Storm King Stout - Victory Brewing Company

DNICE555

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On cask at the brewery on my PA trip with Jlynn. So pumped to get to try this on cask. This is such a well done stout. So balanced and drinkable. A readily available, smooth, deep bodied stout that can hang with the best of them. Probably the only time I've ever be able to have this on cask.

Serving type: cask

09-19-2010 02:25:20 | More by DNICE555

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken 6/22/10.

On cask at Al's of Hampden for the kickoff of the newly installed beer engines. $2 for a nonic glass.

Pours a dark black color with more than a finger of mocha colored fluff for a head. Really good retension as the head sits uneven in the glass from sporatic bubbles and crators where a solid layer of foam previously resided.

The aroma has a surprising amount of citrus hops, slightly herbal and grassy along with a solid presence of alcohol sting in the nose.

Taste includes all the described hop characteristics that were introduced by the nose. Dark burnt grain flavors indicating coffee and alcohol are evident in both flavor and warmth. Half way through the experience, more grainy sweetness comes through like chocolate.

The body of this brew is medium to full with a moderately low level of carbonation. Very drinkable and it would be a crime not to enjoy for only $2.

Serving type: cask

08-16-2010 15:43:53 | More by stakem

ToasterChef

Maine

4.72/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served cask'd, in a tulip glass, at the Great Lost Bear. It's an opaque dark brown liquid, with a big tan foam head. There is lots of rising carbonation in the glass, that slowed and finally disappeared. Some clinging carbonation remains on the sides of the glass. The aroma isn't as strong as I expected it to be. It can detect some roasted malts and some chocolate. Perhaps the cask format has limited it's aroma? Wow, what a stout! I can see why this used to the top ranked beer here. It starts out creamy and slightly sweet, with a kiss of chocolate. I swallow, and the bitter malt flavors come out. It's not a coffee bitterness, per se, but more of a roasted whole grain flavor. After swallowing, there is a coat that has a dark chocolate combination of sweet and bitter that lingers on for a long time. This is a very smooth medium bodied beer. Not too much carbonation; at least it isn't overbearing. There is a lot of coat left behind, which can sometimes be a problem if it is sticky or too sweet, but this really works well. Overall, this is a very drinkable beer. The high ABV is completely hidden, as is the sweetness put off but the amount of malt in this beer. This really is a great beer, and I'm very glad I could try it on cask. I've passed over the Storm King bottles for other stouts a number of times, but no longer. This is a great, readily available beer. It's worth reconsidering if you haven't had any in a while.

Serving type: cask

08-03-2010 20:10:47 | More by ToasterChef

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I had this fron the first cask served at Al's of Hampden -served cask temp in a Nonic

A - an opaque shiny black like an eight ball - the head quickly drops and is medium brown but settles to a ring with small beading. The lace is decent and the beer is nice to look at in the glass

S -The smell is good with bittersweet cocoa, burnt caramel and mild spice with a hint of pine from the hops and slight deep roasted coffee. There is a mild fusel element in the alcohol aroma with malt having a lot of toasted and an almost cinnamon-like woodiness with the scent of the dark sugar verging on molasses with it aroma

M - The feel is good on cask, a bit smoother than normal c02 draft, but just as bitter with lots of roast and mild sweetness in texture. The acidity is downplayed and only light astringent notes from the dark grain is detected with light smoke tinged and spice hanging in with the warming alcohol that lingers in the long bitter finish

T - I attribute the flavor to a high good amount of high alpha hop combined with a modest flavor of citrusy coffee with the dark caramel notes leading into a high cocoa content chocolate taste which has a slight amount of alcohol in the flavor toward the middle while the pine notes from the hops criss cross back and forth on the buds.

D - I probably haven't had this for at least 4 months or so and before that at least a year, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. This is a very good tasting and stout and having it on cask is the way to try it. A solid beer from Victory

Serving type: cask

06-23-2010 16:19:35 | More by Slatetank

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at Max's today.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. On the nose, I get some sweet licorise, dark chocolate, coffee grounds and light leather. The flavor profile replicates the nose, with the moderate sweetness countered nicely by a goodly amount of bitterness on the finish. Mouthfeel is pretty good, with the beer showing a long, smooth, full finish. Drinkability is OK, though there's a bit of heat in the finish that doesn't play well with the sweet licorise.

