Victory at Sea is Ballast Point’s flagship imperial porter, and its Mexican Hot Chocolate variant is the one the brewery’s own employees voted their favorite. Brewed on the same coffee and vanilla base as the original, this version adds cane sugar, cayenne pepper, lactose, and cocoa, turning a cold-weather classic into something closer to a drinking chocolate with a kick.

The basics

• Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, CA)
• Style: Imperial Porter
• ABV: 10%
• IBU: 55

What to expect

Victory at Sea Mexican Hot Chocolate pours near-black with a thick tan head. The base beer brings roasted malt, cold-brewed coffee, and vanilla, and the variant layers cocoa and lactose sweetness over the top. The cayenne arrives late, a gentle warmth at the back of the throat rather than a burn, and it keeps the sweetness from turning cloying. At 10%, this is a slow sipper, full-bodied and rich, best poured in a small glass with something chocolate nearby.

Our rating

6.7/10

Rated by Alex (6.7). Alex enjoyed this one without loving it, and that feels about right. The chocolate and chili twist is fun and well judged, but the base porter still does most of the work, and the sweetness plus the heat makes it a beer we reach for once in a while rather than one we chase. A strong seasonal variant, just short of a classic.