Donnybrook Stout - Victory Brewing Company

BitterLover

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Just had this one at Tyler's Taproom in Durham, NC on a rainy, blustery night. It was the featured beer at Pint Night, so I got to keep the glass. It was pre-poured because of the high demand, so I didn't get to see it settle out.

Appearance: A thick, one finger head that had the appearance of light brown neoprene sat on top of the inky black liquid. The bubbles in the head were so fine that I'm thinking it was poured from a nitrogen tap. There wasn't enough light for me to see any carbonation.

Smell: Very faint roasted coffee aroma to my nose, with maybe a little cocoa thrown in.

Taste: I was expecting something more like Guinness, but it was milder than most of the stouts I've had. I think this is truer to this particular style. It was not bitter, which allowed the subtle roasted malt character to shine through. Not even a hint of alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Somewhat chewy, with a little bit of carbonation, and oh-so-smooth as it rolls across the tongue.

Drinkability: With the low alcohol and the low bitterness, this could definitely be a session beer, especially on a rainy, blustery evening!

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-29-2009 03:51:48 | More by BitterLover

jantonius

California

4.7/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Amazing Deep Black Irish Stout with a Thick White Head

S: Slight Malt Smell, burnt malt smell

T: Slightly sweet, with a dry finish

M: Amzing Full Body, Fills every space in your mouth

D: Easy Drinking, low alcohol

My vote for the best Irish Stout, even better than the original from Ireland!!

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-26-2009 01:23:55 | More by jantonius

jimsimply

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Arrived black as pitch with a full, creamy summit. Some solid lacing remained as the beer disappeared rather quickly.

Not a ton to smell here, definitely the roasted character of the malt.

Tastes like a dry stout should: full but dry. None of the chewiness you'd expect in the big stouts, but again, that's as it should be.

This is a solid session stout. Good enough to stand up on its own but easy to enjoy with anything.

I liked it.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-23-2009 01:28:07 | More by jimsimply

Pjev11

New Jersey

3.74/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at the Liberty Bar on West 35th street in Manhattan. It was the tale of 2 beers. Initially, I had thought that I got a poor pour, as the brew had barely settled by the time it was presented to me and had a huge head, about 1/4 of the glass. In retrospect, the pour was the best part. Not only did it look fantastic, with the light brown head contrasted with the dark (very dark) brown body, but the head was the best tasting part as well. I always enjoy a nice thick head, especially when it comes to stouts. This did not dissapoint in that area. It was thick and creamy and extremely tasty head, with dark notes of chocolate/coffee sweetness coming through. It was particularly nice once I broke through the head to get to the actual brew, which when paired with the head in a single sip was a very pleasant experience. Unfortunately, that's where it ended. Once the head was gone and I was left with only body, it turned itself into a thin and average tasting stout.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 16:22:34 | More by Pjev11

HoppyInfidel

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Rustico, in Alexandria, VA. Poured into a pint glass. Opaque and black, with an inch of creamy tan head. A fair bit of lacing remained through the course of the pint. Didn't get much in the way of aromas, but the taste was pleasant enough - dry and roasty. Reminiscent of Guinness, but a tad drier. I'd drink it again.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-24-2009 22:31:23 | More by HoppyInfidel

jocosa

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nitro-tap at Taco Mac - Newnan, GA.

This is a session stout all the way. Nice to have such from Victory with out the usual extra hop profile. Dark, beautiful pour - settled into a classic creamy nitro head. Great aroma of roast grains, hint of coffee and cocoa. Taste of the same, slight sweetness, and all at 3.7%. Nice to have a stout with lunch and not feel wiped out afterwards. Very drinkable, wish I could find this more often.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-15-2011 18:38:28 | More by jocosa

gtlaw

Newfoundland (Canada)

2.38/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Guiness is the first thing that comes to mind.. It may be a good representation of the style, but its a style that is a waste of time IMHO. I was dissapointed, and chugged this one down very quickly so I could move on to beers that have 3 times the flavor, and alcohol

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-08-2009 18:18:12 | More by gtlaw

TheWorstGuyEver

New York

2.7/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

I actually had the bartender check to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with the tap or keg. He did and said "Can't notice anything wrong, just a bummer beer." His words, but I'll stand by them. This beer is nearly flavorless. Poured inky black with a healthy light-brown head that held all the flavor. Sipping through the head I got hints of a semblance of roasted, nutty malt. From there on it tastes like watered-down Guinness. This beer is thin, watery, boring and offensive for those reasons. Not sure what niche Victory was going for with this one. It's not enjoyable for Beer Geeks at Beer Bars, it's not familiar enough for the lawnmower crowd, and who on earth would buy a six pack of water-Guinness for a fireside or front porch session? Truly "a bummer beer." Drinks easy, though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2010 07:09:27 | More by TheWorstGuyEver

dontspookthehors

New York

4.72/5  rDev +27.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Outstanding in every aspect. This dry stout coming in @ 3.7%ABV is everything I could ever want for this style. Very high whole hop flavor (EKG I assume) for style, without the typical roasted malt bitterness normally present. I can't say enough about this offering from Victory. They are my darling East Coast Brewery, and they should be yours too!

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-30-2011 03:19:06 | More by dontspookthehors

maelgon

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +26.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

My go-to session beer whenever I visit Victory - Donnybrook never disappoints. Low ABV doesn't mean no taste - it has a roasty flavor that doesn't cross over into smokiness. Decent mouthfeel and consistently good flavor. Sadly, needs nitro so I can't take home my growler filled with this.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-19-2010 15:13:54 | More by maelgon