Ballast Point Victory at Candy Cane Cove

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
San Diego, California USA

Serve in Snifter

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On cask yesterday at Urge Gastropub for their first annual Black Out. Pours almost lack with a small amount of brown highlights along the edge. For a small-ish pour, the mocha brown head is quite large and leaves some good lacing. Aroma of Andes Mints with strong mint and dark chocolate working together; also notes of creamy vanilla and a small amount of coffee. Flavor is again Andes Mints or a York Peppermint Patty with lots of peppermint, candy canes, and fudgy dark chocolate. The coffee is still there in the flavor, but it is toned down somewhat compared to the regular V@S. The big alcohol is well concealed as usual with this beer. I do prefer the regular V@S but this is a fun take. I think Ballast should consider bottling this and making it a limited release for the holidays as it is definitely full of Christmas aromas and flavor. (7, 661)

On cask at the Public House. Pours a dark brown with a small tan chocolate head that has very good retention and leaves some light lacing on the glass. The aromas is big peppermint and chocolate, a lot like a peppermint pattie. A little bit of roasted coffee and vanilla, but it is a background note. The initial taste has a little bit of sweetness with some peppermint, but not too much sweetness. Then comes some roasted coffee, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The finish has a bit of bitterness and leaves a lingering peppermint flavor. Fairly light bodied. Low, cask carbonation. Smooth, slick mouthfeel. Quite enjoyable. I would recommend, but only if you like peppermint.

Cask @ Urge. Pour is mostly opaque. Aroma is decidedly peppermint which is complimented with chocolate. Flavor is similar but with some coffee notes. Creamy mouthfeel; alcohol is well hidden. A cool and refreshing version of Victory that is dominated by peppermint, but not overwhelmed by it.

on tap at Churchill’s Pub. A story in peppermint. Peppermint aroma and taste. Above average mouthfeel.Not very drinkable. Either the cask had it, or its Ballast Point. Good on looks alone. I think the former.

Cask at Churchills. Almost black pour with a creamy tan head. Huge mint aroma. Lots of potent peppermint flavor in the aroma, as well as chocolate, burnt coffee, vanilla, and roasted malt. Kind of like those thin mints, very festive. I wouldn’t want to drink this often though. Your breath may even smell good after drinking this.

On cask at Breakwater. Black with a creamy off white head. Huge peppermint and chocolate aroma. Spicy peppermint and mint chocolate taste with light burnt coffee notes and a bitter finish with perfumey mint notes hanging around on the far back end.

On cask. Pours with a black hued body and a lasting tan head. Aroma: Christmas. It smells like peppermint bark. Period. Maybe some cola and fudge. Flavors are kind of dry compared to the nose (which is straight candy). Some bitter peppermint, fudge, roast and chocolate. Unique for sure. Mild alcohol, spicy on the palate. Creamy with low carbonation. Full bodied. Fun.

Sampled at Blue Palms where it was passed through candy canes as well. I was really worried that this would be another mint toothpaste beer. But this is quite nice. Sorta like a mint hot chocolate with notes of vanilla to it. And when served with a candy cane, quite festive.

On cask at the new Old Grove tasting room: Pours jet black with a small tan head. Flavor starts with peppermint that overpowers the vanilla, chocolate and coffee flavors. Aftertaste is minty with semi-sweet dark chocolate. Full body is rich with modest carbonation.