Head To Head: Victory Storm King vs. Grand Teton Black Cauldron

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we two Imperial Stouts that are both brewed in America. The first beer is Victory Storm King Imperial Stout from Pennsylvania. The second beer is The Grand Teton Black Cauldron from Idaho.

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Appearance: Winner – Tie

King – Pours black with a decent sized tan head. The head diminishes leaving little lace.

Cauldron – Pours black with huge tan head. The head has big frothy bubbles but diminishes quickly leaving little lace.

Aroma: Winner – Cauldron

King – This has a small amount of molasses sweetness but what is more evident is the hops. The hop presence is very strong.

Cauldron – This has more balance with neither the sweet caramel or hop aromas dominating.

Taste: Winner – Cauldron

King – Any sweetness is immediately taken over by a very strong bitterness. There is a tar like presence in the taste.

Cauldron – This beer has a pleasing caramel sweetness to start. There is a bit of chocolate and the taste finishes with a nice build up of bitterness. It does not become overpowering like the other beer.

Body/Finish: Winner – King

King – The body is full and he bitterness finally pays off in a pleasing (if strongly bitter) aftertaste. It is a long finish and quite enjoyable.

Cauldron – The body is full and the finish is short. A slight disappointment in that the bitterness in the flavor is not evident in the finish.

Overall: Winner – Cauldron
There is something a bit overwhelming about a bottle of beer that is the equivalent of a six-pack of bud. While it has no relevance to the tasting the Black Cauldron bottle is a beast to behold and thanks must go out to my sis for giving it to me as a gift. If you’re reading this feel free to send more.

Now as to the tasting the Storm king was simply to bitter. It reminded me of the Great Divide Yetis without the balance. Surprisingly it was quite different to the last Head to Head and perhaps I will need to revisit it in the future. But today it was outclassed. The Grand Teton was the better beer with a wonderful balance. It could have a bit more finish and more complexity but it was a lot of fun finishing the bottle after the tasting. Thanks go out to my wife and the Warner’s for helping me finish it.

~ by alelagerlambic on June 27, 2008.