St. Victorious - Victory Brewing Company

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured into the glass crystal clear deep amber with a tannish head which rose tall and fell slowly to lace the glass.

The aroma was strongly malty with a moderate alcohol presence. Some chocolate malt character was notable and dark fruits, prunes mostly, but some raisins, existed in the aroma. The aroma also contained a light smoky presence and complexity.

The flavor was malty with a smoky character (can this be right?). The flavor was dark caramel and fairly strong smoked sausage character as if the beer contained some rauchmalt. The smoke was not high enough to be a rauchbier, but was strong enough to really detract from the character of a dopplebock. Some dark fruits, again, more prunes than raisins, were present and in the background.

The finish was dry with a lasting dry smoke character coupled with an underlying chocolate into the aftertaste. The body was medium with a fairly low carbonation. The warming after consumption was only slight. I expected this to be a much different beer and the smoke was completely not what was expected and did not contribute complexity to anything other than the aroma.

12 ounce bottle. Enjoy by Jul 27, 06. Thanks BeerBeing!

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2006 23:18:11 | More by GCBrewingCo

claytri

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured a translucent amber with a dab of offwhite lace. The aroma was of rich caramel malt. The taste was of caramel malt with a bit of alcohol burn and a medicinal finish. The feel was medium and wet. This was a pleasant enough beer, just nothing that really made it stand out from the pack.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2010 13:19:42 | More by claytri

chodinheaven

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark ruby colored beer with a little head that sticks around for a little and then dissapates into a patchy form on top. The smell is interesting and hard to place. I get a smoky quality, like tobacco, and possibly a faint sweetness backed by a little boozy twinge.

Malty indeed, but with a medium body and high carbonation. The combination of the three create a different mouthfeel, one that is boozy and spritzy and very dry. The taste is unique. That smokiness in the aroma comes out in the taste as well, but in a way that is almost weird. Like maybe that flavor is a little off to me. The hops are there as well, hitting a little in the front of the taste, and then again in a bigger way in the finish. The booziness comes out more and more while it warms up, becoming slightly more than just a zest of it. It adds another dimension to the brew however, and it's actually a pretty enjoyable boozy taste.

Overall, this isn't my favorite from Victory, but it feels old school and for that I respect it. Also not my favorite style admittedly, but other doppelbocks that I've had are not like this. Definitely one to try for those of you into the style. You won't regret its uniqueness.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 05:52:20 | More by chodinheaven

goodbyeohio

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz best by 8/1/05, thanks to geoff..

pours a beautiful brown with red highlights.. no head, but bubbly around the edges. perfect viscosity.

aroma is explosive.. malty and real hoppy with cherry hints and alcohol evident. barleywine-ish for sure with extra sweet.

tastes crazy.. malty but smoky.. barbecue with lots of vegetable flavor.. finishes hoppy and smooth with a mild bitterness and carbonated crisp. tobacco detected as well. truly lives up to its brown color with a delicious charred flavor all around.

for such a complex beer, very drinkable

only negative is a lack of any sweetness in the taste. for 8.5%, very mellow. great accompaniment to a simple meat dish. will seek this out in the future, would like to try it on tap.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2005 15:35:29 | More by goodbyeohio

PSUDREW

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark, brown soda color, with a little bit of aged-bone colored head. Nose reminds me of a abv-heavy, sweet, roasted nutty-ness. Tatse boastes an interesting mix of nutty-ness, wine-quality, solid malt, sweet taste, with a spicy/sweet hop finish. Not the most complex dopple i have had, but, surely a solid competitior, that mixes well on several occasions.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2005 06:30:49 | More by PSUDREW

SilentSabre

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This was a nice treat. In the way of doppelbocks, it's a few notches above average. The pour was very nice, indeed, looking like something you'd see in an ad. A lovely red bronze colour with a voluminous, sticky sand coloured head that remained for several minutes. This looked great. Smell fairly average for the style with some caramelised sugar, very faint dark fruit hiding way in the back, some toasted grain; your average doppelbock. Taste was nice and flavourful without being too strong. Very enjoyable and almost thirst quenching. Quite a statement for a brew that's 8,5%, eh? There's a "non-threatening", but certainly noticeable hop bitterness on the finish. I think that balances things out quite nicely. Mouthfeel is smooth and pleasant, but nothing extraordinary. Considering the style and abv, I think the drinkability of this one is fantastic! My only regret is that I have but one. Many thanks to Aprilluvsbeer for tossing this in on a trade.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2007 03:59:06 | More by SilentSabre

WesWes

New York

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer pours a ruby red/brown color with little head tospeak of. The aroma is good. It's full of burnt caramel and warm alcohol. It's rich with quite a bit of malty sweetness. The taste is good. It's smooth and full bodied with loads of malts and a nice sweet finish. It's low on CO2 which doesn't do the beer justice. I imagine it's much better than what I'm tasting right now. The mouthfeel is lacking. It goes down slow and seems a bit flat. This is a good tasting beer, but the carbonation issue needs to be addressed. Maybe I got a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2007 23:00:10 | More by WesWes

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a deep red with a thin tan head and little lacing.

