Victory Brewing launched Golden Monkey in 1996, and it has stayed one of the brewery’s flagship beers ever since, a Belgian-style tripel strong enough to sneak up on you if you treat it like a regular craft beer. Here is what is actually in the bottle, how it tastes, and who it is for.
At a Glance
| Style | Belgian-Style Tripel |
| ABV | 9.5% |
| IBU | 25 |
| Calories | 274 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pennsylvania (launched 1996) |
| Malt | Pilsner malt |
| Hops | Tettnang |
| Typical price | Around $12 to $15 for a six-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Golden Monkey pours a hazy deep gold with a big, rocky white head that sticks around. The nose is loaded with Belgian yeast character, banana and clove up front, backed by a fruity, almost candied sweetness and a light earthy hop note from the Tettnang hops.
The full review
On the palate, the banana-and-clove yeast character carries through, joined by orange peel and a warming alcohol note that reminds you this is a 9.5% beer, not a session ale. It ferments unusually vigorously, Victory has said it needs tanks with 25 to 30 feet of headspace just for the foam, and that vigorous fermentation is part of what gives it such a fluffy head and fruity, almost champagne-like character.
The trick with Golden Monkey is that it drinks far easier than its ABV suggests. The sweetness and carbonation mask the alcohol well, which is exactly why it has a reputation in craft circles as a beer that catches people off guard, see our best beers roundups for other high-ABV options worth respecting.
It finishes dry-ish for a beer this sweet on the front end, with a lingering fruity-spicy note from the yeast. There is real complexity here compared to a mainstream lager, which is why it has stayed a flagship for Victory for close to three decades.
“A tripel that hides 9.5% ABV behind banana, clove and orange, and drinks far easier than it should.”, Beer Is My Life tasting notes
- Genuine Belgian yeast character, banana, clove, fruit
- Big fluffy head and good carbonation
- Complex flavor for the price
- A long-running, consistent flagship beer
- 9.5% ABV is easy to underestimate
- Sweetness will not suit lager drinkers
- Not widely available outside the US East Coast
- Not a session beer
Who it is for
Fans of Belgian tripels and anyone who wants a stronger craft beer with real complexity, not a fast lager. If you want something in a similar style but from Belgium itself, our Delirium Tremens review is a good next stop.
How to serve Golden Monkey
Pour it into a tulip or wide-bowled glass to let the aroma open up, and serve it cooler than a lager but warmer than a light beer, around 45 to 50°F. Given the ABV, treat it as a sipper rather than a session beer.
FAQs
Is Golden Monkey a strong beer?
Yes. At 9.5% ABV it is significantly stronger than most mainstream beers, closer to a strong ale or a wine in alcohol content.
What style of beer is Golden Monkey?
It is a Belgian-style tripel, brewed by Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania since 1996.
Does Golden Monkey taste like alcohol?
The alcohol is present as a warming note on the finish, but the fruity, spicy yeast character and sweetness mask much of the heat you would expect from a 9.5% beer.
