Red Thunder - Victory Brewing Company

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Draft at Capones in Norristown, PA.

Pours a very dark copper color with mahogany edges and a two finger frothy head that slowly fades into a lasting ring.  Streaks of lace left behind.

Roasted dark malt aroma with an earthy barrel and dry vinous notes integrated into the base beer.  Toasted oak and dark grapes complimented by smokey, roasted malt.  Hints of dark chocolate and burnt toast along with some charcoal and smoked meat but the oak and vinous fruit notes overpower the smoke beer characteristics a bit too much for my taste.

Full bodied with a moderate barrel presence that's nicely integrated into the base adding another dimension to the intense smokiness.  Dry, toasted oak with vinous red wine notes countered by smoked/burnt malt, toast, charcoal and dark chocolate.  Sweet up front from the barrel presence followed by smoke and roasted malt before finishing dry.  Decent job barrel aging this beer but the wine and barrel notes take away from the smokiness that I like so much in the base beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2013 03:20:38 | More by corby112

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at Capone's.

This one looks like a baltic porter, very dark brown bordering on black with a very minimal amount of off tan foam up top barely forming a cap, no lacing. Swirls bring back something, yet not much. Smell is in between winey and robust I can pick up the red wine easy with a faint tootsie roll scent and roast. A faint yeast scewnt pops out in the end with some small cocco rounding the scent out. Not picking up any alcohol. Taste is nice with a mix of baltic porter roast and wine barrel oak and grape/berry taste. Baltic Thunder is not the thickest BP out there so I can see how so much red wine/oak sprang up. It kind of takes away from the base beer, which I like better on it's own than red thunder. Either way this does not taste off IMO. It sets out what it is supposed to do. Body is a nice medium with low amount of carb, even off the tap, surprisingly, it's not dead though. This is a nice riff on the original baltic porter and I'll be looking for a bottle to drink when it gets real cold out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 02:02:05 | More by onix1agr

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This poured out as a dark brown color with some highlights of red in it. The head was thin and didn't leave much evidence behind on the glass. The smell of the beer gives off a roasted malt aroma which is decent. Nothing too exciting really. The taste of the beer gave off some chocolate like flavors, some roasted malt and a slight bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel was thin, not much body as all, the carbonation was fine but not much depth at all. Overall this was a disappointment, I didn't get much of the wine barrel characteristics at all from this beer. This beer seemed entirely different from the original version of Baltic Thunder... I'm not sure if this beer was old or if it was just a flop from Victory but I wasn't much of a fan of this at all.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2012 03:02:08 | More by Knapp85

weonfire

Illinois

3.64/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A - Dark mahogany, light head, opaque, tiny amount of lacing.

S - Red sour grape, cherry, carmel

T - Dry red wine, chocolate, carmel, cherry, oak

M - carbonation is good, low/med body, grape tastes lingers for a bit

O - This was a bit strange and also a bit of a let down. Initially it smells and tastes likes a sour - or heading that direction. But in an instant I felt fooled. What you may think is about to be sour cherry is actually dry red wine which turns to mild sweetness as the chocolate and carmel flavors come through. Mouth is avg at best being too watery but the 8.5 ABV is hidden quite well and is very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 00:33:01 | More by weonfire

Pencible

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured a nearly opaque dark mahogany with a little light tan head.
S: It smelled like roasted coffee and tannic oak, with some bitter dark chocolate and sour cranberries.
T: It tasted like sour oak and bitter dark chocolate and dry roasted coffee, with a little sweet molasses and fig. It had a clean, bitter, sweet and sour aftertaste.
M: It was watery with a little carbonation. Fitting body.
D: This was a really interesting and well done beer. I was skeptical of a red wine barrel porter, but somehow the scents and flavors ended up bring complimentary. The result was complex and bold and tasty. The body was decent but not great. It had a reasonably smooth finish, and well hidden alcohol, so it was pretty easy to drink. Not sure how it would age, but I really liked it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 21:19:50 | More by Pencible

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: On the lighter side for a porter, but still a deep brown with a hint of amber. Off colored head is ample at pour but retains well for a strong beer. Solid lacing.

S: Malt and wine grape smell. Nice twist.

T: Dark, sweet malt and wine barrel presence definitely. Nice mix of quality porter in the red wine barrell.

M: Relatively medium bodied for a barrel aged brew.

