St. Boisterous - Victory Brewing Company

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally got a chance to give this a try, even though this is a Spring beer. It was available via the single bottle in Totowa and since I like Victory's beers so much, I figured I'd give this a go. While this didn't match up with other offerings that I've had of theirs in the past, this was a decently enjoyable beer that I'd have again, during the appropriate season!

This had a decent golden pour to it with a head that lasted a while and melded well into the lacing that formed down the sides of my pint glass. Lots of lemon, grass, and floral notes to the taste as they combined for a "bright" mouthfeel. The consistency of this beer was good too, as it resembled resin and not something watered-down. There was a slight sourness to this but it wasn't enough to make me put the beer down at all.

As for the alcohol, that was a different story. It could have been a bit less noticeable and not only could I taste it during my session, but I could feel it by the time I got down to the bottom of the glass. While this isn't Victory's best beer, I'll probably give it another go when spring arrives, just to see if it's any better the second time around. If anything, this was more enjoyable than many of the Marzens that are currently on the shelf.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 20:55:11 | More by JerzDevl2000

ckollias

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Hazy golden ale with a white, frothy, 1-1/2 finger head that quickly dissipates into a persistent wispy lace.

S: Sweet caramel aroma with hints of citrus and lemons.

T: Crisp caramel flavor similar to the smell. Good malt background and hops to balance. Good amount of alcohol her but masked by the sweetness.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Very good Helles Bock. A little on the sweet side for me, but very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 00:56:54 | More by ckollias

Morey

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle with "Enjoy By Mar 11 2012" stamped on the label. Layer of sediment noted, but I managed to keep it all in the bottom of the bottle.

Pours a hazy yellow/gold color with about a half inch of white foam which has settled to a thin and spotty layer after several minutes. Good head retention.

Smell is slightly fruity and yeasty. A touch of grain, alcohol, and oily hops in the nose as well.

I'm getting some sweetness up front with a touch of lemon towards the middle. Malts help make for a bit of chewy finish with a hint of lingering alcohol and bitterness.

Medium bodied with a nice chewy texture on the back end. Moderate carbonation.

Pretty good overall. Not something that I could drink too many of though.

Morey's Bottom Line: I've only had a handful of beers within this style, but this one is probably my favorite so far. Another nice beer from Victory.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 21:19:51 | More by Morey

schoolboy

Ohio

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

Ah, something else good from Victory. This is way better than the style should be. Ordinarily I don't like these much, but this one works.

It's a little cloudy (too cold?). Pretty yellow in the glass. It has a hoppy, interesting and unique taste. The yeast tastes more like a Belgian.

I would buy this again and again.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 23:14:11 | More by schoolboy

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a clear golden color with a decent sized head on top. The lacing on the glass was pretty good. The smell of the beer has some lemony aromas on it and some grainy malts also on the nose. The taste of the beer is pretty refreshing actually, really nice soft and smooth feel to the beer. Overall I found this to be one of the better beers from Victory brewing.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 20:08:20 | More by Knapp85

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours clear straw with 1/2 finger of frothy head.

N: Pear, hay, barnyard funk, hints of spruce and lemon zest.

T: Breads, grains, green tea. Finishes dry with lingering spices.

M: Medium bodied, dry, prickly and somewhat sticky.

O: Extremely smooth and drinkable. Slightly bitter and crisp. Beautiful nose and interesting flavors. Makes a nice session ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 00:29:04 | More by justintcoons

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

When poured into a glass it shows a golden sunshine body. It's slightly hazy and amply attenuated. The foamy head is small and is fast fading with no noted spots of lacing.

It's aroma is that of sweet malts biscuits with a sutle spiciness.

A well malt brew with ample amounts of malts. Hops balance out the sweet malts nicely.
The finish here finds biscuit grass and warming alcohol.

A thinner beer here but smooth alcohol warming finishes up the taste.

A good biting beer with just the right amount of everything to make a sweet seductive tasting beer.
Me thinks me likes.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 13:53:44 | More by micromaniac129

ebby82

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A zesty golden hue when poured into a pint mug.

