Clipper City Heavy Seas Winter Storm (2005+ -- Imperial ESB)

Brewed by Clipper City Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Baltimore, Maryland USA

Bottle. Dark amber, almost opaque, with small creamy yet persistent light brown head. Aroma: quite faint until warmed, sweet and fruity. Nice balance of caramel sweetness, hops bitterness and citrus that lasts. Lively fullness in mouth with pleasant tingle. Warming. Like an after dinner cordial.

Another 4-pointer from Clipper City! "Shiver me timbers" says the cubist captain on the label. There is a nice, honey sweetness. They say it is an imperial ESB. I say it is full of hops! Nice, fragrant, piney, fruity hops. Good malt backing. Pretty dry finish with some alchohol in there. They call it a heavy seas / winter storm ale, but this stuff would hit the spot with flat water and warm sunshine too. A hearty, hopping pale ale that reaches the same highs as this brewer’s Loose Cannon.

12 oz bottle purchased at Spirits RB. Poured a clear brown with slight red touch and an average size frothy off white head. Big aroma of citrus hops, caramel, toffee and floral notes. Nice palate with a full mouth feel and very complimentary carbonation that doesn’t overpower the palate. Sticky sweet flavor with notes of bread, raisins, brown sugar that finishes slightly dry and with a touch of alcohol flavor. A good beer to brave the winter nights with.

12oz bottle. Pours a deep, clear copper with russet and orange highlights. It pours up a smallish, light tan head that fades quickly into a very thin ring - but it leaves lots of lace on the glass. The aroma is thick - a pleasant combination of chewy, caramel malts and resiny, earthy, fruity hops. The flavor starts bittersweet with delectable malts - lots of caramel, some biscuit, and a touch of chocolate. The hops provide a nice background of subtle, flowery bitterness - but the front of the palate says this beer is more malt forward. The are tasty, fruity, English esters in there that strengthen towards mid-palate (and as the beer warms). The middle of the tongue finds more fruit and esters in the overall malt flavor, and a firm bitterness makes itself present. The finish is full of biscuits and dark toast along with some notes of caramel and English hops. The mouthfeel is quite nice - medium-full in body with a moderate level of carbonation. Overall, this is a pretty darn good beer.

12 oz bottle from mcbackus; Nose of flowery hops and caramel with some dark fruit and sweet citrus thrown in; (almost barleywineish) Hazy tarnished copper colorwith a medium straw head; flavor has hop bitterness, toffee, and light sweet fruitiness; finish is nmildly bitter.

Pours auburn with a thin white head. Great lacing. Aroma of dark, dried fruit and floral and mild citrus hops. Rather bitter. Citrus, pine, perfume is accompanied by dark fruits. I did not find this as sweet as many others, but did get some caramel malt hanging around. Lingering hops coat the palate. Medium to high carb. Nice mouthfeel. Lots of hops.

Bottle. Pours a gorgeous opaque amber with thin, diminishing head and little lacing. Aroma is sweet, hoppy, with pears and ripe oranges. Some slight caramel. Flavor is bright, sweet hops. Feeling of caramel is prevalent throughout the mouth, with an acidic citrus bite at the end. Warm, sweet, drinkable.

Winter Storm is a good balance. I bought it in a variety pack and thought it was a nice winter ale