Storm King Stout - Victory Brewing Company

stumac

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours up a solid black color with a brown thick head. great lacing. aromas of deep roasted malts, chocolate malts, hops, slight alcohol, subtle toffee. the taste is the same as the nose but with more apparent hop crispness. full bodied, subtle sweet beginning to a nice dry finish. decent carbo. Easily my favorite readily available sessionable Imperial Stout

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2008 03:59:47 | More by stumac

deanhead

Vermont

4.65/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Initially had this on tap at the brewery. Oh.so yum!

Very dark and velvety color. Virtulally no head. Aroma is roasted coffee with toffee and toasted notes. What a delightful smell this beer has!

This beers taste is chocolaty and roasted. Also a very strong alcohol/ethanol flavor. The hops definitely force their way to the front of this beer like nobody's business.

at 9.1%, this beer is amazingly drinkable. I have enjoyed this beer countless times, and intend to enjoy them countless more. Good on you Victory. This beer rocks!

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2008 04:00:41 | More by deanhead

rodcom

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

Have had this beer both on tap at Victory and in a bottle at home. Overall a good beer - it is a "heavy beer." Dark at pour, thick you feel like you need a knife to drink it. Even with thickness - it goes down quick and easy though you can certainly taste the alcohol. A beer that I would recommend for a cold winter night and leave it on the shelf in the summer time.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2008 01:19:48 | More by rodcom

clayrock81

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap and my pint glass was filled with a dense, black body that had a brownish head that was two fingers high and never really went away. I picked up some good malt smells in the roast and coffee department, but not much else in malt or anything like hops or sweetness. Rather bland smell. A very smooth beer is the first thing that strikes me, but it also contains a heavy coffee taste mixed with roasted malts, chocolate and some caramel and/or honey, as there is some smoothness and sweetness tucked in there. Also hints of cherry or some tart fruit and spices, although the malt is dominate. Thick and heavy-bodied but not too syrupy, this has a dry backbite due more to the malt characteristics and spices than the ABV, which I didn't even realize was anywhere near that until I did this review (i would've guessed 6% or something). Even with that knowledge, I would still relax with a couple of these at the bar again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2008 18:22:29 | More by clayrock81

SurlyDuff

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Holy cow, bit of story here first. Had my buddy, WVBeerGeek send a bottle of Storm King to me from back East. I hadn't had any in 3 years...going through withdrawl.

Then poof! Two days later I find it on tap at one of my favorite beer bars. I've never seen SK out here at any bottle shops, let alone on tap!

Oh well.

This review is for the glorious chalice that I had poured for me at Blacksmith Bar&Restaurant.

Dark with no light escaping it. Dark thick head.

A nice hop profile awaits, hidden...nestled perhaps...beneath armomas of coffee, espresso, and rich candy sugars. An alcohol aroma too, similar to brandy or cognac.

Light carbonation in the mouth. Sweetness of chocolate and esperesso is nicely balanced with a hop presence. Roasty, then finishes with a bitter mouthwatering mouthfeel.

Yum, very drinkable and very good!

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2008 22:44:13 | More by SurlyDuff

AustinBeerLvr

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap tonight at the Draught House here in Austin.

This brew is jet black all the way. Beautiful in a glass with a nice creamy head and and good lacing.

The nose of this brew is a wonderful blend of coffee, chocolate, caramel, and a nice alcohol spice as well.

I was expecting just a big, huge brew that overwhelmed the palate, but I was pleasantly surprised with a beer that that first hits the tongue with a wonderful creamy mouthfeel, as one would expect from a stout and then a good dose of carbonation at the end keeps this beer well out of the range of being too creamy. Ditto for the flavors, as they are actually somewhat subtle up front, with chocolate, coffee, a little caramel that rides through to a good dose of bitterness that does a wonderful job of keeping this big old stout from being too sweet. A nice bit of alcohol flavor meshes perfectly with the hops to help this brew finish nice and dry leaving you wanting another sip.

As far as I'm concerned, for a big beer, this one has it all. Full of flavor, as one would expect, but unlike some big brews, this one doesn't try to overdo things. It's balanced, but still big and bad, and oh man is it drinkable. Savor this one with sip after wonderful sip.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2008 05:42:43 | More by AustinBeerLvr

Sponan

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had in a pub glass at Victory's Pub

A-One of the blackest beers I have seen, topped by a thick head that reminded me of cappucino; Excellent retention and lacing.

S-A little citrus hop, along with a nice bit of coffee, chocolate and roasted malt. A little subdued compared to others of the style, but nicely balanced..

T-Complex malt character, with coffee, chocolate, molasses and a nice earthiness. A bit more hop than expected breaks through, along with a hint of citrus. Nicely balances the beer. A little cherry and chocolate subsides to a dry roasted malt finish.

