Your Next Pint

The Scoop: Highway 78 Scotch Ale

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Highway 78 is a Scotch Ale collaboration from Green Flash, Pizza Port Carlsbad, and Stone. Unfortunately, too many breweries spoil the "hop".

The Washdown:

- too barley sweet, flat and syrupy Highway 78 Scotch Ale 8.8% ABV

Highway 78 must be a road without street lights because this sweet, malty, heavy mouth feel beer is anything but a bright idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter about it, it's just not as hoppy as I'd hoped for. Because of 78's sweetness, it's really not a drinkable Ale. Instead, this one's for indulging. Since the carbonation is low and the head opens up large, the bottom of this 12oz bottle becomes surprisingly flat.

However, this beer just might have a light at the end of the tunnel. After your pour, try dropping a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream into the glass and enjoy it with a spoon for a sweet adult retreat.

Ballast Point "Victory At Sea" Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter makes for a winning Beer Float

On its own, or in an ice cream beer float, Ballast Point "Victoria At Sea" Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter definitely pleases the palate.

The Washdown:

- rich & Kahlua-like, dark Ballast Point "Victory At Sea" Imperial Porter

- smooth & creamy Organic Stonyfield Farm "Gotta Have Vanilla" Nonfat Frozen Yogurt

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The first time I had a beer float was at The Golden State Cafe in the LA Fairfax District. I had an amazing creamy & crunchy, cinnamon oatmealy Horchata ice cream topped with Old Rasputin Imperial Stout – and oh was it love at first Pint. But it wasn't until I was on my LA Miracle Mile St. Patrick's Day Bar Hopping Gameplan that I became inspired to create my own.

My trusty hand model Evan and I started the night off at Whole Foods Market for the $1 beer & cheese tastings from 5-7pm. It was there we were introduced to the dark, sweet & rich creaminess of Ballast Point "Victory At Sea" Imperial Porter, which one Silver for the 2009 Coffee Flavored Beer Award at the LA County Fair. So, we bought the 1 Pint 6 fl oz. bottle, along with with a Pint of Organic Stonyfield Farm "Gotta Have Vanilla" Nonfat Frozen Yogurt – hey, I gotta save my calories somewhere – and decided to get down to brew business.

The Victory at Sea poured like a Guinness and took about a minute to seductively settle into the ice cream, while it fizzed the whole way down. It had a dark blackish-brown color and tasted like a Hoppy Vanilla Caramel Espresso with a shot of Kahlua. It was slightly bitter in taste – think 85% Dark Chocolate – and had a Frothy Coffee Head. But, paired with the crunchy bits of Vanilla Bean from the creamy Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, it was like my own little cup of sweet Black Magic – not to mention its bold Alcohol Content of 10%!

Ladies – you might prefer Ballast Point "Victory At Sea" Imperial Porter as a dessert, or perhaps in a Snifter. Gents – you'll definitely enjoy this Victory on its own. Now go out & get it – it's Friday, you deserve it!