Thoughts on Victory Java Cask?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Steve_Studnuts, Mar 16, 2018.

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  1. Txex06

    Txex06 Maven (1,288) Dec 28, 2016 Texas
    Trader

    I grabbed a single at a liquor store for $8, and it was well worth it. Java's ABV is about 2% higher then some other beers being mentioned in this thread, if that matters.
     
  2. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I paid $7.49 for it at Total Wine & More in Cherry Hill, NJ and thought it was great, and I'm not even a big coffee beer fan. I'd say if you can find a single bottle it's certainly worth a try, but I'd personally hesitate on a 4 pack even after having had it. I can justify the cost of a single bottle though just in comparing it to morning coffee - if I spend $2 to $3 on that all I have to do is skip it a few days and the cost of the beer is covered. Additionally, if I didn't try it I'd always be wondering about it, and maybe the $7.50 is worth is so that I don't have to drag that albatros around.
     
  3. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Pooh-Bah (2,890) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Good beer, not worth what they’re asking, in my opinion
     
  4. DeviousSpirits

    DeviousSpirits Initiate (0) Mar 23, 2009 Michigan

    Previous year vintages of this have been in 750ml bottles = 25 ounces, and about $20+ each. I never saw anyone complaint of cost of those, as anyone brave enough to pay the price of admission was mostly very satisfied.

    This need ages very well. I drank my second to last 2016 last month, and was saddened by the fact that I had one left. Age balances all of the flavors in play - bourbon, coffee, chocolate - nicely.
     
  5. Steve_Studnuts

    Steve_Studnuts Maven (1,355) Apr 21, 2015 Pennsylvania

    You just sold me.
     
  6. meanmutt

    meanmutt Grand Pooh-Bah (3,883) Feb 6, 2012 Ohio
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I loved Java Cask...preferred it to KBS. Primarily because it's boozier...KBS always seems a little too balanced to me. $30 is kinda steep though...I'm pretty sure it was $24 in my area.
     
  7. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

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  8. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I love it, but only buy one bomber at those prices ( north of $20 )
     
  9. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bought a single. Thought it tasted like coffee left outside in the trash that got rained on.

    To be clear: not worth it at $1 for a 4 pack.

    My full review:

    Bottled 10/25/17; drank 1/8/18.

    Black appearance.

    A violent pour yielded a nice, noisy dark tan head; a thick curtain of lace.

    Dark roast coffee bean, fresh earth, bakers chocolate & faint cream notes in the nose.

    Medium thick mouthfeel.

    Dark roast coffee bean & trash water flavors up front; stale hop & dark chocolate notes on the finish. Almost no booze heat.

    If this beer was the brewers intention, he or she is a sadist. Permanent pass.
     
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  10. Lahey

    Lahey Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2016 Michigan

    Well I'm sold, I love a little garbage juice in my stout:wink:
     
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  11. AMessenger

    AMessenger Aspirant (269) Mar 17, 2018 Pennsylvania

    $30 per 4pk/$180 per case is what is being charged at the brewery as well. A real joke.

    Good beer but not worth that price. That consistently seems to be Victory's pricing model these days.

    The beer is nowhere close to being in the same league with BCBS.
     
  12. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It is a 14% Bourbon BA stout so at $7-$8 a bottle, its reasonable. I had mine with only 2 months of age on it and found it a little boozy and bitter. I'm thinking this is a better beer with age on it to tame down the bourbon and hops a little (just a guess).
     
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  13. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    Comparing to the lagunitas BA stouts isn't a fair comparison. The high westified, now willitized is the best deal I've ever come across. 25-30 a four pack is definitely on the higher end, but finding good ba stouts a whole lot cheaper than that isn't super common. I've only had Java cask from a few years ago and that beer was worth 7.50 a bottle.
     
  14. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    $30 isn't bad. Last year I spent $10 for a Budweiser at Wrigley Field and I thought it sucked so I upgraded to a GI 312 for $12, that also sucked.
    A local store was selling Java Cask singles for $8, bought one, it was a no-brainer.
     
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  15. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Since The victory sale ,prices have gone up , tons of new beers are released, many not close to good at $14 six packs or 4 packs. I was a big victory supporter but no more. They are pricing themselves out of the local market. I see their beer sit and sit at the prices they ask.

    I get the investment company wants to make $ but I don't see this ending well for Victory. No thoughts on southern tier as I don't see their beer too often anymore.

    Enjoy
     
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  16. hillind

    hillind Savant (1,007) Apr 24, 2010 Pennsylvania

    The kickback can pack is a solid deal imo, but I agree with you. Prices have gone up, and the new beers for the most part have been underwhelming. I did like Mighty Things, but it reminded me so much of Hop Ranch I can't even consider that a new beer.
     
  17. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I agree with you 100% here.

    Cheers!
     
    hillind likes this.
  18. jageraholic

    jageraholic Pooh-Bah (1,632) Sep 16, 2009 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was comparing it based on style of the beer (BA Coffee Stout) where KBS has a lot more going on. Not sure how Lagunitas does the pricing they do, but I dont think being cheaper should make it not a fair comparison.
     
  19. JoeK89

    JoeK89 Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2015 Massachusetts

    I thought it was pretty exceptional considering I hadn't heard much about it. I bought one for about 6-7 bucks and then got one for my brother at $8 as it's a no-brainer in terms of enjoyment for any BB stout fan IMO. I liked it better and was more complex than the Lagunitas willetized but obviously not as good a deal.
     
    AZBeerDude72 likes this.
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