M-Nice mouthfeel. This is a thick, smooth beer that coats your mouth. A nice level of carbonation plays with the palate. Also a pleasant bit of alcohol warmth.

This is a great beer and goes down easy for the abv. Everyone should give this a try. One of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2008 00:17:09 | More by Sponan

jockstrappy

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap @ Jean Bonnett Tavern in Bedford, PA.

Pours an opaque black with a frothy brown head that left rings all the way to the bottom. Aromas noted are roasted malt, and coffee with a slight hop in there also. Taste is a thick combination of coffee and chocolate flavors, with notes of caramel, nuts, and a small, yet pleasant hop bitterness. Syrupy m/f on this one, ABV hurts the drinkabilty. Complexity really comes around as it warms a bit. Great stout all the way.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2008 14:33:19 | More by jockstrappy

beerbutcher

Maine

4.38/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at the brewery

appears black with a thin tan head

aroma is deeply roasted, with coffee and mocha in the front.

tastes is heavily grainy, there's lot's and lot's of roasted grain in this beer but it maintains a creaminess that may be accounted to some wheat(?) i don't know, but for as dark as it is i was expecting something far more aggrerssive. there's a good amount of well integrated hop bitterness, but lacking the leafy raw edges of some over hopped versions. also, the grains carry little astringency. gorgeous.

the mouthfeel is creamy and lush. not excessively gritty or bitter, all pieces seem to fit quite nicely. the volume is high, but well bitterness.

drinkability is very high for such a powerful beer. i love it! like i said, there's a lot of everything one needs in a big dark beer, but it's all so well orchestrated that nothing stands out. with impeccable balance and beautiful texture, i could drink a few, if only i could stay on the barstool!

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2008 18:46:32 | More by beerbutcher

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This time it was tasted on-tap at Victory Brewing. The opaque black body has some deep ruby highlights around the edges. A dark beige head fades to a 1/4 inch cap of frothy foam. The lace sticks a bit on the sides.

The aroma is primarily of heavily roasted malts of course; bitter cocoa, black coffee, and a hint of nutty chocolate sweetness. Just a faint bit of booze is detectable as well. A good amount of leafy hops and espresso linger on the nose.

Rich and decadent. Thick, creamy milk chocolate and mocha coffee. Super roasty with moderate/hight sweetness for a RIS. Warm, dark chocolate chip cookies come to mind; luscious. The slight bitterness comes out in the end with dark cocoa and leafy hops. Enormously flavorful and very decadent. Black coffee really shows itself and lingers in the finish. Massive and delicious.

Creamy smooth and decadent on the palate. Semidry with nice bitterness at the end. Lingering coffee on the tongue and just a hint of warmth. Overall the booze is hidden very well. Tasty and dessert-like. One of my favorites. Essentially the same beer on-tap as in the bottle but I figured I'd give a more recent and complete review.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2007 18:09:07 | More by letsgopens

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: small glass on tap at Town Hall

A: very black that shifts to a barely noticable dark brown at the edges. Fluffy light brown head that lingered.

S: big, clean roasty smell with big malt. signular, not overly comples, but just good.

T: roast continues witha chocolate nuttiness, no coffee, unitl a bite in the aftertaste that complete the flow over the tongue.

M: medium to heavy, but not a chewy stout. Not think or waters in any way either. Just smooth.

D: very easy--too much for a stout.

Overall: one of my favorite stouts. Extremely drinkable beer that is wo well done that it's easy to buy over and over again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2007 02:52:43 | More by FightingEntropy

beersarang

California

4.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this at a beer festival,

Poured a near black with deep tan head that left generous lacing. Did not appear as syrupy as some Imperial stouts can be.

Coffee and chocolate aromas come in strong, jump out of glass. Alcohol plays with chocolate, very pleasant, true to style.

A deep sip brings a firm malt character that fades into bitterness from both the hops and the coffee character. Finishes with chocolate and sweet alcohol. Wonderful.

Medium bodied but gives a definite creamy sensation. Excellent mouthfeel without the slick alcohol.

Very drinkable, and very dangerous.

A solid and one of the best Imperial stouts.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2007 19:56:13 | More by beersarang

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Poured a gorgeous dark, near-black into my pint glass. There was minimal head present when I received my glass from the bartender.

Smell: The bar was crowded and smoky but the beer still persevered through the smell and the roasted chocolate and coffee. There seemed to be some faint dark fruits present as well, but they were hard to distinguish.

Taste: The chocolate and dark fruits explode in the mouth. The cofee presence helps balance the alcohol across the palate and it finish with a nice hop bitterness. The aftertase seems to be of some bakers chocolate.

Mouthfeel: Not as heavy as one would expect but with enough depth to coat your mouth with flavors.

