St. Boisterous - Victory Brewing Company

Dithyramb

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased as a single from Twisty's in York. Haven't been able to find this or the Victorius in Baltimore, so I figured I'd splurge a bit. Clearly ink jet labeled best before Sept 17, 2005 on the front label.
Comes rolling out the 12 oz. bottle a brilliant slightly dark gold. An off white head had only a little bit of staying power, but reduced to a fine collar. Decent lacing. Strolling carbonation whiffs throughout the brew.
Big grain aroma, highlighted with some grassy hops. A light amount of citrus was more evident directly out of the glass.
Buttery with a significant grainy malt backbone. Luckily, this isn't a one trick pony, with a nice finishing amount of hops that cuts the sweetness.
Creamy and buttery mouthfeel, which I think really adds to the beer here. Not cloyingly sickily sweet, but leaves it slightly more viscous on the tongue than it really is. Finishes grainy and sweet.
Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2005 01:51:06 | More by Dithyramb

jaluria

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Eagerly awaited the arrival of this at my local store and picked up a few to enjoy.
Poured a translucent, medium-orange color with a subtle yellow undertone. A soft white head quickly developed and disparted just as quickly. Only a touch of lacing was left behind on my goblet. Aromas of honey, grains, fresh fruit, and flowers seemed to come out. The taste was crisp with sweet malt flavors dominating the front end of each sip. A bitter finish that was slightly floral rounded out the beer. A grain-like texture, somewhat chewy and very easy to drink. A great blend of sweet flavors like honey and slow roasted sugars with citrus-like hop bitterness. Another great beer from Victory.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2006 13:16:57 | More by jaluria

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This one started off my bock/maibock kick...

Poured into a standard pint glass, nice pale amber color with frothy head that dissipates but clings very well.

Smell is a bit of hops upfront with a malty sweet undertone. As it warms these scents mix well.

Taste is a nice mix of roasted/biscuity malt with mild hops, a feint hint of alochol but not stinging.

Mouthfeel is pleasant, with lingering flavors on the top of the tongue, very crisp.

Extremely drinkable, could be drinking this one through summertime.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2010 20:09:26 | More by mvanaskie13

Bierfreund

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought this out of desparation, as there were no other Maibock brews available but this one and the one from the Muenchner Hofbraeuhaus. But - what a great find! Lucky us!

Pours slightly orange-ish with a nice off-white head, foam stays around for quite a while.

Nose is a bit fruity, but not much.

First sip is refreshing, hops is knocking at your door. Prickly mouthfeel, but it is absolutely not over-carbonated. Just rightly done.

The taste is round. This is what I first thought and keep thinking. Round. Very satisfying.

The bottle does not say how much alcohol is inside. I only read here it is above 7%. Really? I would have never guessed that! It really does not knock you out, it does not hit you in the head like other brews with that alcohol content.

All in all such a nice spring brew, that we actually went back to that tiny Pizza place in WB ("Antonio's") and bought more!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2010 23:49:15 | More by Bierfreund

sponberg

New York

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

Very nice example of a maibock. Malty fruitiness present and very drinkable. It speaks volumes that, when I brought three of these each to the houses of two friends who had spent substantial time in Germany, the third bottle of the three magically disappeared into the "hide this beer for myself only" corners of their refrigerators.

Be forewarned, it's hard to find the brewery - in an industrial complex and you cannot see at all it if coming in from the west.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2002 23:31:05 | More by sponberg

Gasp100

Delaware

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

I picked up a sixtel of this seasonal from the brewery on the advice of fellow BA's / kegarator owners.
Pours a clear amber copper with a peach colored fluffy head. The lacing is sparse down the side of the glass. The aroma is full of sweets, malt, slighlty floral hops, a breadiness, yeast and a touch of fruit notes. The taste is sweet toasted malts, very light fruit overtones and a short quick finish of hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is incredibly smooth, full and rich; a little sticky and the warming hint of alcohol comes out near the end on the palate. The balance and smooth character make this beer extremely drinkable and a really nice spring seasonal. Overall, I prefer hefe's, wits and pilsner's around this time of year (been averaging 80 degree's plus)but this is a perfect choice to have one tap when spring is heading fast into summer. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2004 22:11:21 | More by Gasp100

dogfooddog

Panama

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

from a trade with MABZ, thanks again for the many beers. I have had very little experience with (quality) lagers, so this is a treat.

pours a clear golden yellow with a moderate off-white head, active carbonation in the glass as well.

Nose is very malty, a bit bready, and just a bit sweet. No idea what to expect here, it is certainly more attractive than any lager outside of germany I have had.

