Victory Brewing Baltic Thunder

<Queue the wrestlemania announcer voice, please.>

Ladies and gentelmen, in this corner, weighing in at 22 0z and a mean 8.5% alcohol by volume, hailing from Victory Brewing Co… BALTIC THUNDER, thunder, thunder….

Seriously… whenever I say this beer, I have to say it like WrestleMania… it has calmed down a bit now, but when we tasted it, we were annoying each other (Mr. Dave) pretty bad.    I think Victory were on to something when they named this little brew.

The name is probably the most notable aspect of this beer but that isn’t to say it doesn’t have merit.  I actually like the brew for the style and would buy it again if in the mood.  Both the body and the nose are sweet… verging on candy-like… but not in a bad way.  Not too sweet, mind you, and it is almost like a vanilla caramel smell.  Pretty good, actually.  The style is definitely a sweet version of an English porter/ale and it drinks easy, light, and clean. 

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Victory Hop Wallop Ale

Been a little remiss on the blog due to travel (Manila, Philippines), but back in action.  Will have a quick review on some San Miguel in a night or two.

As far as this little 8.5% brew goes, though… I liked Hopdevil a lot and remember it was a hoppy SOB… this one, though… Victory may have taken it to the next level… This beer looks hoppy, smells hoppy, drinks hoppy, and finishes hoppy. There isn’t any messing around, it just comes at you from start to finish. Even doing a little mouth-breathing after the swallow brings lingering hops on the taste buds! Wicked hoppy but nicely done… enough to make it easy to drink. Just be in the mood for hops when going after this one…

“Hoppiness is happiness”… enjoy!

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

 

Victory Hopdevil Ale

Last beer of the night… Victory Hopdevil Ale came to us at dinner at the Steinberg Conference Center where we are taking our class from Wharton.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but boy am I glad we had this one with the meal.  A really nice, hoppy, IPA that hits you hard and doesn’t say its sorry, Victory Brewing’s Hopdevil IPA is a wonderful local brew.  This beer takes the hoppiness to a high level and keeps it there, but balances it with a clean finish and some good malty undertones. 

Our server offered some great recomendations for getting some more beer, including Monk’s Cafe which I really, really should visit before I head home…  will have to and let you know about it.

Update: This beer truly is the devil!  Its 6.7% ABV sneaks up and kicks you in the nuts while your back is turned and then it runs away laughing.  I am paying a dear price today… a dear price indeed.  Damn you Hopdevil!!

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Picture Courtesy of Victory Brewing Co.