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Java Cask
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
- 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:
- 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.
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:
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
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, 2016Enjoy 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.
More User Ratings:
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
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, 2020Reviewed by Alieniloquium from Florida
4/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2020Reviewed 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
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, 2020Reviewed by dresserinthecorn from Pennsylvania
4.8/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
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, 2019Rich, 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.
Reviewed by TBoneJones from Texas
3.99/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2019Bitter 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.
Java Cask from Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
594 ratings
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