Victory Baltic Thunder
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.
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.
3.6
738 reviews
Downingtown, United States
Community reviews
On tap at brewpub. Pours reddish black with than head. Chocolate, toffee, coffee, roast. Moderately sweet and lightly bitter. Medium, creamy body.
Black pour with a big tan head. The head does not last too long. No lacing. Smells of malt, caramel and roasted coffee - slightly. Sweet roasty taste with a bit of caramel in the back. Not bad.
22oz bottle, from Burritos & Beer in Athens, OH, for $5. Enjoy by: 1/07/12, wow.. Dark brown color, thin khaki head. No lace. Some dark chocolate, dark fruit. Some earthy hop; cocoa. Bigger body; lighter, crisp carbonation. Good bittersweet taste. Alcohol reasonably well-hidden, pretty smooth. Hint of acidity. Little chewiness. Good baltic porter... Drank through the whole bomber myself over a game of poker, without much of a problem. I tied for 4th out of 8.
Interesting beer. Although the label refers to modern versions from Helsinki to Vilnius, I’m sure they could have replaced Vilnius by Puttgarden, as this beer seems to be a much improved attempt to mirror the very mellow German versions of Baltic Porters. The colour is just dark red, thin as a cola, very much like those Lausitzers or Stoertebeckers. Nothing of the oily black of the Polish, Finnish and Swedish porters. The aroma is again very malty, sweet, mellow honey with a touch of hops, warning the drinker of what is to come. But that was a false alarm! The flavour comes indeed as a very balanced, agreeable surprise. Nothing syrupy, as the nose alerted, but an extremely smooth blend of chocolate, malts, maple, licourice, smokiness and a touch of a grassy hops. The beer hides perfectly the high alcoholic level and the thin body does not affect the enjoyment of the experience. This is what the Balitka 6 should have been like.
Pours almost black with a thick, fluffy brown head. Aroma is full of malt and chocolate, hints of toffee and caramel. Flavor is chocolate malt, splash of toffee, hint of booze, slight touch of dark fruit - pretty good stuff. Palate is good for the style - a bit richer than some porters, but pretty indicative of the baltic style - but it is lively and engaging. Enjoyable brew overall!
I love this beer!! We get several Victory beers in Texas, but unfortunately not this one. The aroma is sweet with toffee notes. Color is medium brown, small amount of ivory head. Exactly what I would expect a porter to look like. The taste is sweet, with hints of vanilla and toffee that linger on the tongue. Not overly carbonated, which enhances the smooth mouthfull. Just a bit of alcohol in the finish. Equally as exemplary of the style as their Storm King stout (also fantastic). Good thing I have family in PA, but I wish they sold this beer in Texas. If you have a chance to try it, don’t pass it up!
Coffee and chocolate malt aroma. Medium brown in the glass. Quite smooth on the palate. Rich mouthfeel. Lingering chocolate and coffee finish. Well done.
Vegetable aroma breathes off after a bit leaving caramel, molasses, and dark fruit. Sweet flavor caramel and some coffee bitterness. Sweet, toffee finish with just a little drying alcohol. Really, really good.
great example of the style. big chocolate, fruity-roast aromas and flavors all over this beer. lots of creamy body, goes down very smooth, virtually no alcohol burn,
22 ounce bottle. Roast flavor aspects pop out and there’s some spicy chile that gives it some sizzle on top of the noticeable abv character. Dark tan color, thin residue on top but minimal lacing and low levels of foam. Aroma is negligible, maybe there’s a minor amount of toasted oats in the nose. Palate is notably light and there’s an above average dose of carbonation for a porter. Overall, not bad, but not exceptional either...I’d rather have this in a taster glass in a brewpub than a 22 ounce bottle.
1pint 6 oz bottle. Pours a dark ruby brown with a tan head. Vanilla, cocoa, espresso, faint red fruit, faint caramel, and dark malt notes on the nose. Medium bodied, and flavourful the taste has molasses, espresso, a slight fruity tang, chocolate, caramel, faint smoke, alcohol, and finishes big. I love this porter. Easy drinking, and the alcohol is hidden well. Awesome. I’ll definitely pick up another next time I’m in the US.
Bottle. Deep brown with red. Caramel and toffee aromas and flavor. Also tart and astringent.
Something different, smooth black clean mocha with maybe some currant subtlety
Pours dark with a sweet aroma. Taste of toffee and bitter roasts and coffee. Very smooth and delightful.