O: Really enjoyable and wish I had bought more.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 22:20:39 | More by Oakenator

metter98

New York

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is quite hazy brownish red in color. It poured with a thin beige head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of oak tannins are present in the nose along with notes of red wine.
T: Like the smell, the taste has lots of flavors of oak tannins along with hints of red wine and vanilla.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. Bits of dryness are perceptible.
O: The red wine barrel aging completely changed the dynamics of this beer so it no longer tastes like a Baltic Porter, but like more like an oak aged ale with some red wine flavors. The beer is quite drinkable and hides its alcohol very well.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 01:47:27 | More by metter98

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.71/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Served in a DC Brau tulip.

A: Not black... or even dark for that matter. Kinda dark, dark brown actually, with a nice mocha head to boot.

S: Definitely smokey, bordering on ash tray territory. Definitely got the wine barrel in the middle.

T: Much more coffee-like than I was expecting. I usually don't associate that with a Baltic Porter at all... more like licorice. After a few more sips, this damn near becomes a Flanders Aud Bruin. Very odd, yet enjoyable in a curious sort of way.

M: Lots of lacing here, not thick and snot-like like I was expecting, and the carbonation is pretty good.

O: One would have to have a microscope to detect any Baltic Porter characteristics here, but that doesn't mean it's bad.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 23:16:49 | More by Chaney

da_beers

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this in a trade (again, traded Heady Topper, living in VT has its definite Craft Beer related advantages) in a 750 ml Bomber. Best by 11/8/2015.

A - Pours a dark brown, thin tan head. When held up to light, can see the red from the oak red wine barrels used to age it. Decent lacing.

S - Chocalatey and nutty notes. Some spice notes in there that reminded me of the Holidays. Huge on the nose, get slight dryness of red wine in smell.

T - So interesting - starts as somewhat traditional Baltic Porter, but rapidly evolves into something quite unique. Finishes quite dry, like a Merlot.

M - Smooth and warming. Leaves dryness at end.

O - Overall good beer. Couldn't have multiples, not that drinkable. Leaves me very intrigued and wanting to try more beer/wine collabs.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 00:04:46 | More by da_beers

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle into tulip glass, best before 11/8/2015. Pours lightly hazy very dark reddish brown color with a 2 finger dense light khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big red wine, oak, tart dark fruits, clove, pepper, toast, roasted malt, leather, grass, floral, and earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of barrel notes with moderate malt balance. Very barrel forward in the aromas, smells a lot like a wild ale. Taste of chocolate, toast, red wine, oak, light roasted malt, raisin, clove, pepper, leather, grass, floral, and earthy spiciness. Moderate tannic fruitiness on the finish; with lingering notes of chocolate, toast, red wine, dark fruit, oak, clove, light roast, floral, grass, leather, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice flavor balance and complexity of moderate roasted flavors with wine barrel character; and no cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a moderately slick and tannic mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice barrel aged Baltic porter. Very nice complexity of flavors with good balance of barrel and roasted flavors; and quite smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering; and one of the most unique and interesting beers I have ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 04:05:02 | More by superspak

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a murky and dark brown with some red highlights, plume of dense tan head, gone quickly. Scent is big on the red wine character - vinous and oaky. Base beer is underlying with notes of brown sugar, chocolate, fruit, spice, alcohol. Taste again bold with the red wine notes, base beer hidden a bit underneath and that is tough to do with such a bold base. Felt a bit thinner than expected, moderate carbonation and dry. Solid beer, but heavy on the wine which clouds up a very good base beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 14:47:01 | More by rfgetz

bonkers

New Jersey

3.89/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a snifter, reddish brown pour, creamy white head. Tannic notes, oak notes, on the nose. The flavors of red wine and oak are overlaid with chocolate malts, slight acidic taste. The beer is creamy, full bodied, no discernable ABV. Decent beer, actually enjoy the base beer more.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:17:44 | More by bonkers

emerge077

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

More Flanders-style than the the base Baltic Porter, and pretty nice actually.

Reddish brown in the glass, dark but with good clarity. Thin layer of tan foam on the surface with minimal lace. Foam has a creamy surface texture and a slight audible crackle as it ebbs away.

Funky barrel aromas of leather and wet wood, toasted staves, a little roast malt from the base at room temperature.

Tart and tannic, plenty of dry oak barrel character, some vinous berry and leather, red wine and roast malt are seamlessly blended. Super dry tannic aftertaste with a hint of grape. Medium bodied, supple carbonation. A nice wild sipper.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 04:57:50 | More by emerge077

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.71/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Enjoy by 11/05/15.Consumed 2/22/13. C&C.