S-Sweet and malty with a strong scent of sweet dark fruits.

T-Good, not great. Lots of malty sweetness but nothing to really balance it out.

M-Nice carbonation, a little bit thick.

D-Nice enough but probably too sweet to enjoy a second one.

Love Victory beers as a rule but this is not a favorite.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2008 19:34:11 | More by sholland119

Jmamay22

New York

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This saintly beer pours an dark acorn hued brown with a toffee colored head that slowly fades. Smells lightly yeasty and biscuity. Rich malt aroma of nuts, molasses, and caramel.

Very smooth feel that glides along the tongue with understated carbonation. The taste is full and malty. The sweetness held in check by a barely noticeable level of hops. Bready flavors come through in full force with a nutty undercurrent. Delicious even if it doesn't reach the height of complexity found in the best from Germany.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2009 23:57:34 | More by Jmamay22

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Swung by Victory on 26JAN10 en-route to Lancaster. Had myself a pint of this to wash away the dregs of driving 6+ hours. Ahhhh...

St Vic was a clear, deep mahogany bier, with some carbo rising up. Head was beige, creamy and lasting, though thin. Good lace lined the Stange. Nose was fairly malty and sweet, with some toasty notes and caramel. Solid body - medium all the way, with a fairly smooth feel.

Flavor was more malt - caramel and some toffee, hints of brown sugar, lightly sweetened - with a minimal of floral hopping going on. A tasty bier, flavorful and almost in the solid category. Prosit!

3.7
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

1208

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 19:46:48 | More by Bierman9

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown with ruby hues when held to the light. Nice tan foamy head that is gone instantly. Some decent bubbles in this one as well.

I expected more depth in the scent, but I'm fine with what I got. Some boozy, fruity, malty aromas.

Very nice. Not a very complex beer - Good rich malt with some booze-soaked fruit, some brown sweet bread. Nice malty finish. Decent, but not one that sets itself from the pack of German versions, or even some domestics. The carbonation in this one keeps it drinkable, and in some way masks some limitations. Overall, I'd have this again, but it wouldn't be the first I'd reach for when I have an itch to drink this style.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 14:30:30 | More by OtherShoe2

beerdown77

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours crystal clear brown, very slight lacing, the smell is brown sugar, but a lot of malt in the smell and flavor as well. It is a nice German style flavor, great malt flavor, really good. There is a lot of sweetness, but for the ABV, there is a decent balance to this. It is maybe a little syrupy, but the medium-heavy body is actually pretty tolerable.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 06:32:14 | More by beerdown77

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A: dark amber color; not much head
S: sweet, bready, caramel
T: although billed as a doppelbock you might find that this beer gets inspiration from barleywine-style ales (though lighter in alcohol than they tend to be); bitter with dominant high notes
M: thick, smooth, bubbly; I've had few that feel so nice

Definitely worth drinking

Serving type: on-tap

10-12-2010 15:16:45 | More by Arithmeticus

BCMan

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured up a deep ruby red. Little foam formed with a heavy pour and it all faded with right away to nothing. The nose is subtle and sweet. The flavor is not as strong as I would have expected. Sweet with a smooth mouthfeel. The taste doesn't linger but it warms a bit after swallowing. This seasonal seems to a bit less than it's billed to be but is still pretty good. Not the best from Victory but definetly worth a try. I would reccommend it.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2005 00:22:19 | More by BCMan

JizackFH

New York

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - This beer pours a clear deep mahogany brown color. It has a small 1-finger light tan head that falls quickly. The leaves just a few specs of lacing behind on the glass.

S - It smells of rich caramel malts and dark fruits. There are also some notes of cherry, chocolate, and a touch of alcohol.

T - It starts of sweet and malty, and then intensifies. There are some big dark fruit flavors here like plum, raisin, cherry, grape, and even some notes of apple. There are also some notes of caramel, chocolate, brown sugar, and a hint of hops. The finish is pretty clean, there is just a touch of bitterness and alcohol presence.

M - This has a medium body and moderate carbonation. It is rich and smooth. There is a bit of a chewy quality here as well. The finish is crisp and pretty clean.

O - This has pretty good drinkability. It goes down smooth and has nice flavor. I could drink a few of these in a sitting. Overall, I thought this was a good beer, but not one of the best of the style that I've had so far. I enjoyed it though, and I'd drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 12:19:59 | More by JizackFH

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

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

Poured a chestnut color with amber hues with a sparsely lacing white head. Aroma of sweet caramel malts, roasted nuts, toffee. Slightly sweet in the taste with caramel and toffee, subtle tones of raisin, nutty, bready, grassy, with a somewhat bitter finish/aftertaste. Medium mouthfeel, moderately carbonated, and pretty easily drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2011 22:36:12 | More by Rifugium

Higravity

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Finally got around to getting some of this years beer. Nice heavy deep red with a tan hued head. Smells of sweet malt and a touch of breadiness with a grassy hop background. The taste is very full, sweet clean malt with a touch of noble hops to steady the fare. The mouthfeel is nice and thick with helps the flavor really stick in the mouth, a good beer and worth checking out, but not a trip by itself.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2006 14:58:19 | More by Higravity

jjayjaye

New York

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a clear deep ruby color with almost no head and no lacing present.

