Baltic Thunder - Victory Brewing Company

mikem0487

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

16oz bottle poured into an ale glass

A-Two finger head that dissipated quickly, leaving very little lacing. Dark brown with a slight red hue to it.

S-Toffee and coffee dominate. Has a small hint of tart cherry licorice after the toffee/coffee smell.

T-The coffee/toffee taste are right there dominating your palate. Very good. Slight alcohol taste, very minimal. Can't tell its 8.5% ABV though.

M-Smooth with little carbonation. Very low viscosity, flows right over the tongue.

D-High drinkability for a porter. Could drink a couple of these through out the night. My dad who does not know that much about beer said that it was a very drinkable beer and hes right!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 01:02:05 | More by mikem0487

theo871

Maine

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle poured into perfect pint. Stamped with an enjoy by 01/07/12 freshness date, so I'm guessing this is pretty fresh.

Pours a dark brown with hints of red. Thin head quickly dissipates and leaves behind very little lacing.

Smells of roasted malt, smokiness and chocolate.

Tastes roasty, sweet, little alcohol on the finish.

Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, smooth.

Drinkability is quite high for such a high ABV. Goes down smooth, almost too smooth.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 06:18:38 | More by theo871

Wisconsuds

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Don't remember when I picked this bad boy up, but glad I did. 22oz bottle poured into an oversized snifter glass during #snowmageddon 2011. A ridiculous winter blizzard calls for a beer like this.

Dark brown/ruby appearance with a thin layer of tannish-head. Vanishes to form a thin ring around the glass in a minute or two.

The smell of this brew is outstanding, definitely true to the Baltic porter style. An heavy amount of smoke and sweetness pairs with a slight tone of dark fruits. I'll say I'm not a huge fan of smokey beers, but this aroma is stellar.

The taste of Baltic Thunder is a mix of smokey, chocolatey and toffee. The smokey aroma mentioned before doesn't dominate the taste, thank god. A tinge of candied fruit dances around the tongue mid swallow, but again doesn't dominate the overall flavor.

Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, medium to full body. Just the right consistency. A lip-smacking chewyness invites you to keep drinking.

It's 8.5%abv is masked nicely. Not sure I'd have more than 2 at a time, but the alcohol is just not persistent with this one. As far as Baltic porters go, this one is a winner in my book.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 01:44:43 | More by Wisconsuds

JayS2629

Alabama

3.83/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tried at a tasting in a sample glass.

A- Deep dark brown with reddish hints, creamy tan head that fades fast and leaves little rings of lace.

S- Chocolate and coffee balanced well with hint of earthy hops and licorice notes.

T- Malty, porter taste with cocoa and coffee notes. Hint of licorice.Slight mineral notes.

M- Medium bodied, a little watery for a porter

D- Easy to drink, but nothing stood out

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 06:28:15 | More by JayS2629

engagechad

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I brought this beer home from Capital Ale house last night in a growler - poured into a Victory tulip glass (how fitting)..

Although my experience with pouring from a growler is limited to this one occasion, I did manage to get some good head on this beer with moderate lacing. This beer smells incredible! A lot of sweet malts and maybe some brown sugar notes in there which I love and the taste backs it up. When I was drinking this brew I forgot that I was having a porter for a minute so I had to take into account this deviation from the style when reviewing. The beer is sweet and malty, almost like a big brown ale so that was a little misleading, however I loved the beer.

This beer is amazing on the mouth and under the tongue, and VERY drinkable for it's ABV. I had about 22oz of this beer within about 15 minutes and I usually never do that, it was just that dern delicious.

Serving type: growler

01-26-2011 16:33:23 | More by engagechad

stonermouse

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a large mug (full bomber in a single pour).

Pours a cola color with a touch of red, making a mahogany-lie color.

Surprisingly, the first thing that hit me in the aroma was vanilla. A little bit of nuttiness as well, with a slight sense of alcohol.

