Head To Head: Foothills Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout vs. Victory Storm King Imperial Stout

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. I have such a rough life for today we get to try two more Imperial Stouts from America. The first beer is Foothills Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout form my local state of North Carolina. The second beer is Victory Storm King from Pennsylvania.

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Appearance: Winner – Tie

Sexual – Pours Black with good tan head. The head dimishes quickly and leaves little lace.

King – Much the same with a deep black color and tan head that leaves little lace as it rapidly disapears.

Aroma: Winner – Sexual

Sexual – Rich, vibrant, deep complex. Any could be used for this. The aroma has sweetness, chocolate, coffee, some burnt aromas. Need I mention I like it.

King – Less sweetness in this beer and a lot more floral hop aroma instead.

Taste: Winner – Sexual

Sexual – Well this is a smooth beer. It has a nice sweetness that never become cloying or sickly. It balances this with a good amount of bitterness. Thrown in for good measure is a wonderful dark chocolate and roasted aroma.

King – This is simply dominated by hops. Lots of bitterness.

Body/Finish: Winner – Sexual

Sexual – The full body ends with a smooth and long finish. Makes you want more and for it not to end.

King – Good full body and the finish is the best part of this beer. The bitterness is just right although it could do with a bit more balance.

Overall: Winner – Sexual
Well this is the beer that started this blog. I have had several chances to enjoy this beer and am never disappointed. But this is the first chance to compare it against another Imperial stout. While I have not been overly impressed with the Storm King in these head to Heads the Sexual Chocolate crushed it in this tasting. In my opinion you would have to be truly blinded by hops to prefer the Storm King. The overall balance of the Sexual chocolate is astounding. I have had stouts with stronger characteristics that I really like the bitterness of the Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti or the coffee and alcohol of the Mikkeller Black Hole but this is the best-balanced Imperial Stout I can remember. I wish I had bought more bottles. Well I guess I will have to stand in line again next year. It is rough I know.

~ by alelagerlambic on June 30, 2008.