Victory Berry Monkey 6Pk Cans

Victory Berry Monkey 6Pk Cans is a fruited sour tripel ale from Victory Brewing Company, packaged as a 6-pack of 12 oz cans at 9.5% ABV. Built on the same Belgian-style tripel framework as the popular Golden Monkey, this expression layers real raspberries over spicy yeast character, producing a striking rose-hued beer that has earned a 3.7 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 24,600 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Downingtown, Pennsylvania, USA  |  Style: Fruited Sour Tripel Ale  |  Brewery: Victory Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Victory Brewing Company was founded in 1996 in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, by childhood friends Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet. Berry Monkey begins with a base of imported Pilsner malt and Tettnang hops, fermented with a traditional Belgian yeast strain — the same foundation that drives Victory's flagship Golden Monkey tripel. What separates this expression is the addition of real raspberries during production, which imparts a natural rose hue and a layer of fruity tartness that transforms the classic tripel profile into a sour-leaning, fruit-forward ale. The result is a high-ABV beer that balances Belgian complexity with bright acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sour raspberry leads, followed by mixed berry and a subtle lemon zest quality. A light funk and gentle Belgian spice from the yeast round out the nose, with a faintly bready malt backbone underneath.

Taste: Tart raspberries hit immediately on entry, building into a broader mixed berry and lemon tartness at mid-palate. As the acidity develops, the Golden Monkey DNA emerges — warm spice notes, yeasty esters, and a touch of bready malt that anchor the fruit and prevent it from veering into one-dimensional sourness. The 9.5% ABV is well-integrated, lending body without noticeable heat.

Finish: Smooth and moderately long, with lingering berry tartness and a clean, tangy close. A whisper of Belgian spice and residual sweetness from the raspberries fades gradually.

How to Drink Berry Monkey

Pour into a tulip glass or Belgian goblet to concentrate the aromatic complexity; the wide bowl releases the sour berry and yeast-driven spice notes effectively. At 9.5% ABV, sipping at a measured pace is advisable. For cocktail-adjacent applications, Berry Monkey works in a Berliner Shandy, blended with lemonade to amplify the citrus tartness; a Berry Radler, cut with sparkling grapefruit soda for a refreshing warm-weather drink; or a Sour Beer Float, poured over raspberry sorbet for a dessert pairing that plays off the ale's natural fruit character.

Best For

• Belgian ale fans looking to explore fruited sour styles without losing tripel complexity
• Summertime cookouts or outdoor gatherings where a tart, high-ABV beer replaces lighter lagers
• Pairing experiments alongside a charcuterie spread or fruit-driven desserts
• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who already enjoy Victory Golden Monkey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Berry Monkey taste like? Berry Monkey delivers a prominently tart raspberry and mixed berry flavor layered over Belgian tripel spice, bready malt, and yeast-driven esters. The sourness is balanced by subtle sweetness from real raspberries, finishing smooth and tangy.

How does Berry Monkey compare to Victory Golden Monkey? Both share the same Belgian tripel foundation of Pilsner malt, Tettnang hops, and Belgian yeast, but Berry Monkey adds real raspberries and a sour dimension that Golden Monkey lacks entirely. Golden Monkey leans into warm spice and banana-like esters, while Berry Monkey foregrounds tartness and fruit with the spice playing a supporting role.

Is Berry Monkey good for sipping on its own? Yes — its layered profile of sour fruit, Belgian spice, and smooth malt rewards slow, attentive drinking, especially when served in a tulip glass around 45–50°F. The 9.5% ABV is deceptively well-hidden, so pacing is recommended.

Where is Berry Monkey made? Berry Monkey is brewed by Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia in Chester County. Victory has operated from this location since its founding in 1996.

What foods pair well with Berry Monkey? Soft-ripened cheeses like brie or camembert complement the tartness without competing with it. Grilled pork chops benefit from the beer's acidity cutting through the fat. Fresh berry tarts or raspberry cheesecake echo the fruit notes. Arugula salads with goat cheese and vinaigrette mirror the sour brightness. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and cornichons match the funky, tangy profile.

What sizes does Berry Monkey come in? Berry Monkey is available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Berry Monkey worth the price? Berry Monkey positions as a premium craft offering within the fruited sour category, justified by its 9.5% ABV, use of real raspberries, and the Belgian tripel complexity underlying the fruit. For drinkers who value both sour character and high-gravity depth, it delivers strong value relative to comparable fruited sour ales.

Why Berry Monkey?

What distinguishes Berry Monkey from the crowded fruited sour market is its tripel backbone — this is not a kettle sour with fruit syrup, but a full-bodied 9.5% Belgian-style ale that happens to carry real raspberry tartness. The Pilsner malt and Tettnang hop base provide a structural integrity that many fruit-forward sours lack, while the Belgian yeast adds spice and ester complexity rarely found in the style. With over 24,600 ratings on Untappd and a direct lineage to Victory's well-regarded Golden Monkey, Berry Monkey occupies a genuine niche: a sour ale with the weight and depth of a tripel, backed by a brewery with nearly three decades of Belgian-inspired brewing expertise.