Taste was pretty nice. Lots of roasted malts, with a dark-roast coffee bitterness. The sweetness comes in the form of a little bit of vanilla and a bit of toffee, both mild in comparison to the coffee.

Mouthfeel is nearly perfect for the flavors. Just a bit of stickiness, but mostly clean. The coffee bitterness goes fairly quickly, which is a nice quality.

Drinkability is solid. The flavors are interesting yet mild.

This was my first experience with this style; I didn't even realize there was a "Baltic" Porter style. Really nice style, though. Sweet, complex porter flavors but with a lager cleanliness to the finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 00:07:33 | More by stonermouse

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A fine, serviceable Baltic-type porter. I actually attended the "premiere" of this beer at some peculiar, misguided, gothic-smeared, carved-out crater of a "beer bar" in the Tropicana in AC, NJ - look up the spot if you want. No one was there...

I'll admit that it, for better or worse, adheres remarkably close to the description of the style outlined in the BJCP guidelines (http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style12.php#1c) - minus the dark, dried-fruit prominence and licorice/molasses characteristics.

I mostly get mildly coffee(nutty)-roasty, chocolate malt dominating the taste and a clean, smooth ale/lager hybrid feel. Comes across primarily as a porter, but with a moderately light, almost Dunkel bent to the experience. Hops are subdued in aroma and overall taste - the soft bitterness likely derived from the dark malts.

This is a decent drinking beer, for sure. The 8.5 is hardly noticeable and, therefore, this can be enjoyed in mass quantity.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 04:41:18 | More by Bouleboubier

flannelman808

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a columbian coffee brown brown with a heaping portion of raspberry syrup and in the light the red shines through as does the light... this is a rather clear beer. A very light tan head tops it off and has poor retention. I will say oddly it seems to be sticking to the glass rather well (ie good lacing).

S: Some mocha qualities though they are rather played down. Perhaps a minor fruity note as well... Once again I'm going with raspberry, perhaps milk chocolate covered.

T: Ok so this is sort of a weird brew. Seemingly subtle and then flavors sort of develop late. Milk chocolate, and a subtle boysenberry comes to mind. All of this is followed by some boozy hoppy bitterness. This beer is a great example of why we don't always use the tip of our tongue to taste sweetness. It's flavors effect the mid and back palate of ones mouth and argue if you... simply not the front.

M: light onset yet heavy finish

D: um... a little boozy and sweet for me.. this is lower than avg.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 10:58:28 | More by flannelman808

burnheartsMKE

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When I visiting friends in Tallin, Estonia in the late '90's I remember how easily the Estonians made winter seem; jackets unzipped, mini-skirts & high heels slushing through the late winter's dirty black snow. Farmer's markets in near freezing conditions. Life goes on and this is just how it is when you live in a cool temperate climate. That hardened, unblinking look in people's eyes; This coldness is nothing compared the unbearable frozen world from which we have just thawed. It made me appreciate the wind on my cheeks; an affirmation of Life, freedom.

This bottle of Victory - Baltic Porter brings me back to that time; bus trips through Latvia and Lithuinia, friendly chats in ancient stone carved Estonian bars over Irish coffees, Baltic porters & lagers. The sense of human kindness (and alcohol) warming any cold-front or downtrodden spirit fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to cross it's path. Discovering family in forms of temporary friendships, bonds of energy wrapped up in moments, unforgettable and only once.

With these memories resurfaced I pour the dark reddish brown liquid into my glass. A thin head arrives, as a greeting, then quickly disappears.

The distinct smell of a Fluffernutter sandwich brings me back to being 8 and lunchtime at my Auntie Di's house; taking a break from swimming in the above-ground pool with my cousins, all sun burns & baby fat. Toasty marshmallow & crunchy peanut butter make strange, but interesting (and delicious) bed fellows.

The taste here is all toffee and weak coffee (aka: hot brown). Yummy and easy-to-drink with a slight natural sweetness and solid roasted backbone. This would be quite session-able (and I wished I had another) if it wasn't hovering at 8.5% ABV. The high alcohol volume is well hidden and it is to blame for my ramblings.