The smell is an earthen malty aroma. Also the yeast give it a roasted and smoky nose

The mouth has a medium bodied feel. A ting from the hop and carbonation.

The flavor is a malty roasted caramel and it finishes on the dry side.

I'm not a big one for this style, but i'd call it drinkable. The 8.5% is hidden in the mouth but there is a nice warming characteristic on the way down.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2007 01:17:45 | More by jjayjaye

Nipitato

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a bottle at Julio's Liquors in Westborough, MA.

A: Good looking deep amber hue with a finger thick off white head. Visibly effervescent. Good clarity.

S: Mild toasty malt aroma with just traceable grape scents as well. No hop aroma.

T: Rich thick toasty malt flavor dominates. Bitter flavor prominent on the back end. Lingering finish.

MF: Medium body with a thick filling mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation. Smooth - not harsh.

D: This is a good thick dopplebock. Good complex and well balanced flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2007 16:46:45 | More by Nipitato

jwolfie70

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams pint glass. Thanks go out to Pimpp for the beer.

Pours an reddish amber color (which looked a little bit light to me for a doppelbock). Smell was of biscuity malt, with not a lot of hops coming through. Taste had a biscuity malt flavor, but it was relatively dry and not overly sweet. There was a distinct tanginess/spiciness to the beer that seems to come out in some dopplebocks that kept the beer from being too sweet. Not a lot of hops come through in the taste. A good beer that is worth trying if you come across it, but not my favorite of the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2008 20:09:29 | More by jwolfie70

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours clouded brown with a creme head. Thickly sweet. Malts are present, but the strong sweet flavor is what dominates. Kind of one-dimensional to me. Feel is decent on the body. Carbonation has a bit of a bite. Overall it seems a bit too cloying really. It's okay at best I guess.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2008 18:52:31 | More by RblWthACoz

jmalex

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

It's hard to believe I've never had this beer. I'm really looking forward to trying this one from brewery that's so good at lagers.

APPEARANCE: Pours into my Hopback Amber glass a very clear reddish brown. The head is extremely small and settles out at a very thin collar.

SMELL: Runs the gamut from bready to toffee to chocolate to candied raisins. Very deep with a moderate alcohol heat. I could smell this all day.

TASTE: Much emptier than I expected. Some dark caramels and roasty chocolates are here, but it's mainly a sweeter bready-based lager. Dunkel lager, sure. But I wouldn't go as far as doppelbock for this one. That said, it really tastes good.

MOUTHFEEL: The biggest detractor in my opinion. This is medium bodied at best and quite crisp. The carbonation is medium and fine, but I would've preferred a great deal more chewiness out of this.

DRINKABILITY: Quite good actually. While not the typical beefy thick doppelbock many know and love, this helps the beer be quite a bit easier to drink.

So it isn't the type of doppelbock I'm accustomed to, but that shouldn't stop anyone from trying this beer. It's a drier, more drinkable example, and well worth the purchase.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2010 21:07:48 | More by jmalex

Brad007

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a mild burgundy color with a one-finger head into my glass. Beautiful colors are always a good thing.

Sweet, possibly chewy malt greets the nose. The smell of spring is in the air, is it not? A slight alcoholic edge is present as well.

Thick, chewy malt dazzles the tongue with a slight hint of plum. Lots of alcohol warmth as well.

Good overall mouthfeel. The alcohol kind of overwhelms the palate though.

A decent example at best.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 03:51:46 | More by Brad007

jpro

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had a pint at Closed for Business...

A: Ultra crystal clear amber-red; cream head fades quickly, leaving no lace or retention.

S: Rich caramel malts and bready. Nice and malty!

T: Richly malty with sweet caramel and toffee; perhaps some figs, too; a light dash of earthy hops round things out.

M: Medium-full body and moderate carbonation; pretty crisp, despite the sweetness.

D: A little too sweet for me - definitely a nice change of pace, though.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 02:18:21 | More by jpro

phisig137

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Best by July 27, 2006. Pours a dark brown with red highlights. Head appears and fades quickly, leaving just a ring around the glass.

Smells great, malty complexity, caramel, grainy, and sweet.

Flavor is different. Good malt complexity, and slightly roasty. Caramel shines through on the finish. No hops to be seen. Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, and drinkability is high.

This is a solidly good brew all around, but for being a dopplebock... I think it's a little off. It's just missing that thick, syrupy sweetness that I look for and love in a dopple bock. It's good, but those crazy germans just know what thier doing... we still have a lot to learn over here.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2006 03:56:43 | More by phisig137