Very slight sweetness in the aroma with a nice hop zing.

Taste is redolent of spicy hops in the back of the tongue, and a slightly sweet taste upfront. I really enjoy whatever hops are used here, they taste wonderful.

A really tasty helles, with a pleasant hop ooomph.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 18:53:32 | More by ebby82

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A clear gold, perfectly uniform look with a quickly settled 1" white foam cap.

A very hardy yeast aroma, zesty, tangy, herbal and earthy mu sk effect, wheat and corn and a hint of heat, more bready malt underneath.

a very crispy bite, full and lush but lively feel with dry earth, herbal yeast upfront, which is great. Rather complex earthy hops adds some nice depth to the yeast flavor's. Amazingly clean all around, very harmonious together, great balance, the heat is pretty high, but not too bad. Slight, fruity and tanginess in the long run.

One of the best American brewed German style beefy lagers.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 22:29:57 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

bubseymour

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Nice yellow clear pilsner look with frothy 2 finger head.

Smell - Not quite what I was expecting but still pleasant. Sweet malty scents is what I'm picking up.

Taste - Not quite sure I'm on board with this one on the first couple of sips then I start to get used to it a little more and enjoy it somewhat as I progress. Starts off very strong and somewhat boozy, and ends with a crisp noble hop bite similiar to the Prima Pils (a much better beer by Victory).

Very full bodied mouthfeel.

Overall - I think this is a good beer but not a great one from Victory. It seems more like an Imperial Pils than a Maibock/Helles Bock however.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 01:03:55 | More by bubseymour

output01x

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle (Enjoy By 03/11/12) into a pilsener glass.

A moderate pour yields a 1-finger off-white head that quickly dissipates to a nearly non-existent dusting and thin foam ring. The body is a translucent pale gold with very few carbonation bubbles.

Sweet malts like roasted grains give the nose a rather bread-like quality. Earthy and floral hops scents in the background accentuate the malt-dominant aroma. No lacing can be noticed at any point throughout consumption.

Sweet malts up front and with flavors of buttery pretzel dough, roasted peanuts, honey, and a slight smokiness. An earthy and slightly spicy hops presence can be found at the end of the sip. The flavors are amazingly clean with little distraction. They are also deeper and bolder than either the body or the nose would indicate. The flavor is rather straight-forward, but in a good way. The 7.4% ABV is not noticeable in the least.

Medium to light bodied with good carbonation, this beer is very easily swallowed. The carbonation is a little fizzy but does not detract from the flavors or experience. The body is a good consistency but it does have a slightly sticky quality.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 00:44:21 | More by output01x

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

Pours a slightly hazy amber/orange color with a small white head with a nice ring of lacing. Nose is sweet, malty, both very 'Victory' and very German - I like it.

Taste is sharp and crisp with a light sulfur note that is reminiscent of Prima Pils, there is a bit of alcohol present but it isn't over the top. Mouthfeel is a bit chewy but still crisp and refreshing. A good way to start a hot summer evening.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 21:20:52 | More by kingcrowing

larryi86

Delaware

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle pouted into a pint glass

A- Clear golden color with a one finger white head that fades quickly

S- Sweet malts, earthy hops, hint of honey

T- Not as sweet as the nose, much spicier and earthier

M- Smooth, medium body

O- It smells nice, but that is the high point. This is not a bad beer, but I have had better in the style. I don't see myself picking this up again.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 23:47:20 | More by larryi86

MrDanno96

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a bright golden color. The brew initially had several fingers of frothy white head, but it quickly dissipated to almost nothing.

S: Notes of fresh bread, grain and caramel, intermingled with some subtle springtime flowers.

T: Very clean overall with a slight malt sweetness and subtle bitter finish.

M: Somewhere between light and medium bodied with a surprisingly subtle amount of carbonation.

