Victory Variety Pack Round-Up: Headwaters Pale Ale

Brewed By: Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania 

Purchased: 12oz bottle from Victory's Variety Pack bought at Binny's in Chicago, IL; 2014

Style/ABV: American Pale Ale, 5.1%
Reported IBUs: ?

I realize that reviewing Victory's heritage brews is like reviewing Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale or Anchor Brewing's Anchor Steam. Here's the thing. The four beers contained in this Variety Pack (PrimaPils, HopDevil, Headwaters Pale Ale, Golden Monkey) are classics in their own right. But the times, they've been a-changin'. So it reasons that what was once a classic might be viewed differently today than in retrospect. You know. Plus this is my blog/LiveJournal. If you don't like it, suck on deez nuts. But  About Victory: 

Victory Brewing Company is a brewery based out of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The brewery was founded by Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski, two avid brewers and lovers of beer. Although Victory opened on February 15, 1996, the duo were brewing brewing beer long before opening their own company. You can read more about their accomplishments on the brewery's about page. The brewery uses German malted barley and European and American whole flower hops (the use of whole flower hops is one unique aspect of Victory). Victory is currently working on expanding to Parkesburg. For more information about Victory, check out their website or their Facebook page. 

The Headwaters Pale Ale is brewed with Victory's typical 2-Row malt base, and whole flower American hops. Of the four beers in this variety pack, the Headwaters is the least famous. I believe this beer is also newer stock for Victory. 

Victory Headwaters Pale Ale

This one pours into a stereotypical amber/copper body, kicking up a finger of just off-white, hop-fueled head. This looks very much like an American IPA/APA, with clingy lacing leaving webs on the glass, and dots of carbonation.

The aroma here is a nice departure from a lot of the dull Session IPAs and vibrant/exotic hop Pale Ales that we have been seeing as of late. It's quite resinous and dank, with far reaching pine and sweet hemp, floral sweetness, lemons, and grassy notes. There is also a nice and prominent malt backbone, which features some cracker and biscuit. 

This is actually a very good example of a straight-forward American APA. At 5.1%, this feels a lot more full-bodied than many other examples in this style. It reaches far with its big American-style hops, and you get a lot of floral pine, lemony citrus, earthy dankness, light and sweet tobacco, and generous amounts of the gentle cracker/caramel/biscuit malt backbone. The end result is surprisingly clean and well-made.

This is medium-bodied, but well carbonated and clean. In that regard it is light. The 5.1% is surprising, as the body feels much more substantial. You don't get any booze, which is nice. In a lot of ways, this is that big and complex APA you should be looking for, but it doesn't come with any bullshit strings like an inflated ABV or the use of 10 Australian hops. Really, this unfolds with clean grassy hops, lemon zest, sweet tobacco, and floral notes up front; that rolls into more hops, with burgeoning caramel and bread; the back end stays hop-forward, but adds a touch of cracker and biscuit. The finish is dry and clean, and reminds me of beers like Bell's Two Hearted. 

Rating: Above-Average (4.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Above-Average on this. While in many regards this beer is very much the epitome of an American Pale Ale, it also goes above and beyond in terms of execution. This is truly a sleeper APA, and I could see myself regularly stocking my fridge with a 12-pack of this for the warmer months. This would be a beer I would take camping or fishing, and it also should pair well with lightly spicy foods, warmer weather, barbecues, and certainly things like pizza. This is a fantastic entry from Victory, and it's a shame you don't hear more hype around this beer.

Random Thought: DAE Zombie Citra hurr durr Austrian hops wooo.