Enjoy this on a cold night with a head full of memories.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 07:05:50 | More by burnheartsMKE

EkimGram

New York

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark roasty brown with a thin head that dissipates fairly quickly. No visible carbonation.

Smell: Sweet, roasty malts, a slight hint of alcohol.

Taste: Lots of the roasty burnt flavour. Some bitter notes in the middle. Finishes slightly boozy and sweet.

Mouthfeel: Slight to moderate amounts of carbonation. Semi-medium body that is smooth and silky.

Drinkability: A very solid beer. The hop presence is rather strong but it is balanced pretty well with the roasty flavour profile. A fuller body may be nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 03:42:53 | More by EkimGram

stewart124

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark ruby red with a centimeter of tan head.

Toffee and hazelnut in the nose some coffee

Plenty of roasted malt character with milk chocolate mousse notes. Medium bodied with a nice toffee/caramel and for lack of a better description 'milkyway candibar' finish. This is all malt for sure. Layers and layers of sweetness.

Mild bitterness with little to no hop character. Alcohol is slightly warming but fairly subdued and after 2 years in the basement these layers mellow. In the finish I get some cherry and currants.

This is a very nice baltic porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 02:55:26 | More by stewart124

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First note a distinctly graham cracker nose that shortly leaves, but was nice while around. Darker malt, a little alcohol, darker fruit.
Head seems to leave abruptly. Dark largely clear beer with red highlights.
Flavor with strong toastiness and very dry. Some dark fruit and an apparent alcohol taste.
Soft and filling carbonation, yet still a thinness to body.
Drinks fine, but somehow this beer isn't as satisfying as I desired or hoped for.
Thanks Bry.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 17:04:01 | More by garymuchow

pants678

California

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The deepest brown, no head to speak of just a light beige.

The hops come off first then toffee, coffee--sorta mocha-y.

Same as the nose, the hops are prominent. So bitter it's hard to to tell the back from the font, not necessarily bad. A lack of chocolate, nuts and toffee are most prevalent. Hits the edges of the tongue and it's quite pungent. Not staining, but striking.

The hop presence keeps the weight down. For a porter, I could keep this glass full.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 04:18:43 | More by pants678

bsp77

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Serving glass: Poured from bomber into Snifter.

Appearance: Rich, dark mahogany with thick initial light brown head but just leaves a few whispies.

Smell: Chocolate, caramel, cherry and noble hops. A little restrained.

Taste: Very malty and sweet, with chocolate, toffee, cherry and just a touch of coffee and spicy noble hops, especially toward the finish.

Feel: Moderate carbonation, fairly smooth lager body.

Drinkability: Nice sipper but comes across as more of a sweet Doppelbock, as the roasted qualities are a little too restrained. Not Victory's shining moment, but still quite tasty and good to try.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 01:06:59 | More by bsp77

Sudsy89

Florida

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz. bottle, chilled.

Pours a dark brown, almost black. Has a low level of carbonation, average-size head. Looks nice, like an Imperial Stout but perhaps not as dark. Aroma is similar, lots of roasted malts and coffee/chocolate in the taste as well. I think it was less bitter than I expected, and at 8.5% abv, it seems surprisingly drinkable. I enjoyed the flavors, although as other reviewers have said, it is on the sweet side. This is a good porter, would be a good intro to the style or perhaps before trying an Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 02:17:49 | More by Sudsy89

sraimondi

Connecticut

2.68/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had not had this for quite some time, so I was very interested in revisiting it, especially during our first snow storm of the year.

A--Marginally on style, as it was just a bit too light in color when compared to the seminal Baltics from Northern Europe.

S--Malt is prevalent, with some very faint fruity esters. While the style doesn't call for much hops in the nose, the malt breadiness was a bit too much, IMHO, for the style. The benchmark BPs also have more alcohol in the smell.

