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

InstinctDecay

California

4.93/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this at Hamilton's Tavern during San Diego Beer Week, poured into a tulip glass.

Poured black with a small residual head, tan.

Aroma was phenomenal. Vanilla character, strong roasted malts, coffee. Much more refined and pungent than from the bottle.

Taste followed aroma rather closely. A near-perfect blend of coffee, toasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, with a warming but smooth presence brought on by the alcohol. Sweetness done right.

Mouthfeel was creamy, sticky, warming, with moderate carbonation. Compliments the taste well.

Overall: I've had this beer several times, and it is undoubtedly my favorite Porter. I couldn't pass down the opportunity to try it from the cask. This was a real treasure to try out.

Serving type: cask

11-30-2012 10:03:16 | More by InstinctDecay

bohemiandonut

California

4.88/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is exactly how I like my porters. Rich and creamy, with no confusion for a chocolate soda. Strong bourbon backbone accentuates a dark semisweet chocolate nose and flavor. This is like drinking liquefied rum-soaked cacao bean.

The espresso jolt and texture carry the vanilla and booze nicely, but most impressive are again the notes of premium dark chocolate: Rain forest unripe berry with a back-of-the-throat sweetness. A warming sipper, I can't wait for more.
_
On cask into tulip.

Serving type: cask

07-21-2010 01:17:48 | More by bohemiandonut

SShelly

California

4.4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Cask at Surly Goat.

Pours black with low offwhite head, even a sparkler barley kicks up any foam on this.

Aroma is vanilla with low coffe undertones, roast comes through pretty strong as well.

Flavor follows the aroma pretty close, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, woody/nutty finish.

Always enjoy this beer, and out of the cask is no exception, the alcohol has a way of sneaking up on you in this, no real warming in the mouth, but my chest and stomach start feeling it a few sips in.

Serving type: cask

07-01-2010 15:08:45 | More by SShelly

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

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

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

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

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

P: Pitch black body with a cappuccino jiggly cream top. Delicate lace on edges.

S: Robust columbian coffee, vanilla potpourri, near burnt dark malt, pumpernickel bread, no bake cookies and astringent booze.

T/M: Huge vanilla extract presence hits the palate first then the coffee and chocolate cookies take over. Hints of smoke and charred molasses mingle with the velvety feel. Finishes semi dry with lingering espresso. Nice warming sensation.

O: Love it. A great impy porter that showcases both the vanilla and coffee in a circus of flavors for your mouth. It's like having a cold triple shot if espresso with vanilla added. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 23:50:42 | More by Hopswagger

BobZ

Massachusetts

4.21/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 oz Bottle poured into a Pint glass.

Appearance: Almost black with a small 1/4" tan head that quickly recedes to only a cap, nice lacing.

Smell: Big coffee with a hint of sweetness.

Taste: Rich dark roast coffee is the dominant flavor there is some vanilla on the finish but it is subtle. This is done in a good way the coffee bitterness up front with just the hint of vanilla sweetness on the finish. Very little chocolate flavor as again the roasted malt supports the coffee flavor.

Mouthfeel: Very well bodied for a porter, smooth and drinkable.

Overall: An excellent coffee porter, full and very flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 15:48:55 | More by BobZ

pkalix

California

4.5/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours thick and dark. no head. very little clings to the sides. 2nd pour of the bomber resulted in some beautiful dark brown chocolatey foam....
smells like roasted espresso, roasted malt. some vanilla.
taste is closely the same. some bitterness and taste of alcohol. very well balanced, regardless. very nice. very good for 10% entering the system.
overall, very good. sweet and filling. bitter, yet tasty. very substantial across the board.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 02:21:28 | More by pkalix

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A wonderful beer- hits all the right notes without overdoing it. Luscious and balanced, it really satisfies the sweet tooth without being too sweet. It's the nice vanilla richness that does it for me. The coffee flavor is wonderful. Obviously high quality coffee is used, and the fact that it's cold brewed undoubtedly helps create its smooth, clean flavor. Nicely balanced overall , with the coffee taking the lead, followed by a long slightly sweet vanilla note, some roastiness and a bitter finish. A nice package.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 00:56:02 | More by Georgiabeer

Florida9

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Fully opaque black in color. Forms a moderate sized, very dark tan, almost-mocha colored head. Decent retention. Some lighter lacing.

S: Aroma is coffee and heavily roasted malts. Chocolate, cocoa, espresso, char, and just the faintest hint of vanilla.

T: Taste is more of the same. Full of flavor. Dark, bitter, chocolate and cocoa seem to dominate, but there are also flavors of coffee and nearly burnt malt. Very mild sweetness. Cola. Hint of smoke. And some light vanilla notes.

M: Full bodied, lower carbonation, mild chalkiness, mild bitterness.

O: Yes, a very nice beer indeed.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 01:17:10 | More by Florida9

MadScientist

New York

4.89/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: A black beer that lets just a bit of light through a deep garnet beer. The creamy head is a deep espresso color with good retention.

