Victory At Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter - Ballast Point Brewing Company

Philousa

California

4.45/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours very black, but has a tinge of coffee color against the light. takes some effort to produce head and what's there dissipates to leave very little on top of the drink. Aroma starts out with lots of caramel and a hint o licorice/anise. The Porter malt is strong with this one. Some chocolate and vanilla notes with a hint of oak. Sweet vanilla flavor fades quickly to bitter dark roast coffee. Dark chocolate follows and finishes bitter. Vanilla is in there the whole while, lingering. I got some tobacco in there too. Amazingly smooth for the ABV, the finish is dry.

This is one of my favorite porters. Complex and flavorful, I thought this was surely barrel aged at first. Adding chocolate and vanilla is a delicate process, which is why I like BA beers more. All this is to say that the flavors blend well together and are not overbearing. The ABV is very deceiving, too. You notice it when you stand up, not when you drink it.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 03:43:07 | More by Philousa

acc88

Illinois

4/5  rDev -9.1%

06-18-2013 08:38:05 | More by acc88

Fuzzy1179

Hawaii

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-18-2013 04:53:51 | More by Fuzzy1179

Musicjunkieha

Texas

5/5  rDev +13.6%

06-18-2013 02:27:07 | More by Musicjunkieha

troegaarden

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This was poured from a Pizza Boy Brewing Co. 1L Growler into a snifter.

A: Pours a beautiful and creamy tan head, reminiscent of Founders Breakfast Stout. The beer itself is definitely a motor oil-consistency.

S: The coffee doesn't jump out at you with this brew, but it's certainly there. I get some dark fruits in there as well.

T: Up front, I definitely get the vanilla and slight hint of coffee. The finish is dry and contains the dark malt backbone of this beer. Excellent and smooth! Not hardly boozy which is weird considering this beer is 10% abv.

M: Creamy mouthfeel during each sip. It seems rather dry after, however.

O: Overall this beer kicks ass. Definitely my new favorite porter. I think this beer most likely better represents the Baltic Porters of long ago.

Serving type: growler

06-18-2013 02:14:50 | More by troegaarden

Jpirkle2715

California

3.75/5  rDev -14.8%

06-18-2013 01:56:42 | More by Jpirkle2715

KyleMA

California

4.25/5  rDev -3.4%

06-17-2013 23:55:15 | More by KyleMA

dertyd

California

3/5  rDev -31.8%

06-17-2013 05:46:36 | More by dertyd

themilkman87

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.1%

06-17-2013 03:23:08 | More by themilkman87

CLanda

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -26.1%

06-17-2013 00:38:25 | More by CLanda

bird22

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.3%

06-16-2013 19:50:26 | More by bird22

lpayette

Vermont

3.5/5  rDev -20.5%

06-16-2013 15:26:40 | More by lpayette

12packpoet

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev -3.4%

06-16-2013 02:37:56 | More by 12packpoet

IndyDad

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-16-2013 02:27:56 | More by IndyDad

Bowers-Brew

Illinois

4.56/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A - Super dark brown porter. Nice creamy foam head.

S - Coffee, chocolate, and sweet raisin and vanilla notes.

T - Great coffee flavor up front with a sweet vanilla finish.

M - Smooth, creamy, and just the right amount of carbonation.

O - Only my second Ballast Point beer and I'm very impressed so far. I definitely will have this porter again and look forward to trying more of their beers. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 21:17:41 | More by Bowers-Brew

afallon86

California

4/5  rDev -9.1%

06-15-2013 09:17:09 | More by afallon86

whiterapid

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-15-2013 03:37:48 | More by whiterapid

Pando

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -9.1%

06-15-2013 03:06:33 | More by Pando

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.6/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It has a nice practically jet black color to it. It has a nice dark tan head that dies down moderately fast and leaves some lacing.

Smell: Wow, the aromas definitely give out hints of sweet roasted malts, lots of dark chocolate, coffee/espresso, vanilla and caramel.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a some sweet roasted malts, coffee/espresso, dark chocolate, vanilla, toffee and caramel.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a great overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with great flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 00:26:35 | More by SebD

ACB

California

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-14-2013 22:01:50 | More by ACB

bmwats

Louisiana

4.14/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a growler into a footed tulip.

A: Very dark brown. Pours about a 1/2 finger, foamy, brown-white head. Settles pretty quickly, leaving a smattering of bubbles on the surface. Very nice spider web lacing.

S: Bold oaky, roasted espresso, plenty of dark chocolate, and just a touch of vanilla, balanced with a little peatiness.

T: Char roasted malt. Coffee is prominent. Bitter pecan shells. Very woody oak. Unsweetened dark chocolate and a little black licorice. Only a slight sweetness from the vanilla... really just an accentuate.

M: Thick and hearty and heavy. Very slightly hints at sweetness in the front. Bitter finish. High alcohol not really apparent until the finish. Leaves something of a whiskey-ish feel hanging on the palate.

D: Sip and savor.

Atmosphere is great. Dark and intimidating, accentuated by a nice head, and some persistent lacing. Nose is bold roasted coffee and oak with dark chocolate and a little vanilla for balance. Charred malt flavor. Prominent is coffee and wood, some bitter dark chocolate and black licorice, and a slight sweet tease. Thick, hearty and robust. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: growler

06-14-2013 03:40:31 | More by bmwats

drrone

Utah

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-13-2013 23:53:13 | More by drrone

Lethargy99

New York

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-13-2013 22:59:01 | More by Lethargy99

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +8%

06-13-2013 21:18:16 | More by williamjbauer

doremite

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -9.1%

06-13-2013 20:56:40 | More by doremite