St. Boisterous - Victory Brewing Company

metter98

New York

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is light copper in color and poured with a small head that quickly disappeared. A moderate amount of carbonation is visible.
S: There is a light aroma of caramel and grainy malts.
T: The initial taste is slightly sweet from the caramel malts and there are some notes of bitter and metallic flavors in the finish. The taste becomes more complex as it warms up.
M: It feels medium-bodied and smooth on the palate; the alcohol lends a slight warming effect. As the beer warms up, it feels a little more heavier-bodied.
D: The alcohol is well masked from the smell and taste. The beer is relatively easy to drink and I wouldn't mind trying this again when I'm outside on a spring day.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2010 20:19:32 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired via trade from ClockWorkOrange, so a big “Thank you” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright gold color with a thin white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of honey, light malts and a god amount of hops.

T: The taste is starts out malty and sweet but still remains light, with flavors of honey, spice and grain. Then a strong hops presence for the style emerges but doesn’t overpower you. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Very smooth and very crisp, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, very clean finish.

D: Tasty, goes down very easily, not very filling, excellent representation of style, strong kick that is well-disguised, I could definitely drink several of these in a row. This is a great beer to stick with for a whole evening.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2007 04:22:11 | More by TheManiacalOne

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

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

jwc215

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Enjoy by Sept. 23, 07.

Pours golden with a thin, fizzy white head that fizzles away to a thin patch.

The smell is of lively, fresh grain, a touch of caramel with some earthiness. Robust, clean, lager aroma.

The taste is of sweet, fresh grain. Robust. Sweet caramel mixes with the grain. Balanced by earthy/nutty hops. It remains swert overall, with a touch of alcohol warmth in the finish.

Full-bodied, creamy, smooth. Fresh, bold flavor lingers.

An outstanding American interpretation of the style. The fresh grain, balanced sweetness and just enough alcohol make this a wonderful mid-to-late spring drink. Good one to sip in the cool to warm, but not-yet-hot weather.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2007 04:43:44 | More by jwc215

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

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

This is a 12 oz bottle, purchased at Astor Liquors in Laurel, MD. The bock is chilled but not cold.

Apearance: A nice golden color, this bock is deeped in color than a pils, lighter than a doppel and crystal clear. There is an acceptable amount of head.

Smell: There is a nice malty aroma to the bock, maybe even a hint of honey.

Taste: A full bodied bock without going overboard like a doppel. There is an unusual edge to this beer, one that gives it a subtle sweet flavor.

Mouthfeel: Sits very well, with the malts providing a nice soft feeling on the palate.

Drinkability: Maibock is a spring beer and May 1 is Monday, glad I bought a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2006 01:14:43 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

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

Anytime I see a Victory product on tap I have to try it, they just are always a wonderful balanced representation of their style this maibock definitely delivers for me. Pours amber mild brown with an off white peach colored head. A nice trickled lace forms as the head begins to dwindle. Aroma is full of malt balanced by slighlty floral hops, a breadiness possibly from the yeast, and a touch of plum notes comes through to form one amazing beer aroma. Taste is very nice mellow balanced flavor primarily consists of malt sweet tones with an underlying fruit tone and hop profile tip toeing on my palate followed by a warming rush of aclohol that is not too overbearing just need to give this beer a little kick. Mouthfeel is slightly stickywith a tickling carbonation from this well-consructed medium bodied Victory classic. Drinkability nice spring/summer seasonal that I was pleased to find on tap very nice beer that plan to visit revisit hopefully in Downington.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2003 11:29:31 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours gold and pretty much clear. Head is creme colored. Flavor kicks the mouth with sweetness at first. Seems like a smokey tone lays on the end as well. But mostly it's the sweet that you notice. As you get used to it, you notice the malty more than anything. Feel is smooth on liquid and low on carbonation. Fairly easy to drink, but wouldn't go at it again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2008 18:48:34 | More by RblWthACoz

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Good starting head that recedes rather quickly but leaves a thin layer of foam and ample lace.

Woodsy smell of toasted malt. Lots of biscuit and a touch of cream in the nose. Earthy.

The flavor is dry and similar to dark toasted bread. Relatively thin body for the style but the low carbonation balances the body nicely. Earthy flavor (like the aroma). Not quite harsh in flavor, but it isn't sweet or light like other Maibocks. Still, it is flavorful and worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2010 18:11:35 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to jwc215 for this brew.

Enjoy by Sept 23, 07

Pours a nice clean/clear dark golden yellow color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy off-white head, sticky lacing on the skimpy side. The nose is malty, slightly hoppy, pears/apples, and caramel. The taste is malty, slightly spicy, some what hoppy, with a big dose of pears/apples, and some caramel. Medium body. Drinkable, a nice Maibock, glad to have had a chance to try it out, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2007 01:19:24 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a two finger white head that fades quickly and leaves some lace. Slight hazy amber color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Almost a caramel nose. Flavor is malty and hoppy, nice maibock. The higher ABV is totally hidden. $2.65 for a 12oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 22:32:38 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in an American pint glass)

A-This beer has a warm golden yellow crystal clear body with a white wisp of film and a strong carbonation underneath.

S- This beer has a light toasted malt smell with a faint green hop finish. As it warms there is a note of pot caramel that is very pleasant or a change.

T- The smooth pale malt has a light toasted malt hint and a green hop finish with a hint of white wine alcohol. As it warms a bit a caramel hint comes through in the malt and the wine note is covered by more green hops and sulfur notes.