A good beer, but it's hard to believe this was once in the BA top 100.

Serving type: cask

05-19-2010 23:14:59 | More by johnmichaelsen

BretSikkink

Mexico

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

Dark brown approaching black, with a brown-tinted tan head, served maybe a finger thick but with ferocious stick and lacing. Nose is strong with blackstrap molasses, bitter chocolate, and some spicy, herbal hopping. Plenty of power, but maybe a little raw.

Tastes of heavily roasted barley, dark chocolate with just a hint of milk or cream, coffee, anise, and pine. The flavors may come from disparate directions and ingredients, but they play very well together. Especially with the creamy, smooth cask-delivered mouthfeel. Easy to drink despite the obvious boozy overtones. Dry finish helps this along.

Outstanding. Seek out this beer on cask.

Serving type: cask

05-16-2010 05:24:11 | More by BretSikkink

sbw138

Pennsylvania

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

Handpumped from cask into pint glass at Victory Brewing Company bar.

Appearance -Black with a thick, dark tan head that held on strongl and left copious, clumping foam behind.

Smell - Chocolate, dark roasted malt, spicy/earthy hops. Seems to carry a bit more punch than the draft version but not much.

Taste - Deep roasted malt, rich bitter chocolate, a bit of espresso roast, licorice and earthy hop bite.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied--seemingly lighter in feel than the draft version but not in a negative way. Super rich and smooth. This is a great feeling brew.

Drinkability - I forget how much I love this beer on cask....and then I have one and I am like, "Why the hell has it been so long since I have had one of these?" This is the kind of beer that can get a person in trouble....goes down WAY to easy!

Serving type: cask

01-08-2010 21:45:07 | More by sbw138

corby112

Pennsylvania

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

Sampled at Resurrection Ale House on 12/04/2009. I've had this beer many times in bottles but this was the first time I've sampled it on cask.

Pours pitch black and completely opaque with very faint mahogany edges and a one finger foamy chocolate brown head that slowly settles into a lasting cap which leaves streaks of lacing behind.

Roasted chocolate malt aroma with a surprisingly prominent hop presence as well as some roasted coffee bean, bitter sweet dark chocolate, booze, caramel, toffee and more chocolate.

Silky chocolate malty body that again is surprisingly hop forward. Much more so than in the bottled version. Very smooth and well balanced with a lot of silky malt flavor and subtle roastiness. Hints of caramel, toffee and subtle roasted coffee bean accompany the luscious lactic creamy darrk chocolate flavor and the subtle hops up front provide a nice balance without providing too much bitterness. A lot of Imperial Stouts I've had lately have been way too aggressively hopped taking away from the creamy sweet maltiness that I like so much but this one is balanced perfectly. The cask conditioning gives this body an incredible quaffale smoothness that takes the roughness off of the bottled version. Dangerously drinkable with an almost undetectable high ABV. I had to slow myself down because I was drinking it entirely too fast. Highly recommended in any version but especially if you have the chance to sample it on cask.

Serving type: cask

12-06-2009 11:42:43 | More by corby112

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

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

Hand pumped into a chalice.

A: Black like the middle of your eye, black. No, it's a BLACKHOLE kind of black. Light cannot escape nor does it shine through. WOW. Is it cloudy? Is it murky? Maybe...but I couldn't see through all that black. Large 2 finger head, good retention, creamy and frothy light brown in color.

S: Heavy malts, molasses and earth, a little nutty, but mostly burnt dark chocolate.

T: Light grassy hops were hidden on the nose but come through a bit on the tongue. As well as a touch of fruit (berries?) and a tar-y flat cola.

M: Full and thick body. Smooth and creamy texture. Hello 9.1! Mild carbonation lets the bitter finish come through.

D: Could drink myself silly with this one. A really awesome beer. I'm a fan.

Here are a couple notes from a recent experience with Storm King on draft - 2003 Vintage - Served in a .3L stange for $8 bucks at the brewpub. Sampled 5/14/12.