Bomber pours deep brown, clear and translucent. Minimal head around the rim of the glass. Aroma is rich, toffee and caramel malt. Tongue is slickly coated with a roasted malt flavor, hint of burnt malt (slight) with a presence of alcohol. This has a sharp bite but the malt profile provides nice balance for a big beer. I wouldn’t consider this a ’winter warmer’ due to the bite from the roasted malt but it is hearty as one would expect from the style and comforting as a result.
Bottle. Poured a cola brown with a quick tan head. The aroma and flavor found roasted malt with a backing of brown sugar. Light to medium body and a roasted aftertaste.
A dark-reddish ale with a poppy off-white head. Very full bodied with a bit of spice. A bit subtle for a porter, but a lot smoother too. The extra alcohol makes it bright on the tongue. Surprisingly a really nice beer.
Bomber from B&B in Wind Lake. Pours cola colored with reddish highlights and a minimal tan head. Some lacing. A notable amount of below surface carbonation - bottom of the glass continually had bubbles. Aroma has milk chocolate, caramel with molasses and hints of fruit. Taste is of choco/caramel grapes, if that makes sense. 3 strong elements in fairly equal parts to the flavor, and while it grows on you, it also is not as tasty as it could be if it swung harder to 2 of the 3. Somewhat rough but drinkable when you get used to the flavor. Finishes sweet with a bit of a saltiness & bitterness. Hmmmm. Had this a few times over the years and had remembered it as better. Perhaps old, so more vinious - and to the negative??
Tap to growler. Pours a brien that looks slightly red in light. Fair flat with. No real carb ot head. Coats tongue but fades. Taste smell. Not really A big smelling beer bit roasty some chocolate. Tastes more there chocolate toffee roasted Malts booze flavor. Pretty damn good itsz sweet rather then nasty bitter some porters give. Solid beer loose points just for stupid reasons thin not really good looking but makes up for taste.
Not bad. Pours syrupy looking without any head or lacing. Clear black/dark brown colour. Medium consistency. Aroma of nut mostly, not much else. On tap at Hopcat.
I love baltic porters and this is a great example. Good flavours, great balance and just well put together. It does lose points for appearance and it is a little watery, but overall a fantastic beer.
Bottle, nice deep burgundy color. Thin head. Nice malt doughy nose. Crisp classic barley wine attack with a slight sweet pleasant finish.
Poured nice from the bottle. Decent head retention. Caramel, roasted malt and toffee on the nose. Sweet nose as well. Color was nice for a dark lager. expected a little darker though. Taste was slightly sweet, good malt character, some dried fruit. light bodied i thought but warming on the palate. probably from the alcohol.overall not a bad beer.Slight hop bitterness to round it out
22 oz bottle thanks to Ben @ Casey’s: Pours dark caramel brown, almost black. Aroma of chocolate, chocolate malts. Slightly thin. Flavor of chocolate. Nice malt profile.
Bottle - Deep, dark brown pour with a creamy tan head. Nose is light brown sugar, a bit of roast, some chocolate and cinnamon, and a touch of dark fruit. Same taste...lots of malt and some smooth chocolate. Great mouthfeel and velvet carbonation.
660ml Bottle shared with czar, minderbinder and friends. An almost clear ruby-brown with a short lasting beige head. Smell is tons of caramel, chocolate, roast. Taste is chocolate, sweet, roast, overripe fruits. Very tasty! Finish is roast, overcooked, ash. Light body, somewhat sticky mouthfeel. Light to medium carbonation. Excellent!
Pours a translucent red hued brown on tap with thin tan head and little to no lacing. Aromas of roasted malts and dark fruits, with an overpowering coffee note on the end. Taste is all that with slight hints of chocolate. Nice, easy finish that lingers for a good bit. Pretty decent.
At Bavarian Lodge. Dark with little carbonation. Smooth but slippery texture. A little smoke some dried boozed fruits, liquorice maybe, and chocolate. Nice. Serving: Tap
A little smoke. Nice on the palette. A little lighter mouthfeel than expected. Good offering.
bottle shared with friends. hazy light brown-red with a small cap, little retention. once it warmed in my glass, plenty of chocolate notes, some lactose, light acidity, spices, light peaty notes, nice burnt caramel. spicy chocolate, some sweetness. average carbonation, medium to full body - still a decent drinkability, nice grassy finish. nice one!