St. Boisterous - Victory Brewing Company

JohnnyM2002

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a pint glass at 45 degrees.

A - Pours a clean dark color with a small head that left slight lacing for a few minutes. Little carbonation was present.

S - Citrus aroma with hints of caramel and an unknown accompaniment...sweet, maybe molases.

T - Honey..that's what it is! Very unique blend of lemon, honey, and a distinct flavor of tea leaves The lemon and honey comes out very strong with the first sip, but the tea flavor resonates very strong as the beer goes down. Sweet aftertaste with traces of alcohol.

M - Light carbonation and a light-to-medium body with a warming feeling on the way down. Finishes very crisp.

D - A very enjoyable, but deceptive, brew. It's sneaky in the sense that the higher abv doesn't really come out as the beer goes down so lightly. The enjoy-by-date was actually two days ago, but I'm glad I waited a few months to try it. Excellent selection!

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2006 18:18:33 | More by JohnnyM2002

lstokes

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Smooth and highly drinkable rendition of the style.

Very pale yellow, not a very exciting appearance (although I guess it is pretty typical for the style), with a honey-floral hops smell which is also not particularly exciting. I'm not getting much of the malt in the nose.

It picks up significantly in the taste department. Sweet (I'm getting pears and honey), strong doughy malts, a touch of herbal hops and a faint wisp of smoke along with the spicy alcohol at the end. I don't usually drink lagers, but this was very tasty, well-balanced, a great American lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2009 01:57:58 | More by lstokes

NCSUdo

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle

A: Clear golden body under a pretty big white head. Decent lace and retention.

S: Nice sweet malt, candy like at times, very clean and very balanced with a very nice underlying citrus hop character, even a hint of some sweet bread. Very good, very balanced yet very complex.

T: Nice and clean tasting again. Sweet malt up front with the citrus hops in between before a very mild bitterness and ever so slight hint of alcohol in the finish. Slight warming as well. Maybe a bit vinous.

M/D: Light bodied, a little slick, low carbonation. Drinkability is excellent. A very solid beer through and through.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2009 01:27:16 | More by NCSUdo

dasenebler

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This helles Bock pours a rich amber with a modest head that dissipates to a thin, whispy ring very quickly. Nose is of fragrant European hops and light breadiness.

Flavor is excellent. This is one hell of a helles. Definitely more bitter and hoppy than most other interpretations of the style, but there's enough sweet, bready malt backbone to create a nicely balanced brew. Lingering flavor is definitely bitter. Medium-bodied and -carbonated feel. The 7.4 percent kick is quite nice too, without being overpowering.

Not much more to say than that. Great beer. Victory scores once again with one of their fantastic German interpretations.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2010 18:30:28 | More by dasenebler

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Brass Rail Deli on 6/9/09.

A - Clear golden body with large bubbles of carbonation and one-finger off-white head that receded to a thin ring of retention and left some patchy lace around the glass.

S - Fruity and citrusy aroma with hints of fresh lemon and lime, melons and kiwi fruit. Malt is sweet and caramel-based with honey notes. Some light floral hops and subtle alcohol notes also emerged as the liquid warmed up.

T - Initial flavor is fruity with hints of sweet melons and honey as well as juicy citrus fruit. Hop bitterness is pretty subtle overall with some floral notes escaping from underneath the malty sweetness. Finishes with a caramel malt character and a mild syrupy sweetness.

M - Medium bodied with a syrupy texture and pretty thick, rich mouthfeel overall, yet still retains a crispness akin to a malty pilsner.

D - Really sessionable for a 7.3% brew. This felt lighter than your typical Maibock, almost like a pilsner but with a more pronounced sweet palate and heftier malt character.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2009 13:56:44 | More by ffejherb

garthwaite

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at the brewpub. Pours a bright, clear gold with a refreshing floral nose that includes hints of candy & fresh hops. Full in the mouth as a great mix of spicy hops & pale malts fill your mouth full of sweet melons, toffee, earthy minerals, & appealing floral hints. Slippery, full mouthfeel with a bright & almost herbal hop finish. Damn fine lager.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2004 13:03:27 | More by garthwaite

yeagerbm

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is another great beer from Victory. It has a dense white head that just sticks to the sides of the glass on top the dark golden body. The aroma is clean and sweet as is the taste. The flavor is malty with a nice sweetness balanced by a mild hoppy spice. The flavor and body are very full and smooth with creamy carbonation. This stuff is dangerously drinkable at >7%abv. Very refreshing and tasty.

I'm more impressed with Victory all the time. It's probably my favorite brewery and I haven't yet made the trip to Downingtown. I need to definately do that soon.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2005 00:15:44 | More by yeagerbm

Gavage

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear orange in color with a 1/2" head. No lacing develops.

Smell: easily detectable grass, ripe fruits, and sweet malts.

Taste: big malty beer. Honey is first thing you notice, followed by some hints of orange citrus, sweet ripe fruits, and a nice bitterness to round out. Alcohol is very lightly noticeable.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start, but finishes smooth and has a hint of a syrupy feel. The aftertaste is long on the sweetness.

