Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to enjoy those wonderful summer brews into the fall. Case in point: Victory Summer Love, a tasty, refreshing ale from Downington, PA’s Victory Brewing Company. Victory beers are almost always amazing, and this one is no exception. We’ll get back to that in just a moment, though. For now, we’ll continue to explore the wonders of summer brews.

I’ve always said I can enjoy any beer style in any season. And while that may be true, there is still much to be said for seasonal beers. In the fall, I like a hearty pumpkin ale or nutty malty Oktoberfest lager, both of whose colors match the hues of the falling leaves. In winter, a spiced ale or Barleywine with a little extra alcohol warmth can take the chill off a cold evening.  And where would we be in spring without the kick of a malty bock beer?

Summer, to my mind, demands a lighter brew to quench the thirst and cool the body on a hot day. The beer should still have flavor, though, or what’s the point? Water will refresh if that’s all we’re looking for. Victory Summer Love manages to be a smooth, drinkable summer brew with lots of crisp malt and tangy hop flavor.  I’ve enjoyed the beer through the summer, and continue to do so into the warm fall afternoons.

 Victory brews Summer Love with 2-row German pilsner malt and German and American hops. The beer has an alcohol content of 5.2% alcohol by volume. I bought a six-pack for $8.99 at Total Wine earlier this summer. And as good as it was in summer, as with all styles, I can see drinking it any time of year (though you’ll have to stock up to do that as this is obviously a summer seasonal).

Victory Summer Love pours to a pale golden color with a medium sized spritzy and short lived head formation and a very grassy, herbal citrusy lemon nose. The citrus and the grassiness call forth mental impressions of lemon grass to me more than actual lemons. Taking a sip, the beer has a crisp and biscuit Pilsner or Kolsch-like maltiness from the German malts underneath, but that is quickly overwhelmed by the hop aroma. Very minty, grassy, herbal and a tad citrusy, the aroma eventually leads to a very sharp bitterness that lingers for a long time on the tongue and leaves the finish long and dry on the tongue.

This is a wonderful beer, dangerously drinkable and packed with delicate malt and spicy hop flavors. It’s extremely crisp and refreshing, and reminds me of pilsner ale or a highly hopped Kolsch. As an ale, I’ll lean towards the latter stylistically. Highly re commended indeed, Victory Summer Love is a beer you’ll love all summer, and beyond.

Update 8/20/2015: Enjoyed a full mug pour of Victory Summer Love at Taco Mac tonight. Crisp and refreshing with great pilsner malt flavor and an aggressive hop finish, it's a delight on tap in the dog days of Summer. Summer Love is the right name for this beer indeed, at least I know I love it in summer. And at just $5.50 for a full mug pour, I love it even more.

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