It was just a few weeks ago. I was glued to my TV set like never before, watching the Patriots play the Los Angeles Rams in Superbowl XXXVI. They had been there before, of course. Back in January of 1986 against the Bears, and in 1997 against the Packers. This time, though, it was different. This time they were going to win. You could feel it, and as the game progressed it just seemed more and more inevitable.

Few people realize why they won that game. You see, it was because of me. I saved victory for the Patriots. Ummm, I mean I saved a Victory for the Patriots. A Victory Moonglow Weizenbock to be exact. What better beer than a Victory to celebrate such a victory after all?

Moonglow is a weizenbock, or a strong version of a traditional Bavarian hefeweizen, literally a wheat beer with yeast in suspension. This is not a commonly produced style, so I’m always happy to see it on store shelves, especially Victory’s version. Victory sells Moonglow from August through October. I bought mine in January, but a potent, bottle conditioned beer like this has a long shelf life.

Weizenbock is not a lager like traditional bock beers. Like all authentic Bavarian wheat beers, it’s an ale, but a very strong one indeed. It is sometimes theorized that bock lagers are so named because of their high alcohol content or “kick”, bock being German for goat, an animal known to do just that. Weizenbocks have a kick of their own, and so deserve the same appellation. Victory’s Moonglow weighs in at a formidable 8.7% by volume, and will certainly leave you glowing like the moon if you drink enough of them.

Victory Brewing is located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania in an old industrial park. It is not the easiest place in the world to find, which I found out when I visited several years ago. Apparently the locals want to keep the good stuff for themselves. It’s certainly worth seeking out though, and is definitely worth the 30 minute or so ride if you’re in Philadelphia.

One of the reasons Victory beers are so darned good is the authentic European malts and hops they use. I recall seeing bag upon bag of Belgian Pilsner and German Munich malts stacked in the brewery, which resembles an old airplane hangar more than anything else. In the case of Moonglow there’s obviously wheat malt and some Munich too. Whole flower hops are employed as well.

Victory Moonglow Weizenbock pours to a murky brown color with a huge creamy foam head and a big banana nose. The body has a rich malty-wheaty character with plenty more banana, a touch of green apple, a hint of chocolate, a smooth rich texture, and a warm alcohol finish. I am thoroughly impressed with this beer, as I always have been. It's not quite in the league of such German examples of the style as Erdinger Pikantus or Aventinus, but it is very, very close.

Great with a pork roast crusted with pepper and garlic slivers, mashed red potatoes and green beans with spatzels and butter. Even better with Buffalo wings, chips and dip, and pizza after your favorite team wins the Superbowl.

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