S: Strong coffee and a rich dark chocolate pumped up with vanilla and a light roast aroma. A sweet, light alcohol note.

A: Rich, smooth vanilla, coffee and chocolate with a depth of flavors that just goes on. Some roast, caramel and a little burnt sugar. There is a high amount of malt sweetness but it's countered by a moderately strong hops bitterness giving a balance that is somewhat sweet. This beer doesn't dry out and finish about medium. There is lingering chocolate and vanilla flavors mixed with some hops bitterness.

M: A medium-full bodied beer with a lot of creaminess and a moderate carbonation. There is a noticeable amount of alcohol but it isn't boozy.

O: Well this outstanding beer sets a high water mark for Porters in my book. There's more going on here than in a lot of stouts

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 00:52:48 | More by MadScientist

RobertColianni

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.75

24oz. Bottle
10oz. Pours into XL Duvel Tulip

A: Victory at Sea pours black as night with a brown, creamy head that dissipates into islands of patchiness after about ten minutes. A very pretty pour.

S: The scent from this Porter is very straight and to the point: charred barley. There was no pretending or beating around the bush on this one. Very boring.

T: The flavor profile of Victory at Sea unveiled a creamy, frothy, hot chocolate, black coffee, and caramel once warm. Enjoyable, but still very standard or typical.

M: Once the head of the Porter dissipates, the creaminess sort of does as well. Once the body warms up for about fifteen minutes on this sipper, the malts viscosity drops off largely. Not that there was a ton of maltiness beforehand, but this beer really turns into a thin bodied mess of carbonation. Thumbs way down from me!

OVERALL: Victory at Sea is tastefully enjoyable, but not very balanced at all. To be blunt, it's all over the place. We agreed collectively that the chocolate taste was bitter and dry, the black coffee or espresso was very forward, and the vanilla was just a tingly and grainy mess that basically turned into a thin chalkiness after twenty minutes or sipping.
Victory at Sea didn't open up at all or gain a thing from temperature rise. Infact, it died completely, and fell apart. I've had much better.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 19:40:52 | More by RobertColianni

wogreen

Arkansas

4.84/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A - dark black, brown head dissipates quickly
S - malty and coffee grounds
T - potent coffee flavor. the sweetness of the vanilla has a nice undertone...not overpowering like many vanilla flavored beers
M - thick almost like a milkshake
O - a very fine porter, and nearly like a stout

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 00:51:54 | More by wogreen

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to willandperry for this long time want! Enjoying this while making brunch.

Appearance. Pours a deep dark brown, black in the glass with half a finger of tan head.

Smell. Big coffee, some roasty malts and vanilla and just a touch of semi-sweet chocolate. Pretty much as advertised.

Taste. Big coffee again with more pronounced vanilla bean than the smell, some dark roasty malts, and a little almond.

Mouthfeel. Medium-full body, smooth medium-low carbonation.

Overall. A very nice porter with huge coffee flavours. Thanks again willandperry!

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 15:34:38 | More by Rutager

brydeen

Minnesota

4.11/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a jet black with a very thin khaki colored head. Looks creamy.

S: Dark roast coffee, espresso, with a very light toasted marshmallow scent.

T: Light toasty coffee flavor, with a graham cracker hint. Definite sweetness from the vanilla. Surprisingly lacking in the roasty flavor, especially after the strong aroma. Extremely tasty though.

M: Full bodied, rich and creamy. Very heavy.

O: Really tasty, but a bit sweet. Wish it had a bit more roast in the taste to counteract the vanilla. Tasty, but about 8oz is about the max I'd want in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 02:36:18 | More by brydeen

dar482

New York

4.71/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

It had an Enjoy By Date before 11/23/13. This beer should have a year on it for the Enjoy By, so this was a 6 month old bottle.

The beer comes in a pitch black color with a khaki head.

The aroma has espresso, chocolate, and vanilla.

The flavor has an initial bitter coffee and then it just grows and grows. The coffee eventually just coats your whole tongue. It's almost like drinking a creamy dark black coffee. I don't think I've had a brew with more coffee in it. There's then some milk chocolate and the vanilla as well.

The mouthfeel is thinner than an imperial stout. Having had it on tap, it is super creamy then. From a bottle though, it's a less like a creamy cappuccino.

This is really an incredible beer. It's one of my favorite big stout/porters, which is a category that is already filled with amazing beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 02:27:46 | More by dar482

jjboesen

Maryland

4.71/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ballast Point is your typical brewery; that is, if the typical brewery produces superb beers. I fell in love with these guys during my recent trip to San Diego (San Diego Beer Week 2012). Excellent stuff to say the least. This one, the Victory at Sea Vanilla Porter (there is the regular "Victory at Sea", of course) is endowed with vanilla.

