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Victory Baltic Thunder

Score
9686
OVERALLStyle

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution

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RATINGS: 656   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.6   EST. CALORIES: 255   ABV: 8.5%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
While Heavyweight Brewing deserves credit for introducing the Baltic porter style to many craft beer fans, this beer from Victory represents an all new recipe fashioned on the experience of Tom's original intense brew. One noteworthy difference is the higher alcohol by volume of Baltic Thunder, 8.5% compared to Heavyweight's, which weighed in at 8%.

An additional distinction is Victory's use of black eyed peas in lieu of Roman beans. Despite these changes, this dark lager still features a reminiscent roasted character that embodies the fullness of toffee, along with subtle fruit flavors derived from its higher temperature fermentation. Long, cold aging tempers this complex beer into a well-rounded delight that warms with its significant alcohol strength. The final packaged product will be released in 25.4 fluid ounce bottles.

"The first brew of Baltic Thunder was magical. Tom and his original co-conspirator on the beer, Lew Bryson, even came here to Victory to assist. Then, while sharing a pint of Baltic Thunder off of the lagering tank a few weeks later with Tom, I swear the spirit of his departed Perkuno was smiling upon our accomplishment," continued Covaleski.

3.5
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 12/20
shrubber85 (4829) - Greenville, Indiana, USA - FEB 5, 2012
Bottle. Chocolate, molasses malt and light hay aroma. Dark chestnut color with moderate head. Sweet molasses malt and moderately bitter grassy hops and alcohol flavor. Finishes a tad rough. Pretty good but alcohol level is quite apparent.

4
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
BeerLimey (2111) - California, USA - FEB 5, 2012
[Bottle] Dark reddish brown, good head formation. Dark roasted malt aroma, a little dusty wood, winey fruit maybe gooseberry. Dryish chocolate malt on the palate, riding beneath the heavy hops and noticeable alcohol. Some woody notes in the flavor too. Drinks incredibly easy fro such a powerful beer.

3.5
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 11/20
mrmartin (344) - Oakland, California, USA - JAN 29, 2012
Auburn pour with little head, Smoked malt nose. lots of carbonation. light watery body. nutty earthy malts, lingering bitter nutty finish. eh not my thing.

3.2
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
nevets4433 (284) - - JAN 6, 2012
1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle from a plastic hotel cup. Pours a cola color. Lightly brown, very clear, and almost no head. Aroma is fairly mild but has a fair amount of roasted malt and toffee character. Taste also has a ton of toffee with a backbone of roasted malt. Very little dark fruit character. Overall, quite thin in the body. It is an approximation, not a representation of a Baltic Porter. Beer simply is not robust enough.

4.1
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
polomagnifico (845) - Saginaw, Michigan, USA - DEC 30, 2011
Bottle. Aroma has notes of peat, smoke, dark dried fruits, chocolate, wood, licorice and roasted malts. Very dark brown hue that sits almost black in the glass with a smallish brown head that left no lace. Flavor is medium/heavy sweet and bitter. Palate is full bodied and oily soft. Overall a really nice manly brew that reminds me of rough seas and fishing ports. Very good brew from a great brewery.

3.9
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
Naka (629) - Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA - DEC 11, 2011
Pours very dark brown with a small fizzy beige head that was gone quickly. Aroma is dark malty coffee. Flavor is rich, chocolate and caramel. Thick body with a nice roasty bitterness. This has sat in my cellar much longer than it should have, but it is still very good.

4.2
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
Zymurgeist2 (386) - San Francisco, California, USA - NOV 30, 2011
Pours a crystal clear deep, deep red with a taupe head that looks creamy and lingers. Massive malt, caramel and chocolate aroma. Coffee notes as well. Flavor of chewy coffee and chocolate. Dark fruit is noticeable. Great malt. Medium mouthfeel with slick finish. Nice carbonation.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
5000 (3998) - Hardened Liver, Washington, USA - NOV 23, 2011
Bottle:   Nearly black, otherwise dark brown with deep ruby hues, moderate to large light beige head, frothy, sticky lacing.   Rich malty nose, sight cocoa and dark pitted fruit.   Much the same on the tongue, without being overly caustic.   This one actually has more cocoa and less dark pitted fruit, so it somewhat reminds me of a stout.   Slightly dry, very soft pine on the backside.   I like this one because it isn’t too heavy, but remains fairly malty.   It is a bit tart, but thankfully not sour.   Body and mouthfeel are moderate to full.   Lingering charred wood and campfire.   Hmmm, pseudo Baltic Porter with some Scotch Ale and Milk Stout characteristics.   Enjoyable.



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Rating Notecard:
Beer: Victory Baltic Thunder Rating Avg: 3.6 No. of Ratings: 656
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