Beer: Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter

Appearance: Thick pour on this one, like pouring out a bottle of motor oil that's been sitting in a broken down chevy pickup for decades. Thin, dense, light brown head leaving sticky lacing as the level descends.

Aroma: Smoke, vanilla, coffee, with a dark fruitiness somewhere in there, like raisins or figs.

Taste: Over the top richness, like biting into a block of fudge topped with vanilla bean seeds. The coffee presence brings a little chalky bitterness balancing all the sweetness. The resolution is reminiscent of caramel.

Mouthfeel: Very thick, but not unpleasant. That slight chalky bitterness is enough to resolve the molasses-like heft and the alcohol at 10% is right where it should be for a beer with this much body. It's a dessert for sure, so if you approach it with that perception, it's not too much to handle.

Overall: Ballast Point won't be winning any awards for subtlety any time soon but that's alright by me and if you're looking for a rich dessert beer this is perfect. 

5/5