Drinkability: I ended up drinking a couple of these at the bar tonight to the detriment of my sobriety, but I couldn't help myself.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2007 15:54:47 | More by stereosforgeeks

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found this at Mountain Sun's Stout month. Couldn't wait.
Smooth pour, black with a little burgundy on the edge. Slight off-brown head, they know how to pour these.
Smell of coffee and baked cocao, a bit of dry hops, some black fruit.
Tastes really good. Smoothed out coffee and chocolate, some roasted malt comes through and the hops dry it out nicely. The alcohol is hidden until the next sip, then I can feel it.
I'd go for the tap over the bottle on this one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2007 01:43:07 | More by Mebuzzard

AzAleC

Arizona

4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Deep, dark brown, nearly black. Caramel colored head which diminished quickly with no lacing.

S: Sweet, sharp, strong hop aroma. Very strong roasted barley smell.

T: Bitter, but very sweet, with strong hop overture throughout. Roasted barley flavor is very strong with hints of mild tannin, dark fruit.

M: Thick and hearty.

D: Warming and wonderful which goes with the style, but deliciously easy to drink. Too many could be dangerous at the ABV, but it could be hard to stop.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2006 01:22:38 | More by AzAleC

WonderWoman

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I held this one up to the light and I could get a hint of dark burgundy trying to shine through the blackness. It smells of chocolate, hops, and an earthy grain. I could taste fruity malts and a tinge of figs. There wasn’t a huge hop flavor at first, but once swallowed the hops make themselves known. It felt thick and creamy and coated my mouth. Over all, it’s a great beer for dessert or a meal supplement.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2006 02:35:36 | More by WonderWoman

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My first-ever Storm King was served in a large snifter at Henry's Tavern in Portland. Immediate reaction from co-worker friends around the table was "WHAT is THAT?!?!" - I guess because it wasn't served in a pint glass (or bottle).

Appearance - deep brown, almost black very thin tan head. It was a very dark seating area so...moving on...
Smell - dark chocolate and roasted coffeebeans.
Taste - like that off bittersweet chocolate, slight sweetness married with slight tang. A little bit of citrusy zest, too.
Mouthfeel - Smooth & full. Flavor all over the tongue.
Drinkability - I stopped at one, but this was an excellent stout - I definitely want to enjoy one again. Pretty strong in alcohol so I paced myself on this night.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2006 02:34:50 | More by msubulldog25

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

4.65/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Jet black beer, thick as pitch, thin mocha crown, decent stickiness and retention. Very syrupy looking.

Nose: must and earth, citric acid, rosted grains, coffee and chicory.

Taste: Complex malt character. They’re big and roasty. Coffee, dark chocolate, bitter chicory, molasses, dirt, and dank wood. Subtle dark fruit comes through the finish.

MF: Thick yet smooth as silk worm’s cocoon. Hints of citrus balance out the big malts.

Drinkability: Really dangerous. This one goes down too easy for the ABV and style.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2006 22:28:08 | More by DaPeculierDane

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap today right form the source, sitting at Victory's Brewpub, and it was fantastic.
Appearance:
When the waitress brought it to the table it looked jet-black. Tipping the beer in the glass is the only way to make it look any less then midnight black. It is completely opaque. Absolutely no light getting through this beer. I did not get to see the head on it this time because (as I said) I was waiting on a waitress and by the time it got to me the head was gone. However I have had this beer a number of times and as I recall there is usually a moderate head.

Smell:
The aroma is not at all an overpowering one (a bit subtle for a Stout) but there is a noticeable bitterness combined with the sent of coffee makes me want to have this with my breakfast. After the coffee aroma I get a bit of chocolate and dark fruit buried in a bit of alcohol dangling in my nose.

Taste:
Instantly I think of classic roast coffee, followed quickly by a thought of black espresso as I swallow. (it must be the semi-bitter) Then I notice the chocolate, but not a sweet chocolate taste maybe more of a dark semi-bitter chocolate. It is hard to describe this flavor. It does give you a lot to think about, yet it is easy drinking. For a Stout, this is not an overly sweet beer. It has just the right amount of hops and bitter to be able to notice them but not to be overwhelmed by it either. I really enjoy this taste.

Mouthfeel:
The mouthfeel is full; very full, but not heavy and chewy. The carbonation is just enough to lighten the dark thick flavor and leave you with a very pleasant feeling on your tongue.

Drinkability:
DANGEROUS! For a Stout this does go down remarkably easily. I have taken a Growler home and ... well I'll just say I got hurt! ;) So be careful. You do NOT feel the 9.1% ABV until ... later. After a few of these though, it does start to sit heavy in your stomach so don't plan on it for all night drinking. Enjoy!