Taste once again is very nice, the maltiness doesn't overwhelm the mouth, and some other notes of almost cherry-sweetness, lightly floral notes, and a general balance to the beer come together in the aftertaste. The alcohol is invisible. Into the aftertaste, I begin tasting honey.

Very well-balanced american german-style lager. I wish I had more background with the style to comment more.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2007 04:27:16 | More by dogfooddog

JamesS

Indiana

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

Pours a nice clear golden color with some nice initial head and some good lacing. Excellent aroma, very crisp and clean with a nice pineapple aroma. Great taste, sharp and malty with a nice slight banana/clove taste and a good hit of German hops in the finish that last on the tongue for a bit, along with a slight pineapple taste. Goes down great, the over 7% ABV isn't noticable at all.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2009 01:40:31 | More by JamesS

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

whartontallboy

New York

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear golden pour with a thick head that disappeared but a constant stream of bubbles percolating through. Smell is of candied fruit and malt. The taste is fantastic. Malty without being cloyingly sweet, with faint traces of toasted grain in the backgroun. The hop character is just barely there, enough to make its presence felt and reinforce the maltiness. There is an almost peppery little bite that comes through with the alcohol, but the creamy mouthfeel ties everything back together really well. Overall, a fantastic beer (does Victory make any other kind) that I am excited to have easy access to this spring.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2005 23:01:44 | More by whartontallboy

rousee

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Orange amber color with a small head. Excellent carbonation.
Smell is grainy and sour with some maltiness noticed.
Taste is smooth and bready with some fruit essences. I am getting apples or grapes but not vinous at all.
Excellent quenching mouthfeel-dry and crisp.
Very drinkable. One of my favorite Victory beers to date. Reminds me a little of a toned down version of Golden Monkey.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2006 00:38:23 | More by rousee

dwarbi

New York

4.28/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice looking beer. Amber colored, with a pure white head that settles to a thin layer, mostly on the edges and a little puddle in the middle of the glass. Not much of an aroma, but is there is pleasant. Slightly sweet and grainy. Very tasty. Chunky, but balanced. Feels creamy in the mouth. Complex, so it keep you interested and entertained.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2003 14:15:51 | More by dwarbi

Kolsch

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Jean Bonnett's Tavern, Bedford PA

Appearance: Clear, golden yellow. Smallish head that remained a cusp thru drink. Clarity was exceptional.

Smell: Detect some sweet malt, but nothing overwhelming.

Taste: Starts out on the sweet side with a very smooth coating on the tongue. Not overly sweet but a perfect balance and great representation of a MaiBock. Alcohol is not noticable at all.

Overall: Very nice indeed and very easy drinking. Had 2 and did not even realize the ABV was this high.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2009 12:07:00 | More by Kolsch

veggiemafia

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12oz. into a mug. This beer is EXACTLY what I need after working a 14 hour day.

Amber golden, very pretty. Good wall color. Moderate head formation with very little retention.

Smell is very toasty and warm, but sweet and notes of honey are prominent. Something nice and fruity too, something like a dry cider. Very nicely done.

Taste is similar, but brings out the toastiness and adds a bready element like honey and wheat and something very nice and nutty. Once again, very, very, nicely done on Victory's part. One of my favorite beers of this style.

Mouthfeel is very nice, smooth, crisp, the carbonation is excellently done.

I could drink this all night and well into the morning and probably for breakfast. This is excellent, well-balanced, clean, really nice. This is what I love about beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2006 04:38:04 | More by veggiemafia

Brian700

Michigan

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

This beer pours a golden yellow with not a lot of head and no real lacing to speak of.

The aroma is of corn, spicey hops, and a little alcohol

The flavor is pretty good. There is lots of sweet malt mixed with a corn flavor and a really nice warming from the alcohol. This is a pretty damn good beer.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with light to medium carbonation.

This is a very drinkable beer. I can't get this in my area but if you can I recommend picking some up.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2006 23:47:37 | More by Brian700

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Medium gold with a touch of copper and a medium-sized, foamy, slightly off-white head after an aggressive pour. The head quickly diminishes to a film and lacing is minimal. The smell is very sweet up front. Malts, honey, caramel and grape…. Sweet but mild. The sweetness carries through to the taste. Honey, light apple and herbs, and some very light floral notes. The finish is medium in duration and warm, with some light orange lingering. It finishes dry in the cheeks and sweet on the tongue. It has a medium body, slick texture, and low carbonation.
Started out as just a so-so- kind of beer but it got better as it goes. I bought a case of this beer, and after the first couple bottles I think I had a little bit of buyer’s remorse. But by the time I finished the case I wise the beer store still had more of this seasonal offering left. Needless to say, it’s a beer that grows on you.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2006 21:48:16 | More by ski271

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

goindownsouth

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Mmmm, mmmm, good. This is one Helles that I will revist as much as I can while it is being tapped at Victory. Amazing in color, depth of flavor and aroma are all there. This brew offers a good bit of maltiness on the nose, which entertains you as the head vanishes. Very good from start to finish. Another Victory classic.