A: Arrives with a finger and a half of foamy creamy medium mocha brown head. Great retention slowly deposits uninterrupted sheets of thick lace. Body is black as can be. [4.5]

S: Dark roasted malts of chocolate and coffee. Layers chocolate syrup, fudge and cocoa powder. Severely faded hops follow, transformed from intense pine to herbal over the years. [4]

T: A mélange of mouth coating chocolatey goodness, wonderfully blended together. Alcohol beautifully masked. [4]

M: Smooth, creamy, thick texture with a tingling carbonation across the tongue. Full body. [4.5]

O: For my tastes, fresh storm king is preferable. [4]

Serving type: cask

11-21-2009 14:30:55 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

taigor

New York

3.68/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From cask into 14oz glass.

A - Dark black with big head that leaves opaque lacing.

S - Malts with chocolate and even hints of coffee.

T - Roasted malts with dark chocolate and hoppy bitterness at the end.

M - Full bodied, creamy and heavy.

D - Good but not great due to it's heaviness. Great winter drink like all stouts supposed to be.

Serving type: cask

11-11-2009 17:59:44 | More by taigor

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-Black with a thick, dark tan head that held on strongl and left copious, clumping foam behind.

S-Chocolate, dark roasted malt, spicy/earthy hops. Seems to carry a bit more punch than the draft version but not much.

T-Deep roasted malt, rich bitter chocolate, a bit of espresso roast, licorice and earthy hop bite.

M-Medium bodied--seemingly lighter in feel than the draft version but not in a negative way. Super rich and smooth. This is a great feeling brew.

D-I forget how much I love this beer on cask....and then I have one and I am like, "Why the hell has it been so long since I have had one of these?" This is the kind of beer that can get a person in trouble....goes down WAY to easy!

Serving type: cask

10-28-2009 11:47:32 | More by Deuane

ArrogantDeadGuy

Virginia

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

Pitch black pour from cask to snifter. The taste of wonderfully toasted malt and a fine hop finish makes this a favorite stout of mine.
The alchohol is present on the pallet but not overwhelming. The smoothness and heavy body of this brew makes it a fantastic winter warmer. This is one of the few brews that I always prefer at room temperature. The malt character as well as typically subtle notes of coffee, chocolate, and spice really shine at the higher serving temp

Serving type: cask

08-03-2009 18:39:02 | More by ArrogantDeadGuy

MrIncognito

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Had on cask at Victory Restaurant in Downingtown, PA. Deep brown, almost black body with a fluffy and sticky 2-finger brown head that leaves great lacing. Not much visible carbonation at all.

S - Highly roasted and burny malts with chocolate undertones followed by a sweet alcohol presence.

T&M - Very much like the smell. A bit more chocolately in the taste and the hops really shine through here. More bitter than expected with espresso bean notes. Alcohol provides a smooth mouthfeel with some warmness. A bit sticky on the lips and tongue.

D - A very nice beer but I'm not sure I could have more than one in a sitting. Not only is the alcohol high but the beer is a bit sticky and leaves a bitter taste from the burnt malts. At some points the aftertaste is quite like eating coffee grounds.

Serving type: cask

07-08-2009 14:48:08 | More by MrIncognito

Soonami

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz Chalice from hand-pumped cask at Local 44 in Phila

A- The beer from the pump was tar black with an inch of mocha colored foam. The head dissipated quickly but left a respectable cling of lace on the glass

S- A little hoppy, but mostly coffee and chocolately with a little port or oak like earthiness

T- Smooth, sweet caramelized malt with scalded coffee and hop bitterness. Alcohol spice and dark fruit/wine flavors

M- very creamy and full

D- Not overpowering but the high alcohol makes it prohibitive to drink more than a couple

Serving type: cask

07-05-2009 18:47:55 | More by Soonami

ElGeordie

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served from cask at the CAH Midlothian, at just the right temperature for a warm early summer night.
By the time the waiter brought it to our table the head had all but disappeared, I'm assuming the top 3/4" of the glass had been foam.
At 9.1% ABV I was expecting a little more kick but I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth this pint was. The pint had a very nice opaque black colour but and the remnants of the head were dark cream.
The roasted malts were very complex, no real single overbearing flavour and it drinks more like a porter than a stout. Feels very good in the mouth. If I didn't have to drive the wife home I would've had another. very fine.