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

BTW {additional notes: This is a beer that is definitely best on tap or growler. The bottles for some reason seem to have a little less of the same smooth creamy feel as it does on-tap. Also, although it is the same beer, it seems to have a stronger hop characteristic in the bottle. Point, I recommend visiting Victory if you get the chance.}

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2005 08:23:15 | More by Phatz

Gavage

New Jersey

4.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep black in color with a thick 2" tan head. Carbonation levels are low, and some spotty lacing developed through the drink. The nose was big on roasted malts, chocolate, alcohol, and bitterness. The flavor is of roasted malts, coffee, licorice, bitter chocolate, and sports a strong bitterness level. Alcohol is definitely noticeable, but it compliments the overall flavor.

Medium / heavy in body. The mouthfeel is smooth with a touch of crispness at the start. The finish is smooth with a touch of dryness. Great drinkability but these will catch up to you quickly.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2005 23:30:12 | More by Gavage

ChappyCubsFan

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've tasted this several times in bottles. More recently, I had a bottle of it at the Which Brew in Easton, PA. But I never did a review on it until now. I guess that's because I finally visited Victory Brewing in Downingtown, PA, and I had a sample of it on draft. I believe the bartender even mixed a sample of the Storm King with the Golden Monkey tripel to create a special concoction for us. That was good too.

But the Storm King is definitely one of the most potent and complex stouts I've ever had. It pours very dark...black may be more appropriate. The malt taste leads to many assumptions about the recipe. It has a chocolate, coffee taste, but there are many other things at work. I also sensed that there was a hint of cherry or raspberry. But it is a potent stout, and I know I could not finish more than a pint of this in one sitting. Very tasty. One of the best stouts I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2005 21:47:34 | More by ChappyCubsFan

egajdzis

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

(9 months old – 9/16/03) Poured a black, opaque color with a medium sized tan head that did leave some lacing on the glass. Aroma of sweet chocolate malts and a slight hint of dark fruit in the aroma as well. Bitter coffee, sweet chocolate taste, slightly hoppy. No alcohol can be noticed, considering this is 9.1 Pure heaven!.

(Cask 8 months old – 7/26/04) Opaque black with a small tan head and beautiful lacing. Roasted and floral hop aroma. Chocolate soaked hop taste with a strong roasted coffee finish. Dark fruits (berry and plum), nuts, and just the slightest bit of alcohol. This was a cask so it was not carbonated, and it was simply incredible!

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2005 18:06:05 | More by egajdzis

monkeybutler

Vermont

4.63/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The technical achievements of this beer have been documented by fellow beerflys here. I offer anecdotal evidence that this beer rocks on tap as well as the bottle.
The road to Victory is difficult and treacherous, but even moreso is the trip home. Don't expect to be driving well after you drink Storm King. It won't much matter, because after you've had this beer on tap, you'll be happy to live and die at Victory.
So what do we look for in an Imperial Stout? Roasty, malty, bitter, coffee, with hop balance. The King nails them all. The tap version is admittedly better than the bottle version, for all of the obvious reasons. It's fresher with more consistent carbonation and lace, and the folks at Victory know how to pour a beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2005 04:48:12 | More by monkeybutler

froggyfrog

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had two large glasses of this stout from the tap last night at Tobias in Lancaster.
The color was very impressive - a solid black with a moderate head. The head disappeared pretty quickly but did leave a lacey film on the glass as I drank it down. The beer had a good flavor, mostly of what I would expect from a stout, and I felt that it was very easy to drink. (Didn't know it was 9.1% at the time, whoops...) However there was a strong metallic taste lingering over the flavor of the beer. I didn't notice any other reviews mentioning this so I have to assume that the metal I was tasting was a result of the keg or the tap system or something.
Overall I was happy with this beer and would like to drink it again, though I plan to get it in a bottle next time.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2005 16:43:31 | More by froggyfrog

wbickerton

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Draught. I picked up this keg at Vecenie’s Distributing Company in Millvale. It has a roasted aroma with some very faint undertones that I cannot describe. This stout is very dark and opaque with a very tight frothy head, which is brownish in color (tan to light brown). The head is somewhat lasting, but it dissipates faster than expected. The taste is complex yet balanced; it starts out slightly bitter, but the mild sweetness catches up, leaving you with a long bittersweet finish. I mostly notice a roasted flavor, but it does not seem like chocolate or coffee; maybe it’s molasses. If you sip the frothy head when you first pour it, it tastes pretty much the same as the beer itself, which is not true of other stouts that I have imbibed. It has an oily full-bodied feel on the palate with lively carbonation. Storm King warms your stomach and is not a stout that can be consumed quickly as you will eventually feel the effect of its high alcohol content; Victory Brewing’s website lists the beer at 9.1% ABV. If that’s correct, Victory goes down on my list as another quality brewer that knows how to mask the smell and taste of alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2005 23:23:02 | More by wbickerton