Why we picked it: We are in a run of stouts and Victory is a nice regional brewery. So why not?
What Victory has to say: A thundering hop presence collides with massive espresso and dark chocolate flavors in our dense and full-bodied imperial.
ABV: 9%
IBU: 95
Fun Fact: Victory Brewing Company starts on a school bus in 1973 when fifth-graders Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski stepped aboard, on their way to a new school. The two became fast friends and remained so, even as they grew up and went to college on opposite coasts.
The 9% comes through, it just tastes too alcohol-y. Sorry, that's my vocabulary after yet another Xmas season party afternoon. Last night's (and many others this month already) had so much more flavor than this.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't tell me that this was an imperial stout, I would have guessed that it was only 7%. I like its aroma and subtlety. After all the fancy milk / coffee stouts, it was refreshing to let the roasted barley flavor do the talking. This is how I like stouts. Top notch.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think this one is my favorite so far. It got better down the glass too, as it warmed up slightly.
DeleteSo this came out of the gates with a fast start. Nice and chocolaty but still hoppy. But something happened. I don't know if it was following the updates as the Seahawks season ended while being forced to watch the two most despicable teams in football play each other realizing that one of them will probably be the Super Bowl champion, but something just wasn't working. I agree that originally it didn't seem that boozy but it definitely got heavier as it went down and it may have taken me two hours to finish it. And then I didn't even want another beer. Just sat around eating cookies all night. I should probably try it again under better circumstances but for now, I give it only 2.5 Bom Roethlisbradys.
ReplyDeleteI could do without this much chocolatey side of it. Really, I can't get past that. I know there are things I like in here (the hops and the espresso), but I just can't get past the unappealing dark chocolate. Not uncommon for non-chocolate person in this chocolate crazed world, but just can't get past it this time. 1.5 Crazy for Coco Puffs.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. It pours like tar, and tastes kinda bad. I feel like the initial taste is smooth but then it hits me with this super bitter after-taste, and while I am a hops guy, I am not digging it. I give it only 1 Coco Puff.
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