Donnybrook Stout - Victory Brewing Company

MP72

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I have this at home on tap

The appearance:is very dark almost pitch black with an offwhite head.

Smell: is of of burnt coffee and some chocolate

Taste: is bitter chocolate and coffee almost sierra nevada like.

Mouthfeel was a bit thin to me but this is supposed to be a nitro beer and I have it on Co2 which tastes fine by the way.

Drinkability: is through the roof , this is a fine tasting stout falling somwhere between Guinness and Sierra Nevada but has the luxury of a low ABV which send the drinkability soaring.

Great Job by Victory I would buy another barrell anytime.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2008 16:47:53 | More by MP72

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at the brewery (from notes)

Arrived at my stool a thick, ink black, with a solid two finger head. Tinges of ruby red around the bottom of the glass.

Smells very well-balanced. Roasted chocolate malts and slight caramel. Slightly more pungent than the typical dry stout smell.

Very smooth an drinkable. Tastes of chocolate malt and sweetness.

Finish is very dry and palatable. Light but creamy on the tongue and leaves a faint chewy malt aftertaste.

A very well done irish dry stout, almost like guinness done right.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-03-2008 06:13:43 | More by ColForbinBC

Biscuit033

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Black with a nice one finger nitro creamy head with foam clinging and marking each sip.

S: Strong evident roasted malt aromas.

T: Roasted malts are very prominent without being sweet. Very dry and flavorful.

M: Smooth and creamy as you would expect from a nitro-tap. Fuller body than most from Ireland which held the beautiful roasted flavors very well.

D: This is a great representation of the style with great flavor, an ease of drinkablity and a nice low ABV. Very well done.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-20-2008 21:44:39 | More by Biscuit033

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

With Paul Pendyck of UK Brewing Supplies, Ltd. at the helm, the General Sutter Inn in Lititz, PA has become a once-monthly outlet for cask-conditioned beer. This was the first offering and I got the second glass, pulled by Paul himself.

It began with about a half-a-finger of deep tan head with decent retention above an utterly black liquid. The nose had a mildly smoky quality. The mouthfeel had a very pleasant silky quality and a chocolaty/charcoal-y flavor on the tongue. The finish had the return of the dry, smoky bitterness that I had noted on the nose. Good lacing throughout.

Serving type: cask

01-03-2008 01:07:34 | More by woodychandler

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I found this on tap at a fairly new bar called Slainte in Philly across the street from 30th street station. It was delivered to me in an odd looking, kind of small "Imperial" pint glass that I'm guessing was actually more of an American pint at around 16 ounces. Despite the small glass, it had a beautiful appearance, very much like Guinness but with a just slightly darker head and a tiny bit less lacing (which could have been from the glass itself). Other than that it was almost exactly like Guinness, which it's obviously what it's trying to be. Or at least that's what the bar keep told me, that it was brewed specially for the Irish pub because they don't serve Guinness. Side by side with Guinness I could tell the difference, but I didn't really prefer one over the other. Nicely done!

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-19-2007 02:19:04 | More by NeroFiddled

marcpal

New Jersey

2.63/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the brewpub and was looking forward to having due to its exclusivity. Overall, unimpressed.

A: Pitch black with nice formed head and appropriate lacing.

S: Maltiness but not much coffiness but the balance seemed to be there.

T: Falls short, went down easy but seemed like a watered down stout. It may be partially due to enjoying the hell of a storm king prior to this- almost an unfair comparison.

M: Very thin, weakest attribute to the beer. No substance for what I would consider a 'stout'

D: Seemed to be unsuccessfuly tribute to Guiness but a bit too thinned out. The nice thing is the low abv but in comparison to something like the Chicory, this falls far short.

One of Victory's very few low performers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2007 02:10:26 | More by marcpal

HugoGrim

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on tap at the Victory Brewery in Downingtown, PA.

Jet black body with a creamy smooth khaki head. Amazing lace. Head retention is excellent, almost lasting the duration.

Aroma is muted as one would expect from the style. Bit of roasted grain.

Flavor of toasted malts, bitter chocolate, and some very faint coffee. Very smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2007 00:25:47 | More by HugoGrim

Deuane

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From a firkin at the Zeno's Real Ale Festival

A - Black....with the slightest hint of ruby tint at the edges. Now head...but it was from a firkin, not expected.

S - Nice full roasty malt scent.

T - Chocolate malt and more chocolate malt. This is a very nicely flavored Irish Dry Stout....not your fathers stout!

M - Nice and light without giving up body; Slight bitterness in the aftertaste and a lovely chocolate malt backbone.

D - A wonderful beer from Victory. Fantastic that it is only 3.7% ABV! This makes Donnybrook a wonderful session beer, the anti Storm King in ABV but not in flavor. Well done in making an Irish Dry Stout with flavor and not just another lame attempt at duplicating Guinness, which isnt that great to begin with!