A: Dark plum coloring has a dense rise of effervesce that rapidly ascends up along the inner walls. A one finger barley tinted head has a marshmellow like texture with a spledily lengthy hold you dont want to wait around for. Waverly stratified rings of lace condesend down the vessel.

S: Hints of oaky sherry with a small tartness can be had on the nose.

T: Cocoa with creamy chocolate and toasty oak with some creamer-laced coffee. Vanilla, soft hazelnut, and a caramel sweetness with some soft fruity accents of berry skins. Sweet plums, a soft yeastiness and tartness concludes things.

M: Creamy textured, playful carbonation presence, medium-full bodied with a tart finish.

O: Overall a good complexity with a silky smooth tartness that is gentle, A good easy blend that works smoothly together and doesnt seem forced.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 23:50:52 | More by beerthulhu

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2013-02-28 in Columbia, PA

A - Reasonably clear dark brown with a touch of ruby. 1.5 finger head at first fades to a skim coat quickly and leaves nice lacing.

S - Red wine, oak, light vanilla, medium roasted grain. Nice but not overly-complex.

T - Reminds me of a barleywine aged in a red wine barrel. Dark fruit, burgundy, raisins, medium roasted grain, oak, some caramel, vanilla. Finishes spicy with some citrus, sweet-yet-charred-malt, alcohol and decent bitterness.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Thinner than I expected but not watery by any means.

O - I enjoyed this brew but wasn't blown away. Something a bit different for sure, which is always nice. I'd have it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 22:29:21 | More by Tucquan

Morey

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Reddish-Brown in the glass (perhaps a bit thin for the style).

Aroma: Big dry red wine notes, subtle roasted char, dry.

Taste: Huge notes of dry red wine. Subtle roasty flavors underneath.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low to moderate carbonation.

Morey's Bottom Line: This is an Amazing beer IMO. I feel that it's underrated in a big way.

Full Review here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfsXFnzKTto

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 23:37:17 | More by Morey

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Baltic Thunder aged in Wine Barrels

A - Has a fairly dark ruby brown hue, mildly hazy with a full inch of mocha head.
S - Very sour and funky and it seems to have lost any roast or chocolate in the aroma.
T - Very interesting I get some sour cherry and grape at first, then the roast comes center with some smoky favor and then I get the a bit of chocolate. It finishes with some herbal hops and some grape skins. Definitely the most interesting beer I had all year.
M - Medium, chewy, sour, and bitter. Roast and hops cling to the palate after every sip.
Overall at times it does seem too wine like but its fairly balanced and easy enough to finish the bomber. The best wine influenced beer I ever had.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 05:12:03 | More by DrDemento456

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A- Pours a brown color with a red hue. Settles into the glass as a cola color with a thin beige head. The head fades quickly and leaves a ring of carbonation bubbles around the edges of the glass.

S- Tons of aromas with the red wine and roasted malt coming through the most. There is also a strong oaky aroma as well as chocolate. A hint of sour funk is noticeable too.

T- The taste showcases the Baltic porter more than the red wine barrels. Big roasts and chocolatey flavors up front with the red wine flavors hitting in the middle and the finish. Nice funky red wine finish with a hint of sour and oak .

M- Medium bodied, medium carbonation, smooth and roasty with a somewhat dry and tart finish.

O- Interesting combination of flavors that work to a certain extent. I would like a little more from the barrel, but with a big roasty porter, it can be difficult. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 01:30:14 | More by stephenjmoore

AlexFields

Tennessee

4.01/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish brown color with a creamy, tan head with maybe a reddish tint. Am I imagining the red coloration in this because of the name and barrel type in the beer? I don't think so. Looks very unusual and very cool.

Smell is dominated by red wine. Some sweet and very lightly roasty malt character, but barrel first and foremost and not a great deal of complexity, smells really good though.

Taste is similar but more fully realized. Loads of wine barrel character, held up by fairly sweet chocolaty malt character. Some light acidity/bitterness from the barrels but this isn't really a sour. Very good.

Mouthfeel is wonderful, incredibly creamy, thickness is just right, they really nailed the feel on this.

Overall a great beer, might be barrel dominated but it works well anyway and I greatly enjoyed this.

8.1/10

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 04:50:06 | More by AlexFields

Googs

New York

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a teku glass

A: Deep red, mahogany body with medium sized off white head. Some lacing on the glass.

