Storm King Stout - Victory Brewing Company

dozerdude

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11.2 Bottle

A - Pitch black, impervious to light. A slightly aggressive pour yielded an 1 1/2 inch tan rocky head that stuck around as a 1/8-1/4 inch head with very nice lacing.

S - roasty, malty, cooked cherries,raisins in syrup, a hint of dark chocolate. The overall aroma is "in your face".

T - Very similar to the smell. Rich and malty upfront, cooked fruity esters in the middle, and then a sweet, slightly hoppy, aftertaste that hangs around. The alcohol is hidden well.

M - Near perfect! Velvety, chewy, nice and warming.

D - Very drinkable!

An excellent example of an RIS.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 02:50:24 | More by dozerdude

hombreverde

Michigan

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

A: Big head with an aggressive pour. Mocha colored foam that resides slowly. Loads of carbonation. Dark with no light coming through.

S: Citrus with hints of coffee. Bitter chocolate.

T: Note of hops with a fun spiciness in the carbonation. Burnt coffee malts.

M: Very chewy with loads of carbonation. Lacing on the sides. Creamy.

O: A fun beer to drink for those who love imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 01:13:38 | More by hombreverde

kindahungover

Delaware

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

Served at room temperature in a pint glass.

A - Black with a good two finger dark tan head.

S - Roasted malts, espresso, a hint of fruit of which I can't make out.

T - Slightly smokey, roasted coffee, malty, very well masked alcohol with the right amount of carbonation.

M - A little on the bitter side, a lot of espresso and dry at the end.

O - One of the better imperial stouts I've had. Would be rated higher if it had more of a chocolate taste/smell throughout, but that's just my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 23:01:50 | More by kindahungover

CAbeerCAbeerCA

California

1.45/5  rDev -64.7%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I have been waiting a long time to try this beer but never got around to picking up a bottle until recently. I regret the decision to finally pick this up the other night, but I am very thankful I only picked up one, rather than the whole six pack.

The beer looked good enough: dark, nice head

The beer smelled only slightly better than it tasted. Smelled like charcoal, alcohol, and maybe a hint of berries (which is the reason for the extra .5 over taste).

The beer tasted terribly - I choked this thing down. Alcohol and charcoal awfulness.

The beer had mouthfeel that was disappointing- much, much too thin for a stout of this alcohol content. I might be scoring it higher here, since he taste and aroma were so bad and the mouthfeel, by comparison, was much better.

This beer was just not good. I wil never try it again, and I recommend that you do not either.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 19:31:53 | More by CAbeerCAbeerCA

the1hammer

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into an Guinness pint glass.

Appearance was a deep, dark, brown, with a thin caramel head.

Smell of roasted coffee and perhaps a bit of chocolate

Good tasting stout...kind of sweet, a bit of hops on the back end and a bit of a black licorice taste, I guess this might have been the wee bit of alcohol.

I liked this a lot...the more I drank, the better i liked it. Will go to again.

BTW, First review; had to jump in sooner or later!

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 21:36:40 | More by the1hammer

Cenosillicaphobe

Maine

4.6/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First review here...sort of a preface to my forthcoming Dark Intrigue review. I am olfactararilly challenged, so the nose of beer is lost on me, as noted in my profile.

Poured rather violently from a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head signature glass, which happens to be my weapon of choice, in most cases. This pours a midnight black, with a two-tiered head of mocha and khaki. Fairly rapid dissipation with minimal, yet stubborn lacing.

I'd be lying if I gave you any sort of impression of the nose. As you will come to understand, I can't really smell a damn thing.

The flavor is all dark chocolate, black coffee, and piney hops. Perhaps a hint of dark fruit as well, and some licorice as it warms. In many ways both typical and atypical of the style. Sweet, but not cloyingly so. Bitter, yet not overwhelmingly so. Many would rule this a bit hop forward, but the balance works for me.

Overall, honestly, this is my go-to imperial stout. I probably actually like the North Coast Old Rasputin a wee bit more, but SK is cheaper, and it appeals to my inner hophead.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 01:04:56 | More by Cenosillicaphobe

Hops1

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark brown in color with a slight lacy head.

Smell: Slight fruity smell with a hint of roasted malt. Took me a few times before I smelled anything.

Taste: not overpowering. Smoother than I thought. A bit pungent aftertaste but good.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability: I'm picky about my Stouts although this one is definately one where I could kick back and have a few.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2005 00:07:14 | More by Hops1

cakebread

California

4.72/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottled Sep 27, 05

A - Dark as night, two finger head that quickly faded leaving almost no lacing.