Serving type: cask

11-13-2007 13:51:09 | More by Deuane

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

After trying Uncle Teddy's Bitter for the first time at Fathead's we wandered up E. Carson a couple blocks where we found Donnybrook Stout flowing at Smokin' Joe's. Appears a deep dark roasted coffee hue with ruby highlights around the edges, light cream cascading tan head leaves behind even rings of lacing with each sip. Aromatics full dark roasted malts bring dark chocolate and coffee roast bitterness with herbal hop backings and some creamy milk chocolate after tones to balance out the dryness. Flavors are cohesive and resilient despite the fact that I usually find nitro tap offerings to be way to clean and airy tasting. Dark roasted malts give me chocolate, strong coffee, and creamy sensations like some Irish coffee in many aspects. Mild hop bitterness with herbal tea leaf hop sensations are really welcomed to give the dry bitterness a little snap. Mouthfeel is creamy like a milkshake, get ready to clear your beer mustache with this one, somewhat airy but the creaminess is there and there's enough body to not come off thin I would say medium bodied range. Like I said nitro taps usually kill the beer for me but that wasn't the case one of the best representations of the style I've come across in quite awhile. Drinkability, find this on St Paddy's or any other festive drinking day and this would be by the pint however that night at Smokin' Joe's there were just too many other interesting offerings to keep coming back to this one, but next time I see it I will drink up, hopefully in number.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-23-2007 13:26:31 | More by WVbeergeek

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the brewery.

Interesting, it tastes like Storm King-light. It's very drinkable, but not your average Irish dry stout. The flavor is smooth and sweet chocolate liquor without any alcohol. It's just a little sweet and smooth, flavorful for the abv, but like a I said, but expect a normal dry stout.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2007 01:53:07 | More by tempest

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a pint on tap at d.b.a. in Manhattan. It was pitch black color with a thin beige head, and smelled surprisingly rich (to me) for the style. There was some chocolate and coffee (!) which I don't normally get out of dry stouts. The flavor was nice, roasted malts and coffee, not really any bitterness except maybe a hint in the after-taste. It went down easily, and at the low alcohol level you can drink it for a long time. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2007 02:20:43 | More by TurdFurgison

Stimack

New York

3.28/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This brew came in a standard Nonic glass. Poured to a deep black color with a frothy Guinness like head that broke down slowly and did leave a nice sheen on lacing down the side of the glass, nice looking brew to say the least. The aromas seemed to be more on the burnt side than toasted, some coffee like scents and a slight hop. The taste seemed to resemble the aromas quite closely. The malt seemed to have a slight astringent flavoring but to me this brew tasted like it was missing something, not overly robust. Slight hop finish was good but just think that I have had better dry stouts. The feel was very creamy and again to its style had a dry finish. All in All, I was let down by this brew, but again I am viewing a single persons view. Let me just finish by saying that my expectations where high and was a little let down and this is probably why I have been as harsh, it is a fair brew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2007 14:05:09 | More by Stimack

plaid75

New York

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep black hue with a one finger off white head. There was very good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light burnt grain with some coffee elements.

The taste featured a light burnt grain with a suprising citrus hop presence.

The mouthfeel was a bit thin for the style.

Overall a nice dry stout. Good drinkability.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-06-2007 17:01:32 | More by plaid75

LeftyBWS

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at D's Six Pax & Dogz, Pittsburgh, PA.
Dark brown color with a thick layer of creamy and rich darkish tan head on top. Smells strongly of roasted malts, with some subtler notes of sugars and dark fruitiness. Taste was a little paler and subdued than I expected given the appearance and smell. Had a slightly metallic and watery aftertaste that sort of ruined the initial taste which was a great mix of malts and sugars with some underlying bitter bite. Felt good in my mouth, round and filling but not too heavy; quite creamy. If the taste was vamped up a bit to maintain the initial level, I could easily have a couple of these, but as it was, I moved on to something else.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-19-2007 00:53:50 | More by LeftyBWS

mobud

Delaware

4/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Brewpub.

A- Dark as night with a creamy head that lingers thru sample.

S- Great roasted malt that is really inviting.

T- The chocolate malt taste moves up on you, but does not overwhelm. The creamy head is a good setup for the easygoing flavor of this stout.

M- Light without giving up body; there is a light bitterness aftertaste that remains but does not turn you off.

D- Another great beer from Victory that you can only get at the brewery. The low ABV 3.7% makes it a great session beer and is a welcomed break from other places that are trying to recreate Guinness.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-13-2007 17:49:55 | More by mobud

Boto

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draught @ Victory: This one pours a very dark brown with a dense tan head. There was some cascading of the head: very Guinness-like. It leaves some lacing down the glass. The aroma was very mild. There were some roasted malts and a hint of chocolate. The taste is much better than the aroma and ABV would imply. Lighter body, but a good bit of chocolate and a hint of roasted malt. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-03-2007 18:28:01 | More by Boto

techdiver

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Beautiful black body with a creamy tan head.