S: I love the smell that comes from wine barrel aged beers, and this comes through strongly on the nose. Smells similar to other American Wild ales, tart and oaky, Consecration is one that comes to mind. Some sweet, fruity, roasted malts, typical from Baltic porters, are coming through as well. Complex and great smelling brew.

T: Upfront the wine barrel really comes through again. A dry and sweet, lactic/tart grape flavor that is followed by the cocoa and dark porter characteristics. Nicely done, but the flavors need to come together a bit better

M: Medium body, but really creamy which is a big plus for. Good amount of carbonation, somewhat dry and roasty. A pretty drinkable beer all things considered.

O: I really enjoy beer thrown into wine barrels, and I'm eager to try more dark and heavy beers from either red or white oak barrels. I think a beer like consecration has flavors that blend together better which make for a better beer. Even so, Victory did a solid job on what they set out to do and for the price, this is awesome. I recommend this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 01:00:25 | More by Googs

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.39/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: deep dark copper/dark brown color, very nice thick rocky head, tan head
S: mild to medium nose, malt with some tannins noticeable from wine, almost like a Baltic Porter with some lambic undertones
T: nicely done, deep roasted chocolate malt, underlying tannins from wine
M: creamy and highly drinkable for ABV

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 14:13:54 | More by wisrarebeer

russwbeck

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Black pour with a booming off-white head. The head builds up quickly, sticks around, and sticks to the sides of the glass. 4.5

S: The aroma is not unlike some American Wild Ales I've come across, which I attribute to the white wine barrels. Slightly tart, the aroma is sweet and fruity. I'm not noticing a lot of baltic porter characteristics, however. 3.5

T: The baltic porter is much more noticeable on the taste, but the white wine is still there as well. Not quite as tart, the wine is full of sweet grapes and crisp. The porter is there throughout, with roasted malts as an undertone for the wine, and then at the end the roast comes out in a big way to close the beer out. The taste is great to me, but the wine and the porter don't exactly mix. They more exist together. 4

MF: The body isn't as full as I would have expected, but the carbonation level is right on point. I found the beer to be very drinkable despite the disjointed taste. The finish is clean. 4.5

O: This was a strange beer that I'm still not sure how I feel about. Perhaps with more time this will turn into something great, but for now it was just...interesting. The flavors need to play together better. 4

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 23:02:06 | More by russwbeck

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.99/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

750mL bomber poured into a snifter

A dark brown, near black body with a creamy off-white cap that fell to a faint collar rather quickly.

The nose is of cocoa powder, dark malt, cherries, damp oak, red wine, and some mild roast. A nuanced aroma, that is delicately layered.

This has mellowed out nicely. Cocoa notes are strong throughout. Red wine, damp oak, mild roast, and some cherries all poking through here and there. Subtle layers of flavor. The finish is dry with a mellow red wine influence.

Full-bodied. Smooth and lush.

A fine take on a red wine barrel aged porter. The flavors are very complementary and layered in complexity. A little too subtle to warrant a higher score, but this is pretty delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 17:55:27 | More by ColForbinBC

ksimons

New York

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-dark chestnut with ruby highlights and a fingers worth of light tan head

S-rich malt, chocolate, and red wine

T-taste starts with roasted malt, chocolate, and light coffee, and finishes with a bit of oakiness, and dry tart red wine flavor. Alcohol is well hidden.

M-medium body, light to medium carbonation, and a dry roasted feeling in the mouth

Overall I am glad I finally found this beer. I really like the combination of the porter and red wine, I think it really brings out some interesting flavors in the beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 00:00:55 | More by ksimons

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

I'm assuming this is Baltic Thunder aged in wine barrels since you can't find any infomation on the website, which is odd.

Pours a deep auburn brown color with a thin head on top after a vigorious pour. Fades to froth on top.
In the aroma I get a big toasted malt smell followed by oak barrel or church pews. The oak is light and sutle and you need to draw in deeply to smell it.
Taste was really disappointing. Perhaps this is just a malt beverage in wine barrels.
Taste of oak and wine barrels are there but where is the beer. I'm not getting any evidence of a porter style beer.
Mouthfeel is thin and watery with a husky bitter finish.
To me while this beer drinks smooth and easy it lacks in flavor. One can hardly notice any beer at all. I would thick that Baltic porter was aged in wine barrels to give the beer sutle hints of wine and oak perhaps leaning towards a port. Not the case here, and since I can't find any info on the website maybe they know it too.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 13:17:29 | More by micromaniac129