Serving type: cask

05-26-2009 13:34:02 | More by ElGeordie

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

I had this on the hand pump at the Brick Store Pub. Poured black with a nice tan head and nicely carbonated for cask. Smelled roasty and creamy with some nice bitter chocolate and a touch of coffee. Tastes of very vinous chocolate with roasty and hoppy finish. Lots of juiciness throughout and a nice late coffee and chocolate bitterness accented by some roastiness. Big, smooth, and bitter in the mouth. Very nice on cask.

Serving type: cask

05-14-2009 02:08:44 | More by Georgiabeer

jim102864

Connecticut

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

On tap at Blind Tiger during my recent visit. Cask ale served in a mug. Dark black with a thin pond on the surface. Sort of a buttery nose. Some mild chocolate notes. Nice roast creates a coffee espresso flavor. I like the bitterness that prevails up front and lingers on the tongue with each pull. I only wish they'd serve this in a larger glass. Bitterness milds out somewhat as it warms. A nice brew.

Serving type: cask

03-01-2009 14:05:37 | More by jim102864

ljbrisson

Pennsylvania

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

Had this on cask at the Victory brewery. I have already reviewed this beer from the bottle. I would edit my original review, but this experience was much different.

Was poured from a cask into a nonic pint glass with a tan, finger-wide head that left sheets of lacing on the glass. Was served at room temp, which is warmer than I usually drink it. This accentuated the chocolate flavor and caused the roasted flavors to be more subdued. Chewy and thick mouthfeel with balanced carbonation was similar to bottle, and aroma was virtually the same although more pronounced (due to warmth?). Overall the drink was amazing. Storm King is one of my favorite beers and probably my favorite RIS. On cask it was good, but I don't know if it was better than from a bottle. It was different. Amazing with my hickory bacon BBQ burger though.

Serving type: cask

01-18-2009 22:08:35 | More by ljbrisson

maddogruss

New Jersey

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

Got a pint of this on cask at the brewery.

A: Pours a dark brown body with a thick, tan head with excellent retention and excellent lacing along the sides of the glass all the way to the finish.

S: A sweet, malt smell with some roasted notes and some alcoholic undertones.

T: A robust, roasted taste with a smooth and slightly earthy aftertaste. A hint of sweetness to it, but not much. A nice tasting beer.

M: A very smooth and full-bodied mouthfeel that was very good.

D: Definitely a very drinkable beer. Excellent combination of mouthfeel and taste. An excellent stout overall.

Serving type: cask

10-04-2008 02:38:06 | More by maddogruss

rabsten

West Virginia

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

Sooo, last weekend I cracked open a cellared bottle and remembered just how great this beer was. Then, I'm in Fatheads and there it is on cask. Coincidence? Serendipity is more like it.

Dark black with two-fingers of dark brown head. Good head retention and lacing. Chocolate and toast aroma with subtle hoppiness. Perfectly balanced malt/bitter flavor with some mocha notes and slight fruitiness in background. Creamy mouthfeel with some small bite. Pleasant mild alcohol burn. Exceptionally drinkable. It was a shame I had to drive, otherwise I'd have had a couple more. Just a great beer.

Serving type: cask

10-01-2008 01:37:02 | More by rabsten

ncvbc

North Carolina

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

A beautiful creamy tan head that fades very slowly to a ring, leaving sticky lacing that clings to the glass throughout. The nose is enormous on the hops, even up front. It masks the malt just a bit much but still adds another level to it. There is some chocolate and a dose of coffee along with the peppery citrus hop character. Taste is of bittersweet chocolate, cooca, a touch of toasted caramel and coffee. A light nutty flavor as well. All of this is complimented by a spicy hop character that adds a certain bitterness to the finish. Very nice. Extremely creamy mouthfeel that is silky as can be on the tongue and going down, despite the big hop presence which does give it a slight bittering dryness in the finish, also keeping the brew from being too full. I get hop burps like crazy from this brew. This is in the black IPA territory almost. Certainly not overwhelming in terms of hops but moreso than other RIS tend to have. It does detract a bit from how drinkable this one is. If there had been a bit more malt and a little less hop I'd boost it a notch. All in all, an interesting experience and I found some differences in this and the bottled version. The hops were definitely more raw and gritty here...I'm a hop head, though, so I won't complain.