S - Roasted malt with a hint of the hops to come with a bit of a prune scent.

T - Dark bittersweet chocolate with coffee at first. Then come the hops and just the right amount of sweet to make this so balanced.

M - Almost creamy but not as full-bodied as I'd expect for a double stout at 9% ABV.

D - I pondered knocking off half a point because its just too drinkable for me, but would that be fair?

Postnote: I love stouts with hops that stand out, like Sierra Nevada's Stout. I find that incredbly drinkable for a stout and consider this the double stout evil-twin of SN Stout. I usually find double or imperial stouts to be "sippers", but I find myself having to slow way way down when drinking Storm Kings.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2006 23:09:48 | More by cakebread

mrbowenz

Pennsylvania

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

I was introduced to Victory's Storm King Stout a few years ago by a Victory representative outside my local beer distributor ( God Bless Pennsylvania ) . As was the case I was headed in to purchase 3 or 4 cases of something else , when the young man said "here try our Imperial stout" ! , An oz or two of Storm King on the ususpecting palet is not the most exciting experience to say the least, However there was something different and complex about this beer that said " try a case of me " , so after picking up my other beers, I loaded a case and headed for home. that was Oct 2003...As is often the case with higher ABV beers, I will let them age in my wine cellar for a year or more. For some reason I had just let this case sit until Thanksgiving 2006 . This is a fantastic beer when aged. do yourself a favor, pick up a case and cellar ( 45-55 degrees ) .

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2007 12:34:34 | More by mrbowenz

Strider119

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Victory's best beer, in my humble opinion.

Appearance is beautiful. I understand it's all relative, but the heavy darkness, the way light just can't escape it's clutches like a collapsed star ... it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. A dark brown head compliments the swarthy complexion just right.

Smell is pleasant. A nice coffee tang prepares the tastebuds for a wonderful journey.

Taste is impeccable. Always a nice pick-me-up when chasing the Storm King.

Acceptable mouthfeel, if not slightly watery for an Imperial Stout.

Drinkability is up there with the best of them as an Imperial. The high ABV will catch you after a while though, it's a tricky balance and you won't want to stop drinking, trust me.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2009 16:10:43 | More by Strider119

ericp87

Delaware

4.45/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer at a small bar where they poured it into a big snifter. Because of that, the head was somewhat lost.

A- Beautiful dark color. head dissipated quickly, but most likely due to the fact that they poured it into a snifter.

S- Big, dark. chocolate, nutty. tiny subtle notes of smoke under the alcohol

T- Instantly gratifying. this is a big beer, but it takes a few sips to really feel it. The

M- nice, and thick without being excessively chewy.

All around, a really good beer. Will certainly have this again.

serving type: bottle into snifter.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2009 15:31:12 | More by ericp87

charliez

Pennsylvania

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

OK this is my first review. I never liked dark beer, only had a few. This was really nice, perhaps my taste have matured with age. Color was almost pitch black and opaque, good two finger head that lasted a while leaving lacy rings on glass. My taste buds may have been killed by 30 years of smoking so I can't tell if it was chocolaty or malty but it was good. After having one I could feel the buzz, will not drive for a while. I have 5 more bottles and look forward to enjoying each one.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2009 22:53:59 | More by charliez

footy802

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured midnight black with the facade of a nitrogen cascade. There was a browned toast colored head three fingers in height with a long duration, and light frothy appearance.

S - It has all the workings of a stout but with a more aggressive hop aroma. This is well balanced with the rich roasted malt fragrance that makes for hearty stouts.

T - Somewhat complex, with a few distinct profiles. The Intro is a rich almost sweet malty taste that that surrenders to a well balanced hoppy tang and then back to a malty black coffee-like finish as the slight bitterness subsides. The intensity of the hops really adds an important dimension to this imperial stout offering.

M - Not your typical creamy or heavy stout instead it has a slightly lighter feel, i.e. not a meal in a bottle. The most impressive quality is the persistent carbonation; at no point was it still. The best way for me to describe the beer in terms of genetics would be a stout that got it on with an IPA.

D - This is a stout for the hop lovers. The beer has no harsh taste, just a hoppy nuance that adds to the drinkability and complexity. It has an ABV of 9.1% which was honestly surprising to find. This is a versatile offering because it has a hybrid, or nontraditional stout taste.

