A taste of… St. Victorious Doppelbock

Victory Brewing Co.
420 Acorn Lane
Downingtown, PA 19335
USA
(610) 873-0881

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of St. Victorious Doppelbock was purchased for $3.00(USD) at Peas & Pickles Market in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a note stamped on the label: “Enjoy by Dec 15 2010 B1”

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: Crystal clear red garnet with a deep copper tint is carbonated with medium sized bubbles that leisurely float to the surface and make a less that half-hearted attempt to knit a head, loose interest and sink back from whence they came.

Aroma: As soon as this bottle was opened there was a barley malt presence. The first visit reveals a burnt sugar introduction. The second “nosing” brought more roasted grain aromas to the front. The third nose-dive found little more important to report.

Flavor: The first sip is slightly confusing. The refreshing cool liquid reveals a conflict between burnt sugar sweetness and tart spikes of hop oils. The second sip doesn’t resolve the conflict but allows the taste receptor to calibrate. The third sip has the flavor receptors calibrated and the conflicting flavors revealing more dimensions… still in conflict but understood and appreciated for their valor.

Mouth feel: There is a big body here but the flavors add even more weight.

Finish: The final notes of the battle echo for less than would be expected. Not so much as “Taps” and leaving the field… rather “retreat” and a settling in.

Comments: The echoes of the flavors on the pallet when savoring this brew are interesting and very conducive to contemplation.

Food & Beer: A fine beverage of choice for a not too well done leg of lamb (no damn mint jelly please) with sides of roasted chunks of potatoes and carrots. The roasted veggies with the particular flavor of lamb would settle down some of the more aggressive flavors in this brew.

The Brewery: http://www.victorybeer.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/1012

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/victory-st-victorious-doppelbock/625/