Drinkabililty: this is no means a session brew, but the glass I had went down smooth and rather quickly. Could have easily had another, but there were other interesting things on tap I wanted to try. Great beer for springtime in the mid-atlantic.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2006 16:46:46 | More by Gavage

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Clear medium gold body, no carbonation visivle, with a quick rising head, fades fast leaving no lace in a wet glass.

Smell: Spicy and grassy, corn, citrus.

Taste: A very big beer, indeed, lots of grassy and corny malts, spicey flavors are out front, peppery and a little bit fruity. Up there with my tops of the style, this is a beer to be sipped or sessioned, but enjoyed either way. A good representation of the style.

Drinkability: What's not to like, it is a big peppery beer, well hopped, enjoyable and highly drinkable. Worth picking up a 6, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2006 03:59:49 | More by TastyTaste

cbl2

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoy by 10/13/06. 12 oz. bottle.

Appearance:

Pours a startingly clear orange with a thin film of tan head on top with mildly vigorous carbonation streaming up the pint.

Aroma:

Sweet earthy malts with undertones of fresh cut grass. There is a definite vitality to this brew, a freshness to be savored.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

A smooth and subtle mouthfeel to begin, the flavors carry nuances of smoke, peat and toasted malt. Mild hops counter the sweetness leading to a nicely balanced beer. One of Victory's finest offerings.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2006 22:33:16 | More by cbl2

WesWes

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a dark golden color with a thick frothy off-white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a solid pale and Vienna malt scent along with a touch of citrus and malt sweetness. The taste is good. It has a smooth malty flavor that boasts of pale and Munich malts along with a dry yeast finish. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a well brewed Hellesbock. It's malt forward with a damn smooth finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2010 00:58:26 | More by WesWes

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a slightly opaque off-gold color with a white head. The nose brings a lot of bread with a bit of grain and some light fruit notes. While the nose is certainly quite mild, I get a lot of different fruit notes sneaking out from underneath the doughy exterior. The taste dials back on this a bit, and ends up being more of a sweet bread-type brew. However, for the style it style has quite a bit of nice flavor. The feel is nice, with a light to medium body that's slightly creamy. Overall, this is a very good American rendition of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2010 00:38:14 | More by Thorpe429

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

very good maibock that changes form year to year with varying malts and hops. Sometimes dry other times sweeter, 7.4% alcohol is not noticeable at all and is a fairly smooth maibock. The draft version is usually all that is available anymore some years they bottle it and some they will bottle something different. A must try for maltheads as the malt usually dominates if slightly over the hops.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2003 14:51:17 | More by bierman2000

goodbyeohio

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

thanks to.. umm... crap. i forget. thanks though.

pour is a beautiful orange and layered gold with a soapy thick foam cap. slight carbonation and my cat likes to smell it. it's fresh, crisp maltiness with faint metallic notes and some subtely defined hops. flavor is bright and expansive. a sweet malt makes way for brief cherry and berry.. followed by a bubblegum finish. drinkable and delicious. light in the mouth. a bit too complex for a session brew.

another winner from v.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2005 21:19:10 | More by goodbyeohio

Terp96

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tis the season for Maibocks and this one didn't disappoint.

Pours a bright golden-yellow with a hefty head. Nice lacing as you progress through the glass.

Aroma was interesting to say the least. I could not describe it as anything but corn. It actually reminded me of the smell you get shucking corn. Usually, you smell corn in a beer and you run in the opposite direction but this one kept my interest.

Tastes great. No corn taste here. Very malty sweet with a slight hop bite on the end of each sip. Very nicely balanced. To my detriment, there was no indication of the 7.4% alcohol.

Mouthfeel was nice as well. Very slick and oily on the tongue. Unexpected from a beer that is only slightly hopped. A smooth beer that goes down very easy.

Like I said, the drinkability is exceptional. I kept wanting more and it snuck up on me. Oh well, I will just have to go get some more.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2006 13:28:41 | More by Terp96

weasbri

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First time trying this beer. Head was basically non-existent, dark orange color. I had trouble picking up scents, could be because I'm still getting over allergies, but they just seemed very faint.
Malty first sip. Seemed to have floral quality in the finish. As I drank, the floral aromas got stronger, and it seemed to have more complex flavors I'm not yet qualified to describe.
After about half a glass, I re-checked the alcohol content. You'll definitely feel that 7.40%.
I enjoyed it, a good introduction to Maibock/Helles Bock for me, and I'll be back for more. Kudos to the guys a Norm's in Vienna for recommending it.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2006 01:53:32 | More by weasbri

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Golden yellow with a nice white head. Sweet, slightly fruity aroma with malts behind. This beer reminds me of a good helles lager. I dont know where the bock fits in, but this is a strong and tasty lager. After the initial sweetness, it gives way to bready malts. Not much for hops, but a very ncie beer. Great drinkability for the strength. Call it a go to beer for a hot day when you want a buzz.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2006 04:41:04 | More by tempest

IrishRedRock

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My first try at this from the bottle, and with the new label art too YAYYY. Always a refresher on draught, despite the nonexistant alcohol that manages to sneak up and kick you square in the ass.