T--As with the smell, malt is the prevalent feature. Unfortunately, it was right on the boundary of cloying, hence my low rating here, given the style. BPs need to have some hops characteristics, which may be masked in the end. This beer is just way too malty/sweet for the style.

MF--Nice and full with some carbonation, quite good.

D--The ABV is well masked, no hotness, although I think, given the style, in the end, this is a shortcoming.

This is an odd brew. On the one hand, it is a very well made beer, although a bit out of balance; too sweet. On the other hand, it is just not on style and doesn't closely resemble the benchmarks for this style.

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style12.php

Personally, I think it is closer to a doppelbock. Anyway, an enjoyable drink, especially in a snow storm, just not on style.

Steve

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 21:35:10 | More by sraimondi

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.7/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

650ml bottle.

It pours a dark brown with a quickly dissipating off-white/tan head.

The smell is reminiscent of an American porter because it has a huge coffee scent along with some cocoa.

The taste reminds one more of Baltic porter. It has a subtle fruitiness, still a bit much with the coffee flavor. There is some chocolate and caramel in there as well.

The flavor perhaps doesn't go as far as it could with a Baltic porter and it is a bit over roasty for the style, but it is a very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 06:00:53 | More by crossovert

airheadmtrcycle

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a Duvel tulip. Dark but with red hues and light passes through the beer as I near halfway through. Tan head with big bubbles faded and left lacing which eventually disappears. Still a nice looking pour. I'm really excited about this beer. Even the bottle is cool.

The smell is of chocolate, dark fruit and even some wild cherry. Taste is rich in malty flavors with a complementary spiciness from the alcohol and some welcome bitterness on the finish. There's a light smokiness and some fruitiness in there as well. The alcohol contributes to the flavor rather than detract like some higher ABV ales. Not too much of anything here, a really balanced flavor. Less of the burnt coffee taste than some other porters, but the alcohol and hops serve that purpose and keep the sweetness in check. This should be a taste that almost all porter lovers will enjoy to some degree. I find it delicious. It was a perfect complement to my wife's homemade Southern fried chicken.

The mouthfeel is right on the money, kind of medium to rich and full, and not a bit of wateriness. Light carbonation is appropriate for the style. Oh goodness is this drinkable! I had some before dinner, during and now after with a pipe of aged Virginia/perique. No problem at all finishing the bomber all by my lonesome.

I am really impressed with Baltic Thunder, as I have been with all the Victory beers I've had. This one is right up there with all my favorite porters and Baltic porters. I'll be buying more that's for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2010 04:28:37 | More by airheadmtrcycle

jchow79

New York

4.55/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Opened a bomber at a friends holiday party.

Appearance: Dark as night - think of oil in a glass

Smell: Fragrance of chocolate and molasses and smoke. I love the aroma. Theres an earthy undertone as well - smells a bit like dirt was mixed in. Absolutely awesome.

Taste: High concentration of malt and chocolate. Delicious on the tongue with a long finish. Smooth and delicious.

Mouthfeel: Thick and oily in the mouth. Coats the tongue and smooth all the way down.

Drinkability: I probably could have finished this bomber on my own. Loved it. I think this is a really great offering!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 16:23:24 | More by jchow79

TheHoppiest

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a deep mahogany brown with glints of garnet. A very modest head disappears almost instantly, leaving a wisp of soapy tan floating up top.

Smells oaty, with pleasant biscuit-malt overlaid with a nose tingle of alcohol. Toffee and coffee notes are also present.

Tastes very nice; has a nice, roasted coffee taste, mellow yet distinct, with hints of chocolate and toffee. An almost bready malt gives this a full bodied taste. Ends slightly bitter for a nice finish.

Full mouthfeel, smooth yet bold, with a slight bitter feeling around the tongue and inside of the mouth.

