Calm Before the Storm

Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego, California, United States 🇺🇸

Cream Ale Rotating

Score

6.92

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 15

Ticks: 76

Calm Before the Storm came from a quest for a warm weather alternative to our Victory at Sea Imperial Porter. Like its more robust cousin, we infuse a punch of flavor using cold brewed Caffé Calabria coffee and a hint of vanilla. But this time, we added it to a lighter-bodied golden cream ale. The end result is a surprisingly bright, coffee-forward beer that’s perfectly refreshing.

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7.4

Maverick (5091) reviewed Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 10 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Bottled. Shiny golden amber pour - some coffee malts and vanilla. Really reminded me of drinking cream soda, easily the best cream ale I’ve ever had.

Tried from Bottle on 20 May 2025 at 01:34

6.6

rumore (5582) reviewed Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 2 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Tap at Ballast Point Little Italy, San Diego, CA, USA. Nitro version. Pours regular golden, brilliant and transparent, with very fine white foam. Aroma is nicely focused on coffee. Body is average, with basically no carbonation. Taste is quite roasty, the coffee being very evident. Final is average.

Tried from Draft on 19 Nov 2023 at 03:34

WingmanWillis (38720) ticked Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 6 years ago

Tried on 14 Nov 2019 at 00:44

octal (3683) ticked Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 7 years ago

Tried on 12 Oct 2018 at 15:55

7.9

Cheeseboard (6301) reviewed Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 8 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

355ml bottle. Pours clear golden amber with an off white head. Aroma: coffee dominates, also malty caramel, vanilla & cream. Taste: light to moderate sweet, creamy malts, coffee cream soda, vanilla, biscuits. Light to medium body, soft carb, sweety creamy coffee finish. Enjoyed this one, my favourite of this style so far

Tried from Bottle on 26 Feb 2018 at 21:45

Marduk (26455) ticked Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 8 years ago

Tried on 19 Jun 2017 at 14:56

allinthenameofbeer (11579) ticked Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 9 years ago

I thought this was a stout when I bought it, I thought it was a stout when I tasted it too. Too many burnt notes though, cigaretteish.

Tried on 26 Jan 2017 at 20:11

6.6

bb (18607) reviewed Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 9 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Draft. Amber beer with a cream head. Coffee aroma. Malt and vanilla flavor with coffee and light citrus. Medium bodied. Vanilla and light coffee linger with light citrus.

Tried from Draft on 01 Dec 2016 at 17:38

7.6

Lilja (4691) reviewed Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 9 years ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Flaska på Bishop Gustav, Malmö. Smak och doft av vanilj, kokos, grädde med fina kaffearomer. Fin sötma, bra aromer, krämig, rund och len med fin beska. Gott!

Tried on 15 Oct 2016 at 17:00

6.8

mart (27261) reviewed Calm Before the Storm from Ballast Point Brewing Company 9 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle (as cream ale with coffee and vanilla), (from beergium). Pours amber. Aroma is coffee, beans, vanilla. Flavor is sweet and bitter, vanilla, malt, some coffee. Body is watery. Easy to drink. Overall: ok, but too thin.

Tried from Bottle on 01 Oct 2016 at 16:13