Java Cask
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown

Java CaskJava Cask
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From:
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
14.3%
Score:
95
Avg:
4.29 | pDev: 7.23%
Reviews:
165
Ratings:
594
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 22, 2022
Added:
Aug 05, 2015
Wants:
  64
Gots:
  173
Depth, complexity and richness occur when delicious ale ages in a barrel, just as a friendship grows over the years. This stout was created in collaboration with our friends from Philadelphia's Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda's restaurants. Using their delicious hand-roasted JB's coffee, our bourbon barrels deliver a bold and robust, chocolate malt-tinged stout. We invite you to toast the Victory of friendship and beer with Java Cask!

Rich aromas of coffee precede an inviting blend of sweet bourbon, oak and a hint of alcohol. A complex fusion of dark chocolate, roasted barley and vanilla is rounded out by robust coffee and a warming heat in this unique and very drinkable stout.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Damian:
Photo of Damian
Reviewed by Damian from Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Drank from a 1 pint 9.4 fl. oz. corked and caged bottle
Enjoy By: 10 NOV 2016
Served in a snifter

Dark brown and medium bodied in appearance. Definitely much lighter and thinner than I anticipated. The liquid was capped by a tight, frothy, finger tall, mocha colored crown that quickly dropped to a thin, bubbly collar. Droplets of lacing dotted the glass.

The aroma was very coffee forward but lacked a bit of punchiness initially. Creamed, medium roast coffee came to mind. Dark chocolate was also noticeable. Very mocha-like. Subtle roasty notes were detectible. Some alcohol heat appeared in the background. As the beer warmed, the coffee notes intensified and they took on a deeper, darker and roastier quality. Spent coffee grounds might be a good comparison.

Coffee also played a big role in the flavor profile. Again, medium roast, freshly brewed coffee came to mind. Pleasant but perhaps lacking in intensity. Good amount of dark chocolate. Somewhat roasty. Bit of vanilla and sweet cream. The beer finished with even more roast and a touch of alcohol heat. For a 14+% ABV beer, however, the alcohol was extremely well buried. A hint of earthy hops and oaky barrel came through as well.

The mouthfeel was a thinner than anticipated. Frothy and fluffy on the palate. A bit light and airy. With time, the carbonation settled and the beer turned smoother and creamier.

Victory's Java Cask is a solid coffee infused imperial stout, but it definitely did not live up to its ratings or its rather steep ($17) price point. I would have appreciated a bigger coffee presence, more intense bourbon/barrel notes and a much bigger mouthfeel. That said, for a 14.3% ABV beer, this drank remarkably well.
Jan 25, 2016
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.73 by 22Blue from Kansas

Jan 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4.09 by emerge077 from Illinois

Oct 31, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by acurtis from New Jersey

Mar 29, 2021
 
Rated: 4.31 by walt5 from Delaware

Feb 03, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Urk1127 from New Jersey

Dec 01, 2020
Photo of fountainofyouth
Rated by fountainofyouth from District of Columbia

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
It's good but the bourbon is just a little too heavy, partially masks the rest of the flavors.
Sep 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4.54 by Argail from Louisiana

Jul 09, 2020
 
Rated: 4.31 by jimmybram from North Carolina

Apr 25, 2020
Photo of Alieniloquium
Reviewed by Alieniloquium from Florida

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Das Beer Garden. Black and a little transparent at the edges. Smells of bourbon, oak, earthy coffee. Tastes of bourbon, sweet chocolate, coffee, oak. Vanilla and sugar lingers. Big, boozy, heavy, and sweet. But it's very flavorful. I don't often enjoy beers like this, but this is excellent.
Feb 06, 2020
Photo of Thankin_Hank
Reviewed by Thankin_Hank from Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours black as coffee and no head from a 12 ounce bottle dated 25NOV2019. It has a little carbonation and a strong molasses aroma. An near copy of my beloved "BOMB" without the heat of the Ancho Chiles. A touch more chocolate flavor and the oak wood of the barrel. Very smooth and almost creamy mouthfeel is also a plus. No bitterness and at 14.3% ABV the alcohol is not even noticeable but the coffee is fabulous on the tongue. A grand American Imperial Stout overall in my book and I would buy this again.
Jan 23, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by NCSapiens from Indiana

Jan 15, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by mjpolzin from Wisconsin

Dec 28, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by txag96 from Texas

Dec 22, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by BeerRay from Rhode Island

Dec 19, 2019
 
Rated: 4.49 by drh88 from Pennsylvania

Dec 14, 2019
Photo of dresserinthecorn
Reviewed by dresserinthecorn from Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
I love this stuff.
Rich, decedent, heavy, over the top...this is how I introduce this beer to ppl.

Pours black as night with a quickly dissipating tan head. Huge nose of coffee, vanilla, and cocoa pop with more subtle notes of butter and toffee poking out in between. The taste is pretty complex and very enjoyable. Coffee, butterscotch, chocolate, vanilla, and oak are so heavy that the 14.3% is barely noticeable. This is a real "treat yo self" beer.
Oct 26, 2019
 
Rated: 4.45 by stanale from Illinois

Oct 15, 2019
Photo of TBoneJones
Reviewed by TBoneJones from Texas

3.99/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Looks decent as a stout in a stout glass.
Bitter roasted dark coffee smell.
Taste is coffee with bourbon barrel flavor and hops and bitterness, not too sweet, oh and alcohol.
Feels thick and a little sticky, ending moderately dry.
Very nice big coffee stout. Would highly recommended to those who like coffee stouts.
Oct 05, 2019
 
Rated: 4.86 by Vylo from New Jersey

Aug 20, 2019
Java Cask from Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
Beer rating: 95 out of 100 with 594 ratings