Very impressed with this beer, I've been drinking some imperials recently in preparation for "Kate the Great," and this was a standout in my personal opinion.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 17:46:54 | More by footy802

vroney

Washington

4.53/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Just enjoyed a bottle of this beer i got from Bottleworks (in seattle) that was bottled in 2007. I'm a huge fan of stouts and porters but i do not believe I have ever had any that have been aged over a year. I just want to say WOW! It had such complexity that had been blended together so well over the year. I plan on buying a younger bottle of this soon and giving it a full review but i just wanted to say.... I'm a fan!

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2010 05:01:05 | More by vroney

SterlingNass

Texas

1.98/5  rDev -51.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Had a very nice head that stayed until the last few drinks.

Had a very nice nutty coffee smell to it. Head was a dark milk chocolate look to it.

First taste had a very coffee hops bitter taste that gave a very hard kick to my taste buds, probably from the 9.1% alc. Every drink after that became much more bitter to where I couldn't almost finish the last few drinks.

Seemed very thin and had no point to the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2010 16:33:42 | More by SterlingNass

NewBedfordBrewer

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was reunited with this beer on NYE straight outta the bottle. Impressive hop aroma blasting right out of the bottle. Hop flavor was just as nice. A big beer that's very smooth, drinkable, and dangerous. With an expiration date of 2016, it's something you can confidently buy without old beer worries. Although the hops will fade, I can only imagine the smoothness in 4yrs. Make sure to enjoy a few nice and fresh to experience those hops. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 17:19:38 | More by NewBedfordBrewer

MichiganderHB

Michigan

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

Poured from 12oz bottle into Belgium Glass

A: Pitch black/no light shown though with 2.5 finger mocha colored head

S: Hops, coffee, chocolate, malts

T: Nice balance of hops and malt. Roasted coffee and chocolate.

M: Mild carbonation, creamy feel, bitter finish

O: A nice hoppy, imperial stout. The lacing on this beer was phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 13:48:26 | More by MichiganderHB

clutchmeister

North Carolina

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

pours black as black. carbonation is pronounced with roasted malts and cocoa coming in the front. Not an over alcohol taste but it's there. Has some bitterness in the back end which leads to the hops being a little more prevalent in this stout. I'm getting more and more character with each drink, so as it warms the flavors are accentuated. Has a light and dry finish.

All in all I'll buy this Imperial Stout again. I'm not going to stock up, but very drinkable in all seasons. Flavors hit harder as it warms .

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 04:49:04 | More by clutchmeister

78c

4.38/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Imperial stout.
Dark caramel brown, opaque.
Froths creamy white.
Slight odor of malt.
Sharp bitterness followed by pleasing barley and hop profile, hints of chocolate and espresso and slight sweetness and rounding and mellowing of hoppiness.
Overall, very good -> excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 22:12:59 | More by 78c

bobtopich

Pennsylvania

4.84/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I appreciate the dedication of those that can write such detailed reviews. I will apologize up front for not going in that direction. I am simply going to say that right now, Storm King is my favorite beer.

Since the summer, I have been sampling a variety of stouts and porters. Had the pleasure of hitting up Deschutes in Portland this summer and enjoyed their Black Butte Porter and their Nitro Obsidian Stout. Can't find them here in Pittsburgh or I'm sure I'd enjoy more of them.

Some others have been Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout, Bell's Expedition Stout, Kona Pipeline Porter, Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout, Rogue Chocolate Stout, Sam Adams Maple Pecan Porter, and more.

Storm King just tastes right for me. I'm not sure about all of the malts and hops and whathaveyous but it's just tasty. I love to pour it into a snifter and let it warm naturally. It has a great aroma and is very heavy and full-bodied. Like Lays chips, there are times that I can enjoy just one. Tomorrow watching the Final Four will not be one of those evenings!

Bell's Expedition is equal...the difference in price will keep me coming back to Storm King. If you haven't tried it I will tell you to try a six pack and hopefully enjoy it as I do. Thanks for reading...

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 18:08:58 | More by bobtopich

Platothe3rd

Pennsylvania

4.71/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I think this is an amazing beer. I can't give any technical explanation but it is heavy and I had it in Philly with a good friend I hadn't seen in a while after a Temple game. As I looked out the tavern window the Amtrak building looked surprisingly like the image on the front, lol. But seriously, proud that this beer is from PA, love the Victory beers. Also my friend gave me a case for my 50th birthday and it served me well for about 4 months. Among my top 5, I love Rogue Shakespeare Stout too.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2013 04:05:34 | More by Platothe3rd