Storm King Stout - Victory Brewing Company

Thanby

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Okay, this looks like a serious stout. Let's go.

Pours a rich black with a finger of foamy brown head that hangs around and sticks to the glass. So far, so good.

The nose is, of course, big on the roasted dark malt. But there's much more than that happening here. For one thing, it's estery. There's bitter cocoa, and the raw coffee smell that you would expect. But the hops are noticeable, too. Lots of straight-up bittering hops with a high AA is what I'm thinking. The malt is complex, a mix of different dark roast grains and maybe a bit of caramel malt too. There's an impression of muted dark fruit, fig and raisin, but it's blended in pretty well. Definitely one of the more complex RIS's I've seen.

First taste is just as potent as I expected. Lots of roasted coffee and bitter cocoa. This isn't sweet by anyone's description. Again, the complex malt shows itself with a whirlwind of flavors blending seamlessly in the body. The bittering hops fit in perfectly, balancing the bitterness from the malt. Obviously some very strong/fresh hops.

Full body, strong as all hell, and deliciously complex, this is a serious RIS. I love it, though it's definitely not for everyone. But if you love strong stouts, this is your ticket.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 03:51:26 | More by Thanby

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-18-2013 22:21:06 | More by Photekut

menacho1

Illinois

3/5  rDev -27%

05-18-2013 19:56:51 | More by menacho1

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-18-2013 02:59:08 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Honus1

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -20.9%

05-18-2013 02:38:43 | More by Honus1

timoteo833

New York

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-18-2013 02:05:03 | More by timoteo833

inanity

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-18-2013 00:17:06 | More by inanity

carlosega

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-17-2013 19:28:25 | More by carlosega

DanGeo

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-17-2013 02:18:31 | More by DanGeo

verge

California

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%

05-16-2013 21:53:37 | More by verge

mverity

Florida

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-16-2013 21:04:01 | More by mverity

Chegui

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +21.7%

05-15-2013 15:14:40 | More by Chegui

purppy

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-15-2013 01:33:47 | More by purppy

SDG1070

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

05-14-2013 13:44:58 | More by SDG1070

ilikebeer03

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-13-2013 21:15:59 | More by ilikebeer03

TravisR

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-13-2013 01:05:21 | More by TravisR

ChaseTheAce

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-13-2013 00:15:33 | More by ChaseTheAce

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.09/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a dark and clear near-black, with ruby highlights under the light and an impressive cappuccino coloured head that leaves respectable lacing. Definitely a visually appealing beer.

Aroma of smoky peat and aged oak barrels along with a body of roasted dark malts. All of these scents carry on into the flavour, which also showcases coffee and chocolate tones. Although the mouthfeel is thinner than I expected, a well balanced and complex beer with a bitter, peaty finish that lingers for an impressive length of time.

As with other world class RIS's, the 9% ABV is scarily well hidden...

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:45:46 | More by hopsolutely

jl28r1

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-12-2013 13:58:21 | More by jl28r1

GreenMountainBoy

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-12-2013 00:27:01 | More by GreenMountainBoy

troy138

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-11-2013 21:47:34 | More by troy138

MinorThreat

Colorado

4/5  rDev -2.7%

05-11-2013 21:22:41 | More by MinorThreat

stubbs1232001

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

05-11-2013 00:41:59 | More by stubbs1232001

MCDub

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

05-10-2013 14:40:36 | More by MCDub

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-09-2013 22:55:35 | More by smooth_aleing