Anyway, pours without much of a head, a tawny, deep gold. Nose has a mild earthy twinge of hops but is decidedly sweet and herbal. Smooth and crisp with little carbonation, but with a mellow flavorful malty backbone to balance the grassy, sweet honey flavors. As I said before, the alcohol hides quite well in this one and can sneak up to your brain before you know it. A Spring seasonal indeed, but one that is quite refreshing desite the +7% ABV. An enjoyable sipper all summer long when one tires of the various wheats and lighter lagers.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2006 19:52:26 | More by IrishRedRock

rugbycritic

New York

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Most bocks coming from American brewers pale in comparision to their German counterparts. I'm sure it has to do with the selection of malts available, and the conditioning times allowed.

However, don't let all of that fool ya. This is an excellent helles. It's got everything you need, firm yet tasty maltiness, good color and clarity, just a hint of hops to balance the residual sweetness, and a hint of clean cloves (just a wafer thin hint mind you).

I have tried to brew this and related styles, and they are picky. This one definitely deserves a second look-see when I find it again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2003 07:11:52 | More by rugbycritic

purplehops

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler filled from the tap at Victory.
Poured a copper/yellow color with a frothy off-white head that left nice lacing on the glass. The aroma was very malty with hints of fruit and citrus. The taste started with plenty of upfront toasted malt flavor and some caramel notes blended with a wee bit of earthiness and alcohol. The longer it was in your mouth the fruitier and more floral it became. The finish was very refreshing and crisp with the first notable appearance of hop bitterness joining the balance of malt sweetness and citrus flavors. Aftertaste was a pleasant maltiness with lingering notes of alcohol and citrus. Mouthfeel was smooth yet with a crispness to it and the body was medium.
Overall another nice brew from the folks at Victory. A nice balance and complexity for a Helles Bock IMHO.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2003 22:16:15 | More by purplehops

grassrootsVT

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

In bottle:

Pours nicely carbed, leaves a frothy head atop the glass - little tracing down the glass, perfect clarity and effervescence...
Typical hellesbock aroma - sweetness and little to no hop aroma...
Tasted great! Malt depth - imparted by the decoction mash, no doubt, relatively crisp for such a large beer. Leaves a lingering lager feel of happiness on the tongue - no dryness, no significant bitterness...
Mouthfeel is about the same. Would be interested in trying this beer bottle conditioned - would no doubt give a less bubbly mouthfeel and improved head retention. An extremely drinkable beer - one has to exercise caution when approaching this beer. Nothing significantly unique - but relatively true to style, method, and approach. A good spring celebration beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2005 17:57:19 | More by grassrootsVT

rokoch27

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours clear, straw color with the slightest amount of tiny bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass, like good champagne. Aromas of spice, flowers and bread with corresponding tastes. Everything about this beer says spring and it is almost like the malts are young? Makes me want another sip, because there is something lingering that I just can’t place and want to taste again. Another great lager from Victory!

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2006 17:57:13 | More by rokoch27

ultralarry2006

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle. Leaves a one finger head that dissappears quickly, no lacing. Body is a clear gold amber.

Smell - pears, apples, plums, hint of cloves. Very enticing.

Taste - Apricots, plums. Very simple, but very good.

Mouthfeel - medium bodied with low carbonation and smooth.

Drinkability - this is good beer, and very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2006 16:09:52 | More by ultralarry2006

oberon

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I always look forward to drinking good spring bocks,this poured int a pokal a clear medium gold with a tight formed one finger white head that settled pretty slowly.Alot of things going on in the nose caramel sweetness and bread grain mainly with hints of vegetable and iron the alcohol really doesnt show thru much here,not as sweet as I thought it would be from judging other reviews yeah it has some definent caramel sweetness along with a sweet dough character and green gape with pear note but a decent herbal hop presence is there along with that vegetal note.Some grain alcohol flavors come thru as it warms a bit but it warms you on a cold 40 degree spring day here in the Buffalo area.I have wanted to try this for quite awhile and I am glad I had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2007 18:50:41 | More by oberon

blackie

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: bright yellow-golden in color, a modest white topping of carbonation soon recedes to a thin ring

s: pale euro lager malts accented with a generous dose of grassy noble hops and aromas of soft pear, white grape, night flowers, and marzipan or almond cookie, delightfully complex lager aroma

m: a medium-full carbonation runs through the light-medium bobied beer, striking good balance in what would otherwise be too full a lager mouthfeel

t: pale lager grain carries complex light fruits - pear, apple, and white grape most prominent with some almond following the swallow, slightly floral in the aftertaste with a hefty serving of sulfurous noble hops,

d: no issues here - quite tasty and easily drinkable

single bottle picked up at Norm's in Vienna, VA

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2009 19:31:47 | More by blackie