M- This beer has a light mouthfeel in the beginning but it becomes more full at the finish of each sip. There is a faint alcohol heat in the finish that is nice.

D- This looks like a small light beer but it is really a big beer in disguise. Good flavor but I would like them to be a bit bolder. Very interesting.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2006 20:10:02 | More by rhoadsrage

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle from BeerBeing as part of UTBIF. Thanks for the opportunity. Enjoy by Oct 13 06.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a scant 1/4" off-white head above the clear tarnished gold brew. Head quickly disappears down to a few localized bubbles and a light film, with average lacing. Aroma is juicy fruits and pale grains. Taste is pale malt sweetness, with blushes of fruit in the middle, and a lightly warming close. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both very nice. Could be a definite session prospect.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2006 16:44:03 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Wow! I was never a huge fan of this one but this year's bottle is really smooth and refreshing. I was impressed.
Appears a light golden color with plenty of solid carbonation. The lace seemed very thin but that was the weakest thing I could pick out about this.
Smells a little like a pilsner with a surprising sweet, sugary malt aroma.
Tastes pretty good, with the emphasis leaning towards the sweetness of the brew with a light hoppiness in the back, which doesn't linger. The alcohol is well concealed in this one! Watch out, b/c this is so smooth and it creeps up on you by the bottom of the glass.

Finger licking good!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2005 17:05:42 | More by weeare138

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Golden color. Slight, bubbly ivory white head. Lace is adequate. Very nice aroma. Great blend of rich malts and leafy hops. This maibock has got some character. It's quite clean, but abundant with flavor. Thick malts lay down the backbone. Bready yet rich. Hops add just a touch of floral attributes. Malts are rich. This one is really drinkable. This one is right up there with Capital and Town Hall as one of my favorite maibocks.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2006 03:19:16 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear golden yellow color with a thin fizzy white head that quickly fades. Golden crisp fruit aroma with hints of apple, pear banana, hops and spice. Maltier than I expected with a crisp fruit taste which is not very prominent with a delicate hop presence. Slightly bitter dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 08:27:28 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Went for a bottle of this when the German Dunkelweisse on tap was kaput at Mahaffey's.

The beer pours an interesting orange, copper color. There is very little head or lacing, though on the nose one picks up some honey and sweet malt. Not bad, though scarcely impressive. On the palate this beer is very light and one dimensional, with a pronounced flavor of sweet malt. Frankly, I was amazed at the abv., as this beer is very light and drinkable, if not particularly interesting. The flavor became a bit more pronounced as it sat in the glass and warmed up, but utlimately this came across as a light, one dimensional, summer quaffing beer. It's fine for what it is I suppose, but this is not what I'm looking for when I pay $3.50 for a bottle of beer. I cannot say this is one of the better Maibocks I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2007 13:34:11 | More by johnmichaelsen

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Blind Tiger, NYC, NY

Poured into a snifter, a clear golden yellow with nearly two fingers of foamy white head that receded quite a bit, leaving some nice lacing. Smell of grains, bready yeast, and light floral hops. Crisp on the taste buds, biscuity, light honey, grains, lightly hopped for a floral quality, with a touch of fruit in the finish. Not overflowing with flavor, but what's there is good. Light-medium body, and quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 15:23:59 | More by Rifugium

DoubleJ

California

2.28/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

On-tap at the source itself in Downightown, PA. On to the beer:

Blonde like a pilsner, toped by a soft white head. It smells like super strong apple juice and apples. And it tastes like super strong apple juice. Major apple flavor all around, with much of the alcohol held at bay, with no other flavors to offer. Bubbly in the mouth, almost like a soda.

Um, no. Boring, too sweet, and too heavy.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2009 01:36:53 | More by DoubleJ

DrJay

Massachusetts

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

Clear, deep gold colour. My pint was poured with a thin whisp of head that disappeared rather quickly. Rich, toasted malt aroma with fresh apple character. Very nice. Malty sweet with toasted malts and a caramel apple component. It had a lingering, light bitterness with a hint of hop flavour. There was a noticeable acidic bite from the carbonation in the finish, as well as a light, spicy, alcohol warmth. Carbonation was just on the high side, made up of large, fizzy bubbles. Decent body. Quite smooth once the carbonation settled a bit. A good beer and quite quaffable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2006 02:19:46 | More by DrJay

plaid75

New York

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

Poured a medium cloudy copper hue with a half finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a full malty grain with a smattering of noble hop aroma.

The flavor was serious upfront grain with a smooth rounded malt flavor and a subtle hop spiciness. Mild warming alcohol as well.

The mouthfeel was full, smooth and creamy.

Overall a full bodied bock. A good solid ABV. Tasty and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2006 05:00:05 | More by plaid75

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This was another beer with a thin white head that just seemed to evaporate upon contact with the air. It was a crystal-clear golden-yellow with just a wisp of a head remaining. It had a huge, malty nose. My notes at this point have the remark, "Now, we're gettin' somewhere." There was a good sweet/malty taste in the mouth and the finish was also sweet, but it reminded me of hay or silage (you'd have to be a farmer or spent time around a farm). There was a mild, lingering bitterness in the mouth as the beer warmed. The longer I went, the more I got a strong flavor of honey. It was a decent beer, but the ABV and the sweetness make it one that two would probably be plenty.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2005 21:32:30 | More by woodychandler

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

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