Mike Loves Beer

Name – Baltic Thunder
Country – United States
Type – Baltic Porter

Appearance – Pours a dark brown that had dark red highlights around the edges of the glass.  Finger wide tan head is gone pretty quick.

Smell – The smell is faint but you can pick up some roasted malts and coffee.

Taste – A nice mixture of roasted malts, bitter chocolate, dark fruit, coffee and a ever so slight hoppiness to it.

The latest of the Victory brews to make it’s way down here, it is pretty good Baltic porter.  The flavors all work together really nice.  I wanted to have this when I went to the brewery in December but they didn’t have any then.  I’m glad it got down here.  If you like a good porter then definitely give this a try.

Overall Grade – B

Name – Okocim Porter
Country – Poland
Type – Baltic Porter

Appearance – Pours a very dark brown that looks black at some angles with a big tan head that did leave some lacing on the glass.

Smell – Very nice malt smell with some roastedness (I believe I made that word up) in the background.  A very small hint of dark fruit.

Taste – Roasted malts, chocolate, buttered toffee, some coffee and this porter is extremely well rounded.

After I had Okocim’s O.K. Beer I was told I had to have their porter.  For many months I looked and could not find it in the store.  Then out of no where it was there.  I grabbed it and eagerly waited to have it.  I was not disappointed.  I put this at the top of my favorite porters list for sure.  I know us of Polish decent are usually the butts of a lot of jokes but it seems we can make so really good brews too.  Na zdrowie!

Overall Grade – A

Name – Gonzo Imperial Porter
Country – United States
Type – Baltic Porter

Appearance – Poured a deep black color with a light brown head that stuck around for a little bit.

Smell – Roasted malts with coffee and sweet chocolate.

Taste – Roasted coffee taste up front with a nice sweet chocolate flavor to follow up.  Slight bitter hoppiness to it.

We have some Flying Dog brews back in Florida but I have never been able to find this one.  Sure enough out in Arizona I am able to finally try this one that I have heard ravings about.  I must say that they are right.  A really beautiful tasting Baltic Porter that has a great combination of roasted and sweet malts.  It’s a must have.

Overall Grade – A