For the second week in a row, Jason Finch at the downtown House of Pizza provide me with my Beer of the Week. This one presented at the Ballast Point Victory at Sea Day release. Victory at Sea is a seasonal Imperial porter (10%) Ballast Point likes to doll up in various ways. This years release sees Peppermint, Peanut Butter, and a first, the High West Barrel Aged version aged in bourbon & rye whiskey oak casks.

The High West BA iteration bumps up the ABV to 12.5 and it’s nowhere to be found in the flavor or mouthfeel in this smooth as chocolate cocoa double porter. There’s a strong bourbon aroma that made me initially expect a shot-like, high-alcohol first sip but the bourbon was very much in the background. Once I settled in to the dichotomy between aroma and flavor, this beer was an extremely sippable, relaxing adventure. Chocolate, roast, just enough bitterness to balance, and only getting smoother as the beer warmed, I found myself wishing this wasn’t 12.5% so I could have enjoyed one (or two) more and still make it home safe.

The peppermint option this year had more mint presence than last year but also had an odd medicinal quality to it and the peanut butter-fu was strong but well balanced in flavor and aroma and didn’t come off as artificial.

Great job once again, Ballast Point, on this one. I will seek this out to add to the holiday season and my cellar.