Light roasted malt nose. Not a whole lot anything else is evident.

Roasted malt taste, along with typical coffee notes.

Mouthfeel is smooth and light.

Extremely drinkable. If you want a session stout, this is it. With the low ABV it's a light, tasty stout that begs to be consumed in mass quantities.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-25-2007 02:45:01 | More by techdiver

Jettanbass9

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +32.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is my favorite stout! Local Philly brewers are making stouts a standard and i couldnt be happier. I got this fresh pint from the blue dog cafe in lansdale. Great roasty flavor, not sour or acidic, full bodied and jet black. Similar to O'hara's (non-nitro stout favorite) but with more body and a fuller consistancy. Eastern PA residents... try this stout, i promise you will love it.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-02-2007 15:58:04 | More by Jettanbass9

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appears black with dark brown highlights and a large, light tan head of fluff that never goes away. Scattered chunks of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is very light and has notes of mild caramel, cocoa, and some roasted grain/coffee aromas behind some sweet, fruity aromas. It actually reminds me a bit of Guinness in many ways.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas, along with some vanilla notes. The same nod to Guinness though not quite as sweet as the Irish bretheren brew.
Mouthfeel is thin, slightly chalky, and herbally, bitter and dry.
Easy drinking as it's under 4% abv.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-21-2007 15:56:48 | More by weeare138

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pint glass served at Capone's.

A: The stout is a midnight black color with a starkly contrasting white head that is thick and billowy.

S: The nose is dry maltiness that is punctuated with a burnt toast scent.

T: The ale is distinctly dry, very much like a Guinness in that sense. The dryness does not hide the roasted malts, thick and chocolatey, that make up the body. Surprisingly, the thick head provides a sweetness that counters the dry malts in a nice manner.

M: An easy drink, this ale is not too big despite the pleasing roasted body.

D: Under 4%, are you kidding me. This is the kind of beer that you can belly up to all day long.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2007 00:43:46 | More by akorsak

MmmIPA

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black as night body with a nice creamy,thick tan head.

Some fruity smells.I have a problem smelling nitro tapped stouts.

Roasted malt,expresso,coffee and chocolate with some fruity taste in there.

Mouthful is very creamy and light bodied.

Great beer to drink lots of.My girl thought I wouldnt like it because it was so light.I was in heaven,very creamy,seductive,light and down right tasty.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-13-2007 03:30:18 | More by MmmIPA

goindownsouth

South Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Black as night in colour. Tan, creamy head firmly atop this brew. Unquestionable lacing along the sides of the glass. Surprisingly rich aromas of roasted malty goodness with subtle undertones of bittersweet chocolate and dark roasted coffee. Balance on the palate - the subtle hints of hops play well with the smoothness of the brew on the tongue and the roasted malt backbone. What a brew. As good as I have had from this style - EVER. Very, very well done. I never would have expected the aromas and flavors from a brew of this quaffability. An incredible brew and one I would make the drive to Victory for any day of the week.

Diatribe... In this day and age of big beers, it is refreshing, both literally and figuratively, to have such a wonderfully memorable brew like this...

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-08-2007 16:11:53 | More by goindownsouth

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: Served a gorgeous jet black color with a creamy light chocolate head and thick curtains of sticky lace paste over every inch of my glass. The head never receded. Magnificent!

Smell: Light roasted malt, dry stout aroma. It has hints of chocolate milky malt and coffee in the aroma. In the defense of the beer, the bar serves it too damn cold.

Taste: Irish Dry Stouts tend to be simple in nature simply by the style of the beer. As a Guinness fan in the past I reserve a special appreciation for a good sessionable stout. This one is apropos to style. Pleasant levels of roastedness and chocolaty malts with a delightfully long lingering burnt coffee aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Again my only complaint was that it was served *WAY* too cold. This affect the nose and mouth of what could have been even better. Also no growler fill means no chance to try it in a more controlled environment. If hadn't been in a hurry on my way to a tasting I would have waited for it to warm. Still it was creamy as creamy can be with all that nitro, and quite smooth with a pleasant residual dryness on the cheeks.

Drinkability: This is the epitome of a session beer. Easy approachable and each sip left me wanting more. I used to pound sixers of Guinness, I could easily do the same with this 3.7% treat, once I can get it in growler form that is ;-)

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-09-2007 10:22:50 | More by Phatz

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I enjoyed this beer at the 2007 Victory Chili Fest.
It was served as a black beer with creamy tannish head that easily escaped the confines of the glass.
Smell was notable for toasted malt.
Taste was also toasty, with strong notes of bitter coffee present.
Rich and creamy mouthfeel (from the notrogen)
Very drinkable. Was excellent to session on a long day of chili eating.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-03-2007 02:03:09 | More by tgbljb