said I was going to write about stouts all winter. Or maybe just toyed with the idea. Either way, I changed my mind. I opened and inserted into my face Victory's Hop Ranch just a bit ago and decided I wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying this juicy bitch. It's an Imperial, so already I expected big. But what this beer looks like, and what this beer tastes like, are two different things. The lightest straw yellow I've ever seen in an IPA with this much flavor. In my light it almost looks like an unfiltered pilsner. Good carbonation, mid to light. Crisp on the tongue. Very citrus and bitey bitterness. Doesn't really dry the mouth out. I'm stoked on this beer. I don't know that I've had it before and I really enjoy it. Oh, it's also 9% and I don't think I realized it before I smashed through a glass. Certainly can't taste that. Bravo, Victory. Another one crushed. Cheers!

My Score: 97

Rate Beer: 99

Beer Advocate: 94

OLD HORIZONTAL

A barley wine is an English style strong ale. Typically high in alcohol and despite it's name, it's still very much a beer.They called it a "wine" because of it's high booze content but the barley implies it is made from grain instead of fruit. Victory brewing's Old Horizontal seems to really embody this style. Deep colors and smells of dark fruits and sweet candy make up this 11% abv beast. Meant as a night cap on the cool winter nights or to just get really drunk. really fast. Barley wines were meant for aging. Extensively at that. I would suggest buying two! One to obviously try the style if you never have, and another to sit in a cool dark place for a few years. It's amazing what some time will do to a beer that ages well. This beer can beer found where finer beers are sold and usually, if you have a nice beer store you go to and they don't carry something you've heard of, ask! Chances are it's distributed to your state but your beer store didn't know to carry it. Cheers! -Dave

Rate beer: 100 

Beer Advocate: 91