Prost!

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2003 15:58:52 | More by goindownsouth

DarkerTheBetter

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer came the color of a dark apple juice with a ring of white head.

Smelled of pasty oats, plain yogurt and little nips of sour apple.

Tastes of brown sugar, golden raisins and apple cider with a cinnamon stick in it. This is all balanced on a smooth doughy lager malt. In the exhale, I’m getting an organic celery vegetable taste. The varieties of sweetness here interacts fabulously with the doughy malt releasing some very pleasant flavors. Thankfully, this one finishes pretty clean, all things considered.

The mouth feel is medium to heavy bodied with a light delicate carbonation.

This one’s a little heavy, but freakin’ delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2006 13:00:11 | More by DarkerTheBetter

bruachan

Rhode Island

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

looks like apple juice: gold with an amber tinge. the head was aggressive at first but died faster than the australians at galipoli (too soon?)

the smell is outstanding, not just for its magnitude but its spmlicity as well. straightforward light malt backbone with a touch of apple juice and ethanol spice (very limited), with floral hops floating around, too. the beer really tastes just as it was advertised: clean pale malts with good underlying bitterness

nice brew. good choice by me

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2006 01:43:19 | More by bruachan

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, best before 10/13/06 - served in a pilsner glass. St. Boisterous pours a nice deep gold with light carbonation and half an inch of off white head that reduces to a collar and leaves little lacing. The aroma is sweet with molasses, caramel, and toasty malts. The flavor adds to this hearty grains and a mild hop bitterness from leafy/green hops that are subdued by the large amount of malt. It is medium-bodied with ample carbonation and is actually quite big for a beer this light in color - it's almost like I'm chewing on barley, but not in a bad way. Overall it's a very nice lager that I would certainly drink again.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2006 19:35:29 | More by mmmbeer

UnionMade

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

HUGE thanks to Adam for mailing me this bottle! What a great surprise! Marked best before Oct 13th, 2006, which is the day I drank it. Friday the 13th. How auspicious.
Crystal clear orangey gold. Amazingly pale for such a robust all-malt brew. A loose topping of head dies away to a thin collar immediately. The lack of head is disappointing. The aroma is packed to the gills with toasty, grainy german malt. Very nice. Some pilsy notes in there. Just a whisper of floral german hops. Bold, but very clean. The flavor starts with rich, bready german malt. More white bread toast than caramel, sweet but not overly so. Remarkably clean and well lagered. Zippy carbonation keeps the heavier body from feeling sluggish. Perhaps a hint of grassy esters. Very faint, if any. Softly hopped in the finish, a little dab of spicy, floral hop zest. Ends off with a crackle of carbonation, bread crumbs and vacant dryness on the tongue. Very good and drinkable, save for a bit of excessive burpiness from the carbonation. Begs for another sip. One of the best pale bocks I've had. They did a great job on this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2006 09:19:35 | More by UnionMade

brentk56

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a clear pale golden color and a modest head

Smell: Pear and honey notes

Taste: Sweet and bready up front with pear and honey flavors developing by mid-palate; tart green apple finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Refreshing; sweet but not cloying with a crisp finish

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2008 23:12:39 | More by brentk56

brystmar

New York

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into a tulip. Same bottle as RB below (aged ~1yr); "Enjoy by April 10, 2011" printed on the side.

A: beautifully orange, slightly murky. White head with poor overall retention, but a decent film of white tops the brew.

S: much bigger aroma than I was expecting. Malty & spicy with yeast, hops, some sweetness too. Fantastic -- I've never had a Helles that smelled anywhere close to this good!

T: malty at first with well-balanced hoppy bitterness start to finish. Spices shoot out with small peaks of differing flavors here and there, but it's still watery like every other Helles (and most lagers) I've had. Given the style, this is quite tasty.

M: a smooth beer with more body than expected. Not much carbonation (likely due to my half of the bottle being poured 20min after RB's). Creaminess is what I desire: gimme gimme!

D: Like most Helles, this one boasts good drinkability -- even given this particular high gravity recipe. I'd happily order this beer at a bar on a random night, and that's something I can rarely say about any lager.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 06:56:46 | More by brystmar

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