O: A decent Maibock, but I still have yet to taste an American interpretation that really rivals those made in Germany. I think this brew would benefit from a lower abv and slightly more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 03:19:55 | More by MrDanno96

farrago

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The head crests over a finger of some of the loosest foam possible, big bubbles pop and evaporate swiftly, the foam barely coats the surface, zero lacing. No beads, just random huge bubbles, has a clean light golden color of a slight metallic cast. The nose is based in pretzel dough, black pepper, orange marmalade, peach, apricot, green apple fruit scents and caramel, noticeably sweet overall with a moderate hoppiness at most, produces cereal and granola notes as it opens, quite full nostril presence. Full-bodied, its plushness and generally weak carbonation undermines the pepper, grass and straw but it is not wimpy, simply sweeter than may be desired. Displays orange, tangerine to almost pink grapefruit pulp citrus. Layers on the apricot, peach, nectarine, pineapple, sugary and close to dried fruit in nature. Still, feels obligated to add a bitter twist to the end, this in spite of a syrupy mouth texture. Overall, feels and tastes like a “normal” everyday lager sent to finishing school and made from higher quality ingredients.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 02:08:33 | More by farrago

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into pilsner glass. Pours a slightly cloudy yellow, with a 1" white head that soon reduces to a thin lid.

Although this is traditionally a spring seasonal beer, I recently found this at the local beer store and was eager to give it a try. It has a bready, yeasty aroma, with floral notes and a slight hint of toffee.

This beer starts with a full, upfront flavor of sweet malty grain, slight smokiness, and a mild hop finish.

Medium bodied, this is a smooth, easy drinking beer, with a pleasant finish.

This is a nice seasonal, and I'm glad to have had this one. Malty and mildly sweet, St. Boisterous is a good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 02:23:13 | More by TheHoppiest

yesyouam

New York

2.88/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Victory St. Boisterous is a very clear yellow beer with a dense, white head that leaves nice lacing. The aroma is fruity and a little wooden. It smells a little like Pinesol and spilled beer. There is an almost minty character to it. It's medium bodied and very smooth with a clean, dry finish. There's a little bit of chewiness or grit left on the teeth. It tastes a little boozy and twangy, like a malt liquor or a euro lager. Alcohol, lemon detergent and light grain are there, along with an herbal, wooden bitterness that surfaces at the finish. This just really isn't my thing. It seems like it wants to be refreshing but the alcohol flavor takes away from that.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 15:11:23 | More by yesyouam

JTZimmerman

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Victory is perhaps the finest brewery in PA or perhaps the country.

That said, this particular brew was far from what I expected from a 'summer brew'. A bit heavy, as you would consider a Railbender (for those of you in PA) a bit heavy for a hot summer day.

I love the beer but when it is 85 degrees it is a bit heavy and a bit boozy. This isn't really what I consider a summer beer, heck even the St. on the bottle has a beard.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 06:15:55 | More by JTZimmerman

magine

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pilsner glass.

Pours a hazy golden yellow. Massive white head that is clingy and sticky and stays a nice coating and rimming of lace the whole session. Good lace remains. Pretty good looking brew.

Brew smells of flowery hops and some biscuit malts. Decent smelling brew.

Brew is sweet and creamy; floral and spicy up front. In the middle you get the smooth maltiness. Big floral sweet flavors and biscuit malts. Excellent smoothness here is balanced by the great flavors. Brew finishes very clean and only slightly dry. Great tasting and feeling brew here.

Wow - I just found a new go to summer/spring brew. At over 7% alcohol I cant believe how well done this brew is. A good BBQ brew or beach beer, this is some sessionable stuff here. Maybe the best drinking and tasting lager type brew I have had. Caseworty - well done Victory.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 01:16:28 | More by magine

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

You can tell just from looking at it that this beer has more character than a typical helles (pale) lager; its body is densely shaded-in with amber coloring and littered with thick flakes of yeast. Despite emanating a glowing warmth in the light, clarity is non-negotiable given the sediment. Bubbles are spotted but accumulate to no more than a thin ringlet.

Going by the first few sniffs, it's looking (err, smelling) like St. Boisterous lives up to its name. This smells as rich and complex as a beer both much darker and higher in alcohol; toasty, malty-rich melanoidins thrive. Prune, raisin and dried cherries are noticed very briefly before being washed away by a sweeping maltiness and underlying leafy, spicy hoppiness.