Serving type: cask

09-29-2008 23:06:19 | More by ncvbc

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

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

On cask at Victory brewpub on 9/21/08.

A - Black body with chestnut highlights and two fingers of dense, creamy mocha-colored head that settled into a quarter inch of retention and left thick, ornate lacing all around the glass.

S - Dark roasted malt goodness abounds with some apparent chocolate/cocoa notes as well. Only a hint of alcohol at first, despite the high ABV. However, the alcohol really opens up as the liquid approached room temperature. Some earthy hops provide a nice contrast to the general sweetness of the aroma.

T - Dark bitter chocolate and earthy hops dominate the flavor profile in this RIS, with the dark roasted malt character also competing for the spotlight. A mild coffee aspect also emerges with a touch of black licorice to spice things up a bit. Finish is quite earthy and bitter.

M - Full bodied, rich and luscious texture that is extremely smooth and silky. Mouthfeel is absolutely heavenly. Finish is bold and bitter on the tongue. Outstanding mouthfeel!

D - Drinks like a champ for a RIS at almost 10% ABV! This sucker is big, bold and extremely flavorful. One of the best I've come across in my travels for sure.

Serving type: cask

09-22-2008 12:36:33 | More by ffejherb

timtim

District of Columbia

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

on cask at commonwealth in columbia heights, dc. fantastic. nose and very well balanced taste consist of all things imperial stout plus a heavy hop. dark fruits, dark sweets, dark chocolate, licorice, coffee and more. super velvety body and long finish. incredibly drinkable for such a high abv, and a perfect compliment to the stinky cheese, duck sausage and garlic sausage they served with it.

Serving type: cask

09-12-2008 22:54:16 | More by timtim

vtfan77

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've seen this on cask several times at the Capital Ale House and finally decided to give it a try today.

A- Very dark with a big tan head that takes its time going down. Copious lacing adorns the sides of the glass as the head recedes.

S- Big chocolaty and roasty malt character in the nose with a nice pine sap edge.

T- More roasted malt goodness, with a flavor reminiscent of chocolate cake and coffee, along with hints of black strap molasses. Oh, and of course there's that nice piney bitterness in there as well. There's quite a bit of bitterness on the finish, but it's not overwhelming and it helps to balance out the huge malt profile.

M- Full-bodied and very smooth, almost creamy, thanks to the cask conditioning.

D- Very good considering what a big beer it is. The alcohol is noticeable, but not overly so. Plus, its smoothness makes it glide effortlessly down the throat. It's not one to chug, of course, but it's extremely drinkable for the style. I downed it much quicker than I do most Imperial Stouts.

This happened to be my first experience both with Storm King and with cask conditioning. Needless to say, I was impressed by both. This was an extremely tasty Imperial Stout, and I believe the cask conditioning did great things for its mouthfeel and drinkability. If you happen to see this offered on cask somewhere, don't hesitate to try it. Highly recommended.

Serving type: cask

08-31-2008 05:29:24 | More by vtfan77

CrellMoset

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Casked at the Innsbrook Capital Ale House. Served in a traditional pint glass.

Appearance: Deep, deep brown with a great big, even, solid, foamy chocolate head. Leaves huge sheets of solid lacing. The cask effect really makes this one look great.

Aroma: Light and earthy, mild even. Dirty, grassy coffee, faint lemon, some caramel and toffee.

Taste: Great toasted malt foundation here - equal parts lightly roasted coffee and milky but not overly sweet chocolate. Some smoky sweetness and milky cream, faint dark fruit notes - currants, perhaps, and raisins - light hop spiciness and bitterness with hints of muted orange and leafy tobacco, only the faintest hint of alcohol. A really light RIS.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and very full, immaculately creamy. Very chocolate milkshake-esque.

Drinkability: As I said above, a very light RIS, so a very drinkable one. At the same time, the lightness makes it not as tasty as many examples of the style, but it's still damn good. Not sure how much the casking did for the appearance and the mouthfeel, but I've had this one before from the bottle and still enjoyed it. Recommended as a light, easy-going RIS.

Serving type: cask

08-21-2008 20:27:14 | More by CrellMoset