Old Dominion's Victory Amber Lager to be released at Rams Head restaurants
Old Dominion's seasonal Victory Amber Lager will be released at several Rams Head restaurants Thursday, the Rams Head Group announced.
In a unique marketing partnership between the brewer and Rams Head, the beer will receive a simultaneous release at four of the group's restaurant locations.
The restaurants that will hold the release are the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, the Tavern Savage Mill, Rams Head Roadhouse in Annapolis, and the Rams Head Shore House in Stevensville.
The beer is described as a "full-bodied and unfiltered steam beer" that is "reminiscent of a beer our country's forefathers drank in colonial taverns."
It currently has an overall 38 rating at ratebeer.com.
The event will last from 4 to 6 p.m. at all locations. (via)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
a 38 is a pretty skeezy rating.
It's out of 100.
Posted by: Stagger Lee | January 4, 2011 3:52 PM
Now a Victory Prima Pils? Thats Victory Id pay for!
Victory Lager Ale? Uh, which is it? A lager or an ale? Sounds ancient...oh....right....
Posted by: emc^2 | January 4, 2011 4:06 PM
@ Stagger Lee
The beer gets a score of B over on Beer Advocate, which while not very impressive, is still pretty decent for Old Dominion stuff.
No one is ever going to confuse Old Dominion with Russian River (or even Victory or Troegs for that matter). Seems as if all their beers have been pretty mediocre since In-Bev/Anheiser-Busch's involvement.
Posted by: JohnM. | January 5, 2011 9:14 AM
John, don't get me wrong. I enjoy their dortmunder and the oak aged stout. I used to enjoy more, but yeah, you're right. Once again A-BInBev took a micro and killed it.
But perhaps I'm reading into it wrong, but it seems as if Erik meant the 38 was something to be proud of.
Either way, the beer snob sites like ratebeer and beeradvocate are just wastes of time where anyone who thinks they know everything about beer craps all over what are generally considered good beers for the sake of stylistic differences and personal preference.
Just reading some of the comments makes me wonder why the reviewers drink beer at all - they seem not to like anything.
IMHO, that makes it for the birds.
Sorry, I'll get off the soapbox that I'm using for my saddle up here on the high horse.
Posted by: Stagger Lee | January 5, 2011 10:58 AM
Yikes, you're certainly not doing Rams Head or Old Dominion any favors by stating that the beer has an awful rating of 38 out of 100!
Perhaps you should note the "B" score on Beer Advocate.
btw, don't be surprised if Victory Brewing Co.'s lawyers are calling Old Dominion very shortly...
Posted by: Donk | January 5, 2011 11:51 AM
Victory Amber actually predates Victory Brewing Co, IIRC. Ron Barchet was brewing at Old Dominion before starting Victory Brewing with Bill Covaleski in 1995 - would not be surprised if he came up with the Victory Amber in the first place, and then worked out something with Jerry Bailey (Dominion's former owner) regarding the names, Of course, this is all speculation. My memory has gotten pretty foggy of late...ahh, middle age...
In the meantime, this unique marketing relationship may have more to do with the fact that Old Dominion is now a brand owned by the Coastal Brewing Co. in Dover, who also make the Fordham brands, and some of whose officers own at least some of the Ram's Head Taverns.
Posted by: Volker | January 5, 2011 12:02 PM
Volker, why no RW this winter?
Posted by: curious | January 5, 2011 12:24 PM
curious, thanks fora sking, actually "yes RW this winter" but there was some miscommunication between Visit Baltimore and us. We are officially participating! Huzzah!
Posted by: Volker | January 5, 2011 3:29 PM
Does Old Dominion still do all the Thirsty Dog brews?
Posted by: TheBeav | January 5, 2011 3:35 PM
@TheBeav, no, they are made by DOG Beverage in Westminster, in the facility that used to be Clay Pipe. This is also where Brian "Stillwater" Strumke brews many of his excellent Stateside beers.
Posted by: Volker | January 5, 2011 6:26 PM