Any way, here is how it goes: we have at the start, a spongy beige head accompanied by massive gobs of gummy lacing. We see a body that is tar black. Take a whiff; we smell freshly ground coffee. Taste it: there is an intense hit of the aforementioned coffee - supplemented by caramel undertones with bits of dark chocolate arbitrarily strewn about for effect. That said, I did not get much vanilla, but then it is somewhat bland and unaccustomed to standing out - vanilla, that is.

The mouthfeel is very creamy, very silky; this is an extraordinarily balanced beer to belie the 9% alchohol level. Really, it does. A superb dessert beer from a superb brewer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 00:32:18 | More by jjboesen

Powderhornphil

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours black, not too thick. Nice looking head, but again, not particularly thick. Over all good looking.

Vanilla is heavy, roasted coffee. The vanilla is quite heavy. As it warms, some malty sweet aromas appear.

Taste follows the nose. Vanilla sweetness, coffee, sweet malt sugars, mild malt roasts. Finishes with a healthy dose of coffee bitterness. The alcohol... wait what alcohol. Very well hidden.

Mouthfeel comes across as much lighter than the 10 percent ABV.

Great beer here, no doubt about it. I have been excited to try this beer for a long time and am glad to try it finally.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:34:17 | More by Powderhornphil

vinny21bal

Illinois

4.84/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Best Porter around. I have not had any of the variants but this one is amazing. Chocolate, vanilla, and not bland like a lot of the other porters can be. It is like the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter with a lot more flavor and balls. I am very excited to see it in Illinois and can't wait to drink my case of it. Mouth feel is very rich as well but not to big like a bourbon county wear you can only have a little.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 18:56:34 | More by vinny21bal

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.6/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

L: Very dark, but still some glints of red around the edges, soapy mocha head, moderate lacing.

A: Big coffee and vanilla notes, as to be expected, as well as dark chocolate, dark fruit, cherry and a sweet caramel backdrop. Some noticeable alcohol, slightly spicy, perhaps from hops.

T/M: Smooth bitterness upfront, moves into a velvety mixture of coffee and chocolate notes, a sweet caramel middle, and a finish with more dark roasted coffee, chocolate, dark fruit, and a big dose of vanilla. Smooth, but fairly thin, with a fairly drying finish from the roasted malt.

Overall, a delicious and complex brew, very drinkable for the abv. I have a few more and look forward to cracking one open for desert on occasion. It is not as viscous as many Imperial Stouts, but the flavor is all there. One of the best coffee infused beers I have had.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 23:33:06 | More by Siriusfisherman

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.56/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Served from a bomber into a Grey Sail pint. Put in the fridge for an hour prior to consumption.

Appearance- Pitch black with thin mocha head that didn't last long. Mocha ring remains around the top of the beer.

Smell- Strong. Coffee, sweet chocolate, burnt vanilla aromas, some licorice, heavy sweet chocolate malts. The booze is relatively hidden in smell.

Taste- Wow heavy coffee with mild lingering vanilla notes. Dark bitter chocolate rounds out the coffee nicely and smooth malts balance with the bitter chocolate. Very well balanced beer. Booze is also not forward, which for 10% is incredible.

Mouthfeel- Very drinkable and smooth with moderate carbonation. Too drinkable actually.

Overall- This is an awesome beer. Great, well balanced flavors and smooth body in this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:23:59 | More by Seanniek91

mattwjones

California

4.53/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Recently did a side-by-side of VaS 2011 and 2012. I thought I loved this beer fresh, but drinking it a bit more than a year old really lets it shine. Definitely worth grabbing a few bottles of this and putting them in the back of the fridge or in your closet somewhere for a year or two.

a - met all expectations for a high gravity porter

t - a bit acrid and harsh when fresh, but mellows much after a year.

m - here's where its at. this beer is viscous and I love it. Low carb is perfect for a heavy hiring porter like this.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 05:38:27 | More by mattwjones

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.53/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Pours a dark pitch-black viscous liquid. There is a thin light tan head.

Aroma is of awesome coffee notes, espresso with hint of vanilla. Definitely some cocoa is present as well. The nose is pretty big on the vanilla with the coffee roast balancing it a bit.

Flavor on the other hand is so much more balanced. There is a strong espresso and coffee-ground roast with a smooth and silky vanilla note. The roast comes up quick and aggressive coating the palate with bitter coffee notes and some deep dark bitter/sweet cocoa. Then the sweet vanilla comes in trying to mellow out the coffee and adding a nice second dimension. There are some nice burnt notes and cocoa sweetness that mingle with the vanilla and the delicious coffee as well near the middle-end of the sip that really make this brew delicious. Mouthfeel seems just right with a nice silky and oily and full feel.

Overall this is a great brew. Top notch Porter as well. The vanilla notes and coffee notes are delicious together and independently are well crafted. The more cocoa like Porter notes also ad a great dimension.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2013 22:40:33 | More by JoEBoBpr