$12.99/six-pack- 12 oz bottles
Background
It was about a year ago that I heard of Ballast Point Brewing Company when we started carrying one of their beers at Burns. I never got around to trying the California Kölsch, but it got good reviews from customers. On a trip to Chattanooga Wine and Spirits (almost across the street from Burns and the closest thing we have to a Total Wine in town) I saw a couple beers from them that I wanted to try, but didn’t want to spend too much at one time…so I bought the Calm Before the Storm, a cream ale with coffee and vanilla flavors. It’s one they make for warm weather months as an alternative to their year-round Victory at Sea. I loved it…but when I went back for more a couple weeks ago, there was none to be had. The people that work there assured me it would be back this year, but for the moment, I decided to try Victory.
Our Victory at Sea Imperial Porter is a bold, smooth brew with just the right amount of sweetness. We infused this robust porter with vanilla and San Diego’s own Caffe Calabria coffee beans. The subtle roasted notes and minimal acidity of the cold brewed coffee, balances perfectly with the sweet caramel undertones of the malt, creating a winning combination for your palate.
While Calm rings in at 5.5% ABV, Victory is a serious 10%. I found that out one night when I was already tired after work and decided to have a Victory…by the time I got through I could hardly keep my eyes open and was wondering what had hit me.
Victory at Sea is a multi-award-winning brew and is available year-round in bomber bottles and on tap. It is available in limited quantities in the 12 oz. 6-packs like I bought.
Notes
In the glass, Victory at Sea has the typical Stout or Porter look: black as used motor oil. The aroma from it was very malty with a whiff of vanilla.
When sipped, the coffee overlays the malty beer flavor and delivers a very nice sweetness that is only enhanced by the vanilla. The finish is surprisingly clean for such a full-bodied beer.
I lit up a La Aurora 107 Maduro Lancero “Bowtie” to go with this beer. It’s a full-bodied cigar with a tremendous amount of sweetness from the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
By halfway through the beer, I was starting to feel the fullness of the 10% ABV that is possesses. It did pair well with the cigar, though. The stogie enhanced the sweetness of the proceedings and brought some spice and earth notes to the party.
I really enjoy Victory at Sea. It’s a great beer at any time of year…but…I still prefer Calm Before The Storm with its lighter take on the whole “coffee and vanilla beer” category. Calm just goes down smoother. I just wish they made it all year long rather than just for warmer weather months.
My pairing of cigar and beer was good…I would say Victory at Sea should pair well with just about any medium-to-full or full-bodied Maduro…maybe a Padron 1926 Serie, Liga Privada #9, or Tatuaje Avion 13 Reserva.
As a side note, I’m heading out to California again in October and am making plans to visit Ballast Point. While they do have a brewery tour and tasting room in San Diego, they also have a tasting room in Long Beach, which is much closer to where I will be. I haven’t made up my mind yet, but if I have the extra time a day trip to San Diego will be worth it, I think.
October can’t come soon enough. See you then!