Jan 21, 2015

Victory Brewing Anniversary 19 Session IPA

When a brewery releases an anniversary batch to celebrate another year in business, it’s usually a large, potent brew. Hell, just search this site for “anniversary” and you will find plenty of beers pushing double digit ABVs with a few hovering around 6%-7%. Rarely, if ever, do you see something like Victory’s Anniversary 19 Session IPA.

This 4.5% ABV IPA is labeled as a session ale and, well, it’s close enough to what is considered the high-end of that genre that we’ll go along for the ride. Alcohol content alone, however, is not the only thing that defines a sessionable beer. Many times with these types of beers, the flavor, or in the case of an IPA, the hope bitterness doesn’t allow for a long run of pints. Your palate is usually wrecked about half way through the first brew.

Anniversary 19 Session IPA, on the other hand, is an easy drinking beer. It’s got an approachable character and enough hop bite to keep things interesting — but not enough that you won’t be able to taste that second round.

Appearance

The brew pours a pale, straw yellow in color with a dense cap of white foam.

Victory Brewing Anniversary 19 Session IPA photo

Aroma

A good bit of herbal, grassy hop aroma fills the nose as light crackers, a peppery tingle and grapefruit file in behind.

Taste

The beer is incredibly easy drinking with a crisp, lightly effervescent carbonation and low-to-moderate hop bite. Lemony citrus, grass, grapefruit and crackers arrive swiftly before fading almost as quickly to the drying finish. A residual malt sweetness is left on the lips.

Overall

I can dig a beer like Anniversary 19 Session IPA. It’s got plenty of refreshing character and flavors without the alcohol weight common to your standard IPA. It’s easy to drink and provides enough hop bitterness to keep you coming back for more. I think Victory has better beers in their catalog, but this is a tasty little brew nonetheless.

Rating: 3.5/5

This is a review of a promotional sample.

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