Did I ever tell you about the time that Victory Helios Farmhouse Ale almost got me kicked out of the beer geek club? It did! OK, to be fair, it wasn’t really the delicious tall cool glass of Helios that was the problem, but rather the vessel in which it was served. You see, I’ve always loved this beer, had it before on many an occasion and so I ordered one up with much alacrity when I saw it on the draft menu at my local Taco Mac. I’ll confess that even I did a double take when it arrived in…a Miller Lite glass?

Yes, you see, they had run out of clean Brewniverity mugs (it was quite busy after all) and since this glass also held 20 ounces just as those mugs do, that’s what I got. As I am wont to do, I posted up a picture of my highly prized brew in it’s strange container and was greeted with..crickets. Yes, my fine friends in Honest Craft Beer Reviews wanted nothing to do with me it seems, though perhaps the moniker I used for the photo (Tastes Great, Less Filling) didn’t help. Anyway, I quickly added a comment of “Just kidding” and explained the situation, and the likes started pouring in.

Ok, you say, enough of your bloviating Bruguru, what about that Victory Helios Saison? Yes indeed my friends, Victory has been ahead of the modern saison fad for many a year, and Helios is indeed in my estimation one of the best, most flavorful versions you can buy. Though that’s true enough of any Victory brew in most cases. Here’s what Victory says:

Heady with an earthy, aromatic hop start, this flavorful ale slides into flavors of honey and mildly tart fruit. Leaving a refreshing citrus and pepper impression of dryness, this is a quenching, invigorating ale, despite its substantial strength.

Food Pairings

Spicy foods and aged goat and sheep's milk cheeses

Availability

Year-round in 22 oz. bottles and occasionally on draft

Occasionally on draft! I got lucky there, folks. OK, here are the ingredients they list:

Malt: Imported 2 row malts

Hops: Whole flower German, Czech and British hops

Victory Helios Farmhouse Ale has an alcohol content of 7.5% by volume and I paid a very reasonable $5.75 for my draft glass. It’s also a bargain at just $5.99 a bomber at Total Wine. Both great prices these days. Helios was the Greek sun god, and Helios the beer is as light and bright as a warm sunny day.

My glass of Victory Helios Farmhouse Ale arrived a slightly hazy amber yellow color with a good sized head of foam and fragrant green peppercorns, funk and citrus in the nose. Taking a sip, there’s a smooth light maltiness, yeast funk, cotton candy, more green peppercorns, phenols, cloves, and a lightly bitter finish.

Friends, I just love this beer, it’s so complex and spicy yet oh so drinkable as well. Add in the bargain basement price and we have…a Victory for your taste. Victory is one of my favorite breweries in America. Try Helios Saison, and they just might be one of yours, too.

Home