This is an excellent porter, certainly one of the better I've had this year. Full and delicious, I would absolutely have this brew again.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 04:00:53 | More by TheHoppiest

jlpayne

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Sprightly. No head. Semi-opaque. Brown with deep red hues.

S - Limited nose. Muted scent of malts. Some sweetness.

T - Much more going on in the taste. Earthy. Malts and hops very well balanced. Alcohol is barely present.

M - Light carbonation dances on the palate. Wispy. Very enjoyable.

D - Extremely drinkable. The 8.5% abv is barely noticeable.

Another solid beer from Victory. Recommendable.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 23:39:18 | More by jlpayne

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - dark brownish body, big full tan/creme head.

S - nutty, toffee, cocoa, roasted malt.

T - dark chocolate, coffee, roasted nuts.

M - medium/heavy body. solid carbonation balance. goes down very smooth and the alcohol will sneak up on you.

D - This is one of my favorite styles of beer and this didn't let me down. Most assuredly a sipper, delighted in sharing thoughts will I sampled this selection with my best friend. Check this beer out.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 20:04:05 | More by BeerLover99

SolomonGrundy

California

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

gotta go quick - gotta fix dinner for the fam!! Pours a deep dark mahogany with wonderful blood red highlights. Crowned by two-fingers of smooth and creamy head, this beer looks fantastic!! Wonderfully carbonated by champagne-like bubbles, the head softens into a marshmallowy half-finger and leaves wonderful lacing. Aromas are somewhat faint and show some fig, fruitcake, a tiny bit of vanilla or caramel, and fresh bread. Wonderful, creamy smooth flavors abound. Huge malt component hits right upfront, then slowly diminishes into a nice round roasty flavor. Amazing how they melded those two malt components. I love it. Finish is long and well-balancing, where the hops really come in and mop up without overdoing it. Middle of the pricv range but this beautiful beer is worth tracking down. Not as malt forward as many others in the style I've had, but well-balanced instead.

What I like most: The beautiful pour and wonderful malt character in the flavor.

What I like least: The somewaht faint aroma profile.

Verdict: Delicious and worth tracking down.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 03:03:49 | More by SolomonGrundy

peacebone116

California

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bomber into an over-sized wine glass.

A: Dark black/brown with a reddish hue in certain light. Quickly fading muddy head.

N: Coffee and smoky hickory.

T/M: Coffee and a hint of chocolate. very smoky with the note of toffee sweetness. Texture is light (a little more than expected for this genre, but it does classify it as a "dark lager" on the back-of-the-bottle blurb); very drinkable.

I really enjoy Victory's take on traditional beers. They are very innovative and put a great spin on traditional German/Belgian style brewing. While I found this beer to be no different (the smoke nuances are very interesting), I did not pick up on the fruit notes I typically expect to find in a porter, which was a bit of a let-down. Good beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 21:49:18 | More by peacebone116

SkunkWorks

New York

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle poured into an Irish pint glass.

Look: hard to tell because of the lighting in the bar, but its dark brown with red highlights at the bottom and the sides. Thin tan head that doesn't stick around for very long but leaves an okay amount of lacing.

Smell: roasted malt, coffee, and dark caramel. A little sweet. Its simple but enjoyable.

Taste: follows the nose nicely. Coffee, some molasses, a hint of dark fruit, some roasted malt and dark caramel. Again, like the smell, fairly simple but enjoyable. The 8.5% ABV is hidden extremely well by the taste.

Feel: probably the biggest weakness of the beer in terms of the style, but its fairly thin for a Baltic Porter and is a bit on the thinner side of medium bodied. Carbonation is moderate. No alcohol warmth.

Drink: considering its 8.5% porter, this is exceptionally drinkable. Since its fairly light on the palate in terms of complexity and body, you could drink a lot of these.

Overall, decent but not exceptional. I think I might've enjoyed it more but in my mind I was comparing it to Storm King and that's probably an unfair comparison. Still, it was a good porter and hit the spot nicely. I would recommend giving it a try. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 15:54:39 | More by SkunkWorks