Boy, these guys don't mess around - when they set out to brewing a bock there was no compromising. A rich, full, hearty bill of quality continental malts dominates with a clean, impressionable, lasting flavour that is toasty, well-attenuated and only a trifle sweet. The alcohol is not tasted, although teams-up with the hops to give the finish a little "umph!"

Maibocks, like the month in their name, are transitional beers. While its malts, pale and clean, conjure the easy enjoyment of a summertime brew, its hopping is more aggressive and its alcohol hovers a high percentage, just like its wintry, more hearty cousins. St. Boisterous captures that perfectly: it's bright and clean, yet substantially flavoured and strong.

I swear Bill and Ron (Victory's brewmasters) majored in being German; they've emulated seemingly all German styles to perfection. Bocks are a style really easy to get wrong: they're easy to brew too sweet, too strong, not clean enough, not flavourful enough. You need really high-quality ingredients and a really thorough understanding of what you're doing - neither of which are ever a problem for this brewery. Watch Germany now try to annex Pennsylvania.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 15:36:46 | More by biegaman

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 fl oz brown bottle, served in a pilsener glass.

Enjoy by 3/11/2012.

Thin straw in color with a slight haze. Creamy white head that recedes to an intact sheet after a few moments. No noticeable lacing.

Honey sweetened, lightly toasted malt aroma. Notes of mild, bright fruit: raspberry, strawberry; touches of orange and peach.

Dark, musty quality with burnt oats that linger throughout the sip. The toasted malt quality has a creamy, honey sweetened quality. Stiff grains and wheat that is rather adjunctory tasting. Notes of mildly sour peach and orange in the aftertaste.

A light, medium bodied. Fairly smooth given the predominance of grain in taste.

Decent aromas and texture, but there are definitely some flaws in flavor. This is one to pass on.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 02:50:53 | More by NEhophead

chodinheaven

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good looking bright yellow color with a 3-finger white and bubbly head after an aggressive pour. The smell is pleasant and floral with a littler more than a touch of booze.

Full-bodied and hoppy for the style. Alcohol in the front and back, just a tad too much for the style as it takes away from the lightness you would expect in a spring or summer beer. Other than the booze, nice hop bitterness that makes the mouthfeel crisp and clean, with a dry finish. Better on the colder side, as the booziness starts to take over as it warms. A little fruitiness in the flavor too, but it's in the background. Good beer though, love Victory and their use of hops.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 01:58:06 | More by chodinheaven

BB1313

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoy by March 11, 2012. 12oz bottle poured into a standard pint glass. Pours a nice hazy golden on the brighter side. Decent head that rims around and nice lacing. Lots of earthy notes up front. The aromas are sweet as well. One sip and wow, this is pretty bitter. More earthy notes in the flavor as well, lemon is present. Caramel and malt does its' job. Mouthfeel is nice, very rich; not over-carbonated; full-bodied. The aftertaste is very bitter and warm. The alcohol is pretty noticeable, that's my only beef w/ this one. But overall, it's nice for the style.. nice for spring/summer.

This is an extremely robust lager! Not bad.. try it if you're into lagers, or want to try something different. This is pretty much what I expected from Victory.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 00:05:59 | More by BB1313

Brad007

Vermont

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice yellow/gold color with a one-finger head into my glass. Definitely a helles bock for sure!

Sweet malt with a nice whiff of grassy hops in the nose. Seems to be very clean and possibly crisp.

A lot more bitterness upfront than I had anticipated with a mix of sweet and chalky malt.

Lingering grassy hops and sweet malt. Not much else of note.

I liked it at first but as the pint went along, I tasted things I didn't like. If they clean up the overall flavor, it might be more enjoyable. Still worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 01:39:35 | More by Brad007

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.43/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

From the 12 fl. oz. bottle with an expiration date of March 11, 2012. Sampled on April 27, 2011. It pours pale yellow with a fuzzy white head that diminishes quickly. The aroma is more grainy than anything else with a malty note thrown in on the side. The body is thin to medium but tolerable. The taste also comes across as grainy with a light but dry hop kick at the end